Switched from POR to All Star Sports because...

[jake&samsmom]

Please don't flame me but, what is the deal with these recent snake sightings at POR?! I'm absolutely terrified by them! When the Visa discount code came out, I booked at POR because it was the only moderate available (did not want to pay extra for deluxe, and POR discounted rate was about what I would be paying regularly for a value).

Now, I have (once again) switched resorts because of the approx 4 (fairly new) posts that I've read about snake sightings at POR. Mind you, I wasn't specifically searching for them, they were merely mentioned "casually" in various threads I was reading about POR!

I know WDW is built on reclaimed swamplands, so obviously, it is the snakes' natural habitation ground --- BUT nevertheless, it would just totally freak me out if I were to encounter one while there. I would probably board the next flight out. Seriously.

BTW, someone posted that they saw a big black snake at a bench by the HM at the MK, so I'll be on the alert while there too. However, one post about one snake at one location doesn't bother me that much, cause it was maybe just a fluke of nature, but 4 sightings in the same resort???!!! That is a little too much for me.

I have lost two days of sleep trying to convince myself to keep our ressie at POR - a beautiful, lush, relaxing moderate resort. But I could just picture my clumsy self accidentally running over one with my kids' double stroller at POR in the dark after attending MNSSHP -- that would definitely give me a heart attack! I am hoping that the crowd and noise at ASSp would shoo the snakes away from there.

 

[mickeychic]

Honestly, snakes are a lot of places is Disney, it's just that sometimes you see them, and others you don't. I've seen them in the queue line for attractions. POR is probably having a lot of sightings just because of the kind of atmosphere it is. Having been there many times, though, I've never seen one. And I HATE snakes, so I would definitely remember.

 

[I Love Pluto]

We saw a snake near our room (for 2 days) at Pop last year. I don't like them either.

I have no idea where he went on days 3, 4, etc.?????

 

[lilyv]

? You've got to be kidding...There are all sorts of living creatures in Florida. They don't get reservations at one resort and stay there. DH and I saw a rat at AK....he popped his head out, and then he scurried right back into the bushes.

I just got back from POR, it was clean, peaceful, and lovely.

 

[pwdebbie]

I had to look at your post to see why you switched and now I am laughing. You switched because of snakes? Then I guess you wouldn't want to live where I live, in a town surrounded on all sides by a state forest in PA! My son does a great impersonation of Steve Irwin handling a snake. Snakes are all around us -- the rule is run over the copperheads and rattlesnakes, swerve around the black snakes!

I am looking forward to seeing my first crocodile (or are they alligators?) in the "wild" when we make our first trip to WDW this fall.

Deb

 

[Grand Admiral]

Um... the snakes don't have a room at POR. Given the surrounding swamplands you could see a snake anywhere.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

if you look down you will see snakes and lizzards all over the place. this includes the parks themselves. You might see alagators as well, I once did IN the MK swimming under a bridge, people put their little kids up on the edge of the bridge to see them, then they turned around to talk to someone, I alsmost died!

 

[Cindy B]

Snakes are a part of the Florida landscape. The snakes didn't hold a convention at POR.. but go everywhere.

I saw a small snake at Universals Royal Pacific a few years ago-- I guess the snakes like to go to Universal as well.

 

[marvin12]

Snakes are a part of the Florida landscape. The snakes didn't hold a convention at POR.. but go everywhere.

I saw a small snake at Universals Royal Pacific a few years ago-- I guess the snakes like to go to Universal as well.

 

[Di-Dis]

I have a real fear of snakes,(childhood exp. cousin put snake down my back). I lived in CA for 30 + yrs. and only saw one snake during that entire time. I moved to NH with forest all around me (like the PA response) and I have had at least 5 snake sightings since moving here in 98. thank heavens I have not seen any snakes at WDW, it might be a little fearfull but i just SCREAM DO A DANCE while standing in place and then run like the devil. I love the comments about snakes don't have a room or a convention at the POR

 

[magicmouse2]

I have seen snakes at POFQ, POP C and AK. Never seen one at POR yet. Hoping to see a gator in the wild though, so going to do an airboat ride. The black snakes are not agressive and usually hide if they see people, plus they keep the rats and mice in check. You could technically see a snake anywhere at WDW - except Its a Small Word - even the snakes avoid that area!

 

[Snookies]

I had to look at your post to see why you switched and now I am laughing. You switched because of snakes? Then I guess you wouldn't want to live where I live, in a town surrounded on all sides by a state forest in PA! My son does a great impersonation of Steve Irwin handling a snake. Snakes are all around us -- the rule is run over the copperheads and rattlesnakes, swerve around the black snakes!

