Disney will post Alligator warning signs and fences

[jodifla]

Picture of alligator on campus at the University of Florida:

http://www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc16318.php

 

[HopperFan]

I still don't know how the person heard about cuts to the program. I haven't heard anything about Disney making cuts to their alligator removal program.

Oh I don't believe him. Everyone wants to state excuses why this happened as if you can predict a something like 1 in 32 million incident.

My comment was more he states a fact, argues I don't understand what was said but then goes back and changes the post to a completely different statement. So ...

 

[HopperFan]

Everybody is different, but to DH and I "no swimming" means not to get into the water. With not knowing why they posted that sign, we assumed that something was wrong with the water that would make us not want to get into it in any way. We are from the Midwest with no alligators and still don't touch the water when a "no swimming" sign is posted.

EXACTLY!

I have asked "WHY can't you swim?" No answers have come forward. Why?

If you can't swim it's because for whatever reason SOMETHING in the water is not safe. 3 inches or 3 feet doesn't matter.

 

[Planogirl]

EXACTLY!

I have asked "WHY can't you swim?" No answers have come forward. Why?

If you can't swim it's because for whatever reason SOMETHING in the water is not safe. 3 inches or 3 feet doesn't matter.

That's how I always took it too. I think that some people prefer to have things spelled out more literally though. I think that it's in Disney's best interests to be as precise as possible.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

EXACTLY!

I have asked "WHY can't you swim?" No answers have come forward. Why?

If you can't swim it's because for whatever reason SOMETHING in the water is not safe. 3 inches or 3 feet doesn't matter.

No lifeguard. In which case thre inches and three feet does matter. A lot. Also boating traffic. Lots of boats in the SSL. And inches and feet matter there as well.

 

[leahgoogle]

No lifeguard. In which case thre inches and three feet does matter. A lot. Also boating traffic. Lots of boats in the SSL. And inches and feet matter there as well.

But, the sign doesn't specify. If I don't know why there is no swimming, I use caution and don't get in the water at all in case it is a problem with the water (bacteria) or something in the water that is the issue.

 

[ParkHoppers]

EXACTLY!

I have asked "WHY can't you swim?" No answers have come forward. Why?

If you can't swim it's because for whatever reason SOMETHING in the water is not safe. 3 inches or 3 feet doesn't matter.

A child could put some water in a water bucket without going in the water what so ever. If you knew anything about gators you would know that they can come out of the water a bit to attack something so your comment is debunked.

 

[HopperFan]

No lifeguard. In which case thre inches and three feet does matter. A lot. Also boating traffic. Lots of boats in the SSL. And inches and feet matter there as well.

Not even sure what you are saying.

But as to the no lifeguard ..... Disney does allow swimming without lifeguards and there will be a sign that says "Swim at your own Risk" ............ there is no signs like this. For most dangers in that water, inches/feet, absolutely doesn't matter.

A child could put some water in a water bucket without going in the water what so ever. If you knew anything about gators you would know that they can come out of the water a bit to attack something so your comment is debunked.

Completely disagree. Especially given I mentioned NOTHING about alligators. So I don't even know what you are debunking.

But since you did ... I know about alligators, I know how they work, I know they will never be removed, I know that this hysteria is completely out of control, I know that rational people will be sad for the family but realize most the ideas on these boards are way off base.

And to the child putting water in their bucket - they are also putting dangerous organisms in their bucket and putting their arms within inches of snakes, snapping turtles and more.

So far no one has answered my question. WHY does it say "No Swimming"?

Answer: Because something dangerous is in the water.

 

[angelmav]

Not even sure what you are saying.

But as to the no lifeguard ..... Disney does allow swimming without lifeguards and there will be a sign that says "Swim at your own Risk" ............ there is no signs like this. For most dangers in that water, inches/feet, absolutely doesn't matter.



Completely disagree. Especially given I mentioned NOTHING about alligators. So I don't even know what you are debunking.

