[Chat] Castle moat swans

[Werner]

Would you like to see them return? I always liked them. I wonder why they were retired? Cost? Couldn't have been that much. Biohazard (poop)? Of course, rogue ducks make Disneyland waterways their home whether Disney likes it or not....Or is it an ethical thing -- maybe it's not humane to keep swans like that?

[Eagleman]

Would you like to see them return? I always liked them. I wonder why they were retired? Cost? Couldn't have been that much. Biohazard (poop)? Of course, rogue ducks make Disneyland waterways their home whether Disney likes it or not....Or is it an ethical thing -- maybe it's not humane to keep swans like that?

I though ,the White swans,
was always peaceful ,great part of the Sleeping Beauty-Castle- at Disneyland...
IMO -And They are miss

[Spongeocto4]

My guess is that the Swans were stopped because of the legendary Feral Cats that roam Disneyland....

[Eagleman]

My guess is that the Swans were stopped because of the legendary Feral Cats that roam Disneyland....

Swans and Feral Cats,both have went back to days of Walt Disney.....
So,I don't think that the reason IMO

But I have say and seen Cats, in my back yard ,go after birds.....

-I just think it might be another reason-

[Brian PieGuy]

I've never heard any definitive answer, but I wouldn't be surprised if management decided it wasn't humane to keep them there. I can't imagine the moat is a particularly pleasant place to be a swan, with lots of loud fireworks and now flashing projections on the castle.

[Karalora]

My understanding is that the swans were not the property of Disneyland but were rented from another company. Depending on whom you ask, either they were eliminated as a cost-saving measure, or the company in question opted not to renew their contract after a RACCOON got into the park one night and killed one of the birds. The first option seems more likely, but I have to say that a raccoon probably is one of the few local animals that could do in a swan. A feral cat certainly couldn't manage it.

[Eagleman]

My understanding is that the swans were not the property of Disneyland but were rented from another company. Depending on whom you ask, either they were eliminated as a cost-saving measure, or the company in question opted not to renew their contract after a RACCOON got into the park one night and killed one of the birds. The first option seems more likely, but I have to say that a raccoon probably is one of the few local animals that could do in a swan. A feral cat certainly couldn't manage it.

Again in my back yard.......I seen RACCOON's......Do Not Cross them.........

I feel this this near to answer......IMO

I've never heard any definitive answer, but I wouldn't be surprised if management decided it wasn't humane to keep them there. I can't imagine the moat is a particularly pleasant place to be a swan, with lots of loud fireworks and now flashing projections on the castle.

When Disneyland stated having fireworks and now flashing projections, on Sleeping Beauty-Castle,
That when, I notice the swans missing...........

[Stormy]

These days I'd be more worried about feral humans than feral cats. Not that a cat could take out a swan unless the swan was ill or injured to begin with. But people are idiots and you just know that some fool would do something to endanger them. I worry about the ducks and ducklings enough as it is!

I remember the swans very well and they were so serene and lovely, even to me as a child. Am I mistaken or was there usually one black swan in the 'bank' of swans in the water?

[mickdaddy]

These days I'd be more worried about feral humans than feral cats. Not that a cat could take out a swan unless the swan was ill or injured to begin with. But people are idiots and you just know that some fool would do something to endanger them. I worry about the ducks and ducklings enough as it is!

I remember the swans very well and they were so serene and lovely, even to me as a child. Am I mistaken or was there usually one black swan in the 'bank' of swans in the water?

I definitely remember the black swan that was usually on the bank.

[Eagleman]

I definitely remember the black swan that was usually on the bank.

YES-Disneyand had Black Swan's
Note: black swan
A species of swanwater bird which breeds mainly in the
southeast and southwest regions of Australia
The black swan was introduced to various countries as an ornamental bird!

That why "Walt Disney" wanted Swan's
to be ornamental to the Castle !
"I think it was great Ideal"IMO

[Karalora]

These days I'd be more worried about feral humans than feral cats. Not that a cat could take out a swan unless the swan was ill or injured to begin with. But people are idiots and you just know that some fool would do something to endanger themself. I worry about the ducks and ducklings enough as it is!

There, I fixed it for you. In any contest between a swan and some random idiot who decided to mess with one...my money's on the swan. Which could be another reason for discontinuing them--if a guest picks on the ducks, the ducks run away, a CM can lecture the idiot and hopefully that's the end of it, but either way nobody needs to call an ambulance. If a guest picks on a swan, the swan fights back and suddenly you've got a potential lawsuit. It being demonstrably the guest's own fault doesn't mean it wouldn't be a tremendous hassle to sort out.

