Epcot & AK closed early due to bug bites!

[Robin]

I just heard this, so I don't know the full story.

I was told both AK and Epcot were closed early tonight because people were being bitten up by some kind of gnat like insect. This is the explanation both guests and CMs are getting.

I can understand the AK being closed a little early due to all the foliage and possibly to get the animals inside earlier. Epcot really surprises me since it's such a late night park and this would be a cancellation of Illuminations.

I'm going to check online to see if there is any additional information prior to tonights news.

[Carrie]

How interesting. Keep us posted if you get more information.

[Robin]

I trust my source's source.... It's just a bizarre reason to close the parks. Unless people are being attacked by swarms I would expect it's everyone for themselves. Rush for the insect repellent the way people rush for the ponchos.

In these day's of people reporting in via cellphone I'm surprised.... maybe I should check a few other boards.

[Robin]

I finally found a news report.

Guest Bit By Bugs At Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Channel 13 News
Friday, July 20, 2007 10:12:41 PM


It was an itchy situation for dozens of guests at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom.

A Disney spokesperson tells News 13 the Africa portion of the park was closed early Friday evening after several guests reported itchy bug bites.

Disney officials say the guests were treated at the park with a hydrocortisone insect bite cream.

One of the guests we spoke with says she was told by someone that it appears the park was being invaded by flying ants. She says they look like little gnats that bite once they land on you.

Disney says they will continue to monitor the situation and will take the appropriate next steps.

As of right now, the park plans to open as scheduled Saturday.
Disney also adds that they are not aware of any animals being affected by the bugs.


http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2007/7/20/guest_bit_by_bugs_at_animal_kingdom.html

[Snickerdoodlesmommy]

There was some heavy duty spraying going on last night at all 4 parks as well as DD.
Funny how the whole story seemed to have been buried in the local news as heaven forbid 1 extra person might stay away and not part with their hard earned cash ;)

We are headed over to the MK later tonight (if the predicted 4:45 storm doesn't come through) so they will no doubt need to re spray by Monday.

[MissBianca]

I wondered if the reason for closure might have been for spraying the bugs. I know the year we stayed at the GF there was an outbreak of a mosquitos carrying something nasty (not malaria, maybe encephalitis?) and there were some early closures for spraying.

And I'm really, really glad they didn't cancel Illuminations for it!

Linda, maybe Floridians just roll their eyes when they hear news of bugs?

[Robin]

I thought it was a really odd excuse for closing the parks. I heard they needed assistance in getting some people out of the park because they didn't want to go. I know if was told I had to leave because of bug bites, I would have thought either they were afraid these bugs were spreading something like Lyme disease or there was some kind of real danger and the bug were being used as a excuse to calmly empty the parks.

As for the local news, while they usually report ever misstep at Disney and Universal, they may have simply had enough other news to report that they didn't feel the need to bump a story for 'bugs at Disney'. Stories like that usually get a chuckle from the anchors. :lol:

This would be one of those rare times when I'd have a little sympathy for the 'they ruined my vacation' types if someone had dinner reservations or it was the only night they had to see Illuminations.

If they needed time for the fog to clear, I would have rather they opened the park a little later (they could slide notices under the room door) and give people the opportunty to readjust their plans (such as a leisurely breakfast at the resort) that tell people, "you go now".

[tdelaney]

Will be interesting to hear if any more info comes out. I've never had any problems with biting insects at WDW. I assumed they sprayed the heck out of the parks.

That being said, there's so much foliage at AK, that's the one place I could see a problem.

If you hear that they were trying to "empty" out Africa for other reasons, please let us know. It's so unusual for them to close the parks early!

[Snickerdoodlesmommy]

Disney doesn't advertise that they spray the parks. They do it during the middle of the night when the only people in the parks are the maintenance and the painters and such.
If you think about it, other than Love Bug season which is normally May and September, when is the last time that you ever had to swat at a fly or mosquito for swarming around?

The birds are the problem. People oss fries and popcorn at them so they lose that fear of people and hover all around.

As far as the news, it seems to me whenever it involves something that could make people stay away even temporarily, Disney has some pull as to what the news reports. If it is an accident and a guest gets hurt, that is a different story.

[Snickerdoodlesmommy]

I wondered if the reason for closure might have been for spraying the bugs. I know the year we stayed at the GF there was an outbreak of a mosquitos carrying something nasty (not malaria, maybe encephalitis?) and there were some early closures for spraying.

And I'm really, really glad they didn't cancel Illuminations for it!

Linda, maybe Floridians just roll their eyes when they hear news of bugs?

No eye rolling here Miss B! I just make sure the Terminex guy gets his Christmas card each year! ;)

[geffric]

No eye rolling here Miss B! I just make sure the Terminex guy gets his Christmas card each year! ;)


LOL:rolleyes::lol: