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

[thedonduck]

Yes, that would be a lot more explicit than "No Swimming," which to many people from other areas means not to go out into deep waters because there are no lifeguards around, not "Don't touch this water."

And there would still be people who don't follow the rules. Disney has signs up all over saying don't feed the wildlife and yet all day every day people are feeding the birds and chipmunks and the alligators!! Disney also has signs and VOICE announcements to keep your hands inside the ride vehicles, to stay seated, etc and how many people have we heard of in the last couple years getting hurt or killed in the last couple of years.

All this was a tragic accident with absolutely no blame to anyone. Finger pointing isn't doing anything. Hopefully, his death will not be in vain and people (Disney, guests, CMs) all will learn from this. Education is obviously what is needed on ALL levels

 

[A Mickeyfan]

It appears that was misinformation, the boy was standing at the edge of the water.

That's why I have a ? ...I was questioning that because there are drop offs the further out you go.

 

[amerikiwiroo]

People visit from all over the world and as others have said--previous experiences greatly dictate how you interpret "No Swimming". My husband send me this photo when he was in Cairns Australia last weekend because it caught his attention and clearly means that there could be crocodiles in the water. A similar sign was posted at the water when we stayed offsite in Orlando. If I just saw a "No Swimming" I would certainly not have assumed that meant don't go near the water's edge.

My heart goes out to the family. I can't even imagine the pain.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

All this was a tragic accident with absolutely no blame to anyone. Finger pointing isn't doing anything. Hopefully, his death will not be in vain and people (Disney, guests, CMs) all will learn from this. Education is obviously what is needed on ALL levels

I think that one thing that Disney might LEARN is that presence of alligators in these waters is actually surprising to MANY of their guests. As shocking as that might seem to some. They could LEARN that a sign warning of the danger from wildlife might actually be more appropriate than a "no swimming please" sign -- which as this thread suggests, is open to at least some interpretation.

 

[nugov2]

I would teach them to swim or drown proof. Where I'm from drownings are common even when adults are right there. Happens in a blink of an I and the common statement from parents is that they only looked away for a couple seconds. They had no idea it could happen until it does. For me it hit too close to home. Teach first!

I don't know what drown proof means I don't disagree with teaching a child to swim, but not sure how that relates to just walking in the shallows with a small child still learning to swim while holding your hand on vacation, Unless you are visiting that extremely dangerous body if water. I feel confident saying most water, not even the ocean (both Atlantic and Pacific) are that dangerous unless a storm is brewing or there are very high winds and then I definitely wouldn't even let my kids who are experienced swimmers go in.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Can someone post a link to the part where the sheriff said he was 10 feet from shore?

I would like to see it too...

 

[DVCcurious]

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven
Would it feel the same
If I saw you in heaven

I must be strong and carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven

Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven

I'll make my way through night and day
'Cause I know I just can't stay
Here in heaven

 

[Robertfam08]

And there would still be people who don't follow the rules. Disney has signs up all over saying don't feed the wildlife and yet all day every day people are feeding the birds and chipmunks and the alligators!! Disney also has signs and VOICE announcements to keep your hands inside the ride vehicles, to stay seated, etc and how many people have we heard of in the last couple years getting hurt or killed in the last couple of years.

All this was a tragic accident with absolutely no blame to anyone. Finger pointing isn't doing anything. Hopefully, his death will not be in vain and people (Disney, guests, CMs) all will learn from this. Education is obviously what is needed on ALL levels

I don't blame Disney for the accident, but it's clear that many people are not aware of all of the dangers in their waters. Changing the signs is not a big deal for them at all and yes, it could prevent people from getting too close to the water in the future. I'm not sure why some people get so defensive when it's suggested that the verbiage on the signs be a little more explicit. It just makes sense.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I don't blame Disney for the accident, but it's clear that many people are not aware of all of the dangers in their waters. Changing the signs is not a big deal for them at all and yes, it could prevent people from getting too close to the water in the future. I'm not sure why some people get so defensive when it's suggested that the verbiage on the signs be a little more explicit. It just makes sense.

