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

[IrishNYC]

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

Wrong, wrong, wrong to kill the alligators.

How else were they supposed to see if he had been eaten before they finally found him?

 

[Dis703]

The signage for Crocodiles in Australia makes more sense though as these animals are far more aggressive and dangerous and attacks are more likely to be fatal. Certain species of crocodile are responsible for hundreds of deaths every year. Now if Disney had a Nile Crocodile roaming the SSL and didn't put up a warning I'd say yes they are at fault for not warning everyone.

 

[SaintsManiac]

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

Wrong, wrong, wrong to kill the alligators.

I understand where you're coming from. I really do, BUT it is the way it is. Alligators are hunted in Louisiana (and FL I am sure) for sport and meat and skins.

If the gators are becoming a danger they will be eliminated/controlled.

We dealt with the impacts of the BP spill here and will see entire communities washed away because of coastal erosion. Is it right? Of course not.

Disney is not going to shut down the beaches permanently, so they will deal with the gators one way or the other.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Can you find me some proof?

Thanks.


Says here 5 have already been killed:

http://dailym.ai/1ty0vol

I didn't say they weren't killed. I said it wasn't DISNEY'S call.

 

[PAcpl]

This has gotten beyond silly. No point in continuing the back and forth.

I'd bet Disney will improve signage because now that they know better, they'll feel a responsibility to guests to do better. That's all. Common sense now.

If it was common sense then this would have been happening for years. Disney goes out of their way to protect guests from events like this. Adding a word onto a sign or adding another sign or two will not stop a guest who wants to do what they want to do. We have all ignored signs, leaned out a little further on a ride then we should have to get that perfect selfie. This time it ended tragic and everyone is looking for someone to blame. Regardless of who is to blame it can't be changed. I am sure Disney will add more signs and I am sure this story will be told for years. Hopefully that will be enough to not let this happen again.

 

[Srbright]

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.

Like the buildings in "Aligator Bayou"?

Stacy

 

[bilnsheldodisney]

It won't keep everyone from entering the waters. But one can certainly imagine that it will prevent some. Worth it.

yes! even if it saves one person it would be worth it.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Adding a word onto a sign or adding another sign or two will not stop a guest who wants to do what they want to do.

I've agreed with this throughout this thread.

They should still WARN of a potential DANGER. Rather than just politely asking people "no swimming please".

If someone STILL ignores that, I believe that is on them -- personal responsibility.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

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.

Just a few days back there was a long thread called, "Why don't people plan?" I don't recall wildlife being mentioned, but the thread was full or put downs where ADR's and Fastpass was concerned.

I fear you underestimate people from outside the USA. Americans might ignore wildlife, but I imagine most peoples of Africa, Asia, South America, Australia, etc. live closer to nature.

 

[sunshine1]

I understand where you're coming from. I really do, BUT it is the way it is. Alligators are hunted in Louisiana (and FL I am sure) for sport and meat and skins.

If the gators are becoming a danger they will be eliminated/controlled.

We dealt with the impacts of the BP spill here and will see entire communities washed away because of coastal erosion. Is it right? Of course not.

Disney is not going to shut down the beaches permanently, so they will deal with the gators one way or the other.

Poor animals.

We take over their land then kill or harm them when they become a 'problem'.

Animals were not put on this earth for our entertainment, to eat or to profit from. But that is another topic.

I have seen footage of crocs/gators being skinned alive so their skin is made into handbags. Can you imagine being skinned alive? How painful that must be. It is barbaric.

Shame on the BP spill aswell.

It makes me ashamed to be human.

 

[aprilp]

http://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/160523395-story

Interesting read. This lady apparently was right there with her own son in the water just shortly to when the incident occurred (she claims 30 min prior).

 

[Bluegrrl]

It's wrong to kill the poor things, but how else were they to find the little boy?

Now... If they go on a "Jaws" level purge, that's a real tragedy. Although, our population of alligators has rebounded very nicely. The main problem we have is alligator growth combined with habitat loss + people stupidity (not this family, just general) + feeding of gators=people & yappy dog & cat deaths.

 

[Planogirl]

I hope that people remember how rare this is. I suspect that Disney never expected anything like this and were caught by surprise. They know better now but I hope that they don't overreact.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I hope that people remember how rare this is. I suspect that Disney never expected anything like this and were caught by surprise. They know better now but I hope that they don't overreact.

