You may see deer around Walt Disney World. We did, even as tourists. There was a mating pair hanging out in the parking lot for the Ticket and Transportation Center, where there are mild woods around. I also almost ran over a buck more recently on the more-heavily-wooded Western Beltway exit to Disney World, where they are going to build the new value-version of Downtown Disney.
Over in the TTC, I've also seen wild turkeys in the central patch of swamp. That was neat.
But then a couple of weeks ago, I finally saw a live, wild alligator at WDW. You'd think I would see it in the canals that run alongside (and across) the roads. But nope, I saw it within the confines of a theme park. It was just swimming around, loose and carefree, in the central lagoon of DAK (you know, the one between Expedition Everest and Dinoland). It was small - maybe a four footer - but still really neat to see. We were at the Flame Tree BBQ and it was right below us, about ten feet down, and sitting lazily in the water. Cool. I wonder if anyone's ever been bitten by a gator at the parks? Access to that body of water is by and large restricted, but the fences are pretty low-key. If he wanted to, the gator could have found his way to people.
Disney critic Kevin Yee provides his thoughts on Walt Disney World and the myriad entertainment offerings in Orlando. He can be reached at kevin@ultimateorlando.com
2 comments:
I've seen that Gator and a larger one at that same spot. The Gator hangs out there because tourists feed it frequently.
I hope this doesn't turn out bad for some guest some day with a hand out.
I'm sure you know this already, but I've seen one at Magic Kingdom. Not exactly in the park, but it could easily get there! It was in the swamp next to the train, kind of near where the fake alligator is.
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