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

[SuperTink]

I think the lack of empathy and finger pointing are a defense mechanism for most.

If they can find blame then it's easier for them to process- ie. this happened b/c the parents did xyz so it won't happen to me.

To feel compassion and/or know it could happen to them is a bit too much for them to emotionally handle or even try to handle.

Bingo!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Thought so...thanks

It really isn't safe to even walk near the edge if there's a nuisance gator, unfortunately you usually don't find out until it's too late (usually with pets)

 

[scousemouse09]

They encourage kids to play and congregate near the water. The beaches are perfectly groomed...at other resorts hammocks sit feet from water. They show movies at night where visibility is minimal. It is crazy for someone to think that Disney should not have in this particular setting had more particular signage. I will go one more WHY do they have these set ups so close to the water where there are alligators?

How many incidents of this nature have occurred on Disney property? How many have occurred over the last four decades in Florida? How many millions of people have sat in the spot that family were in? This type of event is a rarity, which is why the signage is not all over the place. Do we need signs up saying there are wasps and bees in the parks and you may get stung?

 

[nkereina]

To me, the rule vs. danger argument is nullified by the fact that "no swimming" has an implication of danger. Why else would WDW prohibit swimming, other than because its dangerous? Whether the danger is alligators, snakes, no lifeguard, bacteria, a sharp drop off, rocks, etc., it poses a risk to the point where Disney has a rule in place. If you choose to wade in the water regardless of that no swimming rule, you're at risk for the same dangers that a swimmer might face if they ignored the rule as well.

Not blaming the parents by any means, my only point here is that I think the signage was appropriate. Could the signs have said "do not enter water" to be more concise? Sure. But how can any company have the foresight to predict every common sense error humans can possibly make?

 

[poppinspenguins]

And it's those who feel that they can disregard "frivolous" rules who unfortunately have to deal with the very real consequences of the actions they take when they turn their head and act contrary to the rules.

Seriously????

newest report says the child was 1 foot from the sand, ankle deep in the water.

even if the kid was 13 inches from where he was snatched, it would have still probably happened.

Would the same people talking over and over about the rules still be blaming people if the child had simply been building a sandcastle a foot from the water?

Standing right beside the water or ankle deep is not swimming.

Would I ever step foot in it? absolutely not. (because of bacteria, gator would not enter my mind) But to say they are disregarding warning and rules is so sad.

 

[dnkmmw]

For the record its not Disney's fault if you get the Zika virus while at one of their parks.

Where is that sign going to be posted?

 

[Eastern]

I think we are going to very quickly learn that the parents were responsible people. I also think that the foot of water thing is a misunderstanding by the media. I believe that the child was a foot into the water from the shore. Not in water that was 12" deep.

I've watched heard a few of the statements made by the sheriff's dept. They do vary. One man said, 'he was about a foot into the water' (I took that as meaning one foot in, not one foot down depthwise). Another was asked a question about how deep the water was, and he answered, 'less than a foot'. So multiple statements are being made about the water depth and length of entry into the water, adding to the confusion. I heard the 'up to his ankles' comment as well.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Really?!?! And how do you know the dad didn't do everything he could?!?! Gators are MUCH more powerful than the strongest human.

Just speaking for myself:

While I don't know for sure, I originally quoted the Sherrifs departments news conference last night. They said the father "has a minor scratch".
Granted that may not tell the entire story, but I would expect fighting a gator would be worse.

MG

 

[Duckiedee]

Maybe someone could school me on alligators - being a Canadian - but is there a chance the alligator would have also went for the child a foot away from the water standing on the beach or playing in the sand? If that is true - then really had nothing to do with swimming at all.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

IF... the loss of any child of mine was the result of gross negligence or malice I'd be suing to administer some grief, not for an early retirement. I don't see negligence or malice here but it's awful hard to just suck it up and walk way if such loss was somebody's 'fault'.

Bill From PA

somebody but who, accidents aren't always someone'sfault. You have signage that's saying no swimming but a person interprets wading as ok. From what I understand there was a sign saying no guest in this area also, I am not sure. How can you say, a gator who lives in fresh water by nature, snatches a child, is "someone's fault" if your child was in that water and struck by lightning, someone's fault too? The signage is misinterpreted by many, tons of people are too concerned on magic and not reality. ...wildlife exist all around, always did, always will. ..

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I've watched heard a few of the statements made by the sheriff's dept. They do vary. One man said, 'he was about a foot into the water' (I took that as meaning one foot in, not one foot down depthwise). Another was asked a question about how deep the water was, and he answered, 'less than a foot'. So multiple statements are being made about the water depth and length of entry into the water, adding to the confusion. I heard the 'up to his ankles' comment as well.

How tall is a 2 year old? Odd to think they would be standing a foot deep in water.

MG

 

[thetallone101]

How tall is a 2 year old? Odd to think they would be standing a foot deep in water.

MG

That's what I was thinking...if he was in 1 foot of water then he would have been in waist height water...He could have been 1 foot out but still only a few inches deep.

 

[sweetyk83]

Seriously????

newest report says the child was 1 foot from the sand, ankle deep in the water.

even if the kid was 13 inches from where he was snatched, it would have still probably happened.

Would the same people talking over and over about the rules still be blaming people if the child had simply been building a sandcastle a foot from the water?

Standing right beside the water or ankle deep is not swimming.

Would I ever step foot in it? absolutely not. (because of bacteria, gator would not enter my mind) But to say they are disregarding warning and rules is so sad.

I agree with you here. I'm trying to put myself in their shoes. I have 4 kids. If we were on the beach watching a movie and my 3 year old decided she didnt want to watch the movie and my husband walked with her to the water would we allow her to splash around in the water? Maybe not that late at night? I don't know honestly. "No swimming" to me means no swimming. I would probably still allow my kids to splash at the waters edge. Now that's assuming I was unaware of the amoeba and alligators.

You are also right that the conversation would be a totally different one if he weren't in the water at all.

 

[Eastern]

Bingo...they can tell you what time you need to get up to take the bus to be at rope drop to get in line for Elsa, but they don't know there are alligators in the waters, or that there are poisionious snakes....seriously....

That would be me...

I do know that there are a lot of alligators in Florida. I have heard stories, from people I know, of animals going missing, of dogs being attacked. But it's Disney. I assumed they had it all under control.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Maybe someone could school me on alligators - being a Canadian - but is there a chance the alligator would have also went for the child a foot away from the water standing on the beach or playing in the sand? If that is true - then really had nothing to do with swimming at all.

Yes it is possible. ..a foot away from the water. It's a good rule of thumb to never go to waters edge where gators are. It's unlikely it will happen but can and has. They are notorious for snatching small pets, medium sized too

 

[fairytalelover]

We have been called out of the lazy river on 2 different occasions due to snakes getting in - never heard of an gator having a go

that doesnt mean that it's not possible....

 

[mkh531]

As stated above, we all want to think this can't happen to us. But it was a zero entry body of water right? I'm a huge rule follower but I wouldn't think dipping my feet in would be a big deal. The 2 yo probably ran in there. This is so so so sad and horrifying. And I had no idea that gators could be in Seven Seas Lagoon.

 

[Eastern]

How tall is a 2 year old? Odd to think they would be standing a foot deep in water.

MG

Exactly.

 

[BayouQueen]

I always thought they had methods to keep alligators out of the park waters. That's what I thought. Were it my child, I'd be furious at the lack of proper signage. Furious.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm kind of surprised they haven't shared a photo of the boy. But I'm also sort of glad. It will probably seem even worse to visualize an actual little boy.