Reptiles in orlando

[ely3857]

Hello,

I am (to the point of ridiculous) petrified of snakes.

I am so scared of them I can barely even write the word.

I have been to Orlando before and not come across anything more terrifying than a tiny lizard. But I am reading more & more on trips reports etc that people are coming across these 'things' all the time, At waterparks In their garage and at mini golf courses.

Are they becomming more of a regular feature in public places now?

I am sure the other 10 people who will be with me in Aug will ensure I am kept a safe distance and help me beat a hasty retreat if I was to stumble upon any 'things' but my main concern is the waterparks, I suspect my vulnerability will increase due to lack of clothing and primarily lack of shoes and I really love waterparks and wouldnt want to miss out because of my phobia.

Can anyone shed any light on this for me? Do Disney have measures in place to prevent any uninvited guests?



Jodie

 

[nanatink]

Hey it's florida. They are there. One was at the laundry one day at por. I hate snakes too. Disney will try and remove them if anyone sees one but they are quick and hide before the cm's come.

 

[buzz2400]

I have never seen a snake at the waterparks. I have only seen a snake once while at All Stars. I have seen a few lizards but not that many. They are very small and very fast. We saw a lot of them over in mgm between indy show and 50's cafe. My ds always tries to catch them but they are too fast.

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

SNAKES... Why did it have to be snakes.

The truth of the matter is that they are more afraid of you, than you are of them. If you come across one in your path simply stomp your feet, unless it's coiled up... Please understand that Disney was built in a Marsh Wetland, and therefor snakes are indigenous to the region. I highly doubt that you'll encounter any.

A suggestion... go to a zoo and get acquainted with one, most herpatologists will be happy to help ease you out of your fear of them.

 

[GoofyBanker]

Not to scare anyone, but a few years ago a cotton mouth (I think) got into one of the "log cars" on the "Powder Keg flume" a log ride at a park here in NC called Carowinds. The ride is very similar to splash mountain. Anyway, a young child and family got into the car and the snake bit the 5 year old who sadly died later at the hospital. I was cleaning out our garage (very dirty) a few weeks ago and unbeknownst to me, bitten by a black widow which I am just now getting over physically. My point is creatures live outside and you have to be aware and careful but you can't stop living. Have fun!

 

[Terry S]

I haven't seen snakes, just a few alligators!

 

[Disney Gator]

I've personally never seen a snake at WDW, but they are there. It's not something that is getting worse, it's just always been that way here. We have alligators here on campus at UF, I see them all the time, but they just keep to themselves. I've never heard of anything happening with a gator here on campus.

The other day someone was bitten by a rabid bat outside one of the buildings though. He was trying to help it and it bit him. You just have to be careful around wild animals. If you see a snake just turn around and head in the other direction.

 

[Alice Sr.]

Not to scare anyone, but a few years ago a cotton mouth (I think) got into one of the "log cars" on the "Powder Keg flume" a log ride at a park here in NC called Carowinds. The ride is very similar to splash mountain. Anyway, a young child and family got into the car and the snake bit the 5 year old who sadly died later at the hospital. I was cleaning out our garage (very dirty) a few weeks ago and unbeknownst to me, bitten by a black widow which I am just now getting over physically. My point is creatures live outside and you have to be aware and careful but you can't stop living. Have fun!

We go to Lake Lure NC every July, 2 years ago a Cotton mouth was bearing down on my oldest DD in the lake. Her best friend saw it, screamed grabbed my DD by the arm and pulled her out of the water onto the pier/deck. Cotton mouths scare the you know what out of me. They are nasty, nasty.

Back to the OP. I have seen 2 snakes out of 45 trips to WDW. One was at the pool at OKW and it was the size of pencil lead, it was the tiniest thing. The other was on the walkway on the back side of BCV it was a small garden type that scurried (or slithered) out of our way.

If I were you I would be more afraid of the birds than the snakes, thank God the snakes aren't as aggressive as the birds, that would be a nightmare. I hope it doesn't get in the way of you having a good time. Just have the 10 people surround you and you should be good

 

[TimothyG]

I have seen snakes at theme parks before (never at Disney). All they are are harmless little garden snakes though. This happened twice (at Six Flags Astroworld). Anyway, if there is a garden snake, it will go really fast way in front of you. They don't even look at you.

Just remember to watch where you're going but really, snakes are more afraid of you than you are of it. I've never had a problem with them and chances are they won't be in the park. The park just doesn't have the resources needed for them to survive. There are no rats, mice, etc. There's just cement and unattainable food for them.

All I'm saying is don't worry, have fun. Chances are that you won't even be near a snake. Have a good trip!

 

[ely3857]

Hello,

I know i'm a wimp!

When I went in Oct '02 it didnt accour to me that they would be out & about anywhere therefore I wasnt concerned at all but as soon as it was suggested I may come across one I went into panic mode! I have plenty of time to calm down before Aug but I still remain unsure about going to a waterpark.



Jodie

 

[Bill From PA]

I spy those gecko-like critters on every trip, there was one on the stage @ Epcot during a performance of the 5th Dimension two years ago at the F&W fest. I've seen armidillos in the bushes at AllStar and once, while park hopping on a Disney bus I saw a fairly large 'gator in a road side water drainage ditch. Not behind a fence mind you, right by the road. I recommend you aviod the Great Movie Ride and not worry about the water parks. Disney seems to have the parks themselves fairly serpent free.

