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

[Jadyreen1282]

brain eating amoebas I didn't know about that one I always assumed the no swimming signs were there because of motorized boats, etc. Amoebas

Lots more in there than that.

 

[Momof2Singers]

We just left WDW yesterday morning and when I heard this news, I just sat and cried. I have not read all of the posts here, but I am appalled by many. While you are arguing about signage and how perfect a parent you are (because nothing bad will ever happen to your child), maybe we should pull up some empathy and compassion. A two year old boy has died in a tragic ACCIDENT in front of his parents. His dad and mom will live with the images of this tragedy for the rest of their lives. In the next few days they will head back to Nebraska to pick out a casket and bury their child. They will look at his room, see his little clothes and his favorite toys, and relive that moment. They will hear his favorite song, see his favorite movie, or eat his favorite food and it will be devastating. They will have to explain to their son's little friends why he is gone. Perhaps you have never lost a child and I pray you never will, but think about how you would feel at that moment. These parents had taken their kids on a magical trip and were spending time with them. They were not negligent or abusive. His father was right beside him, trying to keep him safe. A freak occurrence snatched the life of their precious child. Why does someone have to be at fault? Bad things happen and sometimes we just need to be supportive and say I'm sorry this happened to you. I'm sorry your child died. Please don't feel like it was your fault or that there was anything else you could have done. Show some compassion.

Thank you for this. I just wrote a post, but deleted it, on this very topic. This is the world we live in, that is why our country is in such a mess. Some people beat up on others no matter what the situation. It's not just on this board, but comments made on news stories as well. These are loving parents, maybe more so than many making crazy statements and comments. Being judgmental appears to be easier than having compassion these days. The news is on now and Disney is reviewing all their signage regarding Alligators, since no signs were posted that they were in the lagoon. They also just said that Disney knew there were many alligators in the lagoon and having signs posted would have possibly deterred families from getting so close to the water's edge. Personally I have been at that edge, it could have happened to me, or my family, and you who have been at this resort, it could have been you. Its time to force negativity and judgement out of our thoughts and words. Praying for this precious family that they will find peace in the midst of the storm.

Coping this from poster Blonde, exactly what I was saying...https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.venditti.18/posts/10154371872047147

 

[dachsie]

Unfortunately, even with a "Beware of gators" sign people may have still waded in the very edge of the water. Who would have thought a gator would come up like that? There was no vegetation around. It looks like a peaceful beach. I don't think anyone could have anticipated this. First time in over 40 years of existence. It's a tragic freakish accident. If this family file a lawsuit, Disney will likely settle. They have insurance. I just pray for this family. They still have a 4 yr old they are probably trying to hold it together for and who probably doesn't understand where her little brother is. So very sad.

 

[chmurf]

Unfortunately, even with a "Beware of gators" sign people may have still waded in the very edge of the water

it was a freak accident, but it could still have been a freak accident without any gator involved.

The signs probably wouldn't have made a difference

Here's a picture from the Daily Mail showing the location of the accident and the signs that are posted there.
It doesn't need to spell GATOR to say DANGER.

 

[Pinkos]

See, in FL if it's fresh water, it's very dangerous, no matter who is standing next to you. If you visit a State, you should be aware of their wildlife

You can be aware of the wildlife and still not understand the full scope. I know Florida has gators, I know gators are dangerous, I did not know how viligant I had to be until hearing this story. It's not fair to expect ppl who are not used to living in these environments to fully grasp that.

I do not fault the family at all. I also do not think Disney is at fault. I do believe that Disney should have signage up about gators. I do not think they need a sign about every harmful thing bc to be honest if a sign says beware if alligators, no one will venture in or near.... U do not need to list it all.

Those that think assume a gator in all water should be common knowledge among tourists are delusional and are doing a disservice to those travelers. A few signs going up can go a long way in educating ppl.

 

[fbarker]

With that arguement, can I can sue the state of Florida if I go Swimming and get bit by a shark? I have yet to see any signs besides the stingray warnings, warning me of wild-life.
Can I sue the state park if I am Camping and poisoness snake slithers and bites me in my tent.

if Disney gets sued and one arguement is that they have no Fench, what precedence does this than start... do all residential complexes in the state, with any form of water Need to build fences??

this was a Freak accident, If now let's say People were being attacked weekly, then you have an arguement that wildlife was getting "out of control" and Disney failed to control...

I have seen nothing where Alligators have been a past "nuisance"

I agree with your logic but this will cause some changes and in some cases some significant changes. I also think that Disney will do the right thing and come up with a significant settlement to the family, without a court battle. This is an unfortunate incident and there is no real fault.

 

[kidshop]

There is a tiny little thought in the back of my mind wondering if it is possible that maybe gator monitoring and removal has seen some cutbacks. There, I said it.

Have they said the lengths of the gators they caught? I just can't help but wonder since nothing like this has ever happened, or even any close calls that I know of. Sweet Lane wasn't doing anything others haven't done thousands of times before him, IMO.

