Alligator Signs ... inside Magic Kingdom! :(

[ShirikiUtundu]

Removing the alligator joke from The Jungle Cruise was appropriate. Any/everything else is a gross overreaction.

There is no alligator joke on Jungle Cruise; in fact there are no alligators on Jungle Cruise, there are no alligators on Kilimanjaro Safari and Tick Tock is also not an alligator.

As if people weren't uninformed enough, the notion that crocodiles and alligators are the same is now an issue?!?! They are very different, most notably in their aggressiveness toward humans. Let's hope no one sincerely thinks that anyone was attacked by a crocodile at WDW, or that it's even possible.

Everyone needs to just stop the insanity.

 

[goofyernmost]

Well everyone has an opinion which is fine. Like I said, we were staying there when it happened and it was awful. We didn't like seeing the Disney gators on the rides etc. it felt to be in poor taste given the situation.

I don't see those gators as serving as a reminder. I see them as making light of or joking about gator attacks (think Peter Pan ride). If they are in fact removing even some of that from around the mk area I would find the removal appropriate.

Like you said, everyone is entitled to an opinion, however, I would think that would be a gross overreaction. It was an accident, the plastic Crocodile never left that ride. They are depicted as dangerous animals and they are. That hasn't changed since the dinosaur era. Taking them out will not return that child to life, nor will it help anything to make believe that they just don't exist and that they are not dangerous. Perspective is needed here. Thousands of people die in car accidents everyday, does meeting another vehicle on the highway cause you to mourn the loss of those humans? If no, then why would a cartoon Croc. have that affect. It's because you say you were there when it happened, OK, but, not everyone was and that is reason enough not to stick our heads in the sand and deny that it ever happened.

They sell "Crocs" the shoes in the park, should they get rid of those too and not allow anyone to wear them because every time you see someone with them on, it reminds you of a bad time? In other words, that is a personal thing that you have to work through. It isn't something that everyone needs to have the same emotions as you.

 

[WEDWDW]

Reports are the AA alligator in Living with the Land has been removed.

Can anyone confirm?

 

[wdwrule]

Just MY opinion.... Long story short, I agree with the removal of the crocodile/alligator jokes but I wouldn't want to see the removal of character/ride crocodiles permanently.

We were vacationing there when this horrible incident happened. Not a day goes by when I don't think about this poor family and how they're coping. I couldn't even imagine. We were in the MK the following day with the search helicopters and boats circling around near the entrance. It was gut-wrenching. But we tried to go on with our day. With that being said, it may sound silly but any ride that had a crocodile in it (Peter pan...) I had to look the other way. The only ride I avoided was jungle cruise. But again, as sick as I felt, I don't think the answer is to remove the character crocodiles from the rides....jokes, yes. Personally, I could go either way about character crocodiles from parades, but I think it would be a little over the top if it was permanent. As with any tragic event like that I do feel it's important to display empathy, respect, and tact especially during the few weeks/months right after that type of situation. I think with time--the biggest healer--things will maybe be back to normal.

 

[goofyernmost]

I see removing the crocs/gators as no different than retiring Monorails Pink & Purple, and asking Starbucks to remove the mug that accidentally featured Monorail Purple in the design. It's done out of respect for the deceased (someone who died on Disney property) & is a kind gesture in their memory.

And it was an overreaction based on the upset of a few people that had never witnessed a tragedy before. Blaming the monorail situation on the color of the stripe and not allowing the memory of 'purple' is just asinine. Those are inanimate objects they didn't do anything by themselves any more then the fake gators or crocs did. WDW is in a swamp, we are all liable to see the real things from time to time over the coming years. The reputation of how those animal can react around people is not imaginary, it is real life in a cartoon situation. Everyone just needs to grow up.

 

[MariMama]

There is no alligator joke on Jungle Cruise; in fact there are no alligators on Jungle Cruise, there are no alligators on Kilimanjaro Safari and Tick Tock is also not an alligator.