 

[amycakes]

This is a horrific tragedy. My heart breaks for this family and all the people involved in this unimaginable accident.

Unfortunately, we often learn from tragedy. Hopefully, the warnings in these areas will be now be more stern. 'Danger: Keep away from the water' .... would definitely demand more attention.

Also, I will be more cognizant of my surroundings. I will be more wary.

I will hug my children tighter tonight.

 

[mamato3girls]

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

Disney should be without blame.

However, this is a society where a nut company feels the need to put a warning on a package of pistachios, DO NOT EAT THE SHELLS.

Since everyone needs to be a victim these days, I suppose Disney had to be negligent?

The reality is this was an unfortunate and tragic accident. Life has a lot of risks. Hanging out on the shore of a Florida lake at night is a risk. Disney should not be demonized because it could not prevent a freak occurrence of nature.

I don't necessarily disagree with this but they were hanging out on the shore of a Florida lake at night due to an event that Disney had organized. I think it is realistic to assume safety. Does that mean Disney was negligent? I don't think so, I am certain they didn't expect an alligator to attack but I do think when there is an event like this there is a certain level of trust that comes into play.

Alligator's in that lake really is not something I ever considered, naive and stupid? Maybe it is. It just wouldn't have been on my radar. Based on the number of people who I see allowing their children to put their feet in that water I'm fairly certain I am not the only one who didn't consider it a risk. I don't know if that means I think Disney should pay them a settlement but I feel pretty certain that they probably will and honestly if it happened to my family I believe i would accept it and use it to relieve some financial strain while I tried to fight through the grief.

 

[Jetta8300]

I would like to see it too...

He wAs 1-2 feet out, NOT deep. Water was Ankle deep. It's been said many times. And interpreted wrong many times. The body was found 10 yards from the shore. He was not 10 feet out.

 

[dingleberry]

without blame???? Are you kidding me???? Im from california and we have no clue there are gators everywhere in florida and they can jump out at you and if we see no swimming signs they actually mean dont even go near the water!!!

Yes, without blame. Sometimes a freak accident is a freak accident. I realize I may be a bit old fashioned in this current entitlement society, but just because something bad happened to you does not mean someone else is to blame.

And sometimes, one's own ignorance can be the primary factor in creating a risk. Not knowing there are gators in every body of water is being ignorant of your surroundings. And before anybody accuses me of a hate crime, "ignorant" does not mean stupid. We can all be ignorant of any number of things.

In spite of this, the risk of this happening is tiny. But there is a risk. Adding a small child and nighttime to the equation certainly increased the risk.

I suppose Disney should have signs telling people not to climb on the giant Big Wheel at Pop Century? After all, it looks like the real thing.

 

[thedonduck]

I don't blame Disney for the accident, but it's clear that many people are not aware of all of the dangers in their waters. Changing the signs is not a big deal for them at all and yes, it could prevent people from getting too close to the water in the future. I'm not sure why some people get so defensive when it's suggested that the verbiage on the signs be a little more explicit. It just makes sense.

I personally think they need to add to this sign seeing how many people aren't aware of the dangers of the water in the South.
What I will get defensive about in this instant (trust me, I am not a rose colored, Disney can do no wrong fan!!, they screw up a lot), is placing the blame for this ACCIDENT on Disney. This could have happened at any hotel, home, lake, pond, river in this state. Disney isn't to blame for an animal in its habitat acting instinctually.

 

[thedonduck]

He wAs 1-2 feet out, NOT deep. Water was Ankle deep. It's been said many times. And interpreted wrong many times. The body was found 10 yards from the shore. He was not 10 feet out.

Actually, read the articles posted on Wesh and the Orlando Sentiel. He was in about 1 foot of water, not ankle deep.

Edit to add link http://m.wesh.com/news/so-child-dra...r-disneys-grand-floridian-resort-spa/40058064

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

He wAs 1-2 feet out. Ankle deep. It's been said many times. And interpreted wrong many times. The body was found 10 yards from the shore. He was not 10 feet out.