 

[chs27]

Please click this link. https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.venditti.18/posts/10154371872047147

Hug your babies a little tighter tonight.

Shared this post on my Facebook, if more people are aware of dangers, maybe this will never happen again. This lady posted pictures half hour before the tragedy in exactly the same spot.

 

[Eastern]

Does Disney need to add a disclaimer now that their "Magic" is really only in your mind and for fun?

They should have warned about the alligators. My point was, people going to Disney are not going camping in the wilderness of Canada, they are not touring a remote canyon, they are not in the African jungle. They are in Disney. Education about alligators would have been helpful. An alligator sign would have been helpful. A laminated folder about alligators near water, on the table, in the room, would have been helpful also. BECAUSE, then the parents would have been armed with the knowledge to keep their children safe.

Floridians know how to behave because they deal with their pets being stolen, as a wildlife person from Florida on tv said, 'every day'. Pets get killed by alligators every day, but it doesn't get publicized because it's not a human. Floridians see alligators in their backyard, every day, on the golf course, near water, wherever. Visitors from Nebraska do not.

They didn't know there were alligators where their baby was playing. If they did, I am fairly certain that they wouldn't have been out in a dangerous area, at night. Disney was wrong not to warn them about alligators near, and within, their property.

I find it curious that you want to make it seem like these people were less than careful, even stupid. They lost their child in the worst possible way. No one in their right mind would let that happen if they knew better. They didn't know better, and I do blame Disney for that.

 

[BlondeAppetit]

it was a freak accident, but it could still have been a freak accident without any gator involved.

The signs probably wouldn't have made a difference

Here's a picture from the Daily Mail showing the location of the accident and the signs that are posted there.
It doesn't need to spell GATOR to say DANGER.

Unfortunately, that is not the same spot as where the incident occurred.

 

[Eastern]

I see your points but we are getting a little carried away.

It's Walt Disney World.

Are you really in the African Savannah when you stay at AKL?

Are you really staying in the Pacific NW at Wilderness Lodge?

I always thought that was the real Eiffel Tower in World Showcase. Shame on me.

Sounds like all theming needs to be destroyed and rename the park Six Flags Over Florida.

Don't be ridiculous. These people were on a beach area adjacent to a luxurious resort. It was the trip of a lifetime. They had no idea 5 alligators were swimming in the lake their child was playing in.

 

[thedonduck]

There is a tiny little thought in the back of my mind wondering if it is possible that maybe gator monitoring and removal has seen some cutbacks. There, I said it.

Have they said the lengths of the gators they caught? I just can't help but wonder since nothing like this has ever happened, or even any close calls that I know of. Sweet Lane wasn't doing anything others haven't done thousands of times before him, IMO.

Has nothing to do with cutbacks. Take one alligator out another will move in. This is FL. We have alligators in pretty much every body of water. The reason this has happened only ONCE before in the last 30 years at Disney (1986-child lived) is because alligators do not go after kids or people. 99% of time an alligator is too scared to come up. Understand the predatory nature of the animal. It probably assumed the slashing around of the child was an injured small animal and would make an easy meal. There have been 23 deaths in FL from alligator bites since 1948. There have been a couple hundred severe bites in that same time period. There are more shark attacks than known alligator attacks. I understand everyone's devastation for this family, but the rash ideas and beliefs on needing to do something isn't going to change the outcome of this possibly happening somewhere in FL or elsewhere in the South. We need to start being less ignorant (again not a bad word) to the dangers of the world around us.

 

[Eastern]

So now we all need to have this taken away because Disney or this poor family couldn't foresee such a freak occurrence??
Because this is what will happen. It won't be just adding proper signs or pamphlets, it will be an overreaction to the people who aren't even involved that are freaking out.

And I don't know who all of you see, but 3 stays at the Beach Club, I never saw all these people playing in the water. Laying in the chairs, watching the movie, yes. Sure, I saw people dip their toes in, I did too knowing all about the alligators. Now I will think twice about that. And I'm sorry, most people aren't booking these hotels thinking they are going to a beach resort.

They should take away the beach areas, yes. I think they will. You can't get away from alligators, but you can reduce the risk of them coming into contact with your guests.

How many children should risk being killed so you can have access to a small, non-beach, beach area?

 

[Eastern]

Stay out of the water does not equal "do not play near the edge".

Plus isn't the wording on these signs "no swimming"?

Either way, if u are not aware of the Gators and their existence, stay out of the water does not automatically make a person think "golly, there must be an alligator there".

Honestly, I find it very insulting that ppl think that it should be common knowledge that everyone visiting Florida should be aware of all this gator knowledge. Am I aware there are gators there? Yes. I was not aware that there were so many, I had no clue that I should assume "any body of water will have a gator". There is a huge difference in knowing a state has gators and knowing the extent of it. I also did not know WDW is built on swamplands. I kind of assumed there were chain fences around the properties ( obviously hidden in amongst trees, etc) that kept gators out of resorts and parks.