As if people weren't uninformed enough, the notion that crocodiles and alligators are the same is now an issue?!?! They are very different, most notably in their aggressiveness toward humans. Let's hope no one sincerely thinks that anyone was attacked by a crocodile at WDW, or that it's even possible.

Everyone needs to just stop the insanity.

My mistake - the CROCODILE joke was removed.

 

[KrazeeK120]

There is no alligator joke on Jungle Cruise; in fact there are no alligators on Jungle Cruise, there are no alligators on Kilimanjaro Safari and Tick Tock is also not an alligator.

As if people weren't uninformed enough, the notion that crocodiles and alligators are the same is now an issue?!?! They are very different, most notably in their aggressiveness toward humans. Let's hope no one sincerely thinks that anyone was attacked by a crocodile at WDW, or that it's even possible.

Everyone needs to just stop the insanity.

*Slow clap*

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

And it was an overreaction based on the upset of a few people that had never witnessed a tragedy before. Blaming the monorail situation on the color of the stripe and not allowing the memory of 'purple' is just asinine. Those are inanimate objects they didn't do anything by themselves any more then the fake gators or crocs did. WDW is in a swamp, we are all liable to see the real things from time to time over the coming years. The reputation of how those animal can react around people is not imaginary, it is real life in a cartoon situation. Everyone just needs to grow up.

Yes, precisely. Inanimate objects don't have feelings, but bereaved family members do. What's the harm in retiring those two colors in memory of the deceased? I can't understand why anyone with a modicum of empathy would have an issue with this.

 

[ParkHoppers]

Just MY opinion.... Long story short, I agree with the removal of the crocodile/alligator jokes but I wouldn't want to see the removal of character/ride crocodiles permanently.

We were vacationing there when this horrible incident happened. Not a day goes by when I don't think about this poor family and how they're coping. I couldn't even imagine. We were in the MK the following day with the search helicopters and boats circling around near the entrance. It was gut-wrenching. But we tried to go on with our day. With that being said, it may sound silly but any ride that had a crocodile in it (Peter pan...) I had to look the other way. The only ride I avoided was jungle cruise. But again, as sick as I felt, I don't think the answer is to remove the character crocodiles from the rides....jokes, yes. Personally, I could go either way about character crocodiles from parades, but I think it would be a little over the top if it was permanent. As with any tragic event like that I do feel it's important to display empathy, respect, and tact especially during the few weeks/months right after that type of situation. I think with time--the biggest healer--things will maybe be back to normal.

I can understand what you are saying. The night and following day of this terrible tragedy I said to my wife that I obviously felt horrible beyond words for this poor family. And I also felt very bad for anyone who was at DW on vacation at the time this happened. That must have also been very traumatic for them also. Things like that can stick with you for some time.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

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.

Yes I'm sure! There are legal standards. They are warning signs. They have a legal obligation to warn you as to known risks. If they were aware of or should have been aware of gators in their waters by their resort beaches and in their parks where millions of children and parents will be exposed to these alligators they absolutely have an obligation to warn. The sign they posted told you no swimming. That's why these new signs are everywhere and list snakes as well as alligators. I didn't realize when I came down splash mountain that there were gators right near where you splash down. Take a look at that video! You can also bet Disney will be more vigilant removing these alligators.

 

[bryanb]

I can understand what you are saying. The night and following day of this terrible tragedy I said to my wife that I obviously felt horrible beyond words for this poor family. And I also felt very bad for anyone who was at DW on vacation at the time this happened. That must have also been very traumatic for them also. Things like that can stick with you for some time.

I was there at the time, and I think some cast members were hit hard by it but people put on a brave face. This family now went back home without their son. Every time in their life anyone makes a reference to an alligator, it's going to create enormous pain for them. There's a comedic GEICO commercial right now about an alligator with bad table manners who tries to pick up the restaurant check. And I think, even that's going to trigger unbelievable hurt when it randomly comes on TV. And then their friends and coworkers will have to be very sensitive about mentioning Disney movies or going on Disney vacations.

