Alligator dragged 2 year old into 7 seas lagoon

[mefordis]

They do have movies on the beach and they are very close to the water. I can see why someone would be tempted to dip their toes in and think that it is safe. I have never once heard of man eating alligators in Bay Lake. Snakes, yes, but not gators. I would have steered clear of the beach if I had known that, which I will do now.

I take typically take "No Swimming" to mean no lifeguard is present.

 

[Ziggie]

Perhaps Disney might consider putting in a rock barrier as a deterrent to entering the water...

 

[cabanafrau]

Some real experts on this thread. Wish I understood all these concepts so well.

 

[TAX GUY]

I take typically take "No Swimming" to mean no lifeguard is present.

I do too

 

[sam_gordon]

Tell me how many people have been attacked walking along the waters at Disney and not in it?

How many people have walked IN the waters at Disney and not been attacked? "Do not go in the water" means don't go in the water. "No swimming" means don't swim.

 

[luvflorida]

Absolutely. Ducks are gator food so where there are ducks, there are likely gators. In an optimal world, the ducks would go elsewhere, but in nature there are no places that are "safe." Predator and prey live in close proximity and it's survival of the fittest. It's like saying that the wildabeasts wouldn't be around if there were lions in the vicinity, yet, there they are and, yes, they get eaten. So if you see ducks, don't assume that they wouldn't be living there if it wasn't "safe." Animals live in their habitats and that often puts them in the same area as their enemies. Just the way it is.

Thank you for answering my question. This makes perfect sense.

 

[msjprincess]

Are you implying that a Disney CM smuggled a 4-7 foot alligator on a company boat and dumped it in the water as some kind of joke?

I don't really see how that makes more sense than a natural animal of Florida finding its way into the lake, but alright.

Not to mention all of the alligators on property. So far today they have found 5 alligators in the lagoon.

 

[IndyRnRfan]

How many people have walked IN the waters at Disney and not been attacked? "Do not go in the water" means don't go in the water. "No swimming" means don't swim.

Well, I guess Disney will have to be more specific for a lot of people otherwise it'll happen again.

 

[sam_gordon]

Well, I guess Disney will have to be more specific for a lot of people otherwise it'll happen again.

And that's bad because?

 

[IndyRnRfan]

And that's bad because?

It's not. They are just continuing the current trend in today's society of idiot proofing everything for those that lack common sense.

 

[StephMK]

I live in NE and if you are not at a pool then the swimming choices are lakes or rivers. We have been to Disney a few times and it never would have occurred to me to be worried about gators or ameoba. Snakes and maybe snapping turtles but I would assume splashing around would keep them away. On the other hand, when I told the story to my family, DD's BF, raised in the south, immediately said if there's water, expect gators.

Different perspectives. I am also in the camp that would think no swimming means no lifeguards, don't plan to go underwater or out very far. It would not occur to me not to let my kid wash off his hands in the water after playing in the sand or dip his toes in as we walk along the shore.

I remember the ameoba from a few years back but did not realize it was so widespread.

I don't place any blame because I don't think anyone could have dreamed this would ever happen. However, Disney does present an attractive nuisance by having a nice sandy beach with seating that slopes down to the edge. It does not scream don't touch the water at all to me.

I like the rocks idea up thread. I'm sure people would climb around on them but that gives more of a visual barrier that people should not get in the water at all.

Heartbroken for that family and prayers out to them.

 

[Hikergirl]

It's not. They are just continuing the current trend in today's society of idiot proofing everything for those that lack common sense.

I think you will find many who don't think putting up signs with a specific instruction is equal to idiot proofing.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Some real experts on this thread. Wish I understood all these concepts so well.

There always are, and yes, I wish I was so darn intelligent myself, but here I am.

 

[IndyRnRfan]

I think you will find many who don't think putting up signs with a specific instruction is equal to idiot proofing.

You are correct. There will still be people not paying attention.

I just don't get it. You are in Florida where there are gators, venomous snakes, snapping turtles, brain eating amoeba, and no swimming signs. But what the heck, let's get in the water.

It's like when people are surprised they see a bear in woods. I didn't expect to see that. Duh, you are in the woods where bears live.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

 

[HarleenQ]

Not to mention all of the alligators on property. So far today they have found 5 alligators in the lagoon.

And that's probably just 5 that match the possible size, bit smaller ones.

 

[HarleenQ]

You are correct. There will still be people not paying attention.

I just don't get it. You are in Florida where there are gators, venomous snakes, snapping turtles, brain eating amoeba, and no swimming signs. But what the heck, let's get in the water.

Which is probably easy to say if we were talking about a lake in some random area.

People who aren't familiar with the specifics of FL or the water ways and gators are its not thinking that a giant man eating gator can get into a maintained, man made lake that is frequently patrolled and encouraged to hang out by.

 

[souperman128]

I agree. This family has been beyond punished by the tragedy itself. I can't imagine how they will go on after something like this. And they don't need anyone telling them what they shouldn't have done. I'm sure hindsight has them thinking of 1000 ways the evening could have gone differently.

But I think this:



explains why people jump to "I wouldn't have..." In today's fast-paced, uncertain world, people cling to anything that makes them feel in control. If you know you have (or would have) told your own kids "no" to playing in the water there, you feel less terrified that something like this will happen to you next. Those thoughts aren't about blaming the parents, but about protecting yourself emotionally.


Unfortunately, I think these comments are true as well:





People ignore rules all the time - because they don't see them, because they misinterpret them, because...whatever. I'm not sure better signs would have helped because it's such a rare thing to happen.

I agree 1000%. No one should rush to judgement because chances are they've never had to deal with something like this. My heart hurts for this poor family. They're already second guessing EVERYTHING They don't need any more negativity.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

This is so horrifying. The PTSD that these parents may suffer is just incredible.

I am interested in how WDW is going to address this from a safety standpoint.

 

[luvsJack]

I am compassionate, but it ticks me off to no end when adults don't follow rules with kids and put them in danger. No swimming means stay out of the water, period. Are you serious in your thinking that if it says no swimming only you think it's ok to still go in the water? Just so you are aware at Disney, stay out of the water.

Just because it means that to you, does not mean it means that to everyone. Swimming is the act of actual swimming. Wading is not even close to the same thing. This child was not swimming.