Say it isn't so!

[maryj11]

I recall the thread about the boy who got bit. I also remember the thread about the snake in the gv room at contemporary. I have seen neither snake nor gator during our many trips, but think the snake would freak me out more. To the poster who said they saw the water moccasin snake standing up in the water between WL and MK boat ride -

That makes me afraid to rent the water mice or be out on the lakes

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

We have been several times since 2004 and never saw anything other than those cute little lizards and armadillos on the roadside until our last trip in April. While walking to the parking lot after dinner at AP, along the path at WL, we saw one slither along. At first, my mom and I didn't notice it, but then my H thought he should tell us so we could move (we are petrified by snakes). We ran back up to the driveway for him to come get us and told the CM/mgr at the valet desk. I guess he had been looking for it for a while and went to deal with it.

Another day, while sitting in our seats at Fantasmic, I saw a man carrying one that he just found on the way in (up the back path where fan. pkg people walk, ie. us a few minutes before)to show a CM. She told him to just toss it in the bushes right next to where everyone was sitting. I was watching the show in the dark, but couldn't stop looking on my right(using my cell light on the ground) most of the time making sure he wasn't coming back. Uggh!

 

[MMrules]

I have never seen a gator at any of the resorts I have stayed at.

However, this summer as I was sitting on my balcony at BCV I saw a snake swimming in the canal and several cute turtles. My guess is the snake would be a water moccasin b/c it was swimming. I don't know much about snakes but they are all scary to me. Glad he was in the lake and I was safe on my balcony!!!

 

[3floridarays]

I always chuckle when I see threads like this, but then I have to remind myself that not everyone is used to looking out their back doors and seeing gators and snakes swimming around. When we lived in Venice (southwest Florida) we had a 6 foot gator that liked to sun himself in the grass behind our screened-in lanai. It was a little startling the first few times I was floating in our pool and looked over to see him laying there.

Now we live on the opposite coast and haven't seen any gators in our lake behind our house (though we do see them in other areas), but we have some BIG water moccasins lurking out there. When you live in Florida, you just accept that the wildlife was here first and we moved into their territory. Heck, there was a bear wandering around my office a few weeks ago.

Just another day in paradise...

 

[maxiesmom]

Oh my goodness, that poor little boy! Glad that he is okay now. Do you know if Disney covered the medical bills?

I just looked thru a bunch of threads about this, and it doesn't appear Disney covered any of the medical expenses. The OP states they have great insurance, and from she states the anit-venim cost, it is a good thing!

Disney doesn't advertise its environment as being critter free, and that would be an impossible standard to set. It was a horrible accident, but not one Disney could have prevented from happening. Luckily the OP in that case still has her son to snuggle.

At any rate, it is good to be made aware that shoving any part of your body into the greenery around WDW could have a bad result. Gators, snakes, spiders, they all can bite you.

 

[Pig Pen]

We saw the CSR gator several years ago.

If you take the bus to AK, you may spot a gator sunning himself on the banks of a retention pond that sits along the route. I have seen one there several times. I want to say I have seen one over by Shades of Green too, but not certain of the exact location.

My FIL had one in the small canal behind his house (Venice Beach), as did my son (Jacksonville).

 

[nkereina]

Yes I read about that little boy getting bit by the snake, I believe he dropped his toy in a shrub and was reaching under it to get the toy and the snake was there.

Didn't read the whole thread so sorry if this is a repeat, but I recall this story as well! I believe the snake was a water moccassin which is very poisonous, and he had to spend a few days in ICU. This was at POR. I've seen people with pictures of some big old snakes along the pathways at POR. I've heard of an alligator hanging out in the MK parking lot. I'm actually hoping I see one!

 

[DisTito69]

i saw a sNake one time on the pathway between MGM and the Boardwalk, I was not impressed. Also there is an alligator that lives in the pond at BCV.

 

[msminnieears]

I've never seen a snake or a gator but we did see several rabbits at POR on our last visit. They were precious.