We can't scrub the world of references to things that are painful. But I think it's fine for Disney to remove these (whether for now or for a longer term). We have to keep in mind that the people making these decisions are grieving too. We can debate legal liability and signage all we want, but even if they weren't directly responsible for it, they're coping with a tragedy that happened at their place, at a place they love. They run Disney World to make a profit, but most of them genuinely picked a career to spread happiness and entertain guests.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Should they stop selling Disney Crocs?

You bet they should!! And ANYONE caught drinking Gatorade will be escorted from the park immediately!!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I don't consider myself easily offended, and in fact get weary of all the people who ARE "offended" by every little thing, but I still look at that picture of Tic Toc in the parade and think, "Ehhh...not good right now." I don't know how to explain it, but in my gut it seems a bit off-putting to see a huge cartoon crocodile rolling down Main Street for everyone's entertainment right now. I understand the logical arguments for keeping him included, but it doesn't change my emotional reaction to seeing a big cartoon crocodile with a toothy grin being a focal point in a parade just across the lagoon from where a child was killed by an alligator. It just doesn't set well with me for whatever reason, and I doubt I'm alone. And like I said, I don't get "offended" easily at all.

Not mentioning the crocodiles on the Kilimanjaro Safari is just foolish though.

As for comparing the alligator attack to car wrecks, drowning, etc., the major difference is, of course, that people (including young children) get killed from car wrecks and drowning much more frequently. It's something we are all aware of and while tragic, we're used to it. Fatal alligator attacks are much more rare in general than car wrecks or drownings, and unprecedented at Walt Disney World. This is something Disney has never had to deal with. And it is different when it's a drowning or vehicle accident (be it bus, monorail, or car) versus a wild animal purposely snatching a child and dragging it to its death. It's different because it creates a stronger emotional response in us. Had this child been hit by a car or had he drowned in a resort or water park pool, people would still feel terrible, but there wouldn't be the fear and shock that come along with the alligator attack. It produces a completely different emotional response in us, and Disney is in the business of creating and shaping our emotional responses to things while we're on vacation there. This is why they're removing Tic Toc from the parade and Louis from the castle show, IMO. Because they realize the heightened emotional reaction of the public to the gator attack vs. drowning, getting hit by a bus, or a vehicle wreck.

I get what you're saying about how this is different than a death from a crash, etc -- how people react differently to it emotionally.

A question for those who think this means Disney should be removing cartoon croc depictions throughout the park: at what point can they be put back? 3 months? 1 year? Never?

One of the most interesting things about people - to me - is how resilient and adaptable we are. I remember after 9/11, various movie studios talking about how they were not going to be able to release movies they'd made with explosions and buildings coming down. That they'd never be able to make such films again. Within MONTHS after that terrorist attack, those movies all came out.

People move on -- far quicker than it might seem in the moment or immediate wake of such a tragedy. It's human nature. This is only part of the reason this all seems like an overreaction to me (with the exception of that one JC joke).

 

[GPC0321]

There is no alligator joke on Jungle Cruise; in fact there are no alligators on Jungle Cruise, there are no alligators on Kilimanjaro Safari and Tick Tock is also not an alligator.

As if people weren't uninformed enough, the notion that crocodiles and alligators are the same is now an issue?!?! They are very different, most notably in their aggressiveness toward humans. Let's hope no one sincerely thinks that anyone was attacked by a crocodile at WDW, or that it's even possible.

Everyone needs to just stop the insanity.

I think everyone knows that gators and crocs look very similar and I'd wager the vast majority of people don't really know how to spot the differences on sight. I know if someone shows me a picture of an alligator and one of a crocodile without any other information, I'm not guaranteed to be able to tell them apart. I THINK I could, but I wouldn't guarantee it. And the Disneyfied version of fictional crocs and gators look like the same type of critter.

