Disney will post Alligator warning signs and fences

[Corsetopia]

I thought appropriate placement of warning signs about alligators/predators would suffice, but Disney went above and beyond with the fencing placement, and I am happy they're rectifying it so quickly. To those of you worried about aesthetics - I'm sure once Disney thinks the permanent changes through, the places will still be as beautiful as before, just a little bit safer.

I was also reading about a toddler drowning in the AoA pool after getting away from his parents. I think I'm going to be one of those paranoid mothers who puts her toddler on one of those backpack leashes this year, seriously!!

 

[sheetz]

Hawaii quite often posts signs that are permanent in some locations and temporary in others warning of currents, jellyfish, recent shark attacks, dangerous surf etc... Posting signs to keep people safe is actually quite common.

Yes, they do that in California, too, and I suspect at many other public beaches. Just last week there were beach closures in Southern California due to shark sightings. And these signs were posted

 

[moobar25]

I thought appropriate placement of warning signs about alligators/predators would suffice, but Disney went above and beyond with the fencing placement, and I am happy they're rectifying it so quickly. To those of you worried about aesthetics - I'm sure once Disney thinks the permanent changes through, the places will still be as beautiful as before, just a little bit safer.

I was also reading about a toddler drowning in the AoA pool after getting away from his parents. I think I'm going to be one of those paranoid mothers who puts her toddler on one of those backpack leashes this year, seriously!!

I believe the toddler drowning at AOA happened at night when no lifeguards were on duty. The family decided to go swimming at night, someone didn't pay attention for a moment and the child drowned. All of the pools at that time had signs posted after hours that lifeguards are not present and swim at your own risk. Shortly after the incident fences were erected around the pools (some not all) and hours of operation were changed.

There was also an incident at AKV (KIDANI I think) where a child fell off of the balcony. Parents were in the room while the girl was on the balcony. The girl moved the table closer to the railing and climbed up to get a better look at the animals and fell out. I think it was from the 3rd or 4th floor. I grew up in an apartment on the 11th floor and spent lots of time on the balcony. My sis and I were always climbing the rail and nothing ever happened. Though with my DD the rule is: she can't go on the balcony unless an adult is with her. As a parent you tend to be more paranoid when it comes to safety.

Edit: Just googled both and it was Jambo house for the balcony incident. The girl lived with some minor injuries. AOA some reports said it happened at 8pm and some later. Both are sad to hear about.

 

[brertoad]

I've seen water moccasin sunning itself on the Boardwalk parking lot sidewalk several years ago! Our friend saw it first, and said to go around via the road, I looked at it from about 20 feet away, I was surprised to see it.

I've seen a small 1 foot snake around Beach Club grounds. I've seen another snake on the Fort Wilderness/WL trail, see photo.

If you aren't watching where you step you could also accidentally step on a snake. It would indeed be a rarity, but it is possible.

My high school friend was leaving her boyfriend's house at night, she was wearing sandals, and she stepped on a snake and it bit her, it was a small snake, non-poisonous, but she couldn't tell what it was and went to the ER.

So even with signs in place, even if you are walking on a path minding your own business, you have to watch your surroundings, the critters can slither or crawl to where people walk.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

This is BC/YC beach.

Frankly what disturbs me the most is that all of these children's parents allowed them to play in this disgusting water. Especially since there's a perfectly awesome safe pool right behind them.

YES!! A little girl in my area just got Impetigo from a beach that was cleared the day she went swimming and had had a "No swimming" sign the day before. She had a cut and the bacteria got in. I shared on my Facebook that to hopefully alert my friends who aren't from coastal areas (being Army we come from all different places) and some of them seemed truly ignorant (not in a mean way, but lack of experience) that "no swimming" would ever be because of dangerous animals or bacteria.

 

[poison ivy]

Hawaii quite often posts signs that are permanent in some locations and temporary in others warning of currents, jellyfish, recent shark attacks, dangerous surf etc... Posting signs to keep people safe is actually quite common.

I doubt they'd put a fence up to keep people away from the ocean, that makes no sense and isn't even in the same ballpark as the disney world beach situation.

Well I better brush up on shark sightings at the Aulani beach. didn't think there had been any, but that was based on nothing substantial.

 

[dlavender]

This isn't SEVEN SEAS LAGOON, this is the 'lake' that is near Epcot, this water is connected to Epcot's central lagoon. These people are on the shore of Beach Club, this water is connecting boats leaving Epcot's International Gateway to Hollywood Studios, Swan and Dolphin, Yacht and Beach Club and Boardwalk. See the raised bridge in the back, that is the bridge from Boardwalk that goes towards International Gateway.

They are all connected. And this was a Disney sanctioned/sponsored event. Notice they are all wearing the same hats in the background. It was a pirates princess scavenger hunt. You guys amaze me. Pointing it out for all those who think the no swimming signs meant stay out. Obviously to Disney they didn't. Knowledge is power

 

[dlavender]

Unless these people aren't registered guests, and are going into the water because they don't have access to Storm Along Bay??

Busted that theory, huh???

Find another victim to blame.

 

[nugov2]

Well I better brush up on shark sightings at the Aulani beach. didn't think there had been any, but that was based on nothing substantial.

I wouldn't worry. There could be a shark sighting one day and nothing for quite some times. I stated it on another thread when discussing hawaii and sharks...mire people are killed by coconuts falling on them than by shark attack.

My point to that poster is expecting disney to have signs isn't unreasonable and comparing it to hawaii or beaches on the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean is nowhere near the same, but funnily enough they actually do put of signs both permanent and temporary.

 

[nugov2]

It's Florida. If there's water there's a chance of gators.

