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

[Eastern]

Should they warn their guest of dangerous lightning too. FL is the lightning capital of the USA, it can and does kill. When you see cloud to ground, you need to take cover. Should they have memos around their property on this too. If a guest gets killed, you can bet some will say they didn't know it was that dangerous, Disney should have warned their guests. I really do not mean to sound harsh, but society as a whole need to take responsibility for their actions and thoughts at some point. Society has gotten to where we blame every one else. Look at teachers, they are now held accountable if your child fails, it's not because you didn't work with them at home or saw to it that their homework was completed or got enough sleep. It's all the teachers fault.

Why are you going off on tangents? Why can't you just agree that Disney should have alligator warnings in appropriate places on property? Why shouldn't Disney educate people about alligators on property?

 

[nandm92574]

Fun facts... Disney will close the swimming pools if lightening in the area (and it always seems like an eternity for my kids) And I have had an army of security descend on me if I get too close to the pool with my beer. They can take some reasonable precautions that could help no need to get worked up.

 

[Eastern]

I would like to see it too...

I think that quote is being attributed to the lifeguard who came running over from the GF. He was traumatized and arrived after the fact. Not sure how accurate his estimate is.

 

[Eastern]

Fliers ARE silly. Where would it stop? A pamphlet warning people about squirrel bites? Aggressive birds? Mouse droppings?

What happened to personal responsibility? This was an accident. A freak one in a million type thing. Disney closes attractions or water parks when there is possible lightning. If a parent decided it was cute to have their toddler splash in puddles and the kid was struck by lightning, would you blame Disney? Of course not!

This reminds me of all the people who try to get a small child on a ride with height restrictions. Disney doesn't have to go into every detail when making a rule. For example, a parent tricks the CM and gets their small child on Kali River Rapids. Unfortunately the child falls out of the raft and drowns. How can the parent sue Disney because they were no explicit enough with the reason behind the rule? Disney shouldn't have to list every possible outcome scenario when enforcing a rule. The place would be littered in signs, fliers, and yellow tape!

Why do you think that educating people about a known danger is silly? If she could go back in time, I'm sure that Mrs. Graves would have found a little laminated flier in her room, or a sign on the beach, informing them about alligators, very helpful.

There are more alligators in Florida than ever before. Look up statistics. It's not 1975.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

No, praying will not educate people.

Fliers and signs, advising of alligators and how to avoid them, will educate people. Disney is a billion dollar company. They have bean counters monitoring your every move. They know there are alligators on their property but chose not to warn people about it. Disney fail.

It is not a resorts responsibility to educate guests on wildlife that is throughout the State. When you check into other resorts, they may have a picture of a gator but they aren't going to educate you and tell you how to avoid them. FYI for all who don't know, Gators travel on land too. Should Disney do an orientation on wildlife at check in. Look under your car before entering, a snake or gator msy be lurking. Check the peep hole in the door for outside first floor rooms, they may be st your door, under staircases...should we continue. Yes, this is what you are asking for, to be educated and taught how to avoid. I have personally nearly stepped on a poisionious snake at my home door, my friend had a gator by her car. It's Florida

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Why do you think that educating people about a known danger is silly? If she could go back in time, I'm sure that Mrs. Graves would have found a little laminated flier in her room, or a sign on the beach, informing them about alligators, very helpful.

There are more alligators in Florida than ever before. Look up statistics. It's not 1975.

Not silly but there would be no end the the dangers...and you sort of answered your own question. ..yes there are more than ever before and most people know that FL has gators but choose to remain in denial that Disney does. Disney is in FL, Disney has lakes & canals, thst equals to FL wildlife on their property. ..all over their property

 

[Eastern]

And like I said before. Some may not like the DM source, but this is where the quote is coming from.

Problem with DM is that they browse the internet, piece together stories, and use quote from multiple articles. Sometimes the articles don't even make sense. Better to google local news and videos for accuracy.

 

[Koz]

I'm sure that within a few month's time there is some type of decorative fence installed. Wonder what this means for rentals of watercraft?

 

[Eastern]

It is not a resorts responsibility to educate guests on wildlife that is throughout the State. When you check into other resorts, they may have a picture of a gator but they aren't going to educate you and tell you how to avoid them. FYI for all who don't know, Gators travel on land too. Should Disney do an orientation on wildlife at check in. Look under your car before entering, a snake or gator msy be lurking. Check the peep hole in the door for outside first floor rooms, they may be st your door, under staircases...should we continue. Yes, this is what you are asking for, to be educated and taught how to avoid. I have personally nearly stepped on a poisionious snake at my home door, my friend had a gator by her car. It's Florida

I think that minimum standards would be to warn people not to approach water/water lines at dusk/dark because *there may be alligators* present. It is the resorts responsibility to make this known when they regularly remove alligators from their property. It's really not involved or difficult.

 

[Eastern]

Not silly but there would be no end the the dangers

We are not talking about a multitude of random dangers; we are talking about alligators.