At this time, with a two year-old child recently killed and dragged into Seven Seas Lagoon by an alligator, it just seems inappropriate to feature fictional gators OR crocs as a means of entertainment and humor right now. It appears insensitive and honestly, they are such a small part of WDW that their removal hardly matters.

I think the "insanity" is the overreaction to the removal of a joke, a float, and a character from a show.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Just a small correction--the child was already IN the water when he was attacked. He was dragged deeper into the water.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I think the "insanity" is the overreaction to the removal of a joke, a float, and a character from a show.

I must have missed posts in this thread, as I don't see an overreaction to the removal.

I, for one, find the removal ridiculous, and would argue that people move on from even these most tragic events quite quickly. I don't think the removal will make any difference to WDW guests one way or the other. I just find the removal to be an overreaction. One they'll probably reverse once a bit of time has gone by.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Just a small correction--the child was already IN the water when he was attacked. He was dragged deeper into the water.

Lane Graves was wading in a few inches of water about 1 foot from the shoreline. He was found in 6 feet of water, approximately 45 feet from the shore. Whether or not, he was in the water..doesn't matter. The gator could've/would've snatched him at the edge of the water. He didn't draw a line in the sand. It was mating season and feeding time..terrible combination. Now add family events provided on a "beach", under these conditions with no warning of the potential danger. Disney was very irresponsible. IMO

There were a few thousand gators in Florida in the 1970s. Now...estimated 1,300,000+ The likelihood of more accidents increase with rise in numbers of gators and people.

 

[Mitzicat]

I hate to say this but it kind of fits the theming.

Agree too...but it would have been cool if they had created a "Wanted" poster for the wilderness section, maybe a "newspaper" add for the Haunted Mansion / Colonial area. But then again...people would complain that they didn't see them because they blended in.

They can put up all the signs they want, but if people don't read them and follow them, you are back to square one.

 

[GPC0321]

I must have missed posts in this thread, as I don't see an overreaction to the removal.

I, for one, find the removal ridiculous, and would argue that people move on from even these most tragic events quite quickly. I don't think the removal will make any difference to WDW guests one way or the other. I just find the removal to be an overreaction. One they'll probably reverse once a bit of time has gone by.

We'll have to agree to disagree. If I were to visit WDW in the near future, I would find Tic Toc in the parade to be a bit tasteless considering what had happened and I would question Disney's decision to leave him as part of the parade. Ditto for the other removals so far. At the very least, I wouldn't blame Disney for erring to the side of sensitivity during this time. It doesn't seem like an overreaction given the nature of the tragedy to me. It's not every day that children get attacked and killed by wild animals right in the middle of Walt Disney World, so I think it's probably wise for Disney to be extra vigilant about how they appear so soon after the event.

Anyway, we all have different levels of sensitivity to various things, and that's really all anyone can say. What's "ridiculous" to you seems appropriate to me. *shrug*

 

[Srbright]

If a child is killed at wdw by a bear then I would not take issue with Disney removing scenes where a bear is attempting to attack or eat someone.

It's not about INSISTING it be done. It's about Disney deciding to do it and my understanding why. I have trouble understanding why one would not rather err on the side of being respectful when a child has died.

Okay, by that logic let us take the guns out of Toy Story Mania. Kid got shot, in Florida, at a gun range this week.

Lets just completely take out Mission Space because we've lost not one but two shuttle missions, one of them in Florida.

Wipe China off the map of EPCOT due to their human rights violations.

And how far back are we going to go? When is it no longer "too soon"? Should there be a "Germany" in EPCOT?

There is an entire section of WDW that is aligator-centric. It's called "Aligator Bayou" in Port Orleans-Riverside. Is Disney going to have to go through and UN-refurbish all of the theming and work they did?

It is a tragedy and I agree with the signs. But there are a million aligators in Florida and trying to wipe out all mention of them is not feasible nor is it a necessary tribute to the child.

Stacy