Another day, another guest was swimming amongst the alligators at Walt Disney World. In a recent article, we’ve covered the breaking story of a topless woman jumping into a river at Disney World for a little swim. This incident has become an all too familiar story around the Walt Disney World property, as guests, for whatever reason, are choosing to forgo the lazy river and wave pools of Disney’s water parks, instead opting to choose a dangerous and restricted option of cooling off in natural waterways around Walt Disney World.
So, what gives? What exactly is up with the current problem of guests jumping into waterways around Walt Disney World? Why do they choose not to swim in the many excellent and affordable options around the property? So, today, in hopes of saving a life or two, we’ll discuss this latest disturbing trend and where to swim at Walt Disney World instead of its lakes and rivers.
Why Do Guests Keep Jumping Into the Waterways at Disney World?
The latest incident isn’t an isolated one. In fact, Disney World has a long history of guests to its park, including Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT, cooling off in the multiple water systems around the property. In recent months, we’ve seen a man jump from the barges at Magic Kingdom that ferry guests to Tom Sawyer Island. We watched in terror as guests jumped from a bridge into the water at EPCOT.
When attempting to understand the thought process behind someone jumping into murky, black lakes, ponds, and creeks around Walt Disney World, you may find it challenging to wrap your mind around. Most people who live close to Disney understand that water, as inviting as it is on a hot Florida day, should be respected as it is home to large alligators, who have been known to take a bite out of humans.
Back in 2016, a young boy was taken by an alligator while playing in the water near Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort. When entering lakes, ponds, and flowing waters in and around Disney World, there’s always the risk of running into alligators and snakes. The threat is accurate, and you’ll be very much aware of it at Walt Disney World as they’ve posted plenty of signage alerting guests to the danger.
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Still, despite the potential for drowning or an unwanted encounter with a large, toothy gator, guests choose to enter the water at Disney World. Often, you could make an argument that this behavior has seen an uptick as the alcohol culture around Disney has increased, especially at EPCOT. Maybe that’s the culprit. Or, maybe because Florida gets extremely hot and humid, the waterways just look too inviting to ignore.
Disney World Wants Guests to Be Safe When Traveling Their Waterways
Disney World goes through extreme measures to ensure that they provide safe environments around the most magical place on Earth regarding waterways. In fact, anyone who has ever ridden a boat at Disney World will likely fondly recall safety instructions posted within eyesight of wherever you look. goes through extreme measures to ensure that they provide safe environments around the most magical place on Earth regarding waterways.
Disney has also worked hard to create immersive environments that prohibit guests from entering the waterways, yet this still happens. It would seem as if there isn’t much more Disney could do besides removing waterways to keep guests out of them. Obviously, this would likely never happen as they utilize these water features for travel and guest experience, moving large numbers of visitors to Disney Springs, Magic Kingdom, and so on.
When looking to enjoy a swim at Walt Disney World, guests can have a safe and enjoyable experience by visiting the water parks within the resort, not in Bay Lake, Seven Seas Lagoon, or Cresent Lake. With features like lazy rivers, water slides, and pool areas, visitors can have a great time in a controlled and monitored environment. Parks like Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach offer exciting water activities for all ages, ensuring a fun and safe experience for everyone. Disney World’s emphasis on safety near the water is evident in the well-maintained facilities and attentive lifeguards present in these water park areas.
Where to Swim at Walt Disney World Instead of Lakes and Rivers
However, the alternative is the numerous water activities that Disney World offers. From pools to water parks, there’s plenty of wet fun to be had at Walt Disney World. When visiting Walt Disney World, guests often seek out fun and refreshing places to swim that are not lakes or rivers. Fortunately, several fantastic options within the resort offer an exciting aquatic experience. One popular choice is the water parks within the Walt Disney World Resort, such as Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. These water parks feature thrilling water slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools, providing guests with a full day of aquatic entertainment, and there are always well-trained lifeguards on duty!
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In addition to the water parks, many resort hotels boast impressive swimming pools. For instance, the Yacht Club Resort offers a relaxing pool area with a shipwreck-themed water slide, while the Grand Floridian features a serene pool overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon. These pools are perfect for guests who want to take a break from the theme parks and simply enjoy a leisurely swim.
For a more unique swimming experience, guests can visit Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. This three-acre water wonderland includes a sandy bottom pool, lazy river, and even a shipwreck replica for exploring. With so many enticing options available, guests can enjoy a variety of swimming opportunities during their visit to Walt Disney World without having to dive into lakes or rivers.
In fact, it’s typical for some guests staying at Walt Disney World to enjoy a Disney Resort day, where they forgo the hustle and bustle of the parks and opt for a relaxing day at their resort, including the pool! It’s a safe and effective way to regroup after a couple of hot days enjoying the magic in Central Florida.
So, the next time you need a cool-off at Walt Disney World, look no further than the pools at Grand Floridian Resort, Contemporary Resort, or the refreshing fun at Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. No matter what you do, just stay out of the water.
