Real aligators in Aligator Bayou at POR?

[jasper]

Has anyone seen or heard of a "real" aligator sighting at POR? Would there be a risk of letting the DD's meander near the river or fishing hole on their own because of gators? They like to chase lizards (and treat them gently if they catch one).

 

[twinklebug]

It's Florida, and as the saying goes, There's an alligator for every puddle.

HOWEVER, Don't be discouraged. Disney does NOT put up with gators on their property, especially if guests are in the area. From what I've heard they have professionals who's job is to take care of the natural wildlife in the area, including moving the gators to more hospitable locations.

 

[DawnCt1]

I recall driving down the drive way of Shades of Green and seeing a big ol' gator basking on the green lawn just about 20 ft from the drive way. We pulled over to watch him from afar. Some teenage girls behind us, obviously with the mind set that "nothing bad happens at Disney", got out of their car and ran towards him. The gator, being the gentleman that he was, slithered off into the pond. Good thing for those girls. I wouldn't have believe it if I didn't see it. I have seen plenty of gators at WDW, I have just never seen guests running up to greet them.

 

[bugsy]

we are californians who have never been to florida--ever.
are wandering gators a PROBLEM? should we be
nervous at the parks, DTD, US. Citywalk, resorts?

 

[jrpc]

My husband and I stayed at ASMu Late Nov/Early Dec 2004 and liked to go for a run every morning before breakfast which is quite easy as you can run around and through all of the All Star Resorts. We were in the car park at the ASSp nearest the main entrance gate when a CM caught our attention ( I happened to be wearing a Roots T shirt with a large maple leaf and she guessed we were not local - she was close but I'm English not Canadian and had bought the T shirt whilst on holiday!!) and pointed to the pond/lake that is next to the road to show us a small alligator at the edge of the water, it did not stay long I think it must have heard us and disappeared off into the water.

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

LOL No wonder they don't let people swim in the lakes! And here I had thought it was a bacteria in the water that generated that policy! LOL I hope we see some when we are there next month! The pictures we could get would be great!!!!

 

[randyl]

I've been to WDW at least 30 times and I've never seen a gator anywhere (except for the ones at Animal Kingdom).

 

[n2mm]

There was a aligator in the pond (woods side) at WL last summer while we were there. We watched him everyday in the AM. We mentioned it to staff, but they didn't seem concerned. We also watched the staff at CSR pull one out of the pond when we stayed there (first year it openned). They said that they were looking for a couple of others that they knew were there. Afterall, CSR was new and the aligators were there first. My co-worker saw one at the All Stars Sports 2 summers ago, near a pond. I believe, where there is water, there is always a chance for a aligator.
I took pictures of both of the gators I saw at CSR and WL, just in case folks didn't believe me. The one at CSR was about 5 feet and the one at WL was about 4 feet.

 

[tikkipoo]

They do say that sometimes gators get on the tracks of the train at MK. I guess they're trying to "get it on" with the animatronic (sp?) ones that are there.

 

[magicmouse2]

I have never seen a gator living wild at WDW I would love to though. I always scan the rivers and canals but no luck.

 

[rriley25]

When my family stayed at BCV in July 2004 we saw this gator every day. He was in the canal that separates the resort from the parking lot. He was quite the attraction. People would stand on the bridge and throw food down to him. I think most didn't realize that this was a) against Florida law and b) just not smart anyway you look at it. Although there was no danger while standing on the bridge there was a grassy area leading down to the canal about 200 yards away. If the gator had wanted to he/she could have strolled up the embankment and onto the Dunes Cove pool area. Here's a photo. He was about 6-7 feet long I guess.

 

[goofy4tink]

We've seen several. One time we saw one around Tom Sawyer's Island. There was this one family watching the 'gator. Them mother kept telling the kids.."Isn't it great how real Disney makes these things? You don't see this at home. He looks almost real enough to EAT you!!!" Then we've seen them in the canals between the Contemporary and MK and over at BC. They're out there and they really don't pose a big problem to us, as long as we give them a wide berth. I've seen those teeth...I have no problem staying at a distance!!!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

My in-laws live on a lake in FLA about 30 minutes from Disney. There are gators all over. While Disney might have naturalists to assist in gator capture and removal, its a big place with lots of water. I think its safe to assume that there aren't any gators in TL or BB . However, I would never assume that there aren't gators in any other body of water that isn't see through. But as with anything else, just use your common sense.

And yes, I tried to throw my DH out of the car to get a picture of the first gator that I ever saw. Good thing he had more common sense at that moment than I did.

 

[Sammie]

The Fishing Hole I would not be concerned with as it is not a natural body of water leading to outside waterways, canals or lakes. It is there for recreation much as a pool is.

However any natural canals such as the one the boat to Downtown Disney uses, then Yes I would not allow a child near the edge with out adult supervision.

There are gators on Disney property. Disney does a great job in relocating them, but they are determined to come back due to the fact people feed them and they see this as an easy food source.

It is very sad. One it is against the law to the feed them and two it never has a happen ending for the gator.

Use common sense and you will have no problems.

 

[Huey Dewey&LouiesMom]

When we arrived at Coronado Springs in April of 2002, they were removing an alligator out of the lake as we were checking into our room. The CM said it was just a small one. He didn't seem to concerned, it must happen a lot. LOL.....being from Michigan, a small one still freaks me out.

 

[jkmmah]

A bus driver we had last Nov. told us that there is a gator that "lives" in the water behind Space Mountain. I can't confirm that b/c I didn't see one with my own eyes. I will say, however, that the train ride we took after hearing that gave me the willies as we rode in that vicinity.

 

[NCombs]

Forgetting about gators for a minute-I wouldn't let my kids play around the water at POR anyway. This is a river not a lake with a nice shoreline and sand. It has algae on it and is a river bank not a shoreline. It's pretty but definitely not water you want the kids playing in or around. You'll see when you get there. Have a great time.

 

[sheri236]

we saw one from the liberty belle riverboat near btmr a few years ago. it was just a small one and at first i thought it was a disney creation but as we watched him swim along, i realized it was the real thing!!

 

[jasper]

Forgetting about gators for a minute-I wouldn't let my kids play around the water at POR anyway. This is a river not a lake with a nice shoreline and sand. It has algae on it and is a river bank not a shoreline. It's pretty but definitely not water you want the kids playing in or around. You'll see when you get there. Have a great time.

My DD's definately won't be in the water, but just wondering if they should be on the lookout near the water, that's all. Good advice though.

I don't think algea is a danger though.

 

[DawnCt1]

Forgetting about gators for a minute-I wouldn't let my kids play around the water at POR anyway. This is a river not a lake with a nice shoreline and sand. It has algae on it and is a river bank not a shoreline. It's pretty but definitely not water you want the kids playing in or around. You'll see when you get there. Have a great time.

You are right. More dangerous than the alligators at WDW is the amoeba that live at the bottom of fresh water lakes and stream in Florida that causes encephalitis.