Florida Wildlife at WDW

[Kristine316]

To be precise, the movies are not shown on the beach right next to the water. They are listed as being shown by the pool there. I won't get into the argument again about what the No Swimming signs mean or how people interpret them.

Yet on TMZ right now there are pictures of that beach and a ton of children wading in it. My guess is that is very common. So.. Sure there's a sign not to swim and sure people should be following it, no argument from me there. I sure know I wouldn't get in that water but, obviously many many people ignored that sign or misunderstood what it meant. Perhaps a parent sees a ton of other children wading in the water and thinks well that must be ok or wouldn't a CM tell them to get out??
But obviously even with the sign CM's were not telling people to stop wading. Because from what I am hearing kids waded in the water there all the time.

It's sort of like a big circle of responsibility that keeps coming around to Disney.. isn't it? No point arguing I agree. I am convinced Disney is at least partially responsible for this tragedy. If someone wants to believe otherwise that's their prerogative.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

This too

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Yet another. ...all on YouTube

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Aren't you just so helpful! I have all of this, thanks. I'm talking about reporting any specific incidents I witness.

I actually was trying to help, thank you. Best to be pro-active ahead of time. And, when you snap the picture of the criminal feeding a gator at WDW and run to a manager with it...be sure to have the criminals name and where they are staying. Just trying to help. Good Luck.

 

[DearDonald]

Disney is to blame. Yes, we should all be informed about the environment when we go to new places, but this is a resort and supposedly a controlled environment. If I go to Africa and stay at a resort, I should be informed if the no swimming sign includes the danger of Lions coming to the water hole at my RESORT! Disney should do more than post signs. They should provide everyone with an information pamphlet upon check in or in their rooms. They make cute videos on the Magical Express, telling us to watch our step. Disney is responsible for this. They should also stop showing movies on the beach at night.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

https://twitter.com/Attractions
Fence being put up at GF beach.

https://twitter.com/Attractions

 

[kittyab]

I wonder if there has been any python sightings in the resort area? (I am sure they are there, they are very good at hiding)

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Fence being put up at GF beach.

https://twitter.com/Attractions

They will have to do this around all their lakes and ponds. It may not stop a gator, but it should stop a guest. Disney is doing what it can to prevent another attack.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

So I have to say this....

I lived in Florida. We had a canal in our backyard. There were gators in it. Once or twice a year they would come into our pool (usually not because they don't like the chlorine, but at least into the enclosed patio). So I KNEW they were there.

I have walked outside the Grand Floridian and almost every Disney Resort. I walked around the lake at pop century. I walked around Caribbean. It never ONCE crossed my mind that there were probably alligators in those waters and I needed to be on alert. I didn't wade in them. I saw the beaches, but usually walked along them. if I had seen someone on the beach with their shoes off kicking in the water, it would not have occurred to me to stop them although I would have shook my head and thought "gross".

Now if you stopped and asked me (like news reporter style) if there were gators in the water, I almost certainly would have said "Well, it's Florida. This is a big area. They can't trap all of them. So, yeah".

However if you had not ASKED me, I would not have thought about it.

That said, the no swimming signs would have still tipped me off not to swim. however, I would have assumed it was due to things like sharp rocks, garbage, general uncleanlieness. Again, if you asked the question forcing me to think about it, sure I would have realized it in an instant. But it wouldn't just occur to me unless I thought about it.

I am willing to bet that's true with a good many people.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I wonder if there has been any python sightings in the resort area? (I am sure they are there, they are very good at hiding)

As of now, I think they are only in the wild in southern Fl... here is some onfo
http://www.snake-removal.com/burmesepythonflorida.html

 

[kittyab]

Yet on TMZ right now there are pictures of that beach and a ton of children wading in it. My guess is that is very common. So.. Sure there's a sign not to swim and sure people should be following it, no argument from me there. I sure know I wouldn't get in that water but, obviously many many people ignored that sign or misunderstood what it meant. Perhaps a parent sees a ton of other children wading in the water and thinks well that must be ok or wouldn't a CM tell them to get out??
But obviously even with the sign CM's were not telling people to stop wading. Because from what I am hearing kids waded in the water there all the time.

It's sort of like a big circle of responsibility that keeps coming around to Disney.. isn't it? No point arguing I agree. I am convinced Disney is at least partially responsible for this tragedy. If someone wants to believe otherwise that's their prerogative.

I have seen so many guest break rules, ignore signs and CM's don't say a word because they don't want to upset a guest. So this alone in my mind makes them some what responsible.

