Real Fireflies?

Originally Posted By Sweeper

Here's a question from a California native...are there real fireflies at the WDW resort during July?

We will be there July 24th and I have fond memories of my summers in Missouri as a kid catching fireflies and just wanted to know if my kids will have an opportunity too.

No we don't have them in California.

 

Originally Posted By Autopia Deb

Not true, California does have fireflies. When I was 10 we went to the San Diego Wild Animal Park at night and there were real fireflies. I'll never forget them.

 

Originally Posted By brotherdave

I think we saw them at WDW in June at the POP Century Resort. Just not certain. We're so use to them in PA this time of year, I don't even pay attention to them much anymore!

 

Originally Posted By Labuda

I've never seen fireflies at WDW.

 

Originally Posted By Skylardad

Do the twinkling light in the summer scene in COP count?

 

Originally Posted By wendebird

>>Not true, California does have fireflies. When I was 10 we went to the San Diego Wild Animal Park at night and there were real fireflies. I'll never forget them.<<

While I'm not doubting you, I found this "If you live in the United States, west of about the middle of Kansas, you are not apt to have the flashing type of fireflies in your area. Although some isolated sightings of luminous fireflies have been reported from time to time from regions of the western U.S., fireflies that glow are typically not found west of Kansas. The reason for this phenomenon is not known." <a href="http://iris.biosci.ohio-state.edu/projects/FFiles/frfact.html" target="_blank">http://iris.biosci.ohio-state.
edu/projects/FFiles/frfact.html</a>

I did find this though "Are there Fireflies in the San Diego area?

Not the variety that is so visible in parts of Eastern United States. There are about four species in our area, but none fly about with flashing lights. The females of the pink glow worm, our most easily found species, are larvaform. They maintain the immature larval form and are bright pink as adults. At this stage they glow and can be seen on the ground on warm nights in foothill and mountain areas as a continuous, greenish luminescence. The adult males look like "normal" firefly beetles and fly about in search of the glowing females. The males have the ability to glow, but rarely do so.
For more information, visit: <a href="http://iris.biosci.ohio-state.edu/projects/FFiles/" target="_blank">http://iris.biosci.ohio-state.
edu/projects/FFiles/</a>

I miss them a lot out here in CA. FWIW, in NJ we always called them lightning bugs.

 

Originally Posted By Disneymom443

We have them here in Oklahoma, but I haven't seen them in WDW, sorry.

 

Originally Posted By Labuda

I saw them in Kingsville (small town about 40 miles outside Corpus Christi, and home of the well-known King Ranch) as a little kid, and in San Antonio as a kid, but never saw them in Houston or Dallas areas... also don't recall any in Hawai'i when I lived there.

 

Originally Posted By t1lersm0m

Wow, everyone doesn't have fireflies? I never knew!

 

Originally Posted By Sweeper

Thanks everyone! I'm hoping we se some. We've added a few days to our trip and are planning to see some caves in Tennessee and Kentucky so perhaps we will see them.

My family in Missouri also calls them lightning bugs. But in California people just look at me funny so I say Fireflies now.

I live 20 minutes from the Wild Animal Park in San Diego and have for 18 years...no fireflies ever. Rattlesnakes and Coyotes yes.

 

Originally Posted By fkurucz

>>Wow, everyone doesn't have fireflies? I never knew!<<

Do you have Argentinian ants in your neck of the woods? I hope not.

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

no but we have Asian Longhorn Beetles eating trees

 

Originally Posted By Labuda

We have Longhorns eating grass & hay down here.

 

Originally Posted By Sweeper

We do have Argentine Ants throughout California. They form one huge super colony and they are killing out many native species. And of course they love to come inside too!

 

Originally Posted By fkurucz

^^As a former SoCaler all I can say is: I don't miss them.

 

Originally Posted By wahooskipper

Is this a well-known story?

When Walt was opening Disneyland he had workers from all areas test ride attractions. One construction worker told him something was missing...but he couldn't put his finger on it. Walt instructed the construction worker to ride it until he figured it out.

After several rides the worker, who hailed from Louisiana, pointed out that fireflies would be lighting up the night sky in the bayou. Walt agreed and, ta-da....fireflies.

Do you think the company maintains that teamwork approach today?

 

Originally Posted By wahooskipper

Oh, good grief. I forgot to mention they were testing Pirates.

 

Originally Posted By Autopia Deb

I was able to figure out which ride by the content of the story, no worries ;D

 

Originally Posted By fkurucz

I thought that Walt died prior to Pirates being finished.

 

Originally Posted By Autopia Deb

Walt died in December '66, I'm pretty sure Pirates opened before then.