Why can’t we swim in the 7 Seas Lagoon?

[DisneyPhD]

Originally posted by Billdis86
This goes way back, and if you ask any cast members today, they will deny it. Everyone could swim in the lakes. Then Disney build an island in the lagoon. They built Disney's Wedding Pavilion on the island. During construction, the lakes were closed to swimming. I asked a supervisor why. She said that when the wedding pavilion was built, a building material chemical fell into the lagoon which caused lagoon temps. to rise. The lagoons were closed for swimming forever. This is just a story that a CM Supervisor told me. That's all I know. Well, have a great day.

I kinda doubt that. The only "building material chemical" I can think of that would heat up water would be cement. It does release heat as it cures (the scientific term is exothermic). However the volume of water in the lagoon (and the connected bay lake) and heat capacity of water would require a tremendous amount of cement or whatever else to be dumped in the lake to cause any appreciable change in temperature. A sunny day will raise the temp more than that.
Hey, that PhD in chemistry is finally good for something.:sohappy:
The most likely reason is the inability to precisely control bacteria levels in the water, cost of lifeguards and good old fashioned liability. I've never seen a gator in either of the lakes but that doesn't mean they're not there.
That brings up another question. Can you still canoe in the canals in FW? I'd think the gators would prefer that water.

 

[Robin Williams]

Smells good to me lol.. I havent noticed any smell change... The Ferry Boats are awesome... Its better then waiting in line for the monorail.... Thats not including the wait you'll have at the park entrance....

- Robin

 

[Bdis86]

Hey Robin! Welcome! I'm Bill Nye. It's a celebrity forum! lol.

 

[Robin Williams]

Oh yes. Its a great Forum... I dont need a welcoming though.. lol.....

~ J..

Opps..

- Robin:zipit:

 

[Mr. Toad]

I had always heard that it was a bacteria issue (something about it causing very bad respitory infections). As for other liabilites, I remember once we we were down there hearing that someone was attacked by a gator over near River Country (not in River Country just in the vicinity). Never found out if it was true.

I believe when they used to let you swim in the lagoon they had lifeguards on the beach but I could be mistaken.

 

[MGM WDWFan]

All I can think of is the idea of little kids (like 2 or 3) wading around in there and relieving themselves......doesn't hold a whole lot of interest with me.

 

[Mr. Toad]

I would be willing to bet that there are kids doing the same in the pools.

 

[wdw100]

I was told they had gators in the back of the Magic Kingdom and they used to feed them, along time ago.


Wouldn't Disney remove all gators for the safety of the guests.

 

[Lance]

I remember the days of swimming in Bay Lake on the Fort Wilderness beach. We always would head down to the beach when we stayed in FW. The last time we were able to swim in Bay Lake was like in 94.

I don't know, every time I'm on a water sprite, the water always splashes up into my mouth (especially on a windy day) and it tastes fine!

 

[s25843]

Originally posted by Mr. Toad
I would be willing to bet that there are kids doing the same in the pools.

At least pools are chlornated though!!!

 

[Pioneer Hall]

The water isn't safe to swin in but the other activites that go on are allowed, because a little of the water getting to you is OK.

 

[Invero]

A few months ago they had a triathalon, and there were a few hundred athletes that swam from the MK ferry boat landing around to the Grand Floridian, and then I beleive back over through the water bridge, and over to Fort Wilderness... or something like that. But suffice to say, they swam in that lagoon and the lake for a considerable distance. Me personally, I think that water is skank... and wouldn't touch it... blah...

 

[kal1484]

They must of aloud it at least 11 years ago, cuz I have a pic of me in the lagoon when I was 6 and now I'm 17 (go me! i can subtract) I remember all the ropes that they roped it off with at Poly. I wouldn't swim in it if I had to! Yucky!

 

[mkt]

Originally posted by wdw100
Wouldn't Disney remove all gators for the safety of the guests.

that's

A-impossible.. for every gator they remove, I guarantee there are 10 gator eggs they'll miss

B-illogical. gator attacks are RARE.. SELDOM... ALMOST NEVER HAPPEN. Plus, Disney doesn't need an excuse to spend money outside of fixing the parks

C-illegal.. I guarantee the second Disney touches one gator, PETA, EPA and ASPCA will scream lawsuit faster than a Clinton lies

and
D-rather bad idea- removing the gators will cause several species of fish to overpopulate and turn the water into more of a wasteland than it already is

there's my dollar and 2 cents

 

[s25843]

You Think Bay Lake/Seven Seas is bad?

Try the Charles River, in Boston. Anyone from Massachusetts will know what im talking about. When I go for the 4th of July with my boat, the Swim Platform gets sooo brown because of the water, I need to use an Industrial Strength Version of Calcium Lime Rust just to get 4 days worth of water stains off....

 

[NowInc]

LoL...MKTigg...a b b c ???

I agree tho..its impossible

 

[mkt]

Originally posted by NowInc
LoL...MKTigg...a b b c ???

IT'S SPRING BREAK.. LEAVE ME BE!!

 

[Luau Cove]

Strangely, I've seen no signs prohibiting swimming at Bay Lake (Contemporary) of Seven Seven Seas Lagoon in the case of Polynesian and Floridian. The beach is open as always and people might not know what's going on.

-->LuAu

 

[mkt]

Originally posted by Luau Cove
Strangely, I've seen no signs prohibiting swimming at Bay Lake (Contemporary) of Seven Seven Seas Lagoon in the case of Polynesian and Floridian. The beach is open as always and people might not know what's going on.

-->LuAu

that's for 2 reasons

1- Bay Lake is a natural lake

and

2- Bay Lake is actually rather clean, in comparison to 7 seas lagoon (yes I know they're connected, but since the pollutants are heavier than water, they tend to stay where they're dropped... IE- 7 seas lagoon. Plus, I rowed on a crew team back in high school, and for 2 years we held the bay lake regatta, and we would have to get in that water, and none of us ever got sick.. but I would NEVER go into 7 seas)

 

[The Mom]

Originally posted by Luau Cove
Strangely, I've seen no signs prohibiting swimming at Bay Lake (Contemporary) of Seven Seven Seas Lagoon in the case of Polynesian and Floridian. The beach is open as always and people might not know what's going on.

-->LuAu

I might be seeing things (and as Jay-Rod is quick to point out, my vision isn't the best), because I think I saw a No Swimming sign the last time I stayed at the Polynesian, but definitely remember swimming on earlier visits! I don't know about the Contemporary...the last time I stayed there it was too chilly for swimming.