Gator grabs 2 year old at Grand Floridian?

[rteetz]

My kids have played in lots of beaches at disney resorts along with many other children there were always children playing int he water. I'm sick to my stomach just thinking about this. I think this is 100% disney's fault. They should have not created beaches along an alligator infested lake. The damn lagoon was a stupid idea in the first place. Getting out of MK is such a pain because of the damn thing.

Really? This is Florida you don't need to have a beach for an attack. Alligators are everywhere. I don't think you can place 100% blame on Disney. The Lagoom is part of the theming to the area and something Walt wanted. It's not supposed to be convenient for you to get out of the MK.

 

[rteetz]

The signs are about swimming not wading. Not everyone is a native floridian and knows the dangers of gators. The first time I took my kids to CBR a CM told me it was ok for the kids to put their feet in the water.

Well that CM was misinformed.

 

[Delgado]

People have been bringing up jet skis. I can't say I've ever seen single person jet skis out on the water and don't even know if they have them available. Disney does have two person sea raycers that are similar to a jet ski but more like a small boat. I really don't think Disney rents out single person jet skis. They might have in the past but haven't for a few years at least.

Watercraft rentals, wakeboarding, tubing, waterskiing... And just so were clear....the know before you go says nothing about alligators but you better show up 15 min early and you have to wear a life jacket (theres the false sense of security)

 

[cruisingtwins]

Really? This is Florida you don't need to have a beach for an attack. Alligators are everywhere. I don't think you can place 100% blame on Disney. The Lagoom is part of the theming to the area and something Walt wanted. It's not supposed to be convenient for you to get out of the MK.

I'm not from florida or even from the US I had no idea the lake was full of gators. The guy that drove us from the custom house told us it was fine for the kids to put their feet in the water. How am I supposed to know. Why even create a beach there. Why is there no signs with huge gators pictures. 100% disneys fault.

 

[Delgado]

Well that CM was misinformed.

Oh dear moderator, I wouldnt expect anything less...time to pass the blame

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Is this the part where I bring up the Disney employees are not exceptionally well trained and they don't pay more than minimum for talent. Sometimes they are overscheduled...sometime "under" scheduled. Life with a nametag.

That "talent" is often deductive reasoning. Did anyone see that horrible job by the "spokesperson" last night?
Simply awful. Why? She is drilled in dogma...honestly not paid to think. When there was no script...it came off as crass and silly. "The Walt Disney company is fully supporting the efforts of the officials"

Really? On your own massive grounds?...no ____.

People expect too much from Disney (not saying they shouldn't...but the reality is their faith is misplaced)...that is a fact.

Because people pay $700 a night at that place...they ASSUME that Disney has a desire to spend more than the bare minimum putting it back into the operation. They are incorrect 100% of the time.

Should people be told not to go into the lagoon? Absolutely.

Is it reasonable to expect them to? Perhaps.

Is it going to happen? Rarely.

That's the cold hard reality in the day to day operation.

 

[dlavender]

Almost everywhere else you go in Florida that has a body of water has alligator warning signs. Disney needs to change their docile no swimming signs, to a more appropriate warning. See the two below examples and tell me which one has a bigger impact, or paints the correct picture of the real danger.

Beach club sign:

Standard Alligator warning sign.

 

[mukorasirish]

The lake is not full of gators. It has gators. And to compare them with mosquitoes is silly. You can not spray to keep them away. They can swim through the many canals. They can and do walk MILES during mating season. Disney will NEVER be rid of them. Can they place more signage and should they? Yes and probably. Will this stop folks from wading into the water - no. Reality is there are those that have the "it will never happen to me attitude" as well as the "I don't need to follow the rules" attitude. To protect themselves Disney needs to change the line to - NO ENTERING the WATER. But at some point someone will choose not to follow the warnings. And then they will once again blame someone else.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I'm not from florida or even from the US I had no idea the lake was full of gators. The guy that drove us from the custom house told us it was fine for the kids to put their feet in the water. How am I supposed to know. Why even create a beach there. Why is there no signs with huge gators pictures. 100% disneys fault.

That employee was misinformed - but predictably so.

I know Caribbean like the back of my hand...

You know how many days a year there are herp handlers on that tract?

More than 364...

Even if you're not an animal person and don't know gators...ever look outside the window of a monorail or bus?
It's pretty big and wild out there.

Ever notice the birds? Or the anoles (lizards)?
You think Disney owns and feeds them?

So if "no"...how do they get in but all the "bad" meanies are kept out?

Armadillos? Bobcats? Deer?

...you see where I'm going with this...

 

[rteetz]

Oh dear moderator, I wouldnt expect anything less...time to pass the blame

Pass the blame? It is a well known thing on the Walt Disney World resort property that you are not supposed to go in the water. Not only for the safety from gators but because the Florida fresh water can carry amoebas that are quite dangerous to the body. The CM that told someone they could put their feet in the water was incorrect. Unfortunately sometimes CMs are misinformed.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Almost everywhere else you go in Florida that has a body of water has alligator warning signs. Disney needs to change their docile no swimming signs, to a more appropriate warning. See the two below examples and tell me which one has a bigger impact, or paints the correct picture of the real danger.

