Alligator Incident Discussion/Fence being built at Grand Floridian?

[Lynne M]

I very much want to leave a thread open for reasonable discussion of this incident, but the arguments are getting increasingly pointless and we're getting into infraction territory with some of the comments.

If you feel that a poster has said something that violates DISboards guidelines, report the post and let the mods take care of it. Just because there's bait, doesn't mean it has to be taken.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I finally utilized my ignore option...

 

[luvthemouse71]

Is the fence at the Poly going to be similar?

I think that rope fence along with new signage may be effective, at least for now. My concern is that some months down the line, that may change. I already heard that some were complaining to the CMs posted at the beaches that they couldn't get close to the water. The human memory can be a short one.

 

[wendow]

I am thinking the fencing will be the same at the Poly. I do wonder if we will see fencing at all the resorts' beaches, or are we only concerned about certain bodies of water. I really am not all that familiar as to where the gators primarily are. I did know there were quite a few at SOG and the MK area in general but I've not seen as much chatter about other resort others.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Go away gator, not buying what you're selling.

 

[Beca]

At AK Lodge, with camera surveillance on all the savannas, a guest who is observed dropping food into the savanna, from a balcony or elsewhere, becomes an ex-guest. Setting up similar surveillance, and with similar consequences, for the bungalows - though getting a camera in the right spot may be problematic - seems a step in the right direction.

I also think guests getting into the water where there are "no swimming" signs should become ex-guests.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

My guess is they will fence wherever there is a body of water for liability purposes and public protection

 

[luvthemouse71]

I also think guests getting into the water where there are "no swimming" signs should become ex-guests.

Well, yes. But I don't see that happening. I love Disney, but they have always been reluctant to crack down on bad behavior, as long as it isn't illegal or violent.

If they catch people feeding gators,I think they need to boot those people.

 

[NYUBwayBaby]

Well, yes. But I don't see that happening. I love Disney, but they have always been reluctant to crack down on bad behavior, as long as it isn't illegal or violent.

If they catch people feeding gators,I think they need to boot those people.

Feeding gators definitely needs to be a reason to be kicked out. Feed ducks and squirrels? Shouldn't do it. They become annoying. I'm looking at you, ducks at CBR. But a gator? That's dangerous.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

Agree and Might want to kick the gator out too!!!

 

[Beca]

Well, yes. But I don't see that happening. I love Disney, but they have always been reluctant to crack down on bad behavior, as long as it isn't illegal or violent.

If they catch people feeding gators,I think they need to boot those people.

It is my understanding that if a guest does something dangerous on a ride (such as bypass a safety harness), they become ex-guests. It is important to remember that we have no proof that this alligator had been fed by humans. Alligators hunt in shallow water at night. Whether or not the alligator had been fed by humans, that poor baby would still be alive if his parents had not ignored the rules. That alligator most likely mis-took his precious little foot for a fish. The alligator did not eat him...it was a case of mistaken identity. I am very saddened that fences are going up on the beaches, and I am really sad that all the beaches are closed to guests. I feel horribly for this family...their loss is unimaginable. However, I am also sad for the changes to the resorts this tragedy will cause. If people would just follow the rules...

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

Disney has said that they have removed 7 gators and still not sure they have the one that pulled the boy in. It's really for everyone's safety especially if they can't control the alligators being in the waters there. It was an accident waiting to happen. I don't think it will negatively affect the resorts when they design the permanent fencing. I personally will feel safer and I have never gone near the water.

 

[NYUBwayBaby]

It is my understanding that if a guest does something dangerous on a ride (such as bypass a safety harness), they become ex-guests. It is important to remember that we have no proof that this alligator had been fed by humans. Alligators hunt in shallow water at night. Whether or not the alligator had been fed by humans, that poor baby would still be alive if his parents had not ignored the rules. That alligator most likely mis-took his precious little foot for a fish. The alligator did not eat him...it was a case of mistaken identity. I am very saddened that fences are going up on the beaches, and I am really sad that all the beaches are closed to guests. I feel horribly for this family...their loss is unimaginable. However, I am also sad for the changes to the resorts this tragedy will cause. If people would just follow the rules...

Oh, I know. I know I've seen at least one video of people feeding gators at WDW, though. It would not surprise me if this gator was fed. Even if not fed intentionally- my state specifically mentions unintentional feeding on its "Nuisance Alligators" page. Throw food into the lagoon? Trash? They'll eat.
Also, the gator didn't eat him because, well, gators don't eat large prey right away. They can't chew. I won't go into details, but that fits in with normal gator behavior.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I wish people could follow the rules too. But we can't count on that. I think the other thing people forget is that while Disney is a huge corporation, the employees at all levels are human beings with feelings. Many have families with small children. I'm sure they feel awful that this happened. I have friends that were there at WDW when this happened and they said you could see that the Disney personnel were shaken and very sad.

 

[Daddy Mack]

You cannot credibly attack the parents for not following the rules when Disney has allowed wading in that water for decades. Disney knew that children played on the edges of that water and did nothing. It didn't put up a barrier to make clearer that the water was off-limits. It didn't ask people to get out of the water when it saw them in it. It didn't change the wording of the sign from No Swimming to Stay Out of the Water. Disney's own actions make it clear that it was not a violation of the rules to play at the edges as long as one didn't swim. Indeed, it makes little sense to have a beach lead directly into water if the strict rule is not to touch the water under any circumstances.

