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

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Such a debate about signs and what type of signs... isn't the gross murky mucky water reason enough not to go in?

Obviously not.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Not everyone is from Florida or a place were dangerous wildlife plays a factor in how they enjoy their vacation.

Sorry, but I disagree. We ALL live in a place where dangerous wildlife plays a factor in our lives. Heck, our own bodies host a potentially dangerous set of microbes.

Years ago, I bought a package of grapes in the grocery store. I ate some. A few days later, I found a BLACK WIDOW spider living in them. This past week, I found a live spider in a package of spinach (though I don't know what species).

Semi-natural areas= wildlife, ESPECIALLY near water. I can't name a place, especially in the USA, where that isn't true.

There's a host of microbes living in and on every one of us. That's why we wash our hands.

 

[pmaurer74]

I don't know. I hear you, none of us is perfect, but I've never gone swimming in the lakes of WDW. I saw the sign that said "No Swimming" and obeyed.

To me, a sign that says, "No Swimming" is pretty clear. Maybe the sign needs to be bigger, but I don't think adding a list of reasons will make the signs MORE understandable.

Last year we went to the Everglades NP and saw LOTS of people doing really DUMB stuff, DESPITE the MANY warning signs, and park rangers. People smiled and posed, backs towards the gators, within five feet of some very large gators. The bigger the gator, the more eagerly they posed.

Before that, we visited a park with wild horses....guests were repeatedly warned to stay away.....and STILL a father held his baby's face less than a foot from a horse's face/mouth, then told his child to pet it! He IGNORED everyone who told him NOT to do it - even his wife.

Sadly, it often takes a tragedy to get people to listen.

A few years back (when WDW bus drivers still regularly talked to guests) , we saw EMT's at one of the AK bus depots. The CM driver shook his head and said, "I see this at least once a week. We tell people again and again NOT to sit on the metal handrails, but they just ignore us. Then they fall, and we call the EMT's."

I saw someone post on Facebook, one of my friends, pix of her with gators in the everglades yesterday... one was of her feeding a gator from her mouth... why?

 

[pmaurer74]

Sorry, but I disagree. We ALL live in a place where dangerous wildlife plays a factor in our lives. Heck, our own bodies host a potentially dangerous set of microbes.

Years ago, I bought a package of grapes in the grocery store. I ate some. A few days later, I found a BLACK WIDOW spider living in them. This past week, I found a live spider in a package of spinach (though I don't know what species).

Semi-natural areas= wildlife, ESPECIALLY near water. I can't name a place, especially in the USA, where that isn't true.

There's a host of microbes living in and on every one of us. That's why we wash our hands.

I had this happen with bananas from South America. Found a bunch of baby spiders hatching out of the bananas... I am very cautious now with bananas and grapes.

 

[Easto]

There are over 1,000,000 alligators in Florida

Alligators can be found in fresh and brackish bodies of water — including lakes, rivers, canals and golf course ponds — and there's an estimated 6.7 million acres of suitable habitat statewide.

It's confusing how many people are surprised about the Florida + alligator relationship. Somehow I find it hard to believe the 1 Million alligators just recently showed up.

There is some onus on the traveler to educate themselves when they travel to educate themselves on their destination.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I agree with this...I hope they do not overreact either. That said the more I think about it the more I do believe Disney dropped the ball. I have looked at a bunch of brochures of the GF beach area and all of them show people up close to the water, boating on the water, beach chairs to lounge on even playing on the edge of the water. In every way they make it seem it is a traditional family beach resort...that is the theme. That is what gives the false sense of safety and that it is man made and controled and why the extra wildlife warning needs to be there. I don't think Disney took the necessary steps to warn of this possibility when in every other way presented this as a beach. As many have said ad nauseum the no swimming seemed to pertain to a bacteria/life guard issue, not a wildlife one. I can see where anyone who researched this resort and saw the images presented by the WDW resort and felt as if it was safe to be in the shallows.

This is no where near the same as overeating mickey bars or lighting warnings IMO.

When I did a quick image search of GF lots of images came up on WDW, Dis and a travel agents websites that make it seem like a beach. I wish I knew how to upload the pics.

Exactly!

Like this...? Pretty sure these encourage something that appears not to be too wise... no?

But hey -- THEY'RE NOT SWIMMING!!!

 

[HookedOnDCL1]

Yes, this is your opinion and in my opinion, I do not understand how you can fault Disney because you only research the fun things to do? Why is it their job to protect you? It is from malfunctioning attractions, crumbling building and walkways, but not wildlife.

Who goes to a theme park and researches the potential dangers of wildlife as part of their trip planning? If anyone on here has done this, I'd like to know. Really.

I pride myself on being a thorough trip planner but never researched the wildlife at a theme park or urban city that I was visiting. If I was going camping or on a nature tour, ecotour, or safari different story. MY opinion is Disney has guests from all over and should share this information/warnings with visitors. I mean how hard is that? Doesn't cost much and could save a life or serious injury. If I knew the potential existed, I would read and I would follow it. And I'm sure hundreds of others would as well.

