A note about the cats seen at DL (and some park pics)

[WonkaKid]

While in line this morning, someone we're acquainted with said that he inside information about the cats seen regularly at DL. The woman with him was a CM and she seemed to backup everything he said.

Here's what he told us:

• There are approximately 300 cats that Disney fosters/takes care of.

• They’re all “chipped” (i.e. fitted with a microchip).

• Every time they enter their feeding area, they’re sprayed automatically with an anti-flea spray. Apparently there’s something like a doggie door (kittie door?) that they enter and the spray process is automated.

• When cats become too domesticated/friendly with park guests, they’re surrendered to a shelter. Disney wants its cats to interact as little as possible with the guests.

• If you ask a Cast Member, all of this will be denied. Officially, Disney don’t take care of the cats.

Here are some pics from the park today.

Moments before the gates opened.










Main street, sans guests.






Fantasyland before the guests invade.


The latest treat additions.

 

[WonkaKid]

A few more pics. Did OK on Buzz today but didn't crush it like I did last Sunday. When I left the park around 2:30, my score had dropped to third place.



I managed to break 1M on both guns on one ride today.








POTC will close soon for a refurb (I think it goes down next Monday - the 23rd, however it's the last time I'll see it since I skip town for Chicago soon). As we've all heard, the famous Auction scene will soon be changed to become more gender-role-sensitive (or something like that).


Splash Mountain was supposed to re-open yesterday, apparently. But today was it's actual first day after the lengthy refurb.




I overheard two girls as they walked past the rafts to Tom Sawyer Island. One of the girls explained to her friend that it was called "Mark Twain Island." First time I've heard it called that .

 

[WonkaKid]

And the last few pics.

New tables and chairs at Pizza Planet.


Here's the tarp-sign, looking a little less like a Dollar-Store toupee.

 

[BuzzlightHead]

I can attest to what you heard in line! I was listening to a podcast last week that had an ex-castmember as their guest. She talked about the cat's and it lines up with pretty much everything you heard.

She said that Disney takes care of the cats not only for pest control, but also to keep the feral cat population low in the area.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We saw a new-to-us cat on the tram route this past Saturday. Usually we see the black & whites, the grays, and the gingers. This time we saw a seal point Siamese! It looked well fed -- maybe it's a runaway from a neighborhood just over the berm (sort of like the cat equivalent of running away to join the circus)?

 

[midnight star]

Maybe I just don't pay attention when I go, but I've never seen a Disney cat lol. Next time when I go, I'll look around more.

Oh, and in regards to Splash, when I was there Saturday, I heard other guests mention that it did run, but kept breaking down, so they had to close it. So it seems like Sunday it did get up and running properly.

 

[Disney127]

Thanks for the pics and update, Rob! Have a safe trip to Chicago and looking forward to meeting you at the end of the month!

 

[WonkaKid]

Thanks for the pics and update, Rob! Have a safe trip to Chicago and looking forward to meeting you at the end of the month!

Thanks. Likewise!

 

[WonkaKid]

Maybe I just don't pay attention when I go, but I've never seen a Disney cat lol. Next time when I go, I'll look around more.

I see them regularly on the tram along the way to/from the park. I see them less regularly in the park but when I do, it's usually in Frontierland.

Oh, and in regards to Splash, when I was there Saturday, I heard other guests mention that it did run, but kept breaking down, so they had to close it. So it seems like Sunday it did get up and running properly.

Ah, good to know. A CM told me that it wasn't running on Saturday but perhaps she was mistaken. Makes sense if the ride was up and down all day.

 

[bumbershoot]

If you ask a Cast Member, all of this will be denied. Officially, Disney don’t take care of the cats.

Well that’s not true.(I know you’re only reporting what was said.)

And being sprayed for fleas that often could cause problems. Flea medication can be quite toxic. I hope that’s not true, too.

 

[ddwlms]

Well that’s not true.(I know you’re only reporting what was said.)

I've talked to CM about the cats before, but from what I've heard, the CM are not supposed to. Rob's source is correct (unless they've changed things) on the official party line. --Come to think about it, I think the couple conversations I've had with CMs regarding the cats was likely when a feline was out flaunting their existence in public.

One kitty, on the lawns next to the path running around the right side of the castle, was playing while we were waiting for a parade. The CM told me that the kitty must be new, had not yet learned that she was not supposed to come out until after closing.

 

[Malcon10t]

I think whoever was informing you was incorrect about the flea spray. I believe it is set up for a monthly spray, not daily. Also, I have always had CMs be very open about the care of the cats. In fact, when we toured Circle D Ranch (back when it was there) they showed us vet records and everything. It was very interesting.

 

[DizneyMommy]

Maybe I just don't pay attention when I go, but I've never seen a Disney cat lol. Next time when I go, I'll look around more.

Oh, and in regards to Splash, when I was there Saturday, I heard other guests mention that it did run, but kept breaking down, so they had to close it. So it seems like Sunday it did get up and running properly.

We see them a lot on the tram route and downstairs at Hungry Bear. Otherwise we rarely see them!

 

[DizneyMommy]

But the irony of the Mouse caring for cats kills me

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Thank you for the update and pics.

My daughter's cat story:

She and her friends were sitting in the back area at Hungry Bear. You can 'often' see cats when dining back there. The Rivers of America had been drained, but there were a couple of puddles and ducks were swimming in them. There were some little ducklings, too. My daughter said that she and her friends saw a cat trot past them with a little duckling in its mouth with its feet dangling.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... My daughter said that she and her friends saw a cat trot past them with a little duckling in its mouth with its feet dangling.

It's the circle of life!.. (sorry, coudn't resist!)

 

[cruisehopeful]

I normally only see them when eating at White Water Snacks or walking inside DCA in that same area. I remember one time Pluto was doing a meet near there (inside the park) and someone was pointing out a cat and he just acted like it was funny. The cats I've seen are often very fat.

 

[Mama_Cass]

We always see them across from soarin in the trees by grizzly river run. We spend far too long there and it drives my hubby nuts! Can’t wait to be back soon during duckling season

 

[sweethannah]

Sorry dupe

 

[sweethannah]

Sitting here at Trader Sam's and there's a black Kitty. Gave him lots of scratches and a little chicken.