 

[kittyab]

As of now, I think they are only in the wild in southern Fl... here is some onfo
http://www.snake-removal.com/burmesepythonflorida.html

But I imagine there are other water snakes in the area.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I actually was trying to help, thank you. Best to be pro-active ahead of time. And, when you snap the picture of the criminal feeding a gator at WDW and run to a manager with it...be sure to have the criminals name and where they are staying. Just trying to help. Good Luck.

I misunderstood -- apologies! Thank you.

 

[dfb]

There are signs and announcements all over Disney that tell us to to keep our hands and arms inside the ride at all times, keep our seatbelt fastened to until the ride comes to a complete stop!!

But to say that a sign stating beware of alligators shouldn't be needed because everyone knows alligators are in Florida and lions are in Africa, an so on, is not reasonable.

It is reasonable that a guest should be able to be in a public access area at the resort without being attacked. If Disney cannot guarantee this (which they never can) they have a responsibility to warn guest. Disney did not put up signs warning about alligators because it would instill fear in their guest (which they should) but that would not be magical - ie bad for business. Disney is neglectful in this death and anyone who has fed an alligator in the wild at Disney or anywhere else is responsible for that child's death.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

But I imagine there are other water snakes in the area.

Yes, cotton mouths aka water moccasins...here ya go
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...ERnSQ7ezntIkNVolA&sig2=SSVzmT47W3dvQx8Bw5g1_A

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

They will have to do this around all their lakes and ponds. It may not stop a gator, but it should stop a guest. Disney is doing what it can to prevent another attack.

I agree that this is them trying to prevent another tragedy (and honestly, trying to protect/rehab their brand wrt safety).

From what I understand it certainly wouldn't stop a gator. It'll likely deter most guests, but some will undoubtedly climb over. Then people will be saying the fence should be stronger, wall should have been built, etc., etc.

I've been strongly making the point that they should have clear signage warning of the potential danger and that feeding gators is illegal, etc. I also think they should come down like a ton of bricks on anyone breaking the law and feeding gators.

My personal position is that people should be informed by Disney. Beyond that, it does feel to me like our personal responsibility should take over -- not a flimsy fence.

JMHO.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

There are signs and announcements all over Disney that tell us to to keep our hands and arms inside the ride at all times, keep our seatbelt fastened to until the ride comes to a complete stop!!

But to say that a sign stating beware of alligators shouldn't be needed because everyone knows alligators are in Florida and lions are in Africa, an so on, is not reasonable.

It is reasonable that a guest should be able to be in a public access area at the resort without being attacked. If Disney cannot guarantee this (which they never can) they have a responsibility to warn guest. Disney did not put up signs warning about alligators because it would instill fear in their guest (which they should) but that would not be magical - ie bad for business. Disney is neglectful in this death and anyone who has fed an alligator in the wild at Disney or anywhere else is responsible for that child's death.

They have all those signs around the attractions because they can control them. They cannot control mother nature and FL Wildlife. The majority of places do not warn of these. Yes, some resorts do have gator signs but not all do. If we were getting technical here, every single property in the State of FL that has a ditch, drain, or any type of water near or around it's property need to warn you then. On your next trip to FL, look around, take note that they don't. They feel if you are coming to the State, you should know this. Is it right, maybe not, but it's not a law for them to tell you unless they are keeping a gator there to show you. In that case, it's not wildlife

 

[DearDonald]

I thought I was informed about the alligators, and I'm from the PNW. I thought I read recently that they removed them after they reached a certain size (4 feet). I guess I was mistaken. I also thought it was a possibility that they had some kind of underwater barriers along the man made beaches to keep the gators at bay. Evidently not. I think Disney has been negligent in holding beach side events at night (like movies and the light parade), since alligators are more active at night. Also, human vision is reduced.

 

[perkinsrose]

I have not read through every post (insults and all)...

I noticed a news article that said that watercraft had been halted but now ferries are running.

I am wondering if friendship boats are still halted or running from Beachclub/crescent lake area to studios.
We often walked that path instead of boat but I suppose inherently some risk (as low as the risk IS statistically of any problems) to walk even more so that the boat (?)

We often saw many interesting birds, ducks and turtles but never an alligator.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

This was about 2 weeks ago at a shopping center in my sister's town. If you were visiting as a tourist , would you demand they put signs warning you? Just wondering? ???
http://www.mynews13.com/content/new...ticles/cfn/2016/6/6/alligator_takes_a_st.html