Disney World removes gators from shows and rides

[minnie mum]

I asked about Alligator Bayou on another thread (twice I think) because I wondered if it had come up as a possible issue. I hope my posts weren't interpreted as "calling for the renaming of Alligator Bayou" as I would definitely not be in that camp.

No, it wasn't your posts I was referring to, although I read them.

 

[monorailrabbit]

I also agree that pulling Louis and Tic Tock are a bit much. I love Louis - he was my favorite character in that movie, and I've never been able to see him in a park, I was super excited about that. I also agree that in 2016 it seems like every thing offends or upsets someone. This event was so very tragic, but it was an accident. I agree about removing the joke from JC, but I hope the rest of this (including no one allowed to walk the beach after sunset) is only temporary.

 

[mom2rtk]

Has anyone heard if they made similar adjustments at Disneyland following the incident?

 

[bcla]

Has anyone heard if they made similar adjustments at Disneyland following the incident?

They cut the crocodile joke on the Jungle Cruise.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-cuts-crocodile-joke-jungle-903612

 

[TiggerBouncy]

This is definitely over the top. It's a slippery slope. You could easily make an argument that pirates attacked a cruise ship, so shut down pirates of the carribean.

Pooh is a BEAR. How many bear attacks are there a year? More then gators.

Of... and lets not forget that maleficent turns into a DRAGON.

 

[mefordis]

I think Disney is making a bad move with all of this. They should just erect the rope (which they did) and leave everything alone. By getting rid of all of the alligator references they are looking guilty for promoting gators and could be accused of promoting alligator attacks. We don't know what might come up if they are being sued.

 

[aristocatz]

I would like to know how the parents feel about the removal? I understand the ride jokes, especially at WDW, but to remove the parade float? And to ban them from the new show days before its open? And what about at dl where there are NO alligators or crocodiles? I mean removing the crocodile from Mickeys magical map show? No I did not read that in any online article but I know the ride joke was removed world wide. So what is the point where it's just a little too much?

The parents of the little boy who died? I'm sure they feel nothing about the removal. Their little boy died in the most horrible way anyone could imagine. I'm sure they never want to think or hear about anything WDW related ever again.

As far as my own opinion, if this is true, I"m going to guess that the decision is both temporary and necessary from a PR standpoint.

 

[MrsDuck]

Ridiculous.

 

[bcla]

Just as aside, I remember years ago I got a present - a book titled The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook.

It had a page on what to do if an alligator clamps down on someone. My understanding is that dad tried to pry open the jaws, but that doesn't typically work. That book recommended punching a gator on the snout to get it to release. One website I saw recommended gouging the eyes. Regardless, nobody is strong enough to pry open an adult gator's jaws.

 

[GPC0321]

No, it wasn't your posts I was referring to, although I read them.

Good, that makes me feel better!

 

[GPC0321]

Of... and lets not forget that maleficent turns into a DRAGON.

And dragon attacks have been in the news a lot lately.

 

[MariMama]

This is definitely over the top. It's a slippery slope. You could easily make an argument that pirates attacked a cruise ship, so shut down pirates of the carribean.

Pooh is a BEAR. How many bear attacks are there a year? More then gators.

Of... and lets not forget that maleficent turns into a DRAGON.

There was just a fatal bear attack yesterday, matter of fact.

 

[ryansstitch]

I've been thinking a lot about the changes that have been made in the Parks and how much everyone is flipping their lids about them. I really think they have a lot more to do with the fact that kids around the world may have overheard their parents (or any adults, really) talking about the tragedy or overheard the news on TV in the other room discussing the incident.

The last thing anyone needs when they're on vacation at Disney is for their child to see an alligator or crocodile, real or fake, at a Disney Park and lose their minds being scared. Can you imagine if a young child who knew of this story saw the crocodile up on the stage show in front of the Castle or anywhere else where they've been removed? I think it was a smart move - for now, anyway.

Exactly!! People often forget children are not miniature adults. I'm a child trauma therapist and people often underestimate how real and deeply just the news can traumatize many children. Just look up studies of the PTSD reactions of American children all over the country after 9/11. And just telling them not to be afraid is often not enough, because of the part of the brain that controls fear. It's preverbal. Just from watching the news and overhearing adults talk, some kids reacted as if they had been at the towers!!This alligator tragedy was certainly not 9/11, but it did take a place that many children associate with safety and joy, and mixed some very scary imagery in. For all a 5 year old knows, there could be an alligator waiting around every corner of the Magic Kingdom.

 

[msjprincess]

There was just a fatal bear attack yesterday, matter of fact.

Unless it happened on Disney property, it's really not relevant. The only reason they are removing things related to alligators/crocodiles is because it happened on their property.

 

[MariMama]

Unless it happened on Disney property, it's really not relevant. The only reason they are removing things related to alligators/crocodiles is because it happened on their property.

This is definitely over the top. It's a slippery slope. You could easily make an argument that pirates attacked a cruise ship, so shut down pirates of the carribean.

Pooh is a BEAR. How many bear attacks are there a year? More then gators.

Of... and lets not forget that maleficent turns into a DRAGON.

It was relevant to the post I was responding to and quoting.

 

[bcla]

Unless it happened on Disney property, it's really not relevant. The only reason they are removing things related to alligators/crocodiles is because it happened on their property.

Depends on the noteriety. A bear attack in Montana isn't as well known something like the Paris attacks. CBS rescheduled a few shows after the Paris attacks when they had bombing incidents in the plot.

 

[msjprincess]

It was relevant to the post I was responding to and quoting.

Sorry I meant to quote both posts.

 

[ElsieAstronaut]

Have they actually MADE any changes beyond cutting the jungle cruise joke? Or is all of it just speculation as to what they MAY do? From everything i've read so far, it seems like the latter.

 

[pocomom]

The parents of the little boy who died? I'm sure they feel nothing about the removal. Their little boy died in the most horrible way anyone could imagine. I'm sure they never want to think or hear about anything WDW related ever again.

As far as my own opinion, if this is true, I"m going to guess that the decision is both temporary and necessary from a PR standpoint.

Sadly, they never will be able to get away from it, since Disney, if not WDW, is everywhere. I think about that often. Especially since they have another little one, triggers could be everywhere from Halloween, to the mall, birthday parties, the news, a movie ... they can't live here with a young child and not be constantly exposed to Disney.

 

[declansdad]

And dragon attacks have been in the news a lot lately.

They will be, winter is coming!