Agree, except that he was said to be in water 6"-12" deep; more than ankle deep.

 

[ml sumner]

Yes but I read he was wading at the edge and the sign says no swimming. There are no swimming signs at CBR, but my kids have taken their buckets and filled up water to bring back to the area they are playing in the sand.

Disney makes these beaches near water. They serve the chicken nuggets in these buckets so kids have sand toys to play with. They put the lovely hammocks there that are just inviting the parents to relax while little Johnny plays with his sand bucket a few feet away ,... They could put up a sign warning of the alligator danger. I mean they set the place up for relaxing on a beach setting ... Might as well put it out there that u shouldn't be relaxing but u should be viligant.

I kept thinking about the sand buckets all day that CBR gives out with the kids meal. It does invite the kids to want to go to the beach. This story has broke my heart and I don't blame anyone, but there is that false sense of security there. I imagine Disney will settle this privately with the family. I can't see them wanting this aired out. This thought will always be on every ones mind now just like Sea World and their fatal accident.

 

[minniemous]

Honestly!

If there are actually people out there who go in to the Disney "bubble" and really believe Disney will protect them from everything, then those people are their own biggest threat. And I'm not talking about the family this tragedy happened to....

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

It's Walt Disney World, folks.

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.

It is simple.... when Disney is drawing people to the edge of the water to watch a movie and fireworks on a beach in the dark they now have a greater burden to alert people to the danger of the wild animals that inhabit that area. Sorry "no swimming" does not suffice. One could naturally and incorrectly feel if they are drawing us to this particular area that there is no risk of alligators so close by.

The disney bubble I know I mentioned at one point is stuff like..playing a movie under the stars on a beach fireworks, water parade etc. etc. ...easy to get a little off your guard. They create a fun safe feeling environment and thus if there is this danger of THIS sort they really need to make you aware of it.

I certainly do not go to disney feeling nothing can hurt me or my family and I am in neverland and I do not need to be vigilant. I am super vigilant to human threat to my child getting lost, my child being careful around vehicles and rides and especially people. I personally worry and tend to over think potential risks. I am not a person who allows their children free reign and thinks the world needs to look after my child while I am oblivious. Not at all. Complete opposite. However Disney really created a situation where they literally set up a a fun experience right on the edge of major danger. So much so that many people would never think there would be alligators in that particular area because why in heaven would they invite people to hang out at night and watch a movie next to alligators?

 

[DopeyDame]

So can you get in a pool after it is closed despite signage against it if you make the case that you aren't swimming in the pool but merely wading in it?

If the sign said "pool closed" then that means don't go in at all. If the sign said "no swimming" I wouldn't have any problem at all with someone sitting at the edge and dangling their feet.
If you don't need a swim suit, you probably aren't swimming

 

[jknc]

It is simple.... when Disney is drawing people to the edge of the water to watch a movie and fireworks on a beach in the dark they now have a greater burden to alert people to the danger of the wild animals that inhabit that area. Sorry "no swimming" does not suffice. One could naturally and incorrectly feel if they are drawing us to this particular area that there is no risk of alligators so close by.

The disney bubble I know I mentioned at one point is stuff like..playing a movie under the stars on a beach fireworks, water parade etc. etc. ...easy to get a little off your guard. They create a fun safe feeling environment and thus if there is this danger of THIS sort they really need to make you aware of it.

I certainly do not go to disney feeling nothing can hurt me or my family and I am in neverland and I do not need to be vigilant. I am super vigilant to human threat to my child getting lost, my child being careful around vehicles and rides and especially people. I personally worry and tend to over think potential risks. I am not a person who allows their children free reign and thinks the world needs to look after my child while I am oblivious. Not at all. Complete opposite. However Disney really created a situation where they literally set up a a fun experience right on the edge of major danger. So much so that many people would never think there would be alligators in that particular area because why in heaven would they invite people to hang out at night and watch a movie next to alligators?

And in all the years they have been doing the movies on the lakes how many times has someone been the victim of local wildlife?