Heartbreaking news...a big reminder to be aware of wildlife on property

[PSULion]

It's not hard to see how someone from Nebraska would not be aware of the threat of an alligator coming up to a sandy beach surrounded by beach chairs at a top Disney resort. Look at the following advertisement for water sports on the Seven Seas Lagoon. People water skiing, wake boarding, jet skiing. All those sports present a very high likelihood of someone coming into contact with a gator in the water. Amazing how Disney can be so reckless in allowing these activities to take place.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/contemporary-resort/sammy-duvall-watersports-centre/

But people do all these things in the oceans...where there are sharks... Which are much more likely to attack. Are all those companies reckless too?

 

[amg35]

It's not hard to see how someone from Nebraska would not be aware of the threat of an alligator coming up to a sandy beach surrounded by beach chairs at a top Disney resort. Look at the following advertisement for water sports on the Seven Seas Lagoon. People water skiing, wake boarding, jet skiing. All those sports present a very high likelihood of someone coming into contact with a gator in the water. Amazing how Disney can be so reckless in allowing these activities to take place.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/contemporary-resort/sammy-duvall-watersports-centre/

Well, my guess would be that those will all going away now anyways. We shouldn't blame the parents, I agree. But I don't think Disney has blame in this either. It's just nature and a horrible, tragic, freak accident. The most Disney should do is put up better signage. That's it.

 

[Lehuaann]

Fine but not what the sheriff just reported.

Fine? My response wasn't an argument. Sheesh...

 

[aprilp]

It's not hard to see how someone from Nebraska would not be aware of the threat of an alligator coming up to a sandy beach surrounded by beach chairs at a top Disney resort. Look at the following advertisement for water sports on the Seven Seas Lagoon. People water skiing, wake boarding, jet skiing. All those sports present a very high likelihood of someone coming into contact with a gator in the water. Amazing how Disney can be so reckless in allowing these activities to take place.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/contemporary-resort/sammy-duvall-watersports-centre/

It looks like that advertisement is for Bay Lake, which is adjacent to the Seven Seas Lagoon (SSL). I dont think they allow all that in the SSL due to the ferries and such (but I could be wrong). Anyway, Bay Lake is a natural lake, so I assume it is probably deeper whereas the SSL is man made and much shallower (edit: just looked it up: SSL reaches 14 feet, Bay Lake 35 feet, and they are connected by the water bridge). Also, when I lived in middle florida most everyone did those types of watersports in area lakes. They always said it was safe because the gators tended to stay around the shorelines in the more shallow waters or where the grasses were; that they wouldn't be out in the middle of the lakes, etc. And I never knew anyone who got bit/taken/eaten, so I guess they were probably right (though in my mind why risk it). Edit: Now that I'm thinking harder about it, I do remember some stories of dogs out wandering by the water's edge (in lakes and canals) who got taken/eaten.

 

[wendow]

It's not hard to see how someone from Nebraska would not be aware of the threat of an alligator coming up to a sandy beach surrounded by beach chairs at a top Disney resort. Look at the following advertisement for water sports on the Seven Seas Lagoon. People water skiing, wake boarding, jet skiing. All those sports present a very high likelihood of someone coming into contact with a gator in the water. Amazing how Disney can be so reckless in allowing these activities to take place.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/contemporary-resort/sammy-duvall-watersports-centre/

I guess the risk has not been that high since this is all done during the day and involving loud motorized boats which would certainly scare off an alligator. But like a pp said, I too think this will go away now.

 

[yulilin3]

The fact that this is the first time this has happened at WDW, the fact that there are very few alligators attacks state-wide each year and the fact that the body was found intact goes to show that alligators don't attack humans. The people doing any of the water activities have a better chance of drowning than of being attacked by a gator.

 

[margot31]

From my understanding that the baby was intact from what CNN is reporting and that is AMAZING. It is still very tragic oh yes....but at least the parents can take that baby home and put him to rest closer to them.

 

[wendow]

Fine? My response wasn't an argument. Sheesh...

I wasn't trying to be argumentative. I was just replying that I understand that is what the CM supposedly said but it is not what the sheriff said.

