Snake Bite at Disney Resort

[We_love_WDW]

We saw a big black snake in the grass right outside our deck at Saratoga Springs this summer...I wonder what kind of snake it was...and to think I was cutting through that grass!!! No more!

 

[Chuck S]

We saw a big black snake in the grass right outside our deck at Saratoga Springs this summer...I wonder what kind of snake it was...and to think I was cutting through that grass!!! No more!

The big black snakes are generally racers, they are good snakes. Although water moccasins are black, too.

Here is a link to photos of many Florida snakes.

 

[nickspace]

My wife actually spotted a big snake on the Fantasmic path. I am not sure if was going to Fantasmic or on the exit path but she said it was large. I seem to remember her saying it had some colors on it too.

Now we always keep our eyes peeled everywhere we walk. We have also spotted snakes in the waterways. One year she said an Armadillo crossed her path at the resort. I believe it was at Port Orleans.

The snakes and assorted critters are out there for sure. Remember Disney World was build in a very swampy area so I am sure that many of the native species remain and have adapted to their new upscale accommodations.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

One year she said an Armadillo crossed her path at the resort. I believe it was at Port Orleans.

Sounds about right. We often see Armadillo along Bonnet Creek (Port Orleans main entrance) & Buena Vista.

 

[Simba's Mom]

The big black snakes are generally racers, they are good snakes.

Sure, Chuck DH tried to tell me that too "The big black snakes are the good snakes". The Texas ones, at least, supposedly eat rattle snakes. I don't care-there's no such thing as a "good" snake, as far as I'm concerned. One time at OKW, I saw about 8 people standing in a circle looking down. I overheard one person say, "What kind of snake do you think that was?" Even though I never saw any snake, that was still too close for me!

 

[bumbershoot]

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.

The OP does verify it. And it happened in May, so there's been enough time for the EOBs to get to them. She says the hospital stay was 160K...I don't know if that's on top of the 149K for the drug, but either way, the OP does seem to be quoting from their paperwork.

Since hospitals charge 30 bucks for a tylenol, it would be no surprise to me if they upped the cost of each vial enormously, especially since the OP seems to have really good insurance.

 

[ThePecks]

Be careful where you put your hands! That's right hands.....

This past Sunday morning, I was on the Savanna Overlook directly behind the Jambo House lobby...walked back inside through the big glass wall, started to go up the stairs...and a guest was putting a trash can in the way.

I went up the other stairs....then heard about the snake on the HANDRAIL. I walked over and took a couple pictures of it. Nothing big, probably smaller than a dime around, but 18"-24" long.

The stairs were blocked off and a Cast Member stood at the area until one of the wildlife guys came and got the snake.

Watch where you put your hands!

 

[JimMIA]

The big black snakes are generally racers, they are good snakes. Although water moccasins are black, too.

Here is a link to photos of many Florida snakes.

Water moccasins (aka: cottonmouths) are pretty hard to identify unless you really know what you are looking for. They range from a silver grey to brown (with and without banding) to solid black, including everything in between.

I think the best advice is what I tell visitors at Everglades National Park all the time: "If you don't know the Latin scientific name for a snake, leave it alone."

You really don't have to do much to avoid snakes...just stay away from them if you don't like them. I work around snakes all the time, and other than not stepping or sticking my hand somewhere without looking, I don't pay any attention to them. I saw 4 today, one of which was venomous, but I just let them get out of my way and went on about my business.

You really have to be pretty unlucky or pretty dumb to get bitten by a snake. A HUGE percentage of venomous snakebites are on the fingers...and that should tell you something.

***
on another tack, I didn't get a chance to call the Venom Response Bureau today, but I'll try tomorrow. It would be interesting to know if they provided that anti-venin for $500 per dose and the hospital charged $12,000!

 

[JimMIA]

The OP does verify it. And it happened in May, so there's been enough time for the EOBs to get to them. She says the hospital stay was 160K...I don't know if that's on top of the 149K for the drug, but either way, the OP does seem to be quoting from their paperwork.

Right, I have no doubt the OP's bill was what they said. I'm just interested to know whether that is a normal fee, and what the markup might be.

 

[nickspace]

I also remember seeing a small snake cut across the sidewalk right out side the entrance lobby of the Beach Club this year. It was the entrance you use when you exit the building to go to the pool.

 

[TLSnell1981]

The OP does verify it. And it happened in May, so there's been enough time for the EOBs to get to them. She says the hospital stay was 160K...I don't know if that's on top of the 149K for the drug, but either way, the OP does seem to be quoting from their paperwork.

Since hospitals charge 30 bucks for a tylenol, it would be no surprise to me if they upped the cost of each vial enormously, especially since the OP seems to have really good insurance.

Hospitals and doctors never receive the amount originally charged. There is a hefty discount applied to medical fees. It always amazes me how much/little is actually paid by the insurance companies.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

In April a black one was slithering down the fast pass line at BtMRR-- I was glad I was standby

 

[Pardo714]

Thanks for the info

 

[katmittens]

In April a black one was slithering down the fast pass line at BtMRR-- I was glad I was standby

What is BTMRR?

 

[Chuck S]

What is BTMRR?

Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road

 

[bumbershoot]

Hospitals and doctors never receive the amount originally charged. There is a hefty discount applied to medical fees. It always amazes me how much/little is actually paid by the insurance companies.

Good point.

So maybe it was the hospital billing department doing the insurance trick so they could just get the full amount paid for the drug.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Good point.

So maybe it was the hospital billing department doing the insurance trick so they could just get the full amount paid for the drug.

Actually, the insurance companies set "usual and customary" prices in contracts with providers. Sometimes, reimbursement doesn't even cover the costs.

 

[vandy]

Thanks for all of the reminders of snakes at the World. The only time I like snakes is when I am on my 52" riding lawn mower!

 

[Halle]

Snakes in the lazy river at BB put me over the edge.

 

[maroo]

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

I stayed at OKW this past week. On Saturday, Sept 6 - we saw a snake on the sidewalk right by building 46. We came very close to stepping on it! I called the front desk to let them know and he laughed at me? I guess they are so common that they don't really care.

He said they were "protected" in FL. He said he would get the "pet department" to come get it.

We certainly kept an eye on our feet the rest of the week! Bldg 46 is right by the lake, so I am sure it just came from the lake.