 

[Amii]

Are are there any signs on Tom Sawyer's Island? I went to the island years ago but I don't remember if there were signs. When we went to the Magic Kingdom last year we were standing directly across from Tom Sawyer's Island and when I looked down there was a large alligator in the water right where we were standing. I went to a cart that is close by and told the girl who was working. She didn't seem to think it was a big deal but said she would tell someone for us. When we passed by there a while later the island had been cleared and was closed for the day. I had no idea that alligators could be in the park.

The one time we visited the island there were lots small children running around the island playing while the parents followed behind. Older children played around the island while the parents sat and relaxed. I would guess many of the parents were also unaware that an alligator could be close by. We have not been back to the island after I saw that alligator and I would never bring my 3 year old granddaughter to the island.

 

[nugov2]

Exactly!

Like this...?
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That is one...I took a screen shot of a few others...one with two people actually in the water on a travel agents site. Wish I could attach them

 

[agame2323]

No one is blaming parents per say. On same token it is not Disney's fault because you never thought twice about it

Who's property is it? Mine or Disney's?

If I invite you to my home and you see a doghouse and get attacked by the dog, would you be happy if I said..."well, you saw the doghouse, right?" No, you would be pissed that I never made you FULLY aware of the potential dangers that exist IN MY HOME. In fact, the lack of clarity made you feel somewhat safe.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Exactly!

Like this...?
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My husband and I saw that picture last night. We are both so riled up about all this. But look at that picture! That screams that the water's edge is a-OK, come on down, when it is CLEARLY NOT.

Just saw the second one. That one is bingo. Are they not in the water? This is in a brochure?

Oh, but according to some on these boards, common sense tells you to NEVER EVER GET ANYWHERE NEAR THE WATER, it's FLORIDA, DUH!

Well, tell that to Disney. Perhaps they need a refresher in common sense.

 

[SoarinSC]

So beyond all the what-ifs or should-haves...is there anything practical to be done here?

Right. Disney lifeguards are some of the best and don't take their eyes off the pool. I cannot imagine he was just watching the beach area since that is not their territory.

Sorry, but I disagree. We ALL live in a place where dangerous wildlife plays a factor in our lives. Heck, our own bodies host a potentially dangerous set of microbes.

Years ago, I bought a package of grapes in the grocery store. I ate some. A few days later, I found a BLACK WIDOW spider living in them. This past week, I found a live spider in a package of spinach (though I don't know what species).

Semi-natural areas= wildlife, ESPECIALLY near water. I can't name a place, especially in the USA, where that isn't true.

There's a host of microbes living in and on every one of us. That's why we wash our hands.

I don't think this has to be an either or argument...people should be aware and vigilant, I certainly will be from now on AND Disney should be more upfront and clear about the hazards in the lagoon area. Now's the time for practical steps moving forward and more explicit signage isn't over-reacting, whether you agree for their need or not.

 

[agame2323]

Who's property is it? Mine or Disney's?

If I invite you to my home and you see a doghouse and get attacked by the dog, would you be happy if I said..."well, you saw the doghouse, right?" No, you would be pissed that I never made you FULLY aware of the potential dangers that exist IN MY HOME. In fact, the lack of clarity made you feel somewhat safe.

Their pricing and piecing out of these tickets and passes is so confusing.

Exactly!

Like this...? Pretty sure these encourage something that appears not to be too wise... no?
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BINGO

 

[agame2323]

Exactly!

Like this...? Pretty sure these encourage something that appears not to be too wise... no?
View attachment 175850

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Eggzzzakleeeee

 

[Maistre Gracey]

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.

Hmm... Guess it's okay to "wade" though..

MG

 

[Sona99]

"I'm so glad the hotel in Connecticut warned me to check for Lyme disease carrying ticks, and the hotel in Texas warned me about dangerous snakes, and the one in Chicago warned me about the dangers of driving in snow" - said no one ever.

Stop holding Disney to a higher standard.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Hmm... Guess it's okay to "wade" though..

MG

According to this Disney photo, probably...

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Exactly!

Like this...? Pretty sure these encourage something that appears not to be too wise... no?

But hey -- THEY'RE NOT SWIMMING!!!

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The bottom pic is just totally wrong. This is giving a false sense. ..no way can you or should you do that...ever, even if this is dated back to 1988 when resort first opened. I had not seen that one before. ..that is just wrong..
This has just changed my mind on Disney luring you...yes I know fake (magical ) advertising. ..and standing with your feet in is what I have seen before. ..but this is just unacceptable. ..this is what is known as Bait & Switch

 

[Maistre Gracey]

How about sink hole signs?

I doubt many non Florida residents know Florida is the sink hole capital of the world...

MG

 

[brooke789]

Agreed. News reports I've seen are also emphasizing the rarity, which I think is important. I want to see better signs, but really hope they don't overreact either (permanently close all water areas, etc.).

There was a good article up on either CNN or NBCNEWS earlier. It basically said it was a perfect storm of timing and events for this to happen. From my memory it was: 1) It's mating season and they're more active/have to eat 2) Size of child. This alligator wouldn't have attacked an adult 3) Just at the edge of the water which is apparently just where they go to catch food (generally animals) 4) Spring & Summer are their busiest season with possibly their only meal for the year, etc.
I'm paraphrasing from memory, but I thought it was really interesting. It'll probably be another 45 years before anything like this happens.