Alligator dragged 2 year old into 7 seas lagoon

[lucky978]

I think we all sort of hoped it wasn't real. At least I did.

We have heard of crazy stories over the last few years - and in some way I was hoping this was all some made up story (although not sure why anyone would ever do such a thing). At least if that were the case then there would be a much stronger chance of the boy being found alive. It's just so horrific and sad and to think that now the family, employees, rescue personnel, bystanders now all have to live with this forever is just awful. I pray for the family and all of those involved. This is something that is just so hard to wrap our heads around in so many ways.

 

[souperman128]

I feel soooooo bad for that family and that poor little boy. I would feel even worse if they ever happened upon this thread and the judgmental comments made by some here.

Why do we need to be so judgmental??? I'm sure those parents will live with the what ifs and could've beens the rest of their lives. That poor dad will probably have scratch mark scars to help him relive those horrendous moments the rest of his days. May they find peace some how........some day.

I am SO tired of people being so quick to judge. It's a sickening feeling. I could not imagine what they must be going through.

 

[kermiebudge]

Thoughts and prayers with the family and people involved with this horrific story. Could have been any one of us - including us 'helicopter parents'. This world would certainly be a better place with less judgement and more compassion...

 

[bcla]

No way divers could've arrived in time to locate and save this poor baby.

Some people aren't realistic. I remember when a group of three people climbed over a railing at a 200+ high waterfall and got dragged into the water, the families of the victims were upset when authorities called off the search for their bodies. They insisted that they could have survived the fall and been alive. A rational person would understand that nobody could survive a 240 ft fall onto jagged rocks, and even if that was possible, not drown.

 

[cabanafrau]

Some people aren't realistic. I remember when a group of three people climbed over a railing at a 200+ high waterfall and got dragged into the water, the families of the victims were upset when authorities called off the search for their bodies. They insisted that they could have survived the fall and been alive. A rational person would understand that nobody could survive a 240 ft fall onto jagged rocks, and even if that was possible, not drown.

But families of victims aren't expected to be rational, that's why the authorities make the decisions. It's easy to fall into the what ifs about tragedies because our minds and hearts want so desperately to change the outcome.

 

[Octoberbeauty]

I'm so glad he was found intact. That, at least, is a very small bit of peace for them; to be able to bury their child.

 

[Chocolate Cake]

We just returned from WDW yesterday. It was a wonderful trip, but now I am sick to my stomach. This poor baby. I can't imagine his parent's grief.

My children are grown, but when they were younger, we would stay at the GF. I would allow them to fetch water from the lagoon as they built their creations on the beach. Sometimes at dusk. I would allow them to go up to their ankles. I would be sitting on a chair, out of reach. It never occurred to me that they would be in danger. I am sure danger was the last thing on the mother or father's mind. God bless them.

 

[pocomom]

Saw on BBC that they think they have the alligator.
Top 4 comments on the commentary is how sad it is they are killing the gator.

What is wrong with people? I'm mean I'm a vegetarian. I don't even kill spiders in my house ... but I can't fathom that people actually think the gator should be released back "because it was just being a wild animal".

 

[georgina]

Saw on BBC that they think they have the alligator.
Top 4 comments on the commentary is how sad it is they are killing the gator.

What is wrong with people? I'm mean I'm a vegetarian. I don't even kill spiders in my house ... but I can't fathom that people actually think the gator should be released back "because it was just being a wild animal".

Why shouldn't it be released elsewhere? I really haven't been following the news all day, but there was lots of speculation on the morning news that the gator may have thought it was snatching another animal in the dark, as they rarely go for humans.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Why shouldn't it be released elsewhere? I really haven't been following the news all day, but there was lots of speculation on the morning news that the gator may have thought it was snatching another animal in the dark, as they rarely go for humans.

Sorry, once a gator is that comfortable around humans, it's got to go.

 

[supernova]

Bets on how long before "Ginger snaps..." is removed from the Jungle Cruise spiel?

