Snakes and critters

[princesspiglet]

Ok, I am abso-freakin-lutely terrified of snakes and other little critters, like rats, mice, gecco's, lizards, etc. So, am I going to run into any of these things staying in one of the cabins? This is going to make-or-break my decision whether to stay at the cabins or at a resort. Thanks! AND DON"T LAUGH!

 

[CharlesTD]

You will find the lizzards and gekos at the cabins and at the resorts they are all over the place. Snakes I have not seen in about 4 years but they to are at the resorts along with the cabins and campgrounds it is their habitat so you can expect it. You will also see armadillos all over the place. We even had a raccoon try and join us in the hot tub at Coronado springs in 98 on our honeymoon.

 

[stillh2o]

What time of the year are you going? I have never seen a rat or mice but lizards lost of rabbits, Deer, no snakes. But there is a lot of wilderness around the campground so I’m sure they are there. But that is the same for the Onsite hotels they are also surrounded by wilderness.

 

[John VN]

Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

Lots of critters there and I have yet to see a snake, BUT, while waiting in the old bus stop for a bus to go to DtD, a little snake did make an appearance next to our DGSs.

John

 

[Disney Campers]

I have seen snakes on only two occasions at the fort, usually see more snakes at the water parks. Lizards you will encounter almost everywhere in Florida.

Don't Sweat it though, relax and enjoy yoru stay.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Last October while staying at All Star Music, I saw a very large (about 5 ft) black snake cross the sidewalk and go into the landscaping. There was a CM there, who didn't stay very long. I have seen several snakes at FW. Lizards abound. Can't share the wilderness with the wildlife without seeing some, and I would really rather have it that way, wouldn't you?

 

[Disney Campers]

I have never seen a rat or mice

You mean you have been to Disney World and never seen a mouse???

Mickey must have been in his suite in the castle counting all his money when you visited

 

[JPG]

You mean you have been to Disney World and never seen a mouse???

Mickey must have been in his suite in the castle counting all his money when you visited

 

[QT Pooh]

These things are everywhere - not just the campground! My kids actually refer to Blizzard Beach as Lizard Beach because they're all around.

 

[minkydog]

When we stayed at FW my kids were disappointed that they didn't see enough "wildlife". We did have Mr. & Mrs. Armadillo trek though our campsite every afternoon and that white peacock came looking for a handout one day.

 

[Tortuga Viejo]

Funny you should ask – one of those little critters had a “bit part” in our latest vacation drama. I must explain here that we are “THE GRISWALDS”, and that “Unplanned Adventure” is a common occurrence for our family. This last trip was unusually uneventful …. until the last day.

In typical fashion, we enthusiastically started our morning preparations for our last day. :thewave: My daughters headed to the nearby comfort station to shower, my son plugged in his hair dryer, my DH plugged in the grill for to make pancakes, I started the coffee, and the air-conditioner kicked in – All at the exact same time. Instantly the motor home went silent. The lights went off, appliances stopped their humming. Within seconds there was the distinct smell of smoke. The electric panel was melting down…. Quite quickly too I might add. As we were frantically unplugging the motor home from the power outside and looking for the source of the smoke – My daughters came running into the camp site.

“MOM - MOM - MOM - MOM - MOM – THERE IS A SNAKE IN THE SHOWER”

Jumping into action like the supper mom I am, I knew the best plan of action here was to delegate. I stayed with my husband to help with the coach and sent my oldest son to deal with the snake.

The snake turned out to be a very small one, and was easily coaxed out of the comfort station using the end of a shampoo bottle by a braver mom than me.
A wonderful repair guy (recommended by Camping World) picked up the replacement part, came on-site and had us back up and running that evening.

In the end – our vacation turned out completely normal.

We have camped at FW multiple times in the past 8 years and this is the first trip we have ever had an encounter with an “undesirable creature”. For the most part – they don’t want to come in contact with you anymore than you want to see them. I hesitated to post this story – because I wouldn’t want it to keep you from taking your vacation and relaxing. Based on our odds (keeping in mind our “Griswald” status) You are more likely to lose your luggage, forget something you can’t live without, need to go to the local medical clinic for typical childhood ailments (we’ve been there 3 times in 8 years) or melt something.

Or – you could be like the other millions of folks and have an uneventful and enjoyable vacation, free from snakes and rats.

 

[We4mickey]

We have seen small snakes in the campground. Saw a much bigger one at the water parks. Have had the little lizards get into the camper once. That was fun, trying to catch it. We also did have a visitor in the cabin we stayed in a couple years ago. We found his droppings in the kitchen, but never saw him.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

If you are harrassed by wildlife while at FW you can call the front desk. They will send someone out to take care of the gator, snake, skunk, whatever. Please note that Disney's official policy is to either keep people away until the critter moves on or, if necessary, relocate it. They will NOT harm the animal, nor will they tolerate harming wildlife, so as panic stricken as you may be, don't be tempted to pick up a nearby stick and beat the critter into oblivion. The result of this policy is some wildlife pretty used to humans, which can be a rewarding visual experience. Two years ago my son and I got up early, as usual, and rode our bikes. We were treated to a fairly large herd of dear grazing over by the trail to WL. Since they didn't move, we had to ride through the group to go on our way.

 

[CharlesTD]

My DW and I were peddle boating around the canal and came across a couple small gators sunning themselves one afternoon it was pretty cool to see actually.

 

[wildernessfamily]

A while back when we were in the w/e sites, it was night and we were walking to the comfort station and a man and his son were coming back and an armadillo got spook and CLIMBED up the mans leg(thinking it was a tree I guess) needless to say, everyone screamed and the armadillo let go and scurried off. All the man had were scrapes on his legs and a good story. But we will never forget that Disney moment, gosh it could have been one of us.

 

[princesspiglet]

I may have to rethink my stay. Literally, people, I am deathly afraid of snakes. I saw one 3 years ago in the woods when we were camping and PASSED OUT! I still have night terrors about it. Lizards, mice, I can somewhat deal with. I may scream, but I won't have a heart attack. I think I may have to stay at the Contemporary-top floor!

 

[lucas]

We've been staying in the cabins for many years and luckily we have never seen a snake.

Several years ago we did see some deer as we were driving into the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[CharlesTD]

princesspiglet you won't be exempt from snakes at the Contemp we saw one when we were walking through the guest parking lot there last may when we were going for breakfast at Chef Mickeys. We have also seen them in teh grass byt hte Poly and the Gradn floridian. Coronado Springs backs on to a wildlife refuge Disney has set up and there are lots of critters at that resort. The lizzards can climb and have been seen on the higher floors at teh resorts my inlaws stayed at VWL 2 years ago and had a tree frog on their patio door and some lizzards on the screen and they were on the 4th floor.

 

[Skaught]

We just had a snake in our house! This if Florida, after all. Lizards are our friends, so be happy they are around. They do absolutley nothing to you other than get out of your way, and they eat bugs.

My wife saw a large snake at Blizzard Beach, so they are around.

Scott

 

[susancl]

Snakes freak me out too! I've seen one snake at WDW. It was crossing the walkway in front of the Settlement Trading Post. That was in 1983. WDW wants to know about snakes. They don't want guests to have any encounters with them.

There are plenty of lizards everywhere. They are really small, maybe 2 or 3 inches long. They tend to run away as you approach.

Susan