 

[ITALIANNYC]

I'm sure that within a few month's time there is some type of decorative fence installed. Wonder what this means for rentals of watercraft?

Should do nothing to the rental. I rent boats knowing there are sharks. This should have no effect imo

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I think that quote is being attributed to the lifeguard who came running over from the GF. He was traumatized and arrived after the fact. Not sure how accurate his estimate is.

Yes, it did...

 

[blondietink]

So, if they change the signs to say "keep out of the water, dangerous alligators" and somebody gets bit by a poisonous snake, or struck by lightening, then they need to change the signs again. Maybe the signs need to be generic, such as "stay out of the water at all times, dangerous wildlife and lightening".

 

[JimmyV]

Why do you think that educating people about a known danger is silly? If she could go back in time, I'm sure that Mrs. Graves would have found a little laminated flier in her room, or a sign on the beach, informing them about alligators, very helpful.

I understand completely what you are saying, and I can't disagree with a word of it. Unfortunately, posting signs and placing fliers in rooms has more to do with limiting legal liability than it does with creating a safer environment. First, the sign/flier has to be read. Second, it must be taken seriously. And third, it must be obeyed. These are all leaps of faith at a place that so many people think is a "controlled environment." And this problem is compounded when kids are involved, and children make up at least half of Disney guests. A four year old running toward the lake to put his feet into the water could be attacked in a nanosecond. Faster than his parents could stop him. So their awareness might not translate completely to child safety.

Unfortunately, the incident that happened this week will do far more to educate people than signs or fliers ever would or could. This sort of falls into the category of "there wasn't a problem...until there was." I would imagine that no matter how many warnings were posted, until a real incident took place, the vast majority of people would have thought that this was Disney just being overly cautious and that an alligator attack could never take place along the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon, especially right at the center of the Grand Floridian where people stand to watch fireworks 365 days a year. Could more warnings have been in place prior to Tuesday? Sure. Would they have mattered? Unknown. But people will sure be taking them seriously now. It is an unfortunate fact of human nature that people need "wake up calls" before they take things seriously.

 

[ITALIANNYC]

I am curious. How tall is your average 2 year old? I read in my local news that he was wading into no more then 1 to 2 ft of water.. Wouldn't a 3 foot kid in 2 feet of water being tech swimming?

 

[momofkids]

Everyone here is making some pretty big assumptions here. How do we know the family was unaware that alligators were in the lake? Maybe they knew and decided the risk was so minimal that they didn't need to worry about it. They had access to all the same information we do. I am not saying they were at fault.

Listen, I know my child could unhook a restraint or be injured on a ride, but I take him on rides anyway. We all take some risks from time to time, even after we assess the likelihood of something happening.

Consider that even if the family says they didn't know, that may not be accurate.

This is a horrible tradegy. It was an accident. Blaming Disney or the parents doesn't help anyone. Looking for someone to blame for the situation to make yourself feel better just makes it worse. Tragedy is hard to process. No one wants a freak accident to hurt or kill someone. Unfortunately it happens.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

We are not talking about a multitude of random dangers; we are talking about alligators.

Yes, that's this week's topic. A few years ago the topic was the child who was bitten by the snake. Why didn't Disney warn guests, why didn't they have pest control etc... search it on these boards. Next it will be a guest struck by lightning. OMG Disney never told us how dangerous the lightning was in FL, if we knew, we would have taken cover. Oh if lightning is that dangerous why don't they close the parks if people should not be outside ...etc. just a preview of comments that will be stated

 

[nandm92574]

Well I do hope they raise the age limit for the mice craft not sure it a good idea for young kids. When those boats are wading they are almost at water level.

 

[Eastern]

I know this is way late but I wanted to say something...
I am from Chicago. I currently live in Oklahoma. I have also lived in Kentucky. I knew there were alligators in Florida (and therefore Disney) long before joining this forum. Not downing you at all, don't get me wrong...just saying that where you are from and/or currently live does not necessarily mean your knowledge cannot extend further than that.

I know there are alligators in Florida. Did I know that there were several swimming around in the lagoon? No. Did I realize that you should not walk near or in water at dusk or nighttime? No.

To stay safe, I think people need to know more than, 'there are alligators in Florida'. Disney gets visitors from all over the world. It's a beautiful resort area and theme park. People go and expect a relaxing and safe vacation. People do not realize that alligators can grab your child right outside GF.

 

[JimmyV]

I am curious. How tall is your average 2 year old? I read in my local news that he was wading into no more then 1 to 2 ft of water.. Wouldn't a 3 foot kid in 2 feet of water being tech swimming?

Statistically, an average 2 year old is 34 inches tall. So he wasn't "wading" in 2 feet of water. A foot of water would come up to mid-calf height of a 6 foot man, and up to the thigh of a 2 year old. So the reports that they were "wading" in 1 to 2 feet of water seems exaggerated. "Wading" is typically ankle deep, which is mere inches.