Snake Bite at Disney Resort

[Sammie]

I really feel this is worth sharing to all of you. I know many of you do not read the other forums and this was not listed on any of the DVC ones.

Please be aware that snakes are very much a part of the Florida wildlife and that includes all Disney resorts. I have seen water moccasins at several DVC resorts and even saw one being removed from one of the pools.

This happened to a young 7 year old boy due to something as innocent as picking up a wayward toy in the bushes near the sidewalk.

I just would hate for it to happen to any DVCers or their children because you were not aware. He was lucky to survive and definitely lucky to not have lost his arm. And yes the cost was $140,000.


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2277822

 

[JimMIA]

Thanks Sammie.

The anti-venin probably came from the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Venom Response Bureau, which maintains the widest inventory of its kind in the world, and handles situations like this worldwide. I know Cro-Fab is one of the anti-venins they stock.

I can't imagine that cost being right. If our guys flew the anti-venin up there via Air Rescue and stayed with the kid and doctors until the treatment was complete (which would not be unusual), the cost to the fire department might have been that much, but I doubt that very much of that would have been passed on to the family.

I have to call VRB tomorrow about some training, so I'll fact-check that number.

Thankfully, the young boy came through with flying colors as they usually do, but it surely was a scary time for everyone involved.

 

[Chuck S]

I believe the $140,000 figure may be accurate. My rattle snake bite in 2007, took 28 vials of anti-venom. Cost then was $3,000 per vial, for a total 4 days in ICU, 3 days in regular room of $108,000. That did not include doctors fees, which were billed separately. Anti-venom is expensive.

 

[Donna M]

Wow!

 

[Sammie]

Jim, I was reading about the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Venom Response Bureau after reading about this incident and the first thought that came to my head after looking at their website, well if you have to get bit, Florida is the safest place for it.

I just want everyone to be aware and stay on the sidewalks and do not cut through the landscaping to take a short cut, as I see this happen alot at Disney. Pigmy rattlers are known to like mulch also.

Also be cautious around any of the waterways near the banks.

 

[Lost in Neverland]

We had an experience of a snake scare the second time we visited WDW with our 2 small children.There was a huge and I mean huge rattle snake sunning himself on the bridge that crosses over to POR from the Magnolia section.I must say that staff were very quick to act but still the thought of my child comming across a snake and not seeing it really drove the point home there are many places for them to hide. Our experience created the rule do not go off the sidewalk for anything unless an adult is there with you and if you see a snake you let someone know right then.

 

[tallgalaz1]

 

[Ms. WDW]

Thanks Sammie for posting this. I will make sure DH hears about this also as he's an avid walker when in WDW and loves to walk along the waterways.

Thankfully that child is ok; what a horrible nightmare it must have been for him and his family.

 

[Coach81]

Don't tell my wife about this...

 

[sean-1966]

I don't do snakes... If I see a snake I'm running the other way.

 

[browniemtb]

The thought of a snake bite at Disney never even occurred to me. Glad to hear the boy is ok........

 

[dianeschlicht]

Snakes don't have to worry about me, because I'm going to be headed in the opposite direction if I see one!

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Sammie I cannot thank you enough for posting this. Living in Ohio, inside the city, I never really thought about snakes being around WDW. We have two young grandsons now that love to run ahead and play on the resort paths so this is extremely important to know. Thanks again.

 

[Anthony1971]

I like OKW but at night I sometimes wait for someone else to walk down a path with landscaping on both sides (not to see if a snake attacks first I walk as well) or I run
I do not mind the rats here in NY but snakes I do not like...
I always hold my sons hand or have him in a stroller (for now) when on paths.
I have never seen snakes at Disney -- But it is hard to see when you are running

 

[PamOKW]

It's a good practice when anywhere in Florida to never stick your hand (or any other part of your body) into the bushes. In addition to snakes, you may also find alligators or snapping turtles or assorted other creatures in the bushes. You should also avoid touching bugs -- my dad once gave a bug a flick in the pool and wound up with a very swollen finger. Florida is beautiful but has creatures many of us are not used to!

 

[DutchsMommy]

I agree that I have never even thought about 'wildlife' in FL other than gators. DH and DS often mess around in the bushes and grass by the bus stops. I am definately going to mention it!

 

[Chuck S]

And for folks that are not used to living in an area that has snakes, it common as the weather turns cooler to see snakes on roads and paved pathways in the evenings, as these areas retain the heat. Remember, snakes are cold blooded.

 

[ldo]

I grew up in northern Fla, and many days, we had a water moccasin sunning by the pool. Now I live 20 minutes from DC--and still have the snakes. I was on a blacktop paved jogging trail (right next to the road in a busy suburb) walking the dog, near dusk. On the trail, next to the grass, was a BIG, FAT 4 ft long copperhead curled up. Had I gone 3 feet further, I would have been 4 inches from it. I was lucky that it was not dark--as it would have been impossible to see on the black road (it was dark brown--not a classic copperhead color). It met it's fate later that night crossing the road. But I bet he has some cousins. Elaine

 

[MinnieGirl33]

A word of advice to be extra cautious at the mini-golf venues.

While at Fantasia Gardens once, my ball went under a medium sized decorative rock. I could easily see the ball & went to grab it. Luckily I spotted the snake peeking out next to my ball before my hand got too close!

Both Fantasia & WinterSummerland have lots of shrubbery & plenty of balls go off the course. Please don't let your children chase after them.

 

[crisi]

Thanks for this.

My son - who is eleven and I've been hoping will outgrow it - has always been a wildlife chaser. Frogs, lizards (in Florida - aren't many in Minnesota), turtles, snails, once a live sparrow (still don't know how he caught that) and once a baby bunny, have all been caught and proudly shown to Mom. I pulled him aside last night, told him this story and reminded him (AGAIN) that while around here you are pretty safe poking at snakes, when we go to Florida, DO NOT TOUCH THE WILDLIFE. Particularly if it lacks legs!