Real bats flying inside wilderness lodge lobby

[maxiesmom]

This is some crap. Those of you who didn't pay good money to take a Disney vacation at a deluxe resort can say what you want. Until you are paying for club level accommodations on the one vacation you get a year you don't understand how upsetting it is when you can't enjoy your resort because rabies infected rodents are swooping in front of your face and terrifying children. And what, I can't ask an 8 year old girl I'd bats frighten her? Come on, if she wasn't afraid of the fanged rodents already I dont think asking her would make any difference.

Guys... would you like it when you arrange a romantic getaway with your wife for her birthday and valentines day only to learn bats are upsetting her so you can't sit by the fire place, sit at the resorts restaurants, visit the gift shop, and are freaked out just to walk through the lobby to the door? This is a deluxe 4 star resort not a bleeping camp ground.

I was with you until this post. I don't think your staying at a Deluxe resort has anything to do with wether bats should be flying around or not. Or your staying club level. They shouldn't be inside at any resort. Making elitiest remarks is not going to help people see your point of view.

Bats are actually good to have around as they eat a ton of insects. And not all bats are rabies infected. I wouldn't want them flying in my face either, but it sounds like you are being a bit melodramatic about it all.

Not really anything you can do now. You should have asked to switch resorts as soon as you had the problem. I'm not sure why you are posting now, when we can really give you no advice that will help.

 

[Sugar Jones]

I would have requested a resort change at the time.

 

[Snape]

As the OP I am realizing a few things now, mostly from this board. Thank goodness I'm not the only one who thinks having bats fly around the lobby is unacceptable.

We had reservations at artist point for my wife's bday which we cancelled because we literally were too freaked out to sit in the lobby and wait for. My wife was in the hallway by roaring fork and ran outside just in time to see the bats slam into the glass door right in front of us on the other side.

CMs explain they do call animal control to try to catch them but I saw nobody doing that and the conceirge desk says to basically expect to see them every night anyway. They are a protected species and if you know how huge the WL lobby is you would know how hard it could be to catch then. My guess is they are living in the resort now somewhere.

I get the impression this is a new phenomenon happening here and I'm not sure how other guests react. I asked a little girl in the elevator if she was afraid of the bats she said one flew within six inches of her but she didn't seem upset about it? Anyway, tonight is our last night here. I feel like we should compensated for this but I don't know what they will do seeing as how this issue is affecting everyone who stays here and uses the lobby or restaraunts.

And her father didn't knock you unconscious? Did you also ask her if she's ever danced with the devil by the pale moonlight? I'd love to see a pic of the bats. Next time you see one fly by see if you can get a good shot.

Just so people know, bats can bite you and you won't even know you've been bitten which is one of the reasons they recommend a series of rabies shots if you find them in your house.

 

[jimmysmom74]

It is unfortunate that this happened to you, but don't let it ruin your trip.
Go out and have some fun at the parks or eat at another resort.
The lobby is one area of the hotel, Disney is not going to give you your money back, so stop wasting your vacation at the front desk complaining and survey children on their fear factor. It's a losing battle.

 

[LilyWDW]

There probably is nothing that the Wilderness Lodge manager or CMs can do in this situation. They would have to wait until the bats are caught which will most likely be done with humane traps set by animal control. A guest won't see any of this happening as they will most likely set and check the traps during the slowest periods in the lobby (late night or early morning).

Really, it would be ridicules to expect the CMs to try and catch the bats. The CM has no idea on how to handle these animals and it could be dangerous for both the CM and the bat.

 

[luvmy3boyz]

We've stayed at Wilderness Lodge multiple times and never encountered bats or any other birds (or wildlife) inside of Wilderness Lodge. Our last stay was Concierge level this past December - the seating area is way up top and never saw a bat. I assumed this post was a joke.

 

[vicki_c]

Oh now I see, it's the club level thing. I have stayed club level @ the Poly a few times - they are much better at getting rid of the bats, that's why I pay extra for that. I guess I'm entitled to comment since I paid good money to stay CL at a deluxe resort (note to all the rest of you - you're not).

