Swimming in Disney's lakes

tigsmom

tigsmom

Well-Known Member
stalkingmickey said:
From the Center for Disease Control's website

How common is Naegleria infection?

Although Naegleria is commonly found in the environment, infection occurs rarely.
Only 24 infections were documented in the U.S. between 1989 and 2000.
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In the US, that were documented, not all cases get reported or deaths investigated. We are not the only country affected and with continued global warming and pollution these figures will grow. The fact that it is a recognized problem and steps to avoid infection with it have been taken is what keeps the numbers down. If you look, the last year quoted was 2000, that was 7 years ago!
 
hls1023

hls1023

New Member
lol...we only swim in lakes here if we lose a bet. I'll stick to the swimming pools and the beaches. We have plenty of them. Leave the gators to their lakes and ponds.
 
Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
sweetpee_1993 said:
I grew up in the Central Florida area (don't live there now) and learned to swim in lakes at parks that were designated for swimming. We also swam in creeks where we found little swimming hole areas that were fun. Mind you, this was 15+ years ago. We knew there were gators and/or snakes. I think the gator population was lower then, also. I remember when gators were protected. Now they have a hunting season for them.

Would I swim in a lake or creek now? Nope. If I have a pool to swim in, great. I never cared for the squishy feeling of the lake/creek bottoms. My brother once gashed the bottom of his foot open on a broken bottle hidden in a soft, muddy pond bottom. He had to be stitched up in layers and on crutches for months. Nope, not me.

I always saw the pretty sandy beaches at the WDW resorts as a nice place to take a romantic sunset stroll with your sweetie. I imagine when taking in the water pageant it's a good place to hang around or maybe get your toes wet. I wouldn't swim there, though. Too many pretty pools to partake of.

If you truly want that fresh-water feeling, central Florida has some nice springs where you can swim/tube. I couldn't tell you where the heck they are now but I remember them from when I was a kid. I'm sure info can be found. I distinctly remember Blue Springs. We always laughed at the name because the water was so cold we were sure that the name came from the color your lips were when you got out. The springs were always so dang cold. I don't think any reptiles could survive there.
:)
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You are right about the springs in Florida. They are simply beautiful. My personal favorite is Ginnie springs. It is a little pricey when compared to other springs in Fl but the grounds are better maintained than WDW so it is well worth it. You do still get gators even in the 72 degree spring water. At silver springs a gator sighting is about as common as a mouse sighting at WDW.
 
N

nmj91385

New Member
At CBR they also have turtles, large turtles, and I am not so sure how much you would want to be in the water with them. I am not sure if they bite or not, but I would rather not risk it. Also with all the birds in the water,( Ducks, and seagulls) that water has to be dirty.
 
Ella's Mommy

Ella's Mommy

Active Member
tigsmom said:
In the US, that were documented, not all cases get reported or deaths investigated. We are not the only country affected and with continued global warming and pollution these figures will grow. The fact that it is a recognized problem and steps to avoid infection with it have been taken is what keeps the numbers down. If you look, the last year quoted was 2000, that was 7 years ago!
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Its okay I understand what your saying. That is also not the only bacteria/viral infection that you can contract by swimming in a lake(fresh water) that does not empty to a tributary. Because the water is not "flowing" or treated like a pool different organisms are allowed to grow. The chances are more slim to be attacked by a gator, but getting a gastrointestinal problem is great. Especially during the summer when Disney is experiencing high temps. Bacteria thrives in warm water. There have been many cases of illness after swimming in the lake/bay that is why Disney takes the extra precaution. You wouldnt want to go to Disney and take a dip on your first day and spend the rest of your trip:hurl: or STUCK to the toilet. :wave: Hope this helps.
 
The Mom

The Mom

Moderator
Premium Member
tigsmom said:
Its not an algae its an amoeba that makes you sick. It is not only in Florida, but anywhere there is warm, stagnant fresh water. It is not worth risking your life (not just health, but life) because its infection rate is very high and so is the mortality rate.

Yes you could swim at the beaches in WDW at one time, but are no longer allowed to. The sandy beaches are more for atmosphere now, sunbathing and beach games.

There have been threads about this before and a quick search should bring up those discussions. :wave:
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We had second thoughts about swimming in a lake at a resort in Lake lure, NC, for this very reason. Lots of waterfowl (and their droppings) warm water, and a muddy bottom. We went water skiing out in the middle, but didn't swim in the shallows.

My daughter(24) and I have been swimming in the WDW lakes, including River Country before it closed. My son (14) never has.
 
