[TheHawley's]

Let's just say when we're there in August I won't be exactly "looking" for it...LOL...

[Spectro is #1]

Originally Posted by mickeysgirlz

Florida Fact: Any body of fresh water, at any time, can contain an gator. When it says "NO SWIMMING" don't swim.

During our last trip to CBR, there is a large lake with sandy beaches. There was a Mother allowing her kids to go in up to their knees when there was a BIG SIGN that said "NO SWIMMING". Gators have "pea" brains, they work on instinct alone, and will "attack" if they think skinny kid legs are bird legs.

Across the lake was wetlands, marsh, etc. I wanted SO BADLY to say something to her, but didn't. It freaked me out!

The no swimming signs are because of a deadly amoeba that could exist in Florida's lakes. The swimming restrictions are not gator related. Opened in 1989 swimming was allowed at CBR until the mid 1990s.
Here is a link to a story about the amoeba.

[Spectro is #1]

Being a northerner I always look in the water ways for gators as it is such a novelty to see them.
Over the years I have seen or heard gators at a few places around WDW.
I have seen a gator in the same location that started this thread.
In the canal that is in front of POR.
CBR in the large lake as you enter and in a marshy area behind one of the bus stops (I think it was in Jamaica)
Magic Kingdom, It was in the Rivers of America near the walkway that goes over the water.

[Boss Mouse]

I look at those pictures and I think,

"New shoes."

[Lexie]

There was an alligator in the water @ MK a couple years ago when we were there. It was not very big, and was swimming in the water by Tom Sawyer Island. We asked a CM about it and he said they knew it was there. It was neat to watch it!

[Mickey Mom]

I've never understood people that feed wild animals. Our kids are deathly afraid of birds from an attack that we had at Epcot a couple years ago. We were sitting to lunch at the little outdoor patio accross from the Mexico Pavillion, and we were bombarded by birds. They flew in and landed right on our table, our kids were screaming, they knocked over our trays and our food as we grabbed our kids to haul them away. It was unbelievable, while I've seen very bold birds, I've never seen an attack like that. Now when our kids see birds here at home and are scared I have to tell them..."Don't worry, these aren't Disney birds". That's sad.

We've also seen people try to catch turtles around the resort, and the worst was this year at CBR.....there were multiple Momma Ducks with ducklings around the resort and on a pleasant walk one evening we witnessed a dad trying to catch a duckling. The poor Momma Duck was running trying to protect the ducklings. I felt so bad and then I wondered, how he would feel if his wife was trying to take their kids for a walk and a giant man tried to gab one of his kids. Funny how some people just don't put things in perspective and think the world is all about them.

[mickeysgirlz]

Originally Posted by Spectro is #1

The no swimming signs are because of a deadly amoeba that could exist in Florida's lakes. The swimming restrictions are not gator related. Opened in 1989 swimming was allowed at CBR until the mid 1990s.
Here is a link to a story about the amoeba.

Either way . . . the first thing EVERYONE told me when I moved here from New Jersey was "Don't swim in ANY water that isn't a pool!"

[Spectro is #1]

Originally Posted by Lexie

There was an alligator in the water @ MK a couple years ago when we were there. It was not very big, and was swimming in the water by Tom Sawyer Island. We asked a CM about it and he said they knew it was there. It was neat to watch it!

I think we are talking about the same one. It was a few years ago when I saw one there.

[Boss Mouse]

Or a new Belt ..........

[Dana]

Originally Posted by Pam&Rich

We had a little fella (4') hanging outside of our room at the old CR North Garden Wing. He scampered back into the water whenever a patio door opened.

We have become so accustomed to them in our daily lives that we just pass right by them on the golf course or on the boat. They are more scared of any human interaction than people really know.

Then someone crazy tourist feeds them because "the little 2 footer is just so darn cute.......why don't you go pet him Billy". And the whole circle of life is relived in vivid color. Little Billy is missing a digit or two. Next thing you know someone has a new wallet in NYC.

Leave them be and everything will be just fine. THey are beautiful creatures and serve a purpose in the wild.

THANK YOU!!! Well said...they were there first. Leave them be and they will let you be.

[rlb]

Originally Posted by Lexie

There was an alligator in the water @ MK a couple years ago when we were there. It was not very big, and was swimming in the water by Tom Sawyer Island. We asked a CM about it and he said they knew it was there. It was neat to watch it!

What does a gator ticket to the magic kingdom cost?
Is the water around Tom Sawyer Island connected to any other bodies of water?

[ddoll]

Originally Posted by TheHawley's

Let's just say when we're there in August I won't be exactly "looking" for it...LOL...

Oh I'll be looking for it and listening for the "tick-tock" too. But not to admire him, I want to stay far away!!

[PrincessJill]

We saw this little guy at Coronado Springs in May. He was maybe 3 feet. He was just chilling in the lake... while people on the dock threw things at him.

[fjs08]

>>At Hilton Head you have to kick their butts off the greens to putt! I'm not sure they are endangered anymore. Welcome to the Florida swamps!<<

I remember playing Shipyard on HH with my wife years back. The 9th tee of one of the courses was basically perpendicular to the path from the green. Guys were teeing off of the ladies tees. I told my wife, "what a bunch of sissies!!!" Got up to the tee to see a gator on the men's tee!!!!!! She just pointed and said "play away!!!" I hit from the ladies too!!!!!!!!!!
Frank

[Pam&Rich]

Originally Posted by fjs08

>>At Hilton Head you have to kick their butts off the greens to putt! I'm not sure they are endangered anymore. Welcome to the Florida swamps!<<

I remember playing Shipyard on HH with my wife years back. The 9th tee of one of the courses was basically perpendicular to the path from the green. Guys were teeing off of the ladies tees. I told my wife, "what a bunch of sissies!!!" Got up to the tee to see a gator on the men's tee!!!!!! She just pointed and said "play away!!!" I hit from the ladies too!!!!!!!!!!
Frank

Excellent example Frank. They are so calm and if left alone will not do anything. They just want their sun time.
We used to have one on a course that would sun himself right at the base of a small bridge over a creek dividing the tee areas from the fairway of a hole. Since he was almost 13 feet you had to go the long way around 2 other holes to get to your ball. Made for an interesting game. You never knew when he would be out but you knew that a golf cart was NO match for a 13 footer.