Ever since I took my first Walt Disney World vacation I have been on the lookout for an Alligator. Every visit was me looking out windows searching ever water spot for the tell tale signs of an alligator. The eyes peaking over the water, no ducks relaxing….and in all my years I didn’t get to see one.
So I decided when we moved here, that I would diligently be on the look out for an alligator, I wanted to see one in the wild. It has been a joke for Patrick and Becca because every time we drive by a pond, lake or any water areas, I immediately crane my neck out the window and start asking, “Do you think there is an alligator in there?” Of course, there never was, and I would be disappointed. Then to make matters worse, shortly after moving to Orlando, Patrick was golfing at the Disney’s Palms when he sent me a text message with a picture of an alligator hanging out beside the green and then to rub salt in a wound, a couple of greens later, he sent me another text, with ANOTHER alligator hanging out in the water. TWO alligators!!!! Yes I was jealous.
Well, when we were taking pictures of the Christmas Trees of Walt Disney World, we drove over to Shades of Green (Here is their Christmas Tree). After getting my photos, I got back in the van and we drove off. As we were approaching the security gate to leave we noticed several cars stopped and a couple of men standing out in the street with their cameras. So we of course started to look in the direction of where they were looking and low and behold a GATOR!!!!! I literally jumped out of the van before Patrick had stopped it!
On the side of the pond, about 20 feet from the sidewalk was an alligator! I started walking to it. These men were hanging out in the street, and I wanted to get at least to the sidewalk. So as I walked closer, so did they. The funniest part, the alligator was moving, flipping dirt and leaves (Patrick thinks it may have been a girl and she was laying eggs), regardless, whenever she moved her legs the men would all jump and run backwards. They would start talking about how an alligator can run up to 40 mph. I continued to walk around on the sidewalk and took pictures from multiple angles and with my regular lens as well as my tele photo long lens. I hope you enjoy the pictures of my first ever Walt Disney World Alligator! Oh and thank you to our fans for the wonderful alligator stories on our Facebook page! Who knew all the places you could see an alligator at WDW!!!
I was googling alligator it brought me to here.
They sure can move. I think Disney needs to move some gators. I am afraid I will never go back til improvement is made. Enjoyed your post.
betsy
Well, unfortunately it happened, an alligator has taken a two year old Nebraska boy off of the shore of Seven Seas Lagoon at the Grand Floridian. The father tried to save the boy but was unsuccessful and at this point it is a recovery operation for what’s left of the body……Right about now I am thinking that could very easily have been my kid. Prayers for that poor family.