I really would like to read a transcript of what the sheriff stated at the press update. I know some do not care but to me being right at the water's edge vs being 10 feet out is a big difference when you are that little of a person.

Sorry, if I came across harsh. I didn't mean to!

 

[thedonduck]

It's not hard to see how someone from Nebraska would not be aware of the threat of an alligator coming up to a sandy beach surrounded by beach chairs at a top Disney resort. Look at the following advertisement for water sports on the Seven Seas Lagoon. People water skiing, wake boarding, jet skiing. All those sports present a very high likelihood of someone coming into contact with a gator in the water. Amazing how Disney can be so reckless in allowing these activities to take place.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/contemporary-resort/sammy-duvall-watersports-centre/

You realize that we (those of us in Southern States with alligators, and especially those in central FL) go into these bodies of water to swim, boat, water sky and fish. This isn't something that is unique to Disney.

 

[mjkacmom]

I wasn't trying to be argumentative. I was just replying that I understand that is what the CM supposedly said but it is not what the sheriff said.

I really would like to read a transcript of what the sheriff stated at the press update. I know some do not care but to me being right at the water's edge vs being 10 feet out is a big difference when you are that little of a person.

Sorry, if I came across harsh. I didn't mean to!

https://www.google.com/amp/www.nbcn...tor-near-disney-resort-n592641?client=safari#

 

[thedonduck]

https://www.google.com/amp/www.nbcn...tor-near-disney-resort-n592641?client=safari#

Right there quotes 6"-12" of water. The baby was no way on the shore of in ankle deep water.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm glad (if that's even the right word for such a situation) the child was found. No doubt the officials knew what gators normally do, and that's why they kept searching.

My husband and I have walked the path between Poly and GH dozens of times very late at night...inches from the lake...we are both handicapped and could never outrun a gator...castmembers who have seen us out at night never even once hinted there were gators...a sign should be there warning about exactly what risks are there...I cannot imagine how someone at WDW hasn't foreseen something like this...it is a tragedy.

An alligator of this size isn't going to go for an adult. Too big. They take smaller beings. Miniature poodles, corgis, etc. A small child playing there. YOU weren't in danger.

Gators and snakes at WDW are not common knowledge unless you're local, being Canadian I only found out because of this site or I'd never have known. How much do you guys know about what animals there are in Ottawa, New Delhi or Madrid?

Ottawa: Moose, bear.

New Dehli: Snakes, absolutely. I've seen news articles about elephants wreaking havoc in parts of India (though probably not in a big city). The movie Ghost and the Darkness showed lions, though (I just looked it up after typing what I had typed before these parentheses, to make sure the movie was actually set in India, and I found the following) that's not in the right area for the one state that has Asiatic lions).

Hmm, harder. Dangerous animals in Europe...some sort of big cats like mountain lions maybe? Snakes. Bulls at certain times of the year, though those are let out by humans.

 

[Polybound]

No, it's not the parents fault that an alligator attacked their son. When most people are at Disney, they feel like they're in a bubble, not only is it the happiest place on earth, many feel that it's safest as well, whether true or not, but they feel nothing could ever happen to them while there.

No, the parents shouldn't have aloud their child to swim in the lake.

No, Disney shouldn't be held responsible for every incident that occurs on their property. There was a sign that said no swimming and the child shouldn't have been swimming, especially at night. As everyone should know, the lakes, ponds, bayous and even water puddles of in Florida contain numerous forms wildlife that are dangerous. You can't expect any company to have to warn people to beware of the Lightning, Hurricanes, Tornados, Possible debris from high winds, deep water, Black Bears, Panthers, Bobcats, Alligators, Crocodiles, Water Moccasins, Copperheads, Rattle Snakes, Coral Snakes, Brown Recluses, Black Widows or numerous other poisonous spiders and snakes, scorpions, Bees, Wasp, Hornets, Fire Ants, poison Ivy, Oak, Bed Bugs, Stray Meteors, or anything else that may cause harm to you, though Have A Magical Day! Pretty soon, the sign will look like a Willy Wonka release form.

No. Disney shouldn't be sued, but they will be, and

Yes, this is a horrible tragedy and I know the parents are completely devastated and my prayers, not blame, go out to them.

