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

[Dismama2boys]

Anyone who googles the resort? And they CHANGED this at some point... stopped using this obviously promotional photo, let's say. Why??

Because it's style is outdated, and they changed their swimming policy?

 

[bbjunkie]

They pretty much don't have mosquitos at WDW, so I figured something like gators would be pretty much nonexistent too. I bet there's all sorts of stuff in other states and countries that can be harmful that you never thought about. Would have have thought you would need to watch for rattlesnakes or coyotes in an urban neighborhood in Texas? The coyotes actually harmed a large dog here. Some small dogs have died from rattlesnakes. What about scorpions? We find poisonous scorpions in our house. Some neighborhoods have problems with tarantulas that are so prevalent they can completely cover a wall of a house, making it look black. We also have giant, like 6 inches long, poisonous, multicolor centipedes. Most people I know here in town wouldn't believe that one, but I know multiple people who have found them in there homes. It's just lack of experience with things.

You just listed a whole bunch of reasons why I won't live in the south. We may have cold winters and snow, but I never have to worry about checking my shoes for scorpions. I'll gladly shovel for the trade off!!

 

[eastendlights]

Jeff Corwin said, "If gators are getting fed regularly by humans, they'll eventually see them as a food source." This was in reference to as to why the gator attacked.

And fwiw, I haven't known anyone whose fed a gator, but knowing Disney tourists, I'm sure there's 1...2...3...

We have a winner! Yes, on our trip this March we saw not one, not two, but three different instances of idiots feeding alligators. Adults were throwing chicken nuggets to one on the riverbank in Frontierland and a bunch of teens and a family with young kids were feeding the alligator in the canal at the Beach Club where we stay. I will also say that we have seen gators many times on our trips for the last 16 years-too many to count.

 

[nugov2]

Huh??? Dark outside and dark water that you cannot see the bottom. I don't care where you come from, that doesn't equal safety. ..even if no gator was involved. I am sorry, but that is a big chance you take going in

But, that isn't always the case. While traveling I have gone on many tours to water holes that people commonly swim in that are dark and murky and people swim there. In Tenessee the lake we stayed on IMO was murkey with seaweed and sludgey at the shore and every house had docks with slides and everyone swam in it. There are lots of bodies of water you cannot see the bottom people go into and that are very safe. Many people are not bothered by seaweed etc. I personally have an unhealthy fear of water if it isn't a pool, so I won't go in any water clear to the bottom or murky. I try to hide it as much as I can when with my children so they don't end up like me, but it isn't easy. So some fear water regardless of clarity while others do not.

 

[fairytalelover]

You just listed a whole bunch of reasons why I won't live in the south. We may have cold winters and snow, but I never have to worry about checking my shoes for scorpions. I'll gladly shovel for the trade off!!

this is why I like living in northern california. We dont have to shovel snow or check our shoes for scorpians, or check our pools for alligators

 

[casnider]

We have a winner! Yes, on our trip this March we saw not one, not two, but three different instances of idiots feeding alligators. Adults were throwing chicken nuggets to one on the riverbank in Frontierland and a bunch of teens and a family with young kids were feeding the alligator in the canal at the Beach Club where we stay. I will also say that we have seen gators many times on our trips for the last 16 years-too many to count.[/QUOTE

This is exactly what I was talking about also. They can't not, CAN NOT, be feed by humans unless they live on a gator farm, which we have in the county I live in. If we as a DISboard group could do one thing positive that would be to spread the word of PLEASE DON'T FEED THE WILDLIFE! Those families are setting up the next innocent victim by making the gators not afraid of people. Just like in the mountains you don't feed the bears.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

WRONG! The signs I have observed, in Australia, and Africa, and numerous "bear territory" areas in the United States, are permanent signs which are, indeed, present every day.

In the past year, I also visited Smoky Mtns. We saw a mother bear and her cubs. Soon a group of cars gathered, then a ranger came and cleared everyone out.

Later, we attended a ranger presentation in the main building. The ranger told us every time a bear is sighted, it is only a matter of time- usually just a few minutes- before someone gets the bright idea to:
A. approach the bear
B. try to feed it
c. both together

 

[BayouQueen]

You get a lot of paperwork when you check in at a resort -- all about events, dining places, etc. Seems like it would be so easy to include a little something about WDW being set in a beautiful natural environment; please be aware of such and such and respectful of such and such -- be it snakes, alligators or anything else in the area. If people have really been feeding alligators, like folks are saying here...my gosh.

 

[nugov2]

Bingo!!! When they are sited or when there is an attack, signs are not there every day. ..thank you, you may not realize it but you just proved my point. It isn't until there is an occuance that signs go up...