I just found it odd such a large group was allowed in the water if no swimming actually meant no entering the water to disney and their staff. This picture appears to show disney allowed and found it acceptable to be playing/splashing in the water. It seems odd such a large group would go unnoticed by CMs...of course they could have been booted a minute after this photo was taken, so just speculation on my part.

 

[brertoad]

Busted that theory, huh???

Find another victim to blame.

Angry much?

You didn't even know what body of water this is. You thought this was near the Grand.

This body of water is smaller, and has a lot more boat traffic as it is smaller the boat captains probably have a better idea of what is in the water here, it is less reedy as well, the Friendship boats are coming and going through here constantly up til closing time.

I already assumed it was some kind of catered beach event, as they do host events weddings, pirate parties, and corporate events on this beach frequently.
Even though they are paying for the beach front catering party, that doesn't mean they should be in the water. Even if there aren't any gators present, this water is not clean.

If Disney is encouraging people to get in this filth - then yeah, that is BS.

 

[dlavender]

Angry much?

You didn't even know what body of water this is. You thought this was near the Grand.

This body of water is smaller, and has a lot more boat traffic as it is smaller the boat captains probably have a better idea of what is in the water here, it is less reedy as well, the Friendship boats are coming and going through here constantly up til closing time.

I already assumed it was some kind of catered beach event, as they do host events weddings, pirate parties, and corporate events on this beach frequently.
Even though they are paying for the beach front catering party, that doesn't mean they should be in the water. Even if there aren't any gators present, this water is not clean.

Disney runs the event. Instead of trying to assume they are trying to circumvent the system by stating that maybe they weren't guests, perhaps you should try to give a little benefit of the doubt?

Do I need to pull all the pictures for you from people in the actual 7 seas lagoon? Will that help you? Does your google work? I'm sure you can find them just as easy...

Just pulled one as an example. Nice doubling down in the less reedy talk nonsense.....

 

[Corsetopia]

I believe the toddler drowning at AOA happened at night when no lifeguards were on duty. The family decided to go swimming at night, someone didn't pay attention for a moment and the child drowned. All of the pools at that time had signs posted after hours that lifeguards are not present and swim at your own risk. Shortly after the incident fences were erected around the pools (some not all) and hours of operation were changed.

There was also an incident at AKV (KIDANI I think) where a child fell off of the balcony. Parents were in the room while the girl was on the balcony. The girl moved the table closer to the railing and climbed up to get a better look at the animals and fell out. I think it was from the 3rd or 4th floor. I grew up in an apartment on the 11th floor and spent lots of time on the balcony. My sis and I were always climbing the rail and nothing ever happened. Though with my DD the rule is: she can't go on the balcony unless an adult is with her. As a parent you tend to be more paranoid when it comes to safety.

Edit: Just googled both and it was Jambo house for the balcony incident. The girl lived with some minor injuries. AOA some reports said it happened at 8pm and some later. Both are sad to hear about.

Oh my gosh, how scary!! I could totally picture my toddler pushing a table towards the edge to get a better look at animals, but I am weird with heights and wouldn't let him out there on his own (he's only 2 and a half). I'm glad that little girl is okay, yes both instances are terrifying and eye opening.

I hate to say that these tragedies help me to become a better, more cautious parent - but they really do.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

If Disney is encouraging people to get in this filth - then yeah, that is BS.

Yes!! Disney should not encourage anyone to be in that water.

 

[dlavender]

If Disney is encouraging people to get in this filth - then yeah, that is BS.

They were and that was the problem. Thankfully they will undoubtedly no longer be doing that. The self accountability crowd needs to find another target. Doesn't fit in this argument as evidenced by disneys own encouragement of water usage.

 

[angelmav]

I am honestly surprised people just assume that people would ignore a danger an alligator might attack attack you sign because they ignore the dont feed the bird signs... How that connects...

For those that think this tragedy is enough of a reminder...until this happened, who knew a child was attacked by a gator at WDW in the 80's???

 

[Silock]

I am honestly surprised people just assume that people would ignore a danger an alligator might attack attack you sign because they ignore the dont feed the bird signs... How that connects...

For those that think this tragedy is enough of a reminder...until this happened, who knew a child was attacked by a gator at WDW in the 80's???

Which just proves how small a chance it is that this happens. Millions of visitors.

 

[ck2d]

For those chuckling or worrying about the look of these fences....For shame! For shame!

I like that they won't ever let people thing for a second that they would hold back an alligator, because there's no fence that will. If it looked sturdier, people would assume that everything was okay. They are more reminders than anything else.

I hope they add some CM's to monitor the beach and make sure people don't jump the rope. You know someone's going to try it tomorrow, if they haven't already today.

 

[ziravan]

Only if the family agrees to a settlement.

The family will agree.

1. The settlement will be 8 figures and the family will get that immediately instead of after years of litigation.

2. They won't have to re-live this in open court.

3. It was a tragic accident. It's not a given that a jury would award anywhere near what Disney will offer. My guess is they will offer in the neighborhood of $20 million. Not trying to be crass at this point, but the reality is the family's story is probably worth $10 million without Disney. The non-disclosure agreement is worth at least twice that to Disney.

4. That family is going to go through the "woulda shouldofs" all by themselves without the need of an extensive court case to prolong it.

I have no doubt that this never sees a Courtroom.

 

[PuppyJonathan]

I believe the toddler drowning at AOA happened at night when no lifeguards were on duty. The family decided to go swimming at night, someone didn't pay attention for a moment and the child drowned. All of the pools at that time had signs posted after hours that lifeguards are not present and swim at your own risk. Shortly after the incident fences were erected around the pools (some not all) and hours of operation were changed.

Wasn't it before that the pools were 24 hours?