Just another entitled person looking for compensation for their "ruined" trip. You're just making yourself look bad now with your ridiculous comments and sanitized cursing. The whole - had to cancel dinner, couldn't go in the lobby, is way over the top IMO. Now the bats are terrifying children, you say, so you thought you would add to that by asking a child about it? Just in case she wasn't frightened, you felt the need to inform her that she should be. So out of line. I would flip if someone did that to one of my kids.

You had a chance where you could have asked to change resorts; you chose not to do that. So is it better now? No, apparently not, since you say you can't enjoy anything, so you'll come here and gripe and take offense to others commenting.

 

[jimmysmom74]

This is getting good!!

 

[disneychic2]

We'll be at WL in September, our first time in a Deluxe and are so looking forward to it. Even after this thread! I'm sorry it effected you so deeply OP, but I don't think I would let it ruin my vacation or change my plans for dining. Lots of things are out there to potentially ruin a vacation, but it's better if we learn to just roll with it. Sorry your vacation was ruined, but I think the CMs responded the only way they could. Better luck next visit.

 

[maxiesmom]

And her father didn't knock you unconscious? Did you also ask her if she's ever danced with the devil by the pale moonlight? I'd love to see a pic of the bats. Next time you see one fly by see if you can get a good shot.

Just so people know, bats can bite you and you won't even know you've been bitten which is one of the reasons they recommend a series of rabies shots if you find them in your house.

Asking a child if they are frightened of something is a good way to make them frightened of that thing. If I was that child's parent, I would have told you what for and maybe kicked you in the kneecaps.

Snape is right about the bat too. I remember on one episode of Survivorman he slept in a canoe on the amazon and had forgotten about the bats.They flew in his face all night long. He said you would never even know they had bitten you because you wouldn't feel it.

 

[Ctsplaysinrain]

Why are people attacking this OP.. He's upset. There are bats in the hotel- they can be dangerous and obviously it is freaking him out.. Yes, it's Florida etc.. but cmon, how many posts have we seen about snakes, bedbugs where people are just as scared.. How many posts have we seen about bedbugs where people are demanding compensation...

Just to change the scenario a little, what would the reaction have been if the OP had stated that he saw several snakes in the lobby and hallways of WL and he was afraid to sit in the lobby because they were close to crawling on him..?

 

[DaniB]

I was not saying Disney would not give you a refund. I was not saying don't bother asking. If the bats in the lobby are scaring you this badly, then it doesn't hurt to ask. IMHO I was saying I just don't believe Disney will compensate unless a bat gets into a guest's room.

All I have to do is translate "bat" into "giant spiders lurking around the lobby" to understand your fear and wanting compensation! (Giant to me is anything .25 cent sized and up!)

If I found out there was a bat in my room overnight, I would totally be freaking out! But as for the in the huge/high lobby, I don't know... I guess I would have to be there to really "judge" anything. My understanding is bats will not just randomly attack people.

I'm afraid I have read many stories of people finding creatures in their room and Disney not doing much other than moving the guests. No matter if value/mod/deluxe. Spiders, snakes, little tiny lizards. Didn't someone find a baby alligator/croc in their washroom? I'm just glad I did not have this experience!

And YES, asking an 8 year old girl if she is afraid of bats is inappropriate! I have a hard time believing you just do not understand that!

 

[jimmysmom74]

It's the lobby isn't not his room.
It's WDW go out and have some fun already. There is a lot of scary things in the the great big world that we just have to move on past.
I really don't think if this was as "dangerous" a situation as this thread is making it out to be disney would just sit by and let it go on. They can close areas of the hotel, if need be. It is possible that this story is a little blown out of proportion.

 

[cjsm&d]

I was not saying Disney would not give you a refund. I was not saying don't bother asking. If the bats in the lobby are scaring you this badly, then it doesn't hurt to ask. IMHO I was saying I just don't believe Disney will compensate unless a bat gets into a guest's room.

All I have to do is translate "bat" into "giant spiders lurking around the lobby" to understand your fear and wanting compensation! (Giant to me is anything .25 cent sized and up!)