Disney likely concluded that there existed little risk in allowing guests to play in the water at the edge. The reasonableness of that decision can be debated on both sides. But stop blaming the parents for doing something Disney has allowed thousands of others to do.

 

[jerseygal]

I am thinking the fencing will be the same at the Poly. I do wonder if we will see fencing at all the resorts' beaches, or are we only concerned about certain bodies of water. I really am not all that familiar as to where the gators primarily are. I did know there were quite a few at SOG and the MK area in general but I've not seen as much chatter about other resort others.

I would guess that the same signage and possibly fences will be erected at all resorts with beaches including Poly. We will see, the beach at Poly right by the Lava Pool is used heavily by guests for fireworks viewing and it does of course border the Poly DVC bungaloes. Certainly the explicit signs being erected regarding alligators and snakes which imo will notice guests with clarity who are not familiar with the dangers in bodies of water in southern states. Very very unfortunate tragedy. This was taken from the Poly beach last October. The Poly Beach is a beautiful beach for viewing Wishes. ENJOY if you go to the Poly, beautiful resort!

 

[baylakebisi]

Sign and fence installed, great. Personally, I need signs and barriers to keep me from relying on common sense. When I go to ocean beaches, I look for a sign to tell me whats in the water. If I dont see one, I ask someone else to tell me whats in the water and can I go in.

I guess no sign means its safe even though I hear sharks like to swim in water by beaches.

What happened was a tragedy all around. Our society has become less accountable and more blame centric. Blaming parents or park owners for tragic accidents does not fix the problem. Before this happened there was no outcry for more protection. We can only hope tragedy does not hit our home and that we all learn from accidents. We are all accountable.

 

[tink'smom2B]

This is an incredibly stupid debate. I've been here at Poly all week and every night they advertised a BEACH party which includes Sand Castle Building! How are you going to get water to build your sandcastle? There you are, steps from the water, watching the movie and building sand castles. I think most of you people have no idea what happened there that night. Blaming people for wading in the water is ludicrous. I can't wait to go home......

 

[Marine Mom]

I logged in specifically to like this. Well said! I'm getting tired of hearing all of the people in denial of basic scientific fact. Florida is full of wildlife and so is WDW. People have found snakes in their rooms at some resorts along with some very nasty spiders( that would be me). I believe some months ago, a snake fell out of a tree at one of the parks onto a guest. There are 1.3 million alligators in Florida and they are found in all bodies of water. They migrate. They even climb fences.

This incident was sad. But, it is also extremely rare. With common sense you can lessen your chances of coming into contact with a gator. Tops on the list for me would be not splashing around in swamp water. I am glad they are fencing the water off for now, and I would like to see it done permanently. I say this because there are many stubborn and willfully ignorant people who will look at a sign with an alligator on it and if they want to play in the swamp badly enough, the justifications will start in their Disney Bubble minds, even after this incident.

I know I sound harsh. But, does anyone think how hard this was on the first responders, many of whom have kids, grandkids, nieces, or nephews? How about the divers who had to look for a two year old's body, I'm sure wanting to find it so they could give the parents closure, yet terrified and heartsick at what they were going to find? I have experience in trauma(OR nurse) and believe me, every badly hurt or dead child leaves a scar on your soul. I am not blaming the parents, BTW. I'm blaming people who will refuse to learn from this and will complain that they can't wade in the swamp anymore and that this "ruins the Magic".

I AGREE with your post 100%%%

 

[GPC0321]

Now we all know. It would have been nice for Disney to tell guests this before the inevitable occurred. There were no indications to people not indigenous to Florida who would think that alligators were thriving in a man-made lake on whose edge Disney enticed small children to gather at feeding time.

"Denial of basic scientific fact". Yeah, to people who live in the south.

How is it only people indigenous to Florida or the South are expected to know about alligators? That's like saying only people who live in Alaska know that grizzlies live there.

I keep seeing people saying they know gators are in Florida, they just didn't know they are at WDW. Uhhh...are they aware that WDW is IN FLORIDA?

I guess if we want to blame anyone, blame Walt Disney for buying up swampland in Florida and then luring unsuspecting guests to the native habitat of alligators.

The problem is, the very experience of being immersed in Disney World tends to make people lose contact with reality. This is understandable to a degree, especially for children. But fully-functioning adults should not check their common sense at the gate and expect Disney to do their thinking for them.

As for the "it would have been nice" thought...sure, it would have been more than nice if this little one's life hadn't been lost. Hindsight is always 20/20, and nearly every accident or tragedy that takes place results in people looking at what they SHOULD have done to prevent it. We learn from mistakes. This one was about as bad a mistake as can be made, and it wasn't just DISNEY'S mistake. It's the mistake of people who misinterpret signage posted around the water, the mistake of guests breaking the law and feeding wild animals, and the mistake of Disney for not being stricter about access to the waterways and interactions with the wildlife on the property. Maybe they thought people would use better judgment, but that was their mistake as well.

Things like this don't happen often, but they DO happen, and they are the reason we have the safety measures in place that we have today. 50 years from now, people will walk along the fence lines of the lakes and lagoons at WDW and vaguely remember that those were put there because a child lost his life when attacked by a gator. By then, there will have been new challenges, new accidents, and there will be new safety measures in place that WE haven't even thought about at this point.