Beach club sign:

Standard Alligator warning sign.
View attachment 175603

One sign is not about selling something...

One is 100% about selling something.

Follow the money...in all things.

 

[rteetz]

I'm not from florida or even from the US I had no idea the lake was full of gators. The guy that drove us from the custom house told us it was fine for the kids to put their feet in the water. How am I supposed to know. Why even create a beach there. Why is there no signs with huge gators pictures. 100% disneys fault.

The lake is not full of gators however all Florida fresh bodies of water can easily attract gators. Why can't Disney put a beach there? There was a point in time too that swimming was allowed in the lagoon but that was over a decade ago maybe even two decades.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The lake is not full of gators however all Florida fresh bodies of water can easily attract gators. Why can't Disney put a beach there? There was a point in time too that swimming was allowed in the lagoon but that was over a decade ago maybe even two decades.

It's more
Like "half the time"

There is no emphasis on quality people or training. Ask 3 different people the same question...any question...and you are likely to get 2-3 different answers.

What time is the water pageant?

Apples to oranges? Maybe...maybe not

 

[rteetz]

It's more
Like "half the time"

There is no emphasis on quality people or training. Ask 3 different people the same question...any question...and you are likely to get 2-3 different answers.

What time is the water pageant?

Apples to oranges? Maybe...maybe not

I agree with you here. 3 CMs will sometimes give you 3 different answers. That needs to change.

 

[dlavender]

One sign is not about selling something...

One is 100% about selling something.

Follow the money...in all things.

Exactly.

One doesn't fit the "theme".

That's why Disney loses this one. Sometimes safety should trump theme. If they can list this outside of their rides, they can put up an appropriate alligator warning sign.

http://www.****************/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/space-mountain-safety-warnings-tomorrowland-magic-kingdom-walt-disney-world.jpg

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Exactly.

One doesn't fit the "theme".

That's why Disney loses this one. Sometimes safety should trump theme. If they can list this outside of their rides, they can put up an appropriate alligator warning sign.

http://www.****************/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/space-mountain-safety-warnings-tomorrowland-magic-kingdom-walt-disney-world.jpg

Bet those signs are being printed somewhat right now.

And do you think the alligators are being taken out of the tanks at the land?

Oh yeah...so they don't here "see! They grow them!!!!"

Gators are dumb creatures...but never underestimate the humans.

 

[Donald Duck888]

This whole thing is so very sad. My thoughts and prayers go out to this poor family.

As to what could have been done by Disney beforehand I really do not think they (or anyone) could have done anything to prevent this tragedy. Gators are a part of the swamps down there and Disney is build right in the middle of them.

One thing I will say and have always adhered to with my little one is never should you make contact with the water down there in those lakes and lagoons. It is not just the gators but also the microbes most notably the Ameoba that has been all in the news lately that also lives in those warm waters. Just not worth the risk. Perhaps they should change the sign from no swimming to stay 20' from the waters edge.

 

[Delgado]

The lake is not full of gators. It has gators. And to compare them with mosquitoes is silly. You can not spray to keep them away. They can swim through the many canals. They can and do walk MILES during mating season. Disney will NEVER be rid of them. Can they place more signage and should they? Yes and probably. Will this stop folks from wading into the water - no. Reality is there are those that have the "it will never happen to me attitude" as well as the "I don't need to follow the rules" attitude. To protect themselves Disney needs to change the line to - NO ENTERING the WATER. But at some point someone will choose not to follow the warnings. And then they will once again blame someone else.

Its only silly sounding because they cant chew you up? They can give you diseases that could kill you slowly or make you very ill. The point is they are part of natur and disney attempts to manipulate it. Im not saying disney should manipulate alligators. Im saying they should take appropriate meASures and keep people out of the water by not making it accesible.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I agree with you here. 3 CMs will sometimes give you 3 different answers. That needs to change.

For $9 an hour and a "guarantee" of 32 hours a week...

Not gonna happen. They chose their path during the "Disney decade"

 

[mcjaco]

The lake is not full of gators. It has gators. And to compare them with mosquitoes is silly. You can not spray to keep them away. They can swim through the many canals. They can and do walk MILES during mating season. Disney will NEVER be rid of them. Can they place more signage and should they? Yes and probably. Will this stop folks from wading into the water - no. Reality is there are those that have the "it will never happen to me attitude" as well as the "I don't need to follow the rules" attitude. To protect themselves Disney needs to change the line to - NO ENTERING the WATER. But at some point someone will choose not to follow the warnings. And then they will once again blame someone else.

THIS. It's the American way!

Pass the blame? It is a well known thing on the Walt Disney World resort property that you are not supposed to go in the water. Not only for the safety from gators but because the Florida fresh water can carry amoebas that are quite dangerous to the body. The CM that told someone they could put their feet in the water was incorrect. Unfortunately sometimes CMs are misinformed.

Amoebas? But that's silly.

Hey while we're at it, any idea why they closed River Country? I loved that place, and they're dumb for closing it and letting it rot.