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

[Dis703]

That's all I'm hoping. That Disney learns how many people have NO IDEA about this risk and just warn them. That's all.

I have no doubt they will. I stand by that they didn't have any reason to before. And statistically speaking it's still not likely to happen ever again so if they didn't I'd still say they don't need to. But in all likelihood they will find some way to better inform people or keep them out of the water.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Your risk is still infinitesimal regardless. And there are activities near water with gators all across the city and state. There is nothing unique about that.

Right. And some places still have the sense to post signs that warn people -- like some posted in this thread.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

If Disney is making the effort to convince people they are in that bubble because it increases their bottom line, than part of the cost of that marketing effort is to pay when it backfires. Most likely, it's a cost they accept, and you'll find the actual Disney corporation much less defensive of themselves than people here are. They know they manipulate their customers to increase their bottom line, and they know for every 99999 for whom it works out well, there will be one for whom it doesn't, and they're willing to absorb that cost.

You can't say "don't worry, we've thought of everything, feel safe, feel protected, feel surrounded by magic," then turn around and say "it's not our fault you felt safe and protected and surrounded by magic and put your trust in us to think of everything and keep your family safe."

they don't say we have thought of everything feel safe. That is what guests think. If you fall for their advertising, that's you being in denial. Does Tide get my laundry brighter? Crest not let my children get cavities? Bounty really the better picker upper? It's all advertising and you need to realize that. Look at commercials for Disney, they show all characters running thru parks without crowds, is that reality when you get there? Heck, you cannot even see Mickey unless you go stand inside in a line. Cinderella. .where is she outside hugging little girls? It's the psychology of advertising, it's not real

 

[agame2323]

I love how people are so "educated" about the potential dangers of the Seven Seas Lagoon at the WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT. My family and I have stayed at the Poly and walked along the beach NOT THINKING TWICE about if a Gator or something could come out of the water and attack one of us.

I don't know how anyone can blame the parents in this situation. Not everyone is from Florida or a place were dangerous wildlife plays a factor in how they enjoy their vacation.

I also understand the challenge Disney has in delivering the message of potential dangers. I'm not sure how effective a sign or new signs with different and more direct language would be, but its a start. SOMETHING needs to done.

Fact is... this should NEVER happen on property. It wasn't a deliberate act of ignorance on the child or parent. I believe they simply didn't know or realize the SSL had Gators in it.

NOW, if DISNEY knew of the dangers, THAT's a problem. They shouldn't even allow people near the watering knowing Gators could potentially exist in a close distance.

 

[nandm92574]

the question was whether or not that can happen not whether it is rare. And alligators at dusk won't go onto a beach? Let's say on the shoreline? Maybe a few feet out if there is prey? I lived in Louisiana for 10 years maybe the gators there are more aggressive?

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I haven't but I will, can you point me in the right direction?

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

 

[pigletgirl]

Jeff Corwin on the Today show said that if the alligators are getting fed regularly by humans, then the gators will see humans as a food source. Sounds like Disney needs to come up with a way to keep guests from feeding them.

My question is, what about the villas over the lagoon?

 

[agame2323]

they don't say we have thought of everything feel safe. That is what guests think. If you fall for their advertising, that's you being in denial. Does Tide get my laundry brighter? Crest not let my children get cavities? Bounty really the better picker upper? It's all advertising and you need to realize that. Look at commercials for Disney, they show all characters running thru parks without crowds, is that reality when you get there? Heck, you cannot even see Mickey unless you go stand inside in a line. Cinderella. .where is she outside hugging little girls? It's the psychology of advertising, it's not real

I disagree. The difference between Tide, Crest or any other company in that space is that Disney is providing a SERVICE.

If you go to a restaurant and get food poisoning, who's fault is that? You PAID for food that was suppose to be prepared and cooked properly. NOW... if that restaurant has a sign on the door that says "This is the most delicious meal you'll ever have but EAT AT OUR OWN RISK" ... that a completely different thing.

This is where Disney is now.

 

[Dis703]

NOW, if DISNEY knew of the dangers, THAT's a problem. They shouldn't even allow people near the watering knowing Gators could potentially exist in a close distance.

If you are in the state of Florida you are likely near water that has gators. Yes, some places post signs but not all and likely because they rarely ever pose a threat. People are near these waters ALL the time without incident. I've said it before but our lake we grew up next to had at least 3 gators in it regularly sometimes more. Our bus stop was there. There was a playground and tennis court right there. There was a large banyan tree that actually touched the water on one side and kids were all over it all the time. It was always full of people and the gators never caused a problem as they don't the vast majority of the time. Even if Disney knew there were gators (which they had to) that doesn't mean they knew there was a danger because they so rarely cause any harm.

 

[sunshine1]

@sunshine1 Those alligators were killed to find the boy, not just because they were there. I'm pretty sure if it was your child, you would have wanted want to bring him home, too.

Then the dive team found the poor little childs body intact at the bottom of the lagoon.

Wrong, wrong, wrong to kill the alligators.