When I research for my previous trips, I'm researching my resort, my area, where the best shopping is, the height restrictions for the rides they want to do, best places to eat, etc, etc. I do not search - are there gators in every lake.

I highly doubt that the ppl making comments that this should be common knowledge are aware of every hidden danger when they visit other states, countries, provinces.

This was a tragedy. It was no ones fault. There is def something to be learned and I am saddened that I had to learn from this tragedy. I would've much preferred having a Disney employee mention it to me during check in, or maybe a sign about gators, etc.

I agree with most of what you said, but I don't think 'it's no one's fault'. I think Disney should have warned. Disney is a huge company. They are in business to make money. They know about the alligators, but they don't want to mention the alligators. Why? Because they want to promote their luxurious hotel without mentioning the risks. It hasn't cost them for many years. This time it cost them.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

You can be aware of the wildlife and still not understand the full scope. I know Florida has gators, I know gators are dangerous, I did not know how viligant I had to be until hearing this story. It's not fair to expect ppl who are not used to living in these environments to fully grasp that.

I do not fault the family at all. I also do not think Disney is at fault. I do believe that Disney should have signage up about gators. I do not think they need a sign about every harmful thing bc to be honest if a sign says beware if alligators, no one will venture in or near.... U do not need to list it all.

Those that think assume a gator in all water should be common knowledge among tourists are delusional and are doing a disservice to those travelers. A few signs going up can go a long way in educating ppl.

all I am trying to say is it is not Disney's fault either. Some feel it is because they didn't warn of Gators. Fl is infamous for Gators. Most southern states are. Msny feel because it's Disney, it's not supposed to have them and that is the furthest thing from the truth. It's still FL.... we can only pray that now those people understand that Disney is in FLORIDA

 

[amg35]

They should take away the beach areas, yes. I think they will. You can't get away from alligators, but you can reduce the risk of them coming into contact with your guests.

How many children should risk being killed so you can have access to a small, non-beach, beach area?

Well, that's a ridiculous overreaction - if new signs are put in place to basically tell people to stay away from the water and they still don't obey them, I can't help them.
Unfortunately people like you cry so loudly you often win. Then the rest of us lose out due to your illogical fears.

Goodbye electric water parade.

 

[Eastern]

I don't think this event was so foreseeable as to be Disney's fault in a criminal negligence kind of way. I certainly don't think it's the parents' fault. On the other hand, a similar subsequent event is now foreseeable, and so I think Disney should take strides to prevent it. Not just shrug it off as a one-time thing. I'm also not opposed to the parents getting a settlement. The sense of peace and safety they work so hard for, the views people pay for, all the things that they don't want to ruin with frank signs and absolute barricades to danger...they profit from all of that.

Disney rolled the dice and lost. Did they expect someone to get killed by an alligator at the GF? No. Was it negligent not to warn people about a known and easily accessible danger, when many other hotels and areas with water are posting alligator warning signs? Yes.

 

[Eastern]

all I am trying to say is it is not Disney's fault either. Some feel it is because they didn't warn of Gators. Fl is infamous for Gators. Most southern states are. Msny feel because it's Disney, it's not supposed to have them and that is the furthest thing from the truth. It's still FL.... we can only pray that now those people understand that Disney is in FLORIDA

No, praying will not educate people.

Fliers and signs, advising of alligators and how to avoid them, will educate people. Disney is a billion dollar company. They have bean counters monitoring your every move. They know there are alligators on their property but chose not to warn people about it. Disney fail.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I agree with most of what you said, but I don't think 'it's no one's fault'. I think Disney should have warned. Disney is a huge company. They are in business to make money. They know about the alligators, but they don't want to mention the alligators. Why? Because they want to promote their luxurious hotel without mentioning the risks. It hasn't cost them for many years. This time it cost them.

Should they warn their guest of dangerous lightning too. FL is the lightning capital of the USA, it can and does kill. When you see cloud to ground, you need to take cover. Should they have memos around their property on this too. If a guest gets killed, you can bet some will say they didn't know it was that dangerous, Disney should have warned their guests. I really do not mean to sound harsh, but society as a whole need to take responsibility for their actions and thoughts at some point. Society has gotten to where we blame every one else. Look at teachers, they are now held accountable if your child fails, it's not because you didn't work with them at home or saw to it that their homework was completed or got enough sleep. It's all the teachers fault.

 

[Eastern]

Well, that's a ridiculous overreaction - if new signs are put in place to basically tell people to stay away from the water and they still don't obey them, I can't help them.
Unfortunately people like you cry so loudly you often win. Then the rest of us lose out due to your illogical fears.

Goodbye electric water parade.

It's really not an overreaction. These are small, non-beach areas. They are for looks. They can keep the beaches and reduce access. And I doubt Mrs. Graves would think it is an illogical fear.

Why can't they educate people about alligators that are right on property? Disney gets visitors from all over the world. They don't know about alligators being on Disney property. They should be warned.

No reason to take away electric water parade, you can see it from many, many vantage points without being 'on the beach'.