I like the updated ponds and I'm ok with wading rather than full swimming. It makes them a bit different and if I really want a pool, I can build one.
As for the alligators, those aren't British. Those would just be to add complexity to some of the hotter climates. Alligators are in the southeast in the US. They can be found as far north as North and South Carolina. I had to look this up but it appears that Australia has crocodiles, similar but not the same. Florida swimming pools usually have screens or protective fences because of alligators. They are also found in Louisiana. Rarely, they attack people. I had to look this up but apparently there are rare Chinese alligators.
Eh, they add some detail to some of the worlds.