Disney will post Alligator warning signs and fences

[soniam]

I am glad to see it. It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt. Not making light, just trying to point out that we don't necessarily take things seriously until someone does get hurt, and I am not a safety nazi. Unfortunately, it might change the face of some of the waterfront hotels. I think the water will no longer be easily accessible. I hope the changes look good.

 

[rteetz]

My understanding is the parents were right there. The water was up to his ankles.

Correct

 

[rteetz]

I am glad to see it. It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt. Not making light, just trying to point out that we don't necessarily take things seriously until someone does get hurt, and I am not a safety nazi. Unfortunately, it might change the face of some of the waterfront hotels. I think the water will no longer be easily accessible. I hope the changes look good.

I really don't think we will see much other than new signs.

 

[soniam]

I really don't think we will see much other than new signs.

That may be true with the cost cutting. They probably don't want to spend the money. I hopes they can just get away with signs, maybe some simple fencing in certain areas.

 

[rteetz]

That may be true with the cost cutting. They probably don't want to spend the money. I hopes they can just get away with signs, maybe some simple fencing in certain areas.

I don't think it's a cost issue. Many other places in Florida just have signs. If it happened somewhere with the signs would we be calling for fences?

 

[Accident]

That may be true with the cost cutting. They probably don't want to spend the money. I hopes they can just get away with signs, maybe some simple fencing in certain areas.

I don't think it's cost cutting at all, a fence would be a false sense of safety and people would stand against the fence to see the alligators to find out a fence isn't going to stop an alligator.

I personally don't mind the signage and like that it's not a huge change.

 

[soniam]

I don't think it's cost cutting at all, a fence would be a false sense of safety and people would stand against the fence to see the alligators to find out a fence isn't going to stop an alligator.

I personally don't mind the signage and like that it's not a huge change.

I definitely prefer just signage. I am actually glad about the signage, but I suspect many people will not read them.

 

[Accident]

I definitely prefer just signage. I am actually glad about the signage, but I suspect many people will not read them.

You can only do so much.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

They also better do something to address the alligator feeding in the area. Advise guests it's against the law and actually take action against them if they're caught doing it. The signs are part of warning of the danger that's created by not properly policing illegal activity that's taking place on their property. Probably because no one wants to reprimand a guest that's paying $2000/night to stay in a bungalow over alligator-infested water.

 

[LAX]

Why does everyone feel Disney should have put up signage warning about allegators before this tragedy occurred as if it could have been prevented? While I have yet been to WDW, I don't believe it's completely fenced in from the surrounding areas. Thus, any wild animals can potentially have access to it. How is this different from someone getting hurt/killed at a state or national park that doesn't necessarily have signage warning all potential dangers? I am not against Disney's plan to have better/additional signage, but I don't think Disney should be blamed for this accident.

LAX

 

[smurfz]

It is really terribly sad that a young boy died but it was an accident it wasn't Disneys fault.. Having been to Disney many times they will say to get out of the water if they see you in it and there are signs saying no swimming etc. The gator by all accounts did not jump all the way out of the water and up on to the beach near the movie screening. So I'm sorry but to say Disney is putting the lives of everyone watching the movie on the beach in danger is wrong - staying on the beach sitting watching a movie from the loungers isn't putting anyone in danger of gators or not any more danger that being bitten by a snake or a spider. People have been saying that Disney shouldn't have movies on the beach or give the kids buckets and spades.. Well alot of kids use them in the pools.. I know the little one jn our house did. The news have been using the hyatt regency signs as an example of what Disney signs should say and yes Id say good idea just as another warning but notice in the photos of hyatt regency gator in water signs the kayaks and canoes and paddle boats for use on the lake.. Yes your warned but they still see it as safe enough to allow people to do that in the water as they say they do regularly remove gators of a certain size but occasionally some sneak away they do their best.

 

[brertoad]

I am all for having new signs. My biggest concern is that regardless of how specific the signage is, explaining what danger lies ahead, there are still going to be people who disregard a mere sign.

For Disney to really prevent anything - they have to make it fool proof, as in making some kind of barrier, perhaps extending the rocky barrier that is down by the villas and wedding pavilion. If they lined the shore with large rocks people shouldn't get in the water, and they have signs posted that say don't climb on the rocks, but even then if someone is determined to do something - no amount of signage will stop them.

 

[jerseygal]

I am pleased to see that they will ADD the notice to guests that they previously had of No Swimming. Pleased for those that were or are not aware of the danger of alligators that it will add the alligator warning.Continued thoughts and prayers for the family.

 

[mshanson3121]

There is a beach with no swimming signs. I don't see signs that say come kids play on the beach. So I don't think Disney is encouraging kids to play on a beach. Disney did no more than provide the beach. It's likely the kids themselves or the parents that want to go to the beach.