I don't know what point I proved, but ok you're welcome. I also said many locations have permanent signs. If WDW is constantly pulling alligators from their water as has been stated by the news outlets, that warrants a permanent sign...if they only get in rarely(though this doesn't sound like the case) that warrants a temporary sign. Temporary signs would already be on hand by wdw stating alligator sighted beware...since there are no reports of this happening it is obvious they do not even put up signs when they have recently fished out a gator or a guest has reported a sighting. That IMO means they were not doing enough to alert their guests. If they were known even for the temporary signs I would feel differently, but they weren't. I hope this is a wake up call to WDW...again I don't think they need air raid sirens or a wall with barb wire or anything extreme like people are suggesting people want (honestly the only extreme suggestions have been made by those who think WDW doesn't need to change anything), only a sign that states danger, do not enter water, alligator habitat. Or something similar.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

That water doesn't look luring or inviting. It looks dirty and nasty. You can clearly see the dark line, the alge weeds ...yuk. That is a parents choice to let their children play there, this water isn't pristine and inviting. Not at all

That's pretty much what the water in the lake "beaches" look like in the area I'm from. But the sand is more like mud and much less pretty than Disney's. My daughter has gotten swimmer's itch from parasites in one official county beach, and another beach is occasionally closed because of e coli. My family now pretty much sticks to the pool, but those beaches are still packed on a warm summer day. Many people, especially those who don't live near a pristine ocean beach - and have possibly never seen one -- are perfectly comfortable wading and swimming in lake water with algae and weeds.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Because it's style is outdated, and they changed their swimming policy?

And do you think everyone knows that?

 

[snoopboop]

And do you think everyone knows that?

If anyone is planning their trip based on 20+ year old travel brochures, they are bound to be quite misinformed....

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

If anyone is planning their trip based on 20+ year old travel brochures, they are bound to be quite misinformed....

No one is doing that obviously. But plenty of people google a destination.

What would make things 100% clear is a sign WARNING people to stay away from the water. Period. That would take care of whatever photo they saw, old info they had, or misconception they came with. Easy.

 

[maxiesmom]

You get a lot of paperwork when you check in at a resort -- all about events, dining places, etc. Seems like it would be so easy to include a little something about WDW being set in a beautiful natural environment; please be aware of such and such and respectful of such and such -- be it snakes, alligators or anything else in the area. If people have really been feeding alligators, like folks are saying here...my gosh.

But how many people read those packets top to bottom? Few enough that there are constantly posts asking about bouncebacks, and where to find the info about them. It is in the resort booklet. And just like people don't read when they book things on line, so many don't see the warnings about the no show fee, or about having to have a party ticket. You can put all sorts of info out there. It doesn't mean everyone will read it.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

. I hope this is a wake up call to WDW...again I don't think they need air raid sirens or a wall with barb wire or anything extreme like people are suggesting people want (honestly the only extreme suggestions have been made by those who think WDW doesn't need to change anything), only a sign that states danger, do not enter water, alligator habitat. Or something similar.

WDW already had a sign warning guests not to enter the water AND many signs telling guests NOT to feed the wildlife.

People do it anyways.

Again, I refer everyone to the recent thread, "Why don't people plan?" That thread is all about bashing people who aren't 'smart' enough to book ADR's at 180 days, despite ALL the information WDW provides.

I partly agree with you, they probably will add warning signs. I am pretty sure they already have guests sign a liability waiver where the parks are concerned. Rides have always been, "Ride at your own risk."

 

[dadofgoofy]

After reading this entire thread for 2 days now, I have to agree with those that have said the sometimes unimaginable things happen and no one particularly is at fault. I realize that we live in a very fault finding society. I know it helps people feel better when someone is "to blame". But in this instance, I think it is just a tragic, freak thing. I do think that Disney exercised the caution that most reasonable businesses would, and I also think that the parents were not negligent either. For me, this is one of those things that I just have to pray over, and know that sometimes tragic things are not for me to understand, but lean on my family ad faith. Prayers to the family.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

But how many people read those packets top to bottom? Few enough that there are constantly posts asking about bouncebacks, and where to find the info about them. It is in the resort booklet. And just like people don't read when they book things on line, so many don't see the warnings about the no show fee, or about having to have a party ticket. You can put all sorts of info out there. It doesn't mean everyone will read it.

I'm a very thorough person. I don't read those whole packets.

I certainly wouldn't be against them including a pamphlet, but I personally think that a proper sign would warn people of potential danger better.

 

[Bay_Lake_Tower]

In the end Disney could put whatever they want on a sign but people do what they want as long as it's physically possible. I know we've all seen it on our vacations. People make their own judgement calls based on whether or not they think the rule is stupid or not.

This particular family may have been stopped by a different sign, we don't know, but I don't agree with those that think Disney can prevent a rare and tragic accident like this from happening.

 

[KateP85]

http://insider.foxnews.com/2016/06/...or-disney-world-lagoon-weeks-boy-was-attacked

I'm a little skeptical on this, but if it is indeed true, it's very unusual. Perhaps there needs to be a sign reminding people that it is illegal to feed alligators in Florida, with what the punishment is. Because if alligators are running onto beaches it's not to be sociable, it's because people are feeding them - and an alligator doesn't know the difference between a man throwing him a sandwich one day and a man stood with a little boy the next, both are food to him.

 

[BayouQueen]

I'm a very thorough person. I don't read those whole packets.

I certainly wouldn't be against them including a pamphlet, but I personally think that a proper sign would warn people of potential danger better.

I would do both. There is a great deal of advertising effort put forth to educate people on the things that Disney wants people to be aware of. They are very good at consumer education.