Meeting Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto or one of the other many cuddly animal-based characters at Disney’s theme parks is often the highlight of a child (or adult)’s visit. The characters are loveable, friendly and polite – and very photogenic. As we’ve pointed out before, the characters aren’t the only animals that stroll the streets of Disney’s parks. There are plenty of real-life animals there, too – both in enclosures such as those at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and wandering about freely. While those animals are often pretty cute, too, sometimes they don’t quite follow Disney’s code of conduct. Here are 5 strangely inappropriate things that animals get up to at Disneyland, Walt Disney World and the other Disney resorts across the globe.
5. Birds eating loveable lizards
Lizards make appearances in several Disney movies. Perhaps our favorite, though, is Pascal, the adorable chameleon confidante of Rapunzel in Tangled. A true and loyal friend, he is unable to communicate verbally but helps to keep Rapunzel’s spirits up, as well as providing occasional practical help. Birds, too, appear in a number of Disney movies and attractions. At Disneyland and Walt Disney World, a whole host of them star in the Enchanted Tiki Room, singing and wise-cracking their way through a show that has entertained guests for decades. In real-life, however, birds and lizards don’t always get on. And, unfortunately, it seems that this Egret at Disney’s Polynesian Resort isn’t as big a fan of Pascal as we are, as despite his silent protestations, it’s gobbled this lizard down for lunch.
4. Bugs proving that it really is tough to be a bug
The It’s Tough to be a Bug show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney California Adventure forcefully makes the point that while many of us find bugs a little creepy, they actually play an essential role in the world around us. Disney is happy to accommodate bugs at its theme parks…but only the right bugs. If you’re an aphid that likes feeding on its carefully-cultivated plants, you’re out of luck. The same is true if you’re a mosquito that wants to suck the blood of its guests. 
As well as using pesticides, Disney employs armies of “good” bugs to fight the “bad” ones. Spare a thought for the humble mealybug, for example, which is faced with millions of Cryptolaemus (better known as mealybug destroyers) that the company has unleashed upon it.
3. Horses making a mess of Main Street, USA
Horses have long been essential servants to mankind, and they play this role in a host of Disney movies – usually in the form of a noble steed escorting a prince or princess. They play an important part at several Disney parks, too, pulling carriages up and down Main Street, USA.
You rarely see an animal carry out its natural business in a Disney movie. But, of course, the hard-working horses at the theme parks need to perform their bodily functions, just like the rest of us. One of the less enjoyable jobs for a custodian at the park has long been to scoop up the mess left behind by the horses, lest an unlucky guests set foot in it.
2. Ducks getting amorous on the Jungle Cruise
Donald and Daisy Duck are one of Disney’s most enduringly popular couples. But although you’ll occasionally see them smooching, you’ll never see them getting up to any other antics.
The real-world ducks at Disney’s theme parks are not quite so polite. Former Jungle Cruise Skipper Amy recalls: “The memorable part is how often the ducks put on a rather inappropriate display that leaves the adults in the queue struggling to explain to their children just what exactly is going on. In reality, these things happen in nature all the time. They’re animals. That’s what they do. But seeing two ducks going at it on top of a Jungle Cruise boat at Walt Disney World tends to make some folks grumpy!”
1. Cats and snakes devouring mice
Mickey Mouse is the undisputed boss at Disney’s theme parks. But any real-life mice that sneak in hoping to grab a free meal from the trash are likely to be disappointed to find that he offers them no protection. Indeed, their lives are more reminiscent of an Itchy and Scratchy cartoon than one of Disney’s animated shorts.
At Disneyland, the company actively encourages feral cats to emerge at night and devour any stray rodents. Over at Walt Disney World, slithery snakes perform a similar function.
