Alligator Signs ... inside Magic Kingdom! :(

[Jason2015]

BUT,since Disney didn't respond in any way to the 1986 incident,I'm thinking they feel like they HAVE to respond this time in a big way.

Back in 1986 the US wasn't as sue happy as it is now. Everything gets litigated now, it's the common sense thing people are talking about. Common sense died some time in 1997 and now we sue for everything.

The signs aren't to protect people they are so the company won't be liable when somebody does something stupid, much like warnings on lawn mowers and such, they aren't place on the mower to stop people from being stupid they are there to stop people from sueing when they are stupid.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Just have a look at your car owners manual to see what out of control warnings might look like!!!

 

[sgtdisney]

ITA and have been saying so back to the first thread on this. People respond that Disney doesn't like to ruffle guests' feathers. As we've seen, THERE ARE FAR WORSE THINGS THAN THAT.

Feeding gators is ILLEGAL in FL -- this should be an EASY place for Disney to be extremely firm on enforcement. Combine the LAW with this tragic event, and I really want to see them be VERY strict on this one: Caught feeding gators -- I.e. Breaking the law and endangering others -- you are ejected. Period.

I agree 100%. If you are caught breaking rules on a ride, jumping off a vehicle, etc., you are ejected and sometimes even banned for life. Disregarding the laws of Florida and rules should get you ejected from the property. The fact you are paying 2000.00 a night for a room over the water, should not allow someone to think they can break the rules. Feeding the alligators changes their natural behavior. Think about all the birds that have been fed over the years. How often, do birds in nature, ducks or other fowl, walk up to people to get food. They are normally afraid of us. Not at Disney World.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Lightning generally strikes the highest point. That's nut usually the person with an umbrella.

The point is... people still run around in lightening as long as they're protected from the rain. Having experience with lightening doesn't stop people from putting themselves in danger.

 

[sgtdisney]

I agree with others too, the signs are there to stop future litigation. If it helps to educate vacationers who are not familiar with the surroundings they are vacationing in, that is a good benefit as well. As we all heard, within hours of the tragedy, the news was talking about how much the lawsuit would be, sad.

Personally, for me, no swimming means don't go in the water, at all. I always assumed it was really meant for all the amoeba issues in Florida lake water, so I would have never let anyone go into the water, what if they fell down and got it in their face. However, I agree many others just simply aren't aware of the natural conditions in Florida and probably need to be reminded explicitly to stay away from the water.

 

[HatboxHaint]

If you invent a device that prevents gators from going into certain bodies of water, with out causing harm to the ecosystem, you will be rich beyond your wildest dreams. Until then, all they can do is make sure people know about the dangers. Signs are a good start. I'm wondering if they will put something into the check in packets at the resorts as well.

Who said I was inventing an "alligator keeper-outer" (patent pending). I'm talking about Disney inventing it. They make dreams come true! Am I right?

 

[HatboxHaint]

Don't think so.

Why not?

 

[Nancyg56]

Back in 1986 the US wasn't as sue happy as it is now. Everything gets litigated now, it's the common sense thing people are talking about. Common sense died some time in 1997 and now we sue for everything.

The signs aren't to protect people they are so the company won't be liable when somebody does something stupid, much like warnings on lawn mowers and such, they aren't place on the mower to stop people from being stupid they are there to stop people from sueing when they are stupid.

We also did not have 24 hour news coverage. I think that the constant repeating of stories on every news channel just amps up the stress folks have in regards to "dangers". If the news tell you something over and ove, it somehow tends to be reinforced as the truth.

 

[Missymoe4]

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/07/photo...igator-warning-signs-inside-theme-park-areas/
Now even inside the Magic Kingdom we will be reminded of the GrandFlo tragedy. How many years will have to pass before we forget why they erected these signs?

Oh please, its not a reminder. There has been an alligator back there for years. This is nothing new. I recall the days of people purchasing turkey legs just to throw them into the water to feed the baby.

 

[Grandma G]

Back in 1986 the US wasn't as sue happy as it is now. Everything gets litigated now, it's the common sense thing people are talking about. Common sense died some time in 1997 and now we sue for everything.

I agree. We are certainly a far more litigious society now than we were in 1986. However, it is also true that, two years after their son was attacked in Fort Wilderness, the boy's parents, alleging negligence in the form of a failure to warn guests of the danger presented by an alligator known by WDW employees to approach visitors for food, did sue Disney ...

http://nypost.com/2016/06/16/i-was-attacked-by-an-alligator-at-disney-world/

And I think that one can assume that there was a settlement. With an attendant confidentiality agreement.

 

[GPC0321]

Who said I was inventing an "alligator keeper-outer" (patent pending). I'm talking about Disney inventing it. They make dreams come true! Am I right?