If I found out there was a bat in my room overnight, I would totally be freaking out! But as for the in the huge/high lobby, I don't know... I guess I would have to be there to really "judge" anything. My understanding is bats will not just randomly attack people.

I'm afraid I have read many stories of people finding creatures in their room and Disney not doing much other than moving the guests. No matter if value/mod/deluxe. Spiders, snakes, little tiny lizards. Didn't someone find a baby alligator/croc in their washroom? I'm just glad I did not have this experience!

And YES, asking an 8 year old girl if she is afraid of bats is inappropriate! I have a hard time believing you just do not understand that!

Am I wrong in wondering why only one person who has experienced this has said anything. I googled the subject and the only post is this one here on DIS.

I would think any CM or insider would have heard this too? I mean bats flying around a resort for DAYS? Seems like the kind of thing Disney would be all over quikly to avoid any bad pub...

It just seems like the kind of thing that would be all over the WDW sites?

 

[DaniB]

Am I wrong in wondering why only one person who has experienced this has said anything. I googled the subject and the only post is this one here on DIS.

I would think any CM or insider would have heard this too? I mean bats flying around a resort for DAYS? Seems like the kind of thing Disnay would be all over quikly to avoid any bad pub...

It just seems like the kind of thing that would be all over the WDW sites?

You would think so...

A couple people have posted that they were there recently and did not see any bats.

 

[blackacex2]

A couple things,

I am not an elitist. I didn't pay for club level, must have been a free upgrade

I am only staying 3 nights here, we split our stay because we can't afford 6 nights at a deluxe, even during value season

I don't expect the CMs or anyone else to have a solution to this that can get rid of the bats right away, I understand the complications involved

I wanted to inform people planning their vacation that this could certainly happen to them, and if low flying bats make you uncomfortable then maybe think about another resort.

This doesn't only affect the lobby, but the restaurants and hallways.

Of course there are other things to do in Disney other than hang out at your resort. However, we planned to do this a few evenings. Especially with temps in the low 50s / Hightower 40s at night

Even if this doesn't bother me, my wife is very uncomfortable and I don't blame her

If asking a child how they felt about the much noticed and talked about spectacle that everyone was dealing with in the lobby is a big deal, then I suppose talking to anyone about anything ever is a problem.

 

[blackacex2]

If anyone thinks I'm full of it, call the front desk and ask if the bats are gone yet. I googled this too and didn't see anything that's why I am writing about it.

 

[SorcererDonald16]

It's the lobby isn't not his room.
It's WDW go out and have some fun already. There is a lot of scary things in the the great big world that we just have to move on past.
I really don't think if this was as "dangerous" a situation as this thread is making it out to be disney would just sit by and let it go on. They can close areas of the hotel, if need be. It is possible that this story is a little blown out of proportion.

It's not as simple as closing off an area at WL. The lobby goes all the way up to all of the floors of the resort, and then to the staircases that take CMs and Flag Families to the roof. If you're standing in the lobby and look up, there are many, many rooms in the overall lobby, and more directly off the hallways. Bats in the lobby isn't just "bats in the lobby" there. Both TS restaurants are open air to the lobby; the CS place is open air to a hallway directly by the lobby; the gift shop has two wide open sets of doors open to the lobby; and the main entrance is to the lobby. I promise I'm not Chicken Little either, but this would freak me out, big time.

In terms of the rooms, they may not be in his room, but it is a possibility they could be in/get in someone else's. Mousekeeping will often leave the doors to the rooms wide open when they're being serviced. So it would be very easy for a bat to get in there.

Based on the timing, it sounds like it's a recent problem. So hopefully it is straightened out, pronto.

 

[jimmysmom74]

I promise you if this situation was as dangerous as some of you are making it out to be Disney would not let people be near it. Do you really think Disney wants to endanger children and families on vacation. If you bothered to read my previous post, I do feel bad that this is bothering OP, but I wouldn't let this ruin my trip. And if OP attempted to place fear in my child's mind, he might be the one disney would be asking to leave the area.

 

[SOnotLayuh]

I think that this is unavoidable sometimes with the way buildings are built.

I definitely hope that this is taken care of by the time we get there, though!