Alligators, at Disney World?

[mina]

Disney should not have shown a movie on the beach at dusk, inviting families to be on the beach at night. Or the hotel staff in charge of the movie should have emphasized that no one should be near the water after the movie ended. There was a false sense of security and no signs warning of the dangers. They also were not the only family in the area lingering after the movie.

 

[Caitlin.ann]

This isn't Disney's fault. Anyone with half a brain knows that alligators live in warm, Floridian waters along the shoreline. It's an open lagoon connected by canals to larger waterways. Disney can't control what happens in open water. If they wanted to play in water they should have chosen the pool.

 

[willowsbible]

This isn't Disney's fault. Anyone with half a brain knows that alligators live in warm, Floridian waters along the shoreline. It's an open lagoon connected by canals to larger waterways. Disney can't control what happens in open water. If they wanted to play in water they should have chosen the pool.

Victim blaming! Very good. What's next? Parents should be arrested?

 

[willowsbible]

Mom Posts Photo of Son Playing in Disney Lake Just Before Another Boy Was Snatched By Gator

 

[Caitlin.ann]

Parents should be smart enough to pay attention to "no swimming" signs and know that alligators live in Florida. Just because it's "Disney" doesn't mean nature stops existing in that area.

 

[South Bound]

This isn't Disney's fault. Anyone with half a brain knows that alligators live in warm, Floridian waters along the shoreline. It's an open lagoon connected by canals to larger waterways. Disney can't control what happens in open water. If they wanted to play in water they should have chosen the pool.

First of all, it's Disney's property so, yes, Disney is liable for what happens there.

Second, while it's common knowledge that there are gators in Florida, the family in question was not from Florida and may not have known what those of us in gator country have known all our lives.

Gators are cold blooded and, as a result, are seen mostly in the day time. So if you're from Nebraska, then you might not know that, although gators are seen mainly in the day time, that they feed primarily at night.

And being from Nebraska, they may have assumed that gators would not come up where there are people. Gators tend to be pretty oblivious to people and go where they want to go.

It's also possible that a previous guest may have fed the gator to attract it, changing its feeding habits and causing it to see people as a source of food.

There's so much more to consider than just "why weren't they watching their kid".

 

[willowsbible]

Disney World will post signs warning of gators
Walt Disney World plans to put up signs warning visitors of alligators following an attack that killed a young boy Tuesday, a source with knowledge of the situation has told the Orlando Sentinel.

It is not clear how many signs there will be or where they will be posted.

Disney's beaches remain closed Thursday.

First of all, it's Disney's property so, yes, Disney is liable for what happens there.

Second, while it's common knowledge that there are gators in Florida, the family in question was not from Florida and may not have known what those of us in gator country have known all our lives.

Gators are cold blooded and, as a result, are seen mostly in the day time. So if you're from Nebraska, then you might not know that, although gators are seen mainly in the day time, that they feed primarily at night.

And being from Nebraska, they may have assumed that gators would not come up where there are people. Gators tend to be pretty oblivious to people and go where they want to go.

It's also possible that a previous guest may have fed the gator to attract it, changing its feeding habits and causing it to see people as a source of food.

There's so much more to consider than just "why weren't they watching their kid".

I vacationed in Florida in the Okeechobee region years ago. And even went in the area of the Hillsboro river near Tampa. There's no mistaking there are alligators in the waters.

And there are laws in place that warn not to feed them. Because while it may be fun to be in a boat and see an alligator rise from the water for that chicken gizzard you otherwise thought to fish with, it leads to training alligators to expect chicken gizzards when they see people in boats.

Very dangerous stuff considering an alligator can propel themselves up and into a boat if its passenger compartment is near enough to the water.

Not a lot of fun trying to get out of range of a gator in the canoe.

 

[Caitlin.ann]

First of all, it's Disney's property so, yes, Disney is liable for what happens there.

Second, while it's common knowledge that there are gators in Florida, the family in question was not from Florida and may not have known what those of us in gator country have known all our lives.

Gators are cold blooded and, as a result, are seen mostly in the day time. So if you're from Nebraska, then you might not know that, although gators are seen mainly in the day time, that they feed primarily at night.

And being from Nebraska, they may have assumed that gators would not come up where there are people. Gators tend to be pretty oblivious to people and go where they want to go.

It's also possible that a previous guest may have fed the gator to attract it, changing its feeding habits and causing it to see people as a source of food.

There's so much more to consider than just "why weren't they watching their kid".

I'm not from Florida either. I was born and raised in Indiana and I knew that. I have friends who are Canadian and THEY know the same. Location isn't an excuse for ignorance, as there are people from all over the north, midwest, and other areas who know all about how dangerous going into Florida water can be. In addition, Disney DID have "no swimming" signs present which would cover any alligator signs. There were at least five alligators in that lagoon and there have been many more, not because someone is feeding them but because it's safe, enclosed, and has food (fish).

 

[South Bound]

I'm not from Florida either. I was born and raised in Indiana and I knew that. I have friends who are Canadian and THEY know the same. Location isn't an excuse for ignorance, as there are people from all over the north, midwest, and other areas who know all about how dangerous going into Florida water can be.

Well, thank goodness we have you.

In addition, Disney DID have "no swimming" signs present which would cover any alligator signs.