Bill From PA

 

[Evil Queen]

Not to scare anyone, but a few years ago a cotton mouth (I think) got into one of the "log cars" on the "Powder Keg flume" a log ride at a park here in NC called Carowinds. The ride is very similar to splash mountain. Anyway, a young child and family got into the car and the snake bit the 5 year old who sadly died later at the hospital. I was cleaning out our garage (very dirty) a few weeks ago and unbeknownst to me, bitten by a black widow which I am just now getting over physically. My point is creatures live outside and you have to be aware and careful but you can't stop living. Have fun!

Feel better Goofy Banker!!

Black Widow landed me in the hospital when I was 5 (I am now nearing 40). Hate spiders, hate,hate, hate.

I can deal with MOST sankes.

I live and grew up in Florida. I have had snakes, spiders and even shunks get into my house.

You deal with them.

 

[Sthronds]

If I were you I would be more afraid of the birds than the snakes, thank God the snakes aren't as aggressive as the birds, that would be a nightmare. :

Now that doesn't make me feel good. I am terrified of snakes and birds! Not to mention rabid bats! I think I will go hide in my closet and pray that there aren't any spiders in there! This is seriously creeping me out!

 

[scoutsmom99]

I'm scared of snakes too and spiders! Anywho about 10 years ago while at Typhoon Lagoon we saw a snake in the lazy river. Lifegaurds quickly got it out of the water though.

 

[PatriciaH]

Ugg-I walked out the door yesterday and a huge Black Racer was right next to steps! I yelled "holy c***" and DH was laughing. I am not scared of snakes but this one startled me It was around 5-6 ft long too!

 

[bcvgal]

Feel better Goofy Banker!!

Black Widow landed me in the hospital when I was 5 (I am now nearing 40). Hate spiders, hate,hate, hate.

I can deal with MOST sankes.

I live and grew up in Florida. I have had snakes, spiders and even shunks get into my house.

You deal with them.

I'm much better now evil queen, did not look good there for awhile though. still have this extremely itchy rash where bitten. When we lived in Jacksonville Fla years ago I was stung by a scorpion (I did not even know they were in Florida???) but after a short panic, was told by the mailman that the scorpions there were not like in Texas (very dangerous). Then we were cooking out one day and out of nowhere a 7 foot long snake decides to join us. Was not an aggressive species, looked like someones pet, maybe a boa, that got away. I grabbed it with a golf club and threw it in the woods. while staying at CBR one year at the world we walked out of our room one night and came up on an armadillo (that was great!).

 

[GoofyBanker]

Sorry, just realized after posting that I was logged in under my wife's screen name. Man, I feel like a woman LOL!

 

[erinch]

Not to scare anyone, but a few years ago a cotton mouth (I think) got into one of the "log cars" on the "Powder Keg flume" a log ride at a park here in NC called Carowinds. The ride is very similar to splash mountain. Anyway, a young child and family got into the car and the snake bit the 5 year old who sadly died later at the hospital.

There is an urban legend which has circulated to this effect for years. Documentation is here (the current manifestation has snakes in the ballpit at Burger King):
Guide's note: This is a variant of a legend Jan Harold Brunvand calls "Death in the Funhouse." Older versions were typically set at amusement parks, where rumors of "razor blades in the water slide" or "snakes in the merry-go-round" have long been de rigueur.

Consider Brunvand's 1989 description of the classic snake infestation legend:

The story usually goes that a small child on a popular ride complains about stings or bites. At first, the parents laugh, but eventually they investigate. The cause proves to be an infestation of poisonous snakes. First aid is provided too late to save the child.

– Jan Harold Brunvand, Curses! Broiled Again!

If this particular story about Carowinds is true, perhaps the poster could provide some documentation?

I've seen a black snake twice at BB; once on the path, and once in the kids area. They are harmless, and both times were removed within minutes by the CM snake wrangler. I've also been to BB many times and not seen a snake. To the OP, I'd hope you would just decide to enjoy yourself, and if you should see a snake somewhere shriek, climb on a chair, have a stiff drink or whatever would get you through it. It is NOT worth wrecking a good time over.

 

[Aidensmom]

I have seen snakes, armadillos, possums, and even gators in my own backyard in the middle of the city, but have never seen them at Disney. CM's are going to do all they can to ensure there are not unwanted critters around. You are however pretty likely to encounter chameleons - tiny little lizards that will scurry away from you just as fast as they can. They are perfectly harmless (though I cannot stand getting them in my house, I am afraid they will crawl on me in my sleep ), and are terrified of you. And watch out for those greedy seagulls at Epcot and MK!

 

[kilee]

I am right up there w/ the snake fear. I have had a full blown panic attack in a pet store once because a snake (I didn't realize it was even there) started becoming aggressive in it's tank and I caught the commotion out of the corner of my eye. I couldn't move, I remember DH getting so mad at me because I was blocking the way and I began crying-- I HATE them!!

In 2003 (mid fall) I also had one slither out of my car's dashboard defroster. I NEVER drove that car again (and it was only 18 months old at the time)-- we took a huge loss and traded it in after I refused to use it for almost 6 months. I made DH trade me his vehicle.

Now, I've gone to TL-- and had a blast. Knowing full well that there have been some more regular snake sightings there. Usually if I'm prepared for the possibility I do better. Like when we go camping-- I pretty much spend a lot of time mentally preparing myself for the fact that I may see one-- then I still shriek, I still run, but I don't quite have the panic attack mode that terrifies me. It's when they are in places that I don't expect them (like my car or my yard) that I really can't handle it. So, I'd try to prepare yourself if seeing one will ruin your trip. This way maybe you can actually be at ease about it to a certain degree.

I know about a year ago there was something like a 10 page thread on nothing but WDW snake encounters. If you really want to read you could do search on it.