Snakes, spiders and Gators...florida residents!!

[lt90]

So ive only been to disney world once before but DF has been loads and last night he decides to tell me about a visit a few years ago where he found a HUGE spider in his bed and saw a snake the very next day (at Port Orleans!)
We're staying at POFQ in Sept/Oct and his stories have really freaked me out!!I'm terrified of spiders (in England the biggest one Ive seen would easily fit inside a 4x4 cm sqaure.) when I say terrified I mean sometimes I faint.
While im not really scared of snakes particularly I have also never seen one in real life.
Im already worried enough about gators especially because Ive organised a private meal on a secluded dock in the middle of a lake, but now Im worried about snakes and spiders!!
So my questions are - should i cancel my meal on a dock? I don't want to be joined by any gators? Are snakes in FL venomous? And what is the typical size of a spider? are they everywhere? Are they poisonous?

Sorry for being such a wimp lol
I guess I live a pretty sheltered life in england!!!

 

[Designer Rose]

First of all, breathe! Everything will be okay.
First thing you have to realize is that it's Florida, and Florida has a lot of different "creatures." Second thing you have to realize is that Disney is built on swamp land, which means it is home to a lot of these different types of creatures.
Now having said that, there is really no reason for you to worry! Disney does try their best to keep these creatures out of guest areas (though obviously sometimes they get in every once in awhile.) But, it is a very slim chance. Also, if you do see a gator or snake, just stay away from it. If you don't bother it, it'll leave you alone. But, like I said, there is a low chance of you seeing one. I've lived here my whole life and have therefore been to Disney many many times, and I have never seen a snake, gator, yes, but not a snake. And, most of the snakes you may see wandering around the hotels are usually black racers, which are harmless.
So, don't worry! No need to cancel your plans, you'll be absolutely fine!

 

[JandJ]

I've lived in Florida almost my whole life and I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen a spider in my house and I have never seen one at a Disney resort (not to sound like a braggart, but I have stayed at most of the resorts over the years because we're residents and have Passes so we get really great deals).

I've never seen a snake at Disney, but I'm sure they're there. I do see them at home in our yard now and then. Like the PP said, a harmless black racer and they won't bother you if you don't bother them. They will try to get away as fast as possible so you likely won't even notice if there is one.

I wouldn't worry at all about gators. You may see one, but no one wants a tourist to get into trouble with a gator, so they keep them away from places guests will be.

Hopefully you don't have a fear of little lizards. They are everywhere and completely - COMPLETELY - harmless. The other thing you will want to consider are the mosquitoes. I highly recommend bug repellent to keep the mosquitoes off of yourself. They make ones now that do not smell bad or leave you sticky.

In September you may also see "love bugs" which are small black bugs that do NOT bite but they are annoying. They don't tend to be near the water, but they are attracted to light colors, so if you're wearing white and happen to come into a swarm of them they will get on your clothes - swat at them but do not smash them on your clothes as they will leave a stain. Again, they're completely and totally harmless, so just a heads up in case you see any.

I get your spider thing because I have an irrational fear of ants - I just HATE them - and, unfortunately, we live near the Gulf and so our house was basically built on sand and of course ants love sand, so I cannot escape them. You just adapt

 

[Pinkgirl]

Dont forget about the bears. Last year apparently some resorts were warned about bears in the woods.

 

[Jilian]

I wouldn't worry about gators at all. I've been to WDW probably 15 times now and only saw a palmetto bug once (HUGE bug) and it was in a line for a ride. I've never seen a spider or a snake @ WDW. Near my house in FL, different story! There are poisonous snakes but I'd be shocked if there were many on Disney property, the last thing Disney wants is a guest getting bitten by a venomous snake. They take lots of precautions. We have scary spiders too, but WDW seems to be a spider-free zone, I'm pretty sure they spray for bugs regularly. The spiders don't bother you at all, and the kind that are common are not venomous. The type that are venomous usually like cool and dark places. Brown recluses and black widows are the 2 common poinsonous spiders and they will avoid you unless you threaten them. If you see a spider call the front desk and ask for someone to get it or ask to switch rooms.

Don't let it ruin your vacation, the only "critters" you'll see will be the little harmless lizards that run around outside. They are tiny, cute, and scared of people. Enjoy your trip!

Signed, fellow spider hater

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Ok, so from a fellow Brit, I have to say that I have more spiders in my old cottage here than I have ever seen in Florida (and I have been many times)!!!! I have never seen a snake either. I have seen gators, but only from afar in the middle of some area of water.
Try to chill sweetie!!! If it really is going to affect your trip, you need to think about taking it somewhere else. Unfortunately, any place with a climate like FL's will have it's share pf interesting wildlife. I guess it is the price you pay for that gorgeous weather!!!