 

[Lehuaann]

I wasn't trying to be argumentative. I was just replying that I understand that is what the CM supposedly said but it is not what the sheriff said.

I really would like to read a transcript of what the sheriff stated at the press update. I know some do not care but to me being right at the water's edge vs being 10 feet out is a big difference when you are that little of a person.

Sorry, if I came across harsh. I didn't mean to!

Sorry I misunderstood the tone

 

[bumbershoot]

Not that Disney ever allows jury trials to even start, but if they did, remember, it would be Floridians on that jury. And Floridians KNOW about alligators. And likely wouldn't be able to understand how someone wouldn't. I sure don't get it and I live almost as far away in the continental US as you can get from there.

If I were the parents I surely wouldn't be suing. If I sit on a beach in the dark in FL, I'm taking a risk. Of course, I don't sit on beaches at night in Florida. Especially not beaches along freshwater.

But maybe the family won't actually feel the need to sue. Not ALL families do, you know.

a reporter just said that he was told by a CM that disneyworld area is like Jurassic Park at night, referring to the large amount of alligators in that area

My son (I did tell him about this), in fact, quoted it last night in relation to this sadness. "Nature finds a way."

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

The thing is what people know or don't know is highly influenced by how they grew up and what their experiences are. So often people on the DIS say or imply that everyone who doesn't have their background is stupid, etc without realizing that a lot of what they know is culturally defined. I grew up fishing. Anyone who doesn't know that fish don't bite after a rain is dumb. Someone who grew up in Chicago might say that everyone knows that someone who wants to play a shell game with you on the El is a scam artist. It's obvious to the people with similar backgrounds but maybe not to those with different backgrounds.

Everyone should know that there are gators at Disney. Ok, but from the very first page of this thread it's obvious that a lot of people don't. And people who are veterans of the DIS boards - people who already research and plan. Everyone knows that No Swimming really means Don't Go in the Water. Well everyone who has experience in places where that is the norm and probably only fluent English speakers. Many pps have stated and even posted pictures that indicate that it doesn't have the same meaning everywhere.

And should people follow the rules? Yes. But does everyone do it all the time? How many people here drive over the speed limit? That's a law that many many people violate from time to time (if not regularly). If a parent is driving 60 mph in a 55 mph zone and gets hit by a drunk driver would we say 'Well, maybe if you we going the speed limit, your child wouldn't have died.' I hope not. And maybe if the child here had been staying just outside the water everything would have been fine but based on the experience of many small dogs we don't know that either.

I guess my point is that if people can accept that what is obvious to them may not be obvious to everyone for reasons that have nothing to do with stupidity, negligence, or a malicious disregard for the rules maybe we can all get along better.

My thoughts and prayers to Lane, his family, and all others affected by this awful tragedy.

 

[CAS239]

Absolutely brutal news, as a parent I can't even get a coherent thought together to say how sad I am.

One thing I would like to say is the signs should mention alligators. While I'd follow a sign saying stay out of the water, I completely understand why others might not. Most would assume it's probably because there's bacteria or no lifeguards. I would guess a lot more people would take things seriously if it says stay out, gators nearby. Gators and snakes at WDW are not common knowledge unless you're local, being Canadian I only found out because of this site or I'd never have known. How much do you guys know about what animals there are in Ottawa, New Delhi or Madrid? That's how much most visitors to WDW know about Orlando.

We have a college football team called the Florida Gators.

 

[pigletgirl]

A little late here, it's such a tragic situation. I held my girls a little tighter last night!

My only question to the parents would be, why would you let your son get into that icky water? I mean, it's just gross! Any little one splashing around at the water's edge is going to attract an alligator.

 

[jknc]

I honestly thought alligators and people wearing cut off denim shorts were the most symbolic images of Florida to international residents.

 

[MattRyan]

I don't think neither party is to blame here, it was simply a freak accident.

However, the "no swimming" signs are posted for a reason. We can argue "wading" vs. "swimming" all day, but what it boils down to is the sign is saying "do not get in this water." Should Disney have to post every possible reason for them - alligators, brain-eating amoeba, etc. ?