No, actually, they're two different things. One means "Don't swim". The other means "Be careful, there's an alligator here."

There were at least five alligators in that lagoon and there have been many more, not because someone is feeding them but because it's safe, enclosed, and has food (fish).

Like I said, I grew up in L.A. and now have a home in WPB. So, except for a couple of years in the Army and a year living in Key West, that's about 46 years experience around alligators. I can only tell you what I know based on experience and from being in that culture.

Your experience with gators in Indiana may differ.

 

[willowsbible]

Disney Warned Visitors Not to Swim in Lagoon. One Missing Sign Might Have Saved Lane Graves’ Life

 

[GoldenBoy89]

If they didn't have the sense to follow the "no swimming" signs, they probably wouldn't have put much thought to a "gator country, stay out" sign either.

 

[ChristsSoldier115]

really sad, and horrifying story here..
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jun/15/disney-world-alligator-attack-boy-search

I had to do a double take, what on earth are alligators doing in a lake at Disney world? No warnings posted either.

I know it's Florida and alligators are common, and usually not a threat, but still what were Disney thinking in not ensuring the safety of their guests.

You think Disney would be spending the money to keep gators out of their property to keep their parks safe, but that costs money, I hope they get sued personally, at least for the funeral costs of that poor boy. They're probably just ging to put "warning alligarotrs" signs instead of being vigilant and keeping their parks safe. Signs are cheaper

 

[mina]

I initially didn't think Disney would be at fault, but I think legally they could be the more I read about it. They chose to show a movie on the beach, near the water. That's asking families with kids to come near the water. I also read that the hotel has beach chairs set up for lounging on the shore near the water. Even though guests are advised to not swim there was nothing posted about gators. There was no swimming that happened. I wouldn't think a family from Nebraska would know about gators and if the hotel is hosting events at night near the water on the shore then they probably thought it was safe to be there. If it is not safe to have events and guests on the beach near the water then the hotel should have movie night inside somewhere, by the pool, or away from the water's edge. I do not think the parents were being negligent by being at the water's edge where the hotel had held an event for families. If they had wandered out there on their own, then sure they were negligent. But, all involved said that they and other families with children were on the beach because of the movie event held by the hotel. The Disney website boasts of the Grand Floridian having lots of outdoor fun including movies on the beach under the stars, and invites guests to bask on the whitesand beach during the day and at night. On their website, the map of the resort shows beach lounge chairs all along the beach and shore of the lagoon. Even on trip advisor reviews, guests talk about how relaxing it was to walk on the beach and to sit on the beach chairs at the shore at this resort during the day and at night to watch the fireworks. So, it seems like a selling point for the hotel and something they suggested as a safe activity for guests. Also the children splash pool is right on the beach steps away from the freshwater lagoon. It is not fenced in and is open to the shore.

 

[Neal82]

I think there should have been clear signs up warning about the alligators. Some folks might have thought the no swimming sign was because the water wasn't very clean, lifeguards not being on duty, or some reason like that. They might thinking wading ankle deep wouldn't be as much of a risk. They weren't emerged in the water swimming. Now, I lived on a lake in Florida when I was a kid and we knew to not let young kids or pets play in the yard unless there was a solid fence, because of alligators. Several people lost their dogs to them. I live in Europe now and I'm betting lots of people wouldn't know about them being such a risk. Disney gets tourists from around the world.

I've got a toddler too. I can't express how much I feel for this family.

 

[Goonie]

You think Disney would be spending the money to keep gators out of their property to keep their parks safe, but that costs money, I hope they get sued personally, at least for the funeral costs of that poor boy. They're probably just ging to put "warning alligarotrs" signs instead of being vigilant and keeping their parks safe. Signs are cheaper

I suspect that they will be paying a considerable out of court settlement, could be wrong, but the last thing they will be wanting is for this to go anywhere near a courtroom.

 

[trunks2k]

If they didn't have the sense to follow the "no swimming" signs, they probably wouldn't have put much thought to a "gator country, stay out" sign either.

They weren't swimming. The kid was dipping his toes in the water, he was just in just as much of a risk as if he'd been standing right next to the water.

 

[ChristsSoldier115]

I suspect that they will be paying a considerable out of court settlement, could be wrong, but the last thing they will be wanting is for this to go anywhere near a courtroom.

I mean, yes most people know there are alligators in Florida, but one wold think they are safe from them at a theme park. I know I would go to Disney World with that assumption.

 

[trunks2k]

I mean, yes most people know there are alligators in Florida, but one wold think they are safe from them at a theme park. I know I would go to Disney World with that assumption.

Even if they were aware that there could be some at the park, I wouldn't expect someone who isn't familiar with them to really grasp what the danger is.

 

[Goonie]

Even if they were aware that there could be some at the park, I wouldn't expect someone who isn't familiar with them to really grasp what the danger is.

Indeed, I get the feeling that complacency in regard to the risks played a large part in this tragic incident, on the part of Disney and the parents.

 

[FireDragon76]

Alligators should probably be removed or hunted near any place where tourists are likely to dally, that is my guess as to what the solution should probably be.

Florida has a delicate ecosystem compared to other parts of the country ( I like going hiking and bird-watching and its actually difficult to do because so much of Central Florida has been developed). With 21 million population and continuing to increase, we should be cautious how much we fool around with the environment here, including removing predator species.