But since you did ... I know about alligators, I know how they work, I know they will never be removed, I know that this hysteria is completely out of control, I know that rational people will be sad for the family but realize most the ideas on these boards are way off base.

And to the child putting water in their bucket - they are also putting dangerous organisms in their bucket and putting their arms within inches of snakes, snapping turtles and more.

So far no one has answered my question. WHY does it say "No Swimming"?

Answer: Because something dangerous is in the water.

Do you also know that Disney had a growing alligator problem as they were becoming desensitized due to repeated feedings by guests? Or are you willfully ignorant of what is coming out?

This wasn't a 1/32 million occurance. It was a likelihood that was steadily building.

And yes, that terrible water that was somehow safe for parasailing and other water activities...

 

[ParkHoppers]

I guess " No swimming " just says it all then. Even though rational people know Disney used this unclear sign because it was the least scary to guest they obviously wanted using the resort beaches. Frankly those saying the vague no swimming signs said all people needed to know are the ones off base.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

I guess " No swimming " just says it all then. Even though rational people know Disney used this unclear sign because it was the least scary to guest they obviously wanted using the resort beaches. Frankly those saying the vague no swimming signs said all people needed to know are the ones off base.

Not exactly, we just have different life experiences. I think it is clear to all of us that Disney needs more direct signage, since it's irrefutable that people weren't sufficiently aware that the water was dangerous. It's my sincere hope that the next time everyone who's reading these threads sees a "No Swimming" sign, they don't go in or near the water. Because even though Disney will be changing their signs, not every recreation area with "No swimming" signs will be changing their signs.

 

[michelepa]

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.

When I stayed at the Poly with my son we were given a shovel and pail for him to play on the Poly beach. All the beaches are set up by Disney to be used by their guests including hammocks, lounge chairs, fire pits, smore making and movies on the beach to name a few things I have experienced with my family. Yes, Disney absolutely promoted the entire use of the beach including the waters edge.

The need for alligator warning signs was and is a legal responsibility issue for Disney who has a duty to warn its guests of any hidden dangers. It's part of American tort and Floridia law. Even if Disney didnt want to warn for whatever reason -this tradgedy outweighs that rationale and has really put the spotlight on them to make changes that comport more closely to the law.

 

[STLstone]

Do you also know that Disney had a growing alligator problem as they were becoming desensitized due to repeated feedings by guests? Or are you willfully ignorant of what is coming out?

This wasn't a 1/32 million occurance. It was a likelihood that was steadily building.

And yes, that terrible water that was somehow safe for parasailing and other water activities...

The sign on the beach at the Contemporary is about 160 feet from the jet skis you can rent. Yes, the Contemporary is on Bay Lake, not the lagoon. But they're connected by a short channel. It's the same water. There's no reason to believe Disney was trying to say the water itself was unsafe. They blow that possible perception by letting you play in it for a fee.

In fact, as all of our experts have explained this week, alligators can attack even if you're just near the water. How do "no swimming" signs warn of that?

I think some of the apologists have got to just be worried about the stock price because some of these explanations are stretching the imagination.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Not even sure what you are saying.

I was responding to the post saying that no one in any thread had come up with any explanation for what No Swimming could have possibly meant other than avoid the water at all costs. And frankly PLENTY of people have offered that they thought the vague sign meant "No lifeguards" while others thought it meant don't swim due to boat traffic.

The post I was responding to said that because No Swimming was just so obviously referring to the water being scary and dangerous so much so that it didn't matter if you were in three feet or three inches. But if you interpret the sign as being no lifeguards, then no one needs to be watched over by a lifeguard while standing in three inches of water. And no one needs to worry about being mowed over by a boat in three inches of water. SO if you interpreted the sign that way, as many did, then it absolutely makes a difference.