Agreed. News reports I've seen are also emphasizing the rarity, which I think is important. I want to see better signs, but really hope they don't overreact either (permanently close all water areas, etc.).

 

[bryanb]

yes! even if it saves one person it would be worth it.

I completely agree with you. But to put it in perspective, I am very thankful that in this many decades, there really has only been one person who needed to be saved. :-(

It is so uncommon that hopefully, there won't be another person affected by this for a long time to come... with or without signs.

 

[ITALIANNYC]

Good grief! Really?? It's a safari!!!! You don't see that as different than a movie night on a "beach" where people didn't attend so that they could see an alligator!!

Geez.

You obviously missed the point of the whole post. No point of continuing

 

[PAcpl]

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

Wrong, wrong, wrong to kill the alligators.

According to this article Disney has an open policy to take out any alligators they find in their lakes, regardless of the situation.

"They have a full-time staff observing these waters and they have essentially an open permit system where any time they see an alligator or a complaint is called in, it can be taken out," Wiley said at a press conference Wednesday, reports KETV.

 

[GWS]

First off I would like to say my thoughts and prayers are with the parents, I am truly heartbroken for their loss.

It took me some time to form my opinion as who I feel is more at fault, the grieving parents or Disney. After a lot of thought I believe Disney is at fault for this tragic event. Here is a list of reasons as to how I came to my conclusion.
1. You pay a premium just to go to Disney (theme parks and resorts) so that you can escape the harsh realities of the world.
2. Signage is not posted clearly stating the dangers of the waters. "No Swimming" means only that.
3. Disney CM's should make it a point at the time of check-in to inform the guest of the possible Florida dangers that surround the restores/them-parks.
4. Who really does their do-diligence when researching vacations spots for all the bad and terrible things that can happen? Not very many (to include myself), you only research the fun things to do, such as excursions, which ones appeal to you and your family.
5. To assume that everyone knows that Florida has alligators in every body of water is ridiculous. If you not native to that area then you probably would not know or not know the severity of it. This also includes other dangerous animals.
6. Disney recognizes the dangerous of the alligators to the guest but has done nothing or very little to ensure the safety of the guest. Which goes back to point # 1. Disney's own CM's state that at night and especially during this time of year the alligators are more active. Meaning they they are more likely to get out of the water to hunt for food or to locate to a different body of water to mate. Also to go as far to say how dangerous it really is and they try to do their best behind the scenes, "it's like Jurassic Park at night time".
7. Stories are starting to surface of all the alligator sightings at Disney Resorts and in the theme parks. My family has even witnessed a smaller (baby I guess) alligator when we stayed at CSR, luckily nothing happened and the alligator (when we saw it) remained in the water. However, there are stories (and I can't verify the legitimacy of them) of an alligator in the bathroom at a Disney theme park, in the Splash Mountain attraction (a real one), in the mote that surrounds the castle and seen on Tom Sawyers Island. I am sure there are plenty more alligator sightings at the theme parks, resorts and Disney Springs.

For these simple reasons I feel that Disney bears the responsibility to that family and also all the guest to make it safer for all of us.

I know that "common sense" will be thrown out as the go to answer for that family and all other families. Normally I would agree but in this case I disagree with common sense because it is Disney fault for not taking the necessary precautions to prevent this from happening in the first place.

I have also heard that this is the first incident of this nature in the 45 years that WDW has been there. I ask this question, is this really the first incident of this nature at WDW or has there been others that got swept under the rug and pay offs by Disney?

I am a big Disney fan and this has not discouraged me from going to their theme parks and resorts however it has been a real eye opener for me and my family of the dangers that Disney does not protect it's guest from.

Yes Disney can/should do more at protecting their guest! Especially when guest pay so much!

My post is not debatable, as I stated this is "my opinion". If your opinion differs from mine, please don't try to debate with me. Thank you.

May the family of the two year old find some peace.

 

[nandm92574]

Well one thing is for sure you can't argue that things are "common sense" and then remind everyone how rare it is.... Is it common or rare?

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Official notification to all, Gators will go in any body of water. If you want signs, write the Governor. This was just in my local news...today!!!#
http://www.winknews.com/2016/06/16/gator-spotted-near-beach-at-wiggins-pass/