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

[snoopboop]

In that vein, why are some so intent on determining fault based on the language on a sign?

Honestly, I think at least part of it is the fact that already it is assumed that Disney will probably be sued by the family because of the wording on the signs not specifically mentioning alligators as a threat in that body of water. Right or wrong, I think that's behind a lot of it.

That, and it's probably also just human nature to want to figure out WHY something happened, and figuring out whose fault something is may be a natural part of that process. Right or wrong.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I'm wondering if they've finally found something. I'm at BLT right now with a Bay Lake facing room in the center of the "C". Just saw 5 boats go speeding by. It seems like water activities have been suspended for the day, as I haven't seen any other activities. Who knows, but I am so hoping for some closure for this poor family.

Yes...they have recovered his body...

 

[Mousemommy1]

Very sad.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/15/us/alligator-attacks-child-disney-florida/index.html?adkey=bn

 

[disneyfantotheend]

I have only gotten as far as page 11, but no time to read the rest. I could swear I have seen signs that say both Stay out of the water or something similar there of and I have seen signs that show pictures of alligators. Guess I am imagining them, being no one else has mentioned them.

 

[Sammie]

CNN, just broke the news that the boy has been found. No other details.

 

[mazdabug]

I held my little 2y old girl last night and just wanted not to let go. I just cannot imagine what the family is going thru. I just read they found the child, I started to tear up.
I do know there is a gator at Coronado Springs.
I know one thing, my child will not be anywhere near the lakes there.

 

[thetallone101]

I'm glad they were able to find him as it will give them some closure...although it won't make things any better

 

[Hank Scorpio]

Honestly, I think at least part of it is the fact that already it is assumed that Disney will probably be sued by the family because of the wording on the signs not specifically mentioning alligators as a threat in that body of water. Right or wrong, I think that's behind a lot of it.

That, and it's probably also just human nature to want to figure out WHY something happened, and figuring out whose fault something is may be a natural part of that process. Right or wrong.

Snoop, they will sue and they will get a large settlement. Disney does not want a long and protracted lawsuit. At the same time Disney will lose if it went to a trial. Just on the pure hearsay on here, i'm quite convinced that the family would be able to find quite a few CM who knew of the presence of alligators on property and in the lake. With the welcoming nature of the beach and the lack of any signage that showcases any danger, Disney is in a bad spot. An expert on animal behavior would seal the deal.

 

[marivigi]

Body recovered ..on cnn now

Prayers for his family

 

[nkereina]

I see where you are coming from... that said - "No swimming" seems to mean different variation of using the water as indicated by people on this board. Especially for a body of water vs say a pool.

Understood. But for those folks, I'd pose the question why would Disney prohibit swimming but NOT wading? I can't think of an instance where entering the water for wading purposes would be ok, but not swimming purposes.

 

[sabrecmc]

I'm glad they found him. At least the family will have some kind of closure.

I was reading a Daily Mail article (yes, I know how reliable that can be), and it said this:

According to the blog Hidden Mickeys, one guest was waterskiing on the Seven Seas Lagoon several years ago when he dove in to cool off.

When he asked the boat driver if there were any gators in the water, he replied 'Yep, we pulled an eight footer out last week!'

The guest was assured that they are generally timid and scared of boats and metal screening is installed before the shorelines to prevent any of them from getting into the swimming areas of the resorts.

Anyone know anything about this supposed "metal screening"?

 

[Jfsag123]

Yes...they have recovered his body...

Yes. Seeing it on the news. I told DH that was probably what it was when we saw them going by. So very very sad.

 

[amg35]

CNN is sure trying to place blame, people are having the sign discussion everywhere.

 

[agame2323]

This one is hard to take. I pray that the child didn't suffer (as impossible as that may sound). I pray God took the child quickly. Being a father, my heart goes out to the family.

Hug your kids tonight people. One thing the city of Orlando has shown us is you never know when tragedy may strike. No one that suffered an ill fate this week/weekend went looking for trouble. In fact, all 49 people from Pulse and this child were just trying to have a good time. Hopefully we can learn for this and be better prepared in the future.

 

[fairytalelover]

they a checked every morning before park opening, once the park opens every day it is very unlikely an alligator will wander in. The same as they check all the pools in every resort every day.

they also thought it was unlikely a child would get attacked as he did...........

 

[minniemous]

It's interesting how it's apparently a one in a million chance of this happening and therefore Disney is not being negligent for failing to warn their guests.

But at the same time the parents are to blame for allegedly letting their child walk along the shallow water even though there was only a one in a million chance of being snatched by an alligator...assuming they even knew that was a possibility (they probably were unaware like most of us).

Funny how that goes. A company who knowingly subjects their guests to this danger that is known to them and has been for years (however small the odds), by inviting them to these beaches at all hours of the day, even when it is dark, is not being careless at all.

But a family who is on vacation, doing an activity organized by Disney, in an area known to and maintained by Disney is to blame for not knowing all the particulars of the area as well as Disney does.

I don't know about you, but if I had a lake in my backyard where gators were often seen, I would not invite people over to sit by the water in the dark and watch movies that will take their attention away from their surroundings and prevent them from noticing the gators approaching. That sounds like a recipe for disaster!

Absolutely!!

 

[msdroz]

I'm sure this has been said before but we were on a plane coming home from Disney today and haven't caught up. I have no desire to enter that water with my feet, gators or not. We stay at the Yacht Club and even though the sand is hot, I've never been tempted to even step foot in that water because it's murky, slimy, green and gross looking! I can't fathom what the appeal would be for someone to wade in that gross water, unless it was dark and they didn't realize?

 

[fairytalelover]

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

 

[A Mickeyfan]

If anything, I am glad this family will have some closure, and will be able to bury their little baby. Horrific.

Tears in my eyes thinking of this

 

[DnA2010]

Just googled local wildlife disney world property and found gators. ..and on a site dated 2014, so it wasn't from this tragic event.
Here is a thread from this very board..dated years back...very easy search too
http://www.disboards.com/threads/do-you-ever-see-alligators-on-wdw-property.2694894/

I'm sure there is info out there if you look for it, but generally you'd have to dig right? My quick search honestly didn't reveal alligators and I wouldn't have known to search on here for alligators specifically