Gator grabs 2 year old at Grand Floridian?

[rteetz]

I mean I'm not saying legally they shouldn't have a sign or that they didn't have some shortcomings here. But to my knowledge the beaches are usually low lit at night and whatnot which isnt a bright idea to go out on in the first place. I'll just say like I did before, it was an awful incident and I think poking blame too deep at either party is too much

I agree for the most part. I think getting rid of the beaches is a bit ridiculous but maybe it's time there should be closing time for the beaches at maybe 10? Or so.

 

[Maleffiecent41]

I don't know if that matters in this case. Many people think Disney is a safe bubble and things like this won't happen. Heck I wouldn't expect a gator to attack my child. It's just not something that commonly happens at Disney let alone the state of Florida.

Yes but you can't say at that point that you had no knowledge that something could happen. Also, you know better than to ignore a no swimming sign as a Board Member.

 

[mshanson3121]

I agree I just think you can't really prevent something 100% like this.

I really don't think anyone here does. But I think we do all agree there is a chance it may have been prevented, if Disney had been on the ball with proper warnings etc...

 

[Dentam]

The media is a bunch of (*#@(*@!

Just looking thru twitter and CNN has a helicopter high power zoom camera shot of the boat with the boys body slightly visible on the deck of the boat. The search and rescue people cover the body so you then realize what you were looking at.

Now as an accident showing it once I'll give them some leeway for it being live TV but seriously posting that clip on their twitter account!!! ***!

This makes me livid. Completely unethical.

 

[umichigan10]

The danger level of being at the shore line at night where alligators may be present is significant. To not post a warning to that effect...negligent. Most of the activities you describe, while dangerous, don't carry near the same degree of risk this family was put in by sheer proximity to what amounts to natures loaded weapon.

True but I sort of think it should be common knowledge that a standing like in Florida=gators but can absolutely see how from a legal standpoint they should absolutely have signs posted. I just think there's plenty of blame to go around and I don't think its good to pin it all on one party in the matter

 

[mshanson3121]

Yes but you can't say at that point that you had no knowledge that something could happen. Also, you know better than to ignore a no swimming sign as a Board Member.

Again, the No Swimming doesn't equate no wading, at least not to everyone. Also, do you have any idea how clueless board members can be of details like this? It would surprise you. Maybe he knew, but I certainly wouldn't assume he did based on that tidbit.

 

[rteetz]

The danger level of being at the shore line at night where alligators may be present is significant. To not post a warning to that effect...negligent. Most of the activities you describe, while dangerous, don't carry near the same degree of risk this family was put in by sheer proximity to what amounts to natures loaded weapon.

Alligator related deaths are rare though. While I'm not saying they should have signs or not but there almost is the same amount of risk standing outside during a thunderstorm and getting struck by lightning than getting attack by an alligator. You are more likely to die from a bee sting.

 

[umichigan10]

I agree for the most part. I think getting rid of the beaches is a bit ridiculous but maybe it's time there should be closing time for the beaches at maybe 10? Or so.

That's a good idea. I mean, having guests able to access a low lit, open body of water at all hours is playing with fire to begin with

 

[rteetz]

Yes but you can't say at that point that you had no knowledge that something could happen. Also, you know better than to ignore a no swimming sign as a Board Member.

True but the child wasn't swimming they were in the water up the their ankles. Many have said they would've have previously found that to be ok.

 

[Maleffiecent41]

Again, the No Swimming doesn't equate no wading, at least not to everyone. Also, do you have any idea how clueless board members can be of details like this? It would surprise you. Maybe he knew, but I certainly wouldn't assume he did based on that tidbit.

They had been to Disney before and after having children and as one poster said people even with appropriate signage let their children do all kinds of stupid things at Disney. I think after this though the Beaches should close at dusk and not open again until daylight to be extra cautious.

 

[ChipnDale79]

Right. And then there are safety standards that even police divers have to abide by. Putting a diver in the water at night has risks at the best of times. Putting a diver in the water at night in known alligator territory, when the diver would have 0% chance of seeing one near him is folly. And frankly, divers, in this situation, would be no use for rescue, on!y for recovery. And for that, daylight is soon enough, as hard as the wait is.