They have the beach, they sell the toys to play on the beach, they advertise the beach as a feature and they have hammocks ON the beach - how much more do you really want? A great big welcome sign? They have been passively, if not actively, encouraging the usage of the beach.

 

[mshanson3121]

They also better do something to address the alligator feeding in the area. Advise guests it's against the law and actually take action against them if they're caught doing it. The signs are part of warning of the danger that's created by not properly policing illegal activity that's taking place on their property. Probably because no one wants to reprimand a guest that's paying $2000/night to stay in a bungalow over alligator-infested water.

Yes! They said yesterday that 95% of alligator attacks in Florida can be directly linked back to that alligator having been fed. Guests feeding the alligators is not only against the law, but creating a problem. They have to do something about it.

 

[mshanson3121]

Why does everyone feel Disney should have put up signage warning about allegators before this tragedy occurred as if it could have been prevented? While I have yet been to WDW, I don't believe it's completely fenced in from the surrounding areas. Thus, any wild animals can potentially have access to it. How is this different from someone getting hurt/killed at a state or national park that doesn't necessarily have signage warning all potential dangers? I am not against Disney's plan to have better/additional signage, but I don't think Disney should be blamed for this accident.

LAX

Because it happened before, and they should have realized then, that it would happen again. And even though no one was hurt in 30 years, alligators have approached/chased guests in the years since then, they have told employees about it, and there've been many, many sighting of the alligators both on resort property and within MK property. It was an accident literally waiting to happen and they dropped the ball in not properly informing it's guests of the danger. Disney had very clear knowledge of the potential threat, it's guests however, did not.

 

[mshanson3121]

I am curious... do you think they will allow water activities to resume such as tubing, water skiing etc?

 

[imbelle]

People tend to zone out when they're in WDW. I was on a Disney bus on the way to AKL when I saw a large gator by a pond in a stretch of undeveloped land. I pointed it out to the family next to me and they (the parents, not the kids) said "Is it real?" Even though it's a given that any body of water in Florida can play host to alligators, it's probably best to point out the obvious with signage. People already have to be reminded to supervise their children on every ride track, why not this?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Yes! They said yesterday that 95% of alligator attacks in Florida can be directly linked back to that alligator having been fed. Guests feeding the alligators is not only against the law, but creating a problem. They have to do something about it.

People stupidly feed animals all the time. It's not gonna change too much.

It's not just "feeding the gator"...it's not Like people are throwing ribeyes to them off their poly 100 point bungalows...as in Romancing the Stone...

They feed the crows, feed the ducks, feed the fish...

What do gators eat? They can't be trained not to eat and they can't nor shouldn't be kept out. They should perhaps look at a more effective way of relocating or harvesting them. I agree on that premise.

Anyone ever try to eat French fries at typhoon lagoon? Or at old key west near the pool?

If you have...you've likely been fleeced by the birds...they've had to install bird deterrents and post signs there...

Because they've been fed/trained.
As I have said: people switch their brains off when they pass the purple gates off I-4. Common sense is suspended and everything has to be no risk, "don't bring me down", thought.

There has been some of that at fault the last few days...and now Disney has to adjust and I think they will.

I think that they should also consider increased lighting around waterways (self serving for runners...I admit) and perhaps a roped/chained off system on the paths next to the beaches that can be put up by lifeguards or maintenance at dusk and taken down in the morning. That's minimal cost and effort...10 minutes of employee responsibility each day...and would provide a big psychological deterrent.

 

[GPC0321]

I'm glad they'll add the gator warning to the signs. I also think the idea of extending the big rocks around the water's edge to form a barrier that will dissuade guests from "wading" in the water is a good one too. That way they can still go onto the beaches, watch the movies, play in the sand, etc. but aren't tempted to dip a toe in (why they would I still don't get...to quote Tandor the elephant from Tarzan, "Are you sure this water's sanitary? It looks questionable to me!"). The rocks will not ruin the view/beauty of the shoreline, and with the signs, and frankly, the fact that almost everyone who is or would be visiting Disney in the foreseeable future has probably heard about the tragedy and will be much more aware and proactive now anyway, I think people should be safer.

I do think we have to point out that people ignore signs all the time. There are signs everywhere not to feed the birds in the parks, and yet I saw countless folks doing just that at the outdoor eating venues.
Perhaps there needs to be an informational flyer or brochure added to guest packets or put in the rooms that explains the presence of the wildlife on the property, tips on how to avoid that wildlife, and warnings about the dangers of feeding and/or interacting with that wildlife. Because people have reported seeing gators "waiting to be fed" in areas in the MK and around the property. Just like the ducks and other birds that boldly inhabit the parks, if the gators discover a nice place with lots of inviting water where no one harms them AND they get easy meals from visitors who think it's fun to feed them, yes, they are going to become more numerous and more bold.

Continued thoughts and prayers for the family.