 

[supernova]

Sorry, once a gator is that comfortable around humans, it's got to go.

I'm not sure he's that 'comfortable'. Did he even know he was eating a child? It could have been a bird or a seal for all he knew. He wasn't gunning for humans. He was gunning for food.

 

[goofy4prez]

My heart just breaks for this family and the tragedy of losing their young child this way. (or any way for that matter). I agree with many on here that are not placing blame on these poor parents and their unawareness of dangerous wildlife or unsafe water at WDW. We were just at the VGF and left last Friday. While we were there on that very same location and beach I had to tell my 25 year old nephew to stop wading in the water while we were on the beach in the evening hours. He was completely oblivious to the dangers of gators, snakes and other hazards.

I'm aware of these things because I've been to WDW many times, I've read the stories here on the DIS over the years, and I have seen snakes and alligators while at Disney. Many have said it correctly, we are warned about not making ADR's 180 days out, making our FP+ at 60 days, logging in at 6:00 am on first available day and getting that BOG, CP (breakfast) or CRT ADR first, we all know about the Wishes Dessert Party now being $50 and no reserved tables anymore, we all know the FP+'s are no longer available for Wishes, we all know about the Jungle Book show and the failures so far of the ROL, we know just about all the ins and outs of WDW, but most of us not for a minute even put a single thought into an alligator or snake attack. In fact I'm willing to bet more people have been more concerned about getting the Zika virus while in WDW while the risk is very, very remote.

 

[ChrisFL]

Bets on how long before "Ginger snaps..." is removed from the Jungle Cruise spiel?

I've heard changes were already made today to the spiel

 

[mom2rtk]

That child was dead with minutes, if not seconds. Alligators drown their victims, and then set then usually set them aside for later.

Probably. But as a parent I would still be left with a small degree of doubt.

 

[glasslipper]

I feel soooooo bad for that family and that poor little boy. I would feel even worse if they ever happened upon this thread and the judgmental comments made by some here.

Why do we need to be so judgmental??? I'm sure those parents will live with the what ifs and could've beens the rest of their lives. That poor dad will probably have scratch mark scars to help him relive those horrendous moments the rest of his days. May they find peace some how........some day.

I so agree, such a sad tragedy

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Why shouldn't it be released elsewhere? I really haven't been following the news all day, but there was lots of speculation on the morning news that the gator may have thought it was snatching another animal in the dark, as they rarely go for humans.

Because it has now lost any fear of humans and now sees us as a food source. Not good for us or the gator or any of its possible offspring. If they're sure it's the one, it has to be put down. It's the same with bears that have been fed (either voluntarily or involuntarily) by humans. They have to be killed.

 

[JimMIA]

Some people aren't realistic. I remember when a group of three people climbed over a railing at a 200+ high waterfall and got dragged into the water, the families of the victims were upset when authorities called off the search for their bodies. They insisted that they could have survived the fall and been alive. A rational person would understand that nobody could survive a 240 ft fall onto jagged rocks, and even if that was possible, not drown.

Exactly.

We're talking about going to Yosemite next summer (I know, I know!) and of course DW wants to take our Ice Princess (14) to do Mist Trail. And all I can think about is... one slipped, another went to help and got in trouble, a third jumped in to help, over the edge...and what was it, like 3 WEEKS before they eventually recovered the bodies?

 

[JimMIA]

But families of victims aren't expected to be rational, that's why the authorities make the decisions. It's easy to fall into the what ifs about tragedies because our minds and hearts want so desperately to change the outcome.

Yep. I can think of two horrors in Orlando just within the last 3 days that I'd change in a heartbeat if I had a magic wand! My God, what's next???

 

[luvflorida]

Thoughts and prayers with the family and people involved with this horrific story. Could have been any one of us - including us 'helicopter parents'. This world would certainly be a better place with less judgement and more compassion...

Well said. Agree 100%.