I am looking forward to seeing my first crocodile (or are they alligators?) in the "wild" when we make our first trip to WDW this fall.

Deb

They're gators. BTW, if you really want to see a lot of gators go to Gatorland's Gator Jumparoo. You DO NOT want to see a crocodile.

 

[khurley23]

Man oh man. You guys are really picking on the poor woman. I can relate because I grew up with a mom that wigs out over snakes too. Since she'll be coming with me on my trip in November, I sure hope she doesn't stumble upon this thread. It would really hamper her enjoyment if she was watching for them the whole vacation.

 

[jake&samsmom]

I have a real fear of snakes,(childhood exp. cousin put snake down my back). I love the comments about snakes don't have a room or a convention at the POR

Yeah, me too. I thought it was HILARIOUS! I knew y'all people here at the DIS were very sensitive and kind.....never judgemental......so understanding.....thanks, guys! ....y'all are really awesome!

Btw, my phobia stems from childhood when I was tormented by a classmate in first grade by a plastic snake. That was very nice of him too!

Snookies, I have been to Thailand and petted crocodiles and gators (they have them out there too) and have absolutely NO problem whatsoever with them. IMHO, I think they make great purses, though (I am a big purseblog member). For the record, I do not own any snakeskin purses.

 

[cheerforchelsea]

My last stay at the All Star Sports was during Thanksgiving week one year with the UCA All-Star Cheerleaders there for a Thanksgiving day Parade. (My daughter was one of the cheerleaders) After that experience - I believe that I would choose the snakes at POR.

 

[dansamy]

Welcome to the Deep South. Gators, snakes and possums, oh my!

 

[Chuck n' Keith]

I have seen snakes at POFQ, POP C and AK. Never seen one at POR yet. Hoping to see a gator in the wild though, so going to do an airboat ride. The black snakes are not agressive and usually hide if they see people, plus they keep the rats and mice in check. You could technically see a snake anywhere at WDW - except Its a Small Word - even the snakes avoid that area!

 

[Quinn222]

Man oh man. You guys are really picking on the poor woman. I can relate because I grew up with a mom that wigs out over snakes too. Since she'll be coming with me on my trip in November, I sure hope she doesn't stumble upon this thread. It would really hamper her enjoyment if she was watching for them the whole vacation.

I don't think it's so much picking on as pointing out that swapping resorts because of the possibility of seeing a snake makes no sense, you're as likely to see a snake at one resort as you are at another. On the plus side if a snake sees you before you see him you wont see him, he'll leave. They are shy and they eat vermin so if you see a black snake odds are very good you will not see a rat. I've been to WDW and stayed onsite ten times. I've never seen a snake.

 

[jake&samsmom]

I don't think it's so much picking on as pointing out that swapping resorts because of the possibility of seeing a snake makes no sense, you're as likely to see a snake at one resort as you are at another.

Perhaps to YOU who does NOT have a serious phobia like me, it "doesn't make sense".....I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I was to be able to have the Disney Visa discount at POR....I rushed to read on everything posted here about this resort.....Now, as I said in my original post, one or so sighting(s) did not bother me as I know it is in Florida/reclaimed swamplands area....BUT post after post after post after post (count FOUR consecutive posts) got me seriously worried. Hello! I live in Houston Texas -- another city built on reclaimed swamplands. I have never seen snakes here (except at the reptile house in the zoo, eeeekkkk!), but I also don't go gallivanting around the bayous looking for them either....I respectfully request that y'all refrain from making fun of me or judging me....I knew that being judged by readers is a risk one takes by posting here, but I never realized the extent of how cold and insensitive some folks can be...please have some heart will you?

 

[G8r4evr]

Man oh man. You guys are really picking on the poor woman. I can relate because I grew up with a mom that wigs out over snakes too. Since she'll be coming with me on my trip in November, I sure hope she doesn't stumble upon this thread. It would really hamper her enjoyment if she was watching for them the whole vacation.

I promise Im not picking, but if the OP really wants to stay at POR (especially with a good rate), I really hope you change back!

Your chance of seeing a snake is just as high at POR it is at the Values, or any other hotel in Florida. I remember we saw a snake at AKL last year and no, it wasnt one of the "Staff". LOL

We live in a new development in north Florida and have seen about 10 snakes in the last 3 yrs....Believe me, I hate them too, but we have never had a problem with them, as they seem to be more afraid of us than we are of it. Of course there was the one that camped out on our lanai for like 3 days...finally my Dad went out and disposed of it (we were worried about our puppy).