We have a lake here, last week a swimmer went missing, the next day a diver also had problems and passed as well. You're right, diving in these lakes is really dangerous. They can't do it at night

 

[rteetz]

That's a good idea. I mean, having guests able to access a low lit, open body of water at all hours is playing with fire to begin with

I believe they start the outdoor movies at 9PM so they could adjust that time to 10:30 or whatever to accommodate the movie but after that it's not necessary to be on the beach really. It's just a thought.

 

[rteetz]

They had been to Disney before and after having children and as one poster said people even with appropriate signage let their children do all kinds of stupid things at Disney. I think after this though the Beaches should close at dusk and not open again until daylight to be extra cautious.

I don't think we will see that happen. However I wouldn't be surprised if different signage goes up.

 

[angelmav]

You know the problem with claiming that as a meaningful statistic? It's not true. To be valid, you would have to say what are the odds of a small child being attacked at night, near alligator infested waters to have any merit! Clearly, I would think that scenario would have a much greater risk factor.

But sure, me sitting in Seattle Washington probably is more likely to get hit by a meteor or struck by lightning. That's helpful info.

 

[ELSA711]

True but the child wasn't swimming they were in the water up the their ankles. Many have said they would've have previously found that to be ok.

I thought it said a foot of water which is much higher than the ankles of a toddler

 

[rteetz]

You know the problem with claiming that as a meaningful statistic? It's not true. To be valid, you would have to say what are the odds of a small child being attacked at night, near alligator infested waters to have any merit! Clearly, I would think that scenario would have a much greater risk factor.

But sure, me sitting in Seattle Washington probably is more likely to get hit by a meteor or struck by lightning. That's helpful info.

What can you say though? Alligator attacks are incredibly uncommon. Alligators are not known to attack people but can mistake a small child for a small animal which is likely what the gator did here. You can't prevent something like this without getting rid of alligators altogether which just is not possible.

 

[rteetz]

I thought it said a foot of water which is much higher than the ankles of a toddler

I don't know where that came from but from the news conferences I have watched they said the child was in water around there ankles.

 

[ELSA711]

I don't know where that came from but from the news conferences I have watched they said the child was in water around there ankles.

Okay, thanks. Must have misread it
Either way, its a terrible tragedy
I just can't fathom this on any level as a mother

 

[lockedoutlogic]

i just can't agree with this comment. I am a west coaster. We know about the dangers of the ocean. I also know that I can go in the water up to my ankles at night. With others around of course, but I feel no danger. I would have had no idea at the man made lake at the Grand Floridian. Especially knowing how Disney works to control all aspects of their environment. I didn't when I allowed my daughters to do so a few years back at the Poly. I understand your point that blame may not have a place here. But please stop insulting my and the intelligence of many.

You're not 2...and you can defend yourself.

Based on the reports that have come out...one toddler in the water and 4 others on the sand...do you think that the circumstances were good?

See...the is the classic disboards thing. Everybody wants it always to be "opinion" based and nobody wants anyone To be told that they're wrong. But sometimes things are "more correct" or "less correct"...but you can't say that because it becomes hurt feelings.

It was a tragic event. I'm sure Disney will respond. But there is some personal responsibility here and everyone should take that into account.

Too much "I wouldn't even think that at Disney..." Going on...

...so the correct response is to start thinking...is it not? Prevent further problems through wise actions...as much as you can.

 

[2009CAN]

I've missed a ton of comments because ... I had real life to tend to, so maybe this have been said. The fact that the boy drown, and was pretty close to shore ... I don't know, it makes me feel worse. I believe the dad did everything he could to save his son, do NOT get me wrong, but I think if I were in his shoes I wouldn't be able to shut the part of my brain down that was telling me, "why didn't you stay in the water looking, the gator dropped him and you could have saved him," etc.
Again, I 100% believe that the dad fought with every ounce of fight he had, but it's "normal" to have those hind-sight doubts.
Those parents and the siblings are so on my mind and heart.