Yes, in the early years of Walt Disney World (the 1970s), guests could and did swim in the Seven Seas Lagoon. The beaches at the Polynesian Village Resort and the Contemporary Resort were originally designed for active swimming, complete with white sand and even an artificial wave machine for surfing. However, swimming was officially prohibited in the mid-1990s due to the increase in boat traffic, which posed a safety risk to swimmers. Furthermore, the presence of alligators and the risk of brain-eating amoebas (Naegleria fowleri), which thrive in warm, standing Florida freshwater, led to a permanent ban. After a tragic alligator incident in 2016, Disney installed reinforced rock barriers and prominent warning signs along the shorelines. Today, the lagoon is strictly for boating and the "Electrical Water Pageant," and guests are encouraged to use the lavish themed pools at their respective resorts for any swimming activities.