Hummer1676

Hummer1676

New Member
Its not all about the parasites, it is also the run off from them treating the golf courses, trees, and grasses on property. As some one who takes care of a big community and works within the FDEP i know that there are a lot of chemicals that get put into the water. I highly recommend that you don't swim in Disney's lakes. And if you think pools are much better, go take the florida pool license class and you will change your mind quickly. The involuntary things that happen when you swim are gross. I will stick with the ocean or gulf.
 
newfanatic

newfanatic

New Member
beachclubbasics said:
Actually, back in the late 70's when I was a kid, a child contracted this exact amobeic infection at WDW and passed away about a week before my family visited. At the time I think it was blamed on a visit to the water park (I think it was called River Country at the time and was relatively new) instead of swimming in the lagoons/lakes. I remember reading about it in the paper.
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Yes, this is true. I remember it as a teen, shortly after we had returned from our first WDW trip. We had gone to River Country and had a blast, so I was really creeped out when I read about that kid.
 
K

kennyj29

Member
River Country

I'm assuming that's why River Country closed? I haven't read all of this thread so if it was mentioned, I apologize, but I'm just curious.
 
tigsmom

tigsmom

Well-Known Member
kennyj29 said:
I'm assuming that's why River Country closed? I haven't read all of this thread so if it was mentioned, I apologize, but I'm just curious.
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I've been told that was one of the reasons. The water comes from the lake so they couldn't treat it. That and the popularity/size of the other water parks. :shrug:
 
kangaand2roos

kangaand2roos

Member
I remember staying at the CBR when I was about 15 or so and telling my parents that I was only swimming in the pools and not the lake/ beach area because I bet there were alligators in there. My dad was telling me I was paranoid and ridiculous and made a big deal how there were no alligators in the lakes of WDW. Then one day we were on the bus going to one of the parks and the bus driver said "and if you look to your left there is an alligator sunbathing on the beach". I remembering looking at my dad's jaw drop and getting to say "I told you so". Needless to say it has been pool swimming ever since for everyone in my family:)
 
Nemo14

Nemo14

Well-Known Member
kangaand2roos said:
I remember staying at the CBR when I was about 15 or so and telling my parents that I was only swimming in the pools and not the lake/ beach area because I bet there were alligators in there. My dad was telling me I was paranoid and ridiculous and made a big deal how there were no alligators in the lakes of WDW. Then one day we were on the bus going to one of the parks and the bus driver said "and if you look to your left there is an alligator sunbathing on the beach". I remembering looking at my dad's jaw drop and getting to say "I told you so". Needless to say it has been pool swimming ever since for everyone in my family:)
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We stayed at the CBR several times, and with the exception of one visit, we always say gators there. There aen't many places in Florida where you won't see them!
 
R

Rabflmom

Active Member
I've lived in Florida my whole life and have swam in lakes and creeks and what not...never been sick from the algae, nor have I heard of anyone getting sick.>>>>

I think the poster meant amoeba instead of algae? There is an amoeba that lives in the bottom of lakes in Florida and I think in some of the other Southern states. It is pretty dormant in cool water, but when the air temp stays up in the 95 degree range for 4 or 5 days in a row, we people who live here stay out of the water in lakes( or at least don't stick our heads under the water). The amoeba is dislodged from the bottom as you walk, kick, or swim in the water. The amoeba enters your body through your mouth, ears, or nose. It causes your brain to swell and you have a high temperature. One of my friend's sons actually died because of the amoeba when he was 12. This was back in the 70s. A few years later there was a case at Disney and I think that is when they quit using the beaches near the hotels as swim areas. I don't remember if the child at Disney survived. I am sure there was a lawsuit though.
In our case my friend had called the county(here on the coast) to make sure the lake by their house had been checked out recently and had chemicals added. They said it was safe. The night after they went swimming he developed the fever and was dead the next night. There have only been about 100 cases of the disease but only a few people who have had it have survived. Most lakes where you swim or ski are monitored by the health departments of the counties they are in. I think if the water is flowing the problem does not exist( like a river).
As for gators not being around when you wake board etc, they seem to avoid the noise of the motor boats and jet skis. We have seen them close to shore when we are out on the lake behind our house. We always told the kids to make lots of noise even if some of the neighbors didn't like it when they were behind their houses. LOL
Hopefully just quick dips when skiing and wakeboarding are safe enough because someone always falls in and goes under. Swimming under water close to the bottom would be your most dangerous situation for getting the amoeba disease which is a big long word I can't remember the name of right now.
 
stalkingmickey

stalkingmickey

Active Member
Original Poster
Rabflmom said:
I think the poster meant amoeba instead of algae?
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This is exactly what is was talking about, but was not sure what it was called when I made my OP.

Sorry to hear about your friends lose. That is so sad.

I never had to worry about the amoeba here in New England. The waters never get about 65 degrees if your lucky.
 
ClemsonTigger

ClemsonTigger

Naturally Grumpy

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