Guest Behavior at Disney's Polynesian Village & Swampalows

[SpaceMountain77]

Recent events will be driving significant changes in signage, fences, jetties, and notices within guest rooms. Cast Members, who were previously ignored by management, are speaking out against swampalow guests that have been feeding alligators from their decks over the past 14-months. Moreover, wildlife experts, like Jeff Corwin, have stated in televised interviews that guests are likely being associated with food because of this feeding behavior. It seems that swampalow construction has unintentionally driven more alligators to the shoreline.

Here are a few non-word-of-mouth sources:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...2-000-night-bungalows-feeding-alligators.html

"When that happens it's usually because that animal has become accustomed to people,'' Corwin said. "For example, maybe people have been feeding that alligator."
http://www.today.com/news/jeff-corwin-alligator-attack-boy-disney-catastrophic-rare-event-t98696

 

[BrerJon]

I think I read somewhere that Disney was considering building more over-the-water bungalows at other resorts. I wonder if this may give them pause for thought in proceeding with such plans.

 

[Lucky]

Disney just needs to charge more for the bungalows. High prices weed out the riff raff, right?

 

[FrankLapidus]

The questions I would ask are how does Disney catch the people who might be inclined to feed the animals and subsequently how strict do they make the penalties for violating a "don't feed the animals" policy if they want to enforce it?

 

[fractal]

The questions I would ask are how does Disney catch the people who might be inclined to feed the animals and subsequently how strict do they make the penalties for violating a "don't feed the animals" policy if they want to enforce it?

Nearly impossible outside of 24/7 physical surveillance. I wouldn't be surprised if their legal advisor are advising the destruction of the bungalows.

 

[Nmoody1]

Disney just needs to charge more for the bungalows. High prices weed out the riff raff, right?

If they were prices any higher people won't be able to afford to eat. Problem solved!

 

[Electricsoup]

Nearly impossible outside of 24/7 physical surveillance. I wouldn't be surprised if their legal advisor are advising the destruction of the bungalows.

Not even a remote possibility. They'll build more of those before they destroy them. They're cash cows.

What I would look for is a serious warning about not feeding animals from the Bungalows, and more water drive bys from security. Eviction consequences and serious crack downs in all parks where not feeding animals (all of the,) is actually enforced.

 

[majortom1981]

Nearly impossible outside of 24/7 physical surveillance. I wouldn't be surprised if their legal advisor are advising the destruction of the bungalows.

Not destruction but I can see cameras being added outside the bungalows.

 

[Goofyernmost]

If they were prices any higher people won't be able to afford to eat. Problem solved!

Then at least the people would be eating the Alligators, so again, problem solved!

 

[FrankLapidus]

Nearly impossible outside of 24/7 physical surveillance. I wouldn't be surprised if their legal advisor are advising the destruction of the bungalows.

I can't see them getting rid of the bungalows entirely but then I don't know how Disney go about about ensuring that people don't throw food from them into the lagoon. Putting cameras on and around them is an option but does that then open up a separate can of worms if people staying in them don't like the idea of being surveilled constantly?

It's a balancing act I suppose and Disney ultimately have to do whatever they feel is necessary in the long-term. For me they have to be strict in whatever they enforce though, if guests are caught feeding wildlife from this point on the penalty should, and really has to be more than a polite slap on the wrist and a "please don't do that again".

 

[donsullivan]

When I went to Yosemite National Park in February, one of the things they made us sign when we checked into the hotel was a 'wildlife awareness pledge' to remind us of the dangers of bears, etc.. The document also reminded every guest not to feed 'any' wildlife because it habituates them to humans. It would not surprise me if Florida Fish and Wildlife recommends something similar for all Bungalow guests if not all resort guests.

In the Yosemite case, it was mandatory- if you were not willing to sign the agreement, they would not complete your check-in to the hotel.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Clearly… There is a major issue with guests feeding the alligators that tragically manifested itself into what happened recently.

There is no one clear solution here. It's going to take several steps to remediate this issue. Step one is to remove the alligators. In conjunction step one A is to get the guests to stop feeding the alligators. I foresee more physical obstacles put in place at the edge of the water.

I really hope this does not result in the widespread distraction of these alligators rather than just relocation. However… If I have to choose between the two, guest safety is going to win out. I am willing to go farther than the mouse probably is with this. I'm willing to throw out guests who feed the wildlife. I'm willing to have them charged by the state.

This is a comprehensive problem and it is the largest guest safety issue the resort has ever faced. We have had a guest die in the most horrific fashion imaginable.

This is mostly a result of inaction, people not wanting to believe that there's a problem or people not believing the guests when they report a problem with wildlife.

But mostly? It's the bungalows. Since 2004, I have never seen an alligator on that side of seven seas lagoon. Ever. Within the past year, something is suddenly attracting them and the only thing that has changed is those bungalows were added.

And frankly if you can afford the bungalows? You can afford a lawyer for when Disney throws you out for feeding the wildlife…

 

[lazyboy97o]

I can't see them getting rid of the bungalows entirely but then I don't know how Disney go about about ensuring that people don't throw food from them into the lagoon. Putting cameras on and around them is an option but does that then open up a separate can of worms if people staying in them don't like the idea of being surveilled constantly?

It's a balancing act I suppose and Disney ultimately have to do whatever they feel is necessary in the long-term. For me they have to be strict in whatever they enforce though, if guests are caught feeding wildlife from this point on the penalty should, and really has to be more than a polite slap on the wrist and a "please don't do that again".

The room balconies at the Animal Kingdom Lodge are under video surveillance.

 

[FrankLapidus]

The room balconies at the Animal Kingdom Lodge are under video surveillance.

I didn't know that. Perhaps installing them on the bungalow balconies is an option for Disney then, it definitely would seem the most obvious step to take as both a deterrent and a means of catching anyone who violates any policy that prohibits feeding wildlife.

 

[donsullivan]

I didn't know that. Perhaps installing them on the bungalow balconies is an option for Disney then, it definitely would seem the most obvious step to take as both a deterrent and a means of catching anyone who violates any policy that prohibits feeding wildlife.

You'd likely have a pretty messy privacy issue with cameras watching guests all the time on their balconies.

 

[lazyboy97o]

You'd likely have a pretty messy privacy issue with cameras watching guests all the time on their balconies.

Again, this is already the case at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

 

[FrankLapidus]

You'd likely have a pretty messy privacy issue with cameras watching guests all the time on their balconies.

That was my initial concern with such an idea but I wasn't aware that they have cameras on balconies at resorts elsewhere on property.

 

[Bacon]

Disney just needs to charge more for the bungalows. High prices weed out the riff raff, right?

@Lucky you are lucky disney didnt ask you to change your profile pic

 

[Lucky]

@Lucky you are lucky disney didnt ask you to change your profile pic

Why?

 

[Bacon]

Why?

Your profile pic is a gator