 

[STLstone]

I was responding to the post saying that no one in any thread had come up with any explanation for what No Swimming could have possibly meant other than avoid the water at all costs. And frankly PLENTY of people have offered that they thought the vague sign meant "No lifeguards" while others thought it meant don't swim due to boat traffic.

The post I was responding to said that because No Swimming was just so obviously referring to the water being scary and dangerous so much so that it didn't matter if you were in three feet or three inches. But if you interpret the sign as being no lifeguards, then no one needs to be watched over by a lifeguard while standing in three inches of water. And no one needs to worry about being mowed over by a boat in three inches of water. SO if you interpreted the sign that way, as many did, then it absolutely makes a difference.

Growing up in the midwest, you might see something like this if you needed to completely stay out of the water (sorry so giant):

So, obviously the technology exists to impart the appropriate knowledge to people through the use of signs.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Disney just didn't want that ugly red scare factor. It's just not pleasant. The No Swimming sign they did have….it had a stick figure doing freestyle pictured underneath it, didn't it? Clear as mud.

 

[STLstone]

Disney just didn't want that ugly red scare factor. It's just not pleasant. The No Swimming sign they did have….it had a stick figure doing freestyle pictured underneath it, didn't it? Clear as mud.

Everybody knows that's the international symbol for "you could be attacked by an alligator if you get near the edge of the water after twighlight - just like everyone in Florida already knows, so why don't you quit being irresponsible with yourself and your family?"

 

[HopperFan]

Hysteria; exaggerated or uncontrollable emotion or excitement,
especially among a group of people, is alive and well on DIS.

I think many have given rational answers to irrational comments. There is really no point in feeding into the hysteria. It is VERY CLEAR to see that you should not enter regardless of any signs. That vegetation is FULL of wildlife; snapping, poisonous and worse. At some point common sense has to kick in. DO NOT enter the water.

This is the GF beach right before the fence went up. Even pictures of children in the water shows the vegetation sticking up through the water by shore.

I hope they remove all beaches, remove all beach activities, remove firework viewing from beaches, build fencing to keep humans on the sidewalks by the bodies of water and signs throughout to not just warn what comes with Florida but to assign responsibility to guests for their actions.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Hysteria; exaggerated or uncontrollable emotion or excitement,
especially among a group of people, is alive and well on DIS.

I think many have given rational answers to irrational comments. There is really no point in feeding into the hysteria. It is VERY CLEAR to see that you should not enter regardless of any signs. That vegetation is FULL of wildlife; snapping, poisonous and worse. At some point common sense has to kick in. DO NOT enter the water.

I hope they remove all beaches, remove all beach activities, remove firework viewing from beaches, build fencing to keep humans on the sidewalks by the bodies of water and signs throughout to not just warn what comes with Florida but to assign responsibility to guests for their actions.

Oh please. Enough with the trotting out "hysteria" to describe my reaction. I think Disney should have BETTER SIGNS. And they should not promote their beaches as something they are not.

The bottom line is, no matter what anyone thinks, Disney is doing what they are being advised to do regarding this terrible situation. And they seem to be doing what I believe most rational people can see they should have been doing in the first place.

I get that Disney gives some people the feels. It does to me too, especially back in the mid-90s when I desperately wanted to be an animator and I could have spent all day at MGM hanging out in the animation building Back then it was the best place in the world to me. Doesn't mean they can't make a mistake.

 

[jimsanfilippo]

When I stayed at the Poly with my son we were given a shovel and pail for him to play on the Poly beach. All the beaches are set up by Disney to be used by their guests including hammocks, lounge chairs, fire pits, smore making and movies on the beach to name a few things I have experienced with my family. Yes, Disney absolutely promoted the entire use of the beach including the waters edge.

The need for alligator warning signs was and is a legal responsibility issue for Disney who has a duty to warn its guests of any hidden dangers. It's part of American tort and Floridia law. Even if Disney didnt want to warn for whatever reason -this tradgedy outweighs that rationale and has really put the spotlight on them to make changes that comport more closely to the law.

100% agree.