[Stormy]

There, I fixed it for you. In any contest between a swan and some random idiot who decided to mess with one...my money's on the swan. Which could be another reason for discontinuing them--if a guest picks on the ducks, the ducks run away, a CM can lecture the idiot and hopefully that's the end of it, but either way nobody needs to call an ambulance. If a guest picks on a swan, the swan fights back and suddenly you've got a potential lawsuit. It being demonstrably the guest's own fault doesn't mean it wouldn't be a tremendous hassle to sort out.

Ha ha, good fix! You're right, most big waterfowl are brave unto foolhardiness. We're out in the country and it's more than my life is worth to tangle with the Canada Geese who decide to make one of our pastures their playground. Our late, lamented Lab felt the same way.

But our 15 lb Dachshund? He has no compunction about charging right in, and boy do they scatter!!! I don't know if it's because he's so low to the ground and too quick to catch or what but they don't mess with him. Maybe they just think that anything that insane must be dangerous!

[Eagleman]

I still think it's loud fireworks and now flashing projections on the castle,
is why the swan's are nor longer around....IMO

[Lighthope]

Where do you think the fried chicken at French Market came from?

[ClownLoach]

My sister used to work at Circle D during the 50th anniversary celebration when they still had the swans. They were constantly ill from swallowing coins. Apparently they see the shiny reflections of coins and think they are food so they vacuum them up with great efficiency then become very ill. On multiple occasions they had bellies full of coins requiring a vet to perform surgical procedures. When Circle D moved off site to accommodate Star Wars they got rid of all animals except the horses (which moved to the new Circle D Ranch in Norco, CA). You'll notice in Adventureland the live birds in the cages in the stores are now fake birds with nearby speakers - no more live birds at the parks. The only animals they can manage care of today are security dogs and horses. No on site animal care facilities are left. Horses arrive and leave via horse trailer each "shift".

I don't want to think about how the vet gets the coins out of the swan, but it couldn't be pleasant for the bird or the veterinarian. This and the removal of Circle D removed them from the parks.

[Stormy]

My sister used to work at Circle D during the 50th anniversary celebration when they still had the swans. They were constantly ill from swallowing coins. Apparently they see the shiny reflections of coins and think they are food so they vacuum them up with great efficiency then become very ill. On multiple occasions they had bellies full of coins requiring a vet to perform surgical procedures. When Circle D moved off site to accommodate Star Wars they got rid of all animals except the horses (which moved to the new Circle D Ranch in Norco, CA). You'll notice in Adventureland the live birds in the cages in the stores are now fake birds with nearby speakers - no more live birds at the parks. The only animals they can manage care of today are security dogs and horses. No on site animal care facilities are left. Horses arrive and leave via horse trailer each "shift".

I don't want to think about how the vet gets the coins out of the swan, but it couldn't be pleasant for the bird or the veterinarian. This and the removal of Circle D removed them from the parks.

Thank you for letting us know this. Very interesting and makes sense.

You know, it never occurred to me that Disney had 'security dogs'. Are those the 'sniffer dogs' or are there actually security dogs that patrol the parks after hours? I always thought the sniffer dogs that are being walked around the Esplanade were 'official' police dogs.

[Eagleman]

My sister used to work at Circle D during the 50th anniversary celebration when they still had the swans. They were constantly ill from swallowing coins. Apparently they see the shiny reflections of coins and think they are food so they vacuum them up with great efficiency then become very ill. On multiple occasions they had bellies full of coins requiring a vet to perform surgical procedures. When Circle D moved off site to accommodate Star Wars they got rid of all animals except the horses (which moved to the new Circle D Ranch in Norco, CA). You'll notice in Adventureland the live birds in the cages in the stores are now fake birds with nearby speakers - no more live birds at the parks. The only animals they can manage care of today are security dogs and horses. No on site animal care facilities are left. Horses arrive and leave via horse trailer each "shift".

I don't want to think about how the vet gets the coins out of the swan, but it couldn't be pleasant for the bird or the veterinarian. This and the removal of Circle D removed them from the parks.

Sound like another good reason ,not to have the swans..........
long with loud fireworks and flashing projections on the castle
I think it wise......not to have them in place were, creatures can be hurt !

[tgdiver]

The swans were lovely indeed. But they were removed permanently because people would insist on throwing coins into the swan lagoon. The swans would ingest them, which is really dangerous for them (coins aren't silver; they're usually zinc.). After several surgeries to remove coins from the birds' stomachs, it was decided that they had to be removed for their safety.

[Eagleman]

Well
For swans safety......I'm for them being remove............
Even it was nice ,when they was around Castle moat !
IMO

[Druggas]

If they can create a spiel for POTC and other attractions, couldn't they at least erect a plaque asking for people to not throw coins into the moat? Better solution than losing such a pleasant surrounding of the castle.