They make dreams come true, but they cannot do the impossible. It's like expecting them to put something in the air that keeps birds from entering the parks. Or a fence around the property that keeps snakes out. It just cannot happen. Gators swim, walk, and climb. No fences, whether in water or on land, are "gator proof". And even if they could put something in the water to deter them, they'd just get out on land, walk to the other side of the submerged barrier and slip back into the water on the WDW side.
There is no way to alligator proof 40+ square miles of Florida swampland with multiple bodies of water and interconnected waterways. It's like expecting the city of San Francisco to keep all coyotes from entering the city limits. And those that live there know it's an issue: http://www.ktvu.com/news/113329590-story

 

[GillianP1301]

After reading these same type of threads for weeks now, I am beyond flabbergasted at people's responses. Sometimes I just have to turn to another thread to escape.

No Swimming signs posted, but no signs giving people the impression Alligators were that close to the edge where they have had activities for families that have done exactly the same thing as this child for many years.

There should be signs everywhere in parks where water and possible danger are nearby; saving one person from this kind of horror should be top priority in lieu of not liking a sign that is posted and should not "take away" from the "magic" you are experiencing with your family. If they are, you are focusing on the wrong things.

Insert your "child's" name in this scenario, would these signs be appropriate then? Common sense is relevant, responsibility of signage and compassion for all people in general should be just as relevant.


DISNEY in 27 days, no signage will influence my magic, yet it will be a reminder to hug my kids and remember how precious life truly is...

Everyone have a blessed and safe 4th.

The point is (at least the one that I'm trying to make) is no swimming signs should be enough to keep people out of water. A sign should not have to read like a contract, people still have functioning brains, they need to use them and not expect others to hold their hands and warn them of every possible risk in the world.

 

[GillianP1301]

Back in 1986 the US wasn't as sue happy as it is now. Everything gets litigated now, it's the common sense thing people are talking about. Common sense died some time in 1997 and now we sue for everything.

The signs aren't to protect people they are so the company won't be liable when somebody does something stupid, much like warnings on lawn mowers and such, they aren't place on the mower to stop people from being stupid they are there to stop people from sueing when they are stupid.

This is bang on. The only problem is, even if the lawn mower accident happens after the warning is given, there is still a lawsuit because the warning wasn't big enough, clear enough, in a pretty enough colour, etc...

 

[Jennasis]

This story claims the dad of the little boy who died said there was a second gator involved in the attack. https://www.yahoo.com/news/dad-says-2-gators-involved-disney-attack-killed-185112332.html

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

This story claims the dad of the little boy who died said there was a second gator involved in the attack. https://www.yahoo.com/news/dad-says-2-gators-involved-disney-attack-killed-185112332.html

That poor family!!!!!

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

The point is (at least the one that I'm trying to make) is no swimming signs should be enough to keep people out of water. A sign should not have to read like a contract, people still have functioning brains, they need to use them and not expect others to hold their hands and warn them of every possible risk in the world.

It was a poorly worded sign at best. A sign needs to inform you as to what the risks are .... Disney failed to do that until after the little boy's death even though they were aware of alligators on their property. This is what Disney insurers and/or attorneys are telling them to do. Should have been done long ago!

 

[Sammie]

I agree 100%. If you are caught breaking rules on a ride, jumping off a vehicle, etc., you are ejected and sometimes even banned for life. Disregarding the laws of Florida and rules should get you ejected from the property. The fact you are paying 2000.00 a night for a room over the water, should not allow someone to think they can break the rules. Feeding the alligators changes their natural behavior. Think about all the birds that have been fed over the years. How often, do birds in nature, ducks or other fowl, walk up to people to get food. They are normally afraid of us. Not at Disney World.

Guests feeding the gators happened long before the bungalows were built. It it not limited to that location by any means. The law is no feeding with penalty of fine of $500 and 60 days in jail. Do that a couple of times and people will stop.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It was a poorly worded sign at best. A sign needs to inform you as to what the risks are .... Disney failed to do that until after the little boy's death even though they were aware of alligators on their property. This is what Disney insurers and/or attorneys are telling them to do. Should have been done long ago!

Are you sure? Is there a reason signage warning to or not to do something isn't sufficient? Stop signs don't say why, they just tell the driver to stop. Cast Member Only signs don't say why, they just demonstrate access is restricted based on employment status. Please Wait To Be Seated signs don't say why, they just instruct.

The only thing I wish they did with these signs is to advise not to feed any - as opposed to 'the' - wildlife.

 

[HatboxHaint]

They make dreams come true, but they cannot do the impossible. It's like expecting them to put something in the air that keeps birds from entering the parks. Or a fence around the property that keeps snakes out. It just cannot happen. Gators swim, walk, and climb. No fences, whether in water or on land, are "gator proof". And even if they could put something in the water to deter them, they'd just get out on land, walk to the other side of the submerged barrier and slip back into the water on the WDW side.
There is no way to alligator proof 40+ square miles of Florida swampland with multiple bodies of water and interconnected waterways. It's like expecting the city of San Francisco to keep all coyotes from entering the city limits. And those that live there know it's an issue: http://www.ktvu.com/news/113329590-story

I'm only talking about parks and mainly magic kingdom which only has one canal entrance.

 

[HatboxHaint]

Oh please, its not a reminder. There has been an alligator back there for years. This is nothing new. I recall the days of people purchasing turkey legs just to throw them into the water to feed the baby.

So you don't believe the tragedy is the reason behind the posting of the signs?