 

[LivingforDisney]

I find some of the comments, saying you should know about alligators in Florida a bit absurd.
I have been to WDW twice and yes I know there are alligators in Florida, but I certainly didn't know they were in WDW and surrounds, and no I didn't know there were deadly snakes in bushes and a bacteria that can kill you in the water!
I am sure a lot of other overseas visitors don't know this either, not everyone comes on this site.
Our first visit was Pop Century and I read there was probably some in the water between there and AOA.
Second visit at CBR, I have a photo of one of the beach areas there, we went down to sit in the hammocks and walked down to the waters edge, a small sign saying no swimming, which u might not notice , depending on where u walked down to the waters edge.
We also walked around GF one night and walked down to that beach area.
I wouldn't paddle in water like that as I don't even like real beaches, but can understand how kids would want to put their feet in the water.
My heart breaks for that darling little boy, but IMHO Disney should have signs more appropriate, maybe like some of these if you were to visit Northern Queensland or the Northern Territory here in Australia.
Of course people don't take notice and do actually still swim , but if I saw a sign like this , I wouldn't go anywhere near the water.

 

[sunshine1]

I'm pretty sure DISNEY didn't kill the alligators... ...

Can you find me some proof?

Thanks.


Says here 5 have already been killed:

http://dailym.ai/1ty0vol

 

[Dis703]

Jeff Corwin on the Today show said that if the alligators are getting fed regularly by humans, then the gators will see humans as a food source. Sounds like Disney needs to come up with a way to keep guests from feeding them.

My question is, what about the villas over the lagoon?

Are they actually feeding them? Sorry I didn't see this come up here, but haven't read the whole thread. I can't say I've ever known anyone to feed a gator.

 

[tdmollyb]

I just keep flashing back to the time I fell asleep in the hammock at Caribbean Beach resort while my two children played next to me. I told them they weren't allowed in the water, (not even toes), but I know they walked to the edge to get water for their buckets. Honestly at that time my biggest concern was, omg someone could have kidnapped my kids in the 5 minutes I was asleep. (Yes, even at Disney. I'm a paranoid mom) Alligators never crossed my mind. I am just sick thinking of what could have happened. I am retroactively beating myself up for my lapse in vigilance. I don't think I could ever relax on the beach with my kids again.

 

[DnA2010]

Then the dive team found the poor little childs body intact at the bottom of the lagoon.

Wrong, wrong, wrong to kill the alligators.

If they found 5 in those hours- I would imagine there are plenty in the waters? Of course they needed to kill them- the little boy was missing.

 

[sunshine1]

View attachment 175832 View attachment 175830 I find some of the comments, saying you should know about alligators in Florida a bit absurd.
I have been to WDW twice and yes I know there are alligators in Florida, but I certainly didn't know they were in WDW and surrounds, and no I didn't know there were deadly snakes in bushes and a bacteria that can kill you in the water!
I am sure a lot of other overseas visitors don't know this either, not everyone comes on this site.
Our first visit was Pop Century and I read there was probably some in the water between there and AOA.
Second visit at CBR, I have a photo of one of the beach areas there, we went down to sit in the hammocks and walked down to the waters edge, a small sign saying no swimming, which u might not notice , depending on where u walked down to the waters edge.
We also walked around GF one night and walked down to that beach area.
I wouldn't paddle in water like that as I don't even like real beaches, but can understand how kids would want to put their feet in the water.
My heart breaks for that darling little boy, but IMHO Disney should have signs more appropriate, maybe like some of these if you were to visit Northern Queensland or the Northern Territory here in Australia.
Of course people don't take notice and do actually still swim , but if I saw a sign like this , I wouldn't go anywhere near the water.View attachment 175829

DISNEY SHOULD HAVE SIGNAGE LIKE THIS.

Thanks for posting.

 

[IrishNYC]

Jeff Corwin on the Today show said that if the alligators are getting fed regularly by humans, then the gators will see humans as a food source. Sounds like Disney needs to come up with a way to keep guests from feeding them.

My question is, what about the villas over the lagoon?

I really don't know how they could stop it. As said before, there are signs saying not to feed the wildlife, but people still do it. Aside from having someone patrolling every moment and stopping them, it's next to impossible.

 

[nandm92574]

But seriously with the rates people are paying at the hotels someone patrolling those beaches at peak times, during invited parties/events/fireworks/parades is not too much to ask. And not ALL of Disney. the "beaches" they maintain at resorts. if Disney just shuts it all down because they don't want to protect then who is the fool? People act like Disney is a not for profit parkland. Signs, a guard no issue and yes if A rogue person charges into the water and gets attacked/amonbae/snakes whatever Disney did their best (but if it's anything like beer at the pool NO WAY are they getting in)

 

[pigletgirl]

Are they actually feeding them? Sorry I didn't see this come up here, but haven't read the whole thread. I can't say I've ever known anyone to feed a gator.

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...

 

[mickeymom629]

Even if the sign said DO NOT TOUCH THE WATER, people would still touch the water.

People are told (in the news, etc.) how dangerous lightning is and, yet, I still see people running here and there in the Disney parks during storms. They think their chances are slim.

What happened to this poor child is not a daily occurrence, and the chances of it happening were probably extremely slim. After all, look how many people have done the same thing in all these years.

People have stated on this board that there are snakes in the bushes, so should Disney put up signs about staying away from the bushes?

There are dangers everywhere. I am a protective mother (well, my kids are in their 20's now), but I always think that if something bad happens, it will probably be something I hadn't even thought of. There can't be signs for everything and, even if there were, there are some people who would ignore them.