Is there a purpose to all the water around disney world at this point?

[Hikergirl]

Many, many years ago, I was driving to the Kennedy Space Center and there was a gator strolling across the road, bringing traffic to a stop. And I swear I've seen pictures of gators in residential swimming pools even when the pool was totally enclosed. I'm not from Florida, but I've always assumed that if there was a body of water, there would be gators in it so I stay away unless I can see the bottom so I know there aren't any critters in there.

We saw 2 of them in the water along the road on our way to the Space Center.
It was after we took an airboat ride where we literally drove over a gator as he was descending into the water. He was sticking his head up about 2 feet from our boat and I don't know much about them, but I could tell he was a big guy.

 

[Hikergirl]

Then why are they putting up a fence other then some PR gimmick to show how much they care?

I think its obvious that they are doing this to keep people out of the water from here on out.

 

[goofyernmost]

I think its obvious that they are doing this to keep people out of the water from here on out.

Yes, I agree, but, the signs should have done the same thing. Fences will not keep the people out or the gators in, if they are being built as mentioned by others.

 

[IrishNYC]

Draining the water surrounding WDW would be so awful for the environment. We've already managed to destroy the ecosystem of the everglades with development, and it's costing billions to restore the damage.

This is a great article about it http://www.npr.org/2016/02/19/46658...hare&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social

If that's too much to read, here's a simple graphic that shows how we've destroyed the natural flow.

 

[Hikergirl]

Yes, I agree, but, the signs should have done the same thing. Fences will not keep the people out or the gators in, if they are being built as mentioned by others.

Its been discussed all over this board that the signs weren't really clear, plus the fact that CMs have allowed kids to wade in the water up until this tragic incident. So, in this case the sign did do its job, nobody was swimming at the time.

The fences are not meant to keep gators in, that really isn't possible. They are meant to keep people out of the water, and I guess at this point if a person ignores the signs that say Stay out of the water and decides to climb a fence to get into it there really isn't anything Disney can do about that. Maybe if they are seen doing in they can be told not to, or even escorted off the property but that seems a bit extreme. At some point we do have to be responsible for our own actions, and if a sign and a fence don't do that then its not really Disney's responsibility to keep you safe from whatever may happen in that event.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that people tend to obey fencing more than just signs. There is no way to 100% guarantee that someone won't ignore the fencing of course but I don't see what else Disney can do.

This thread reminds me of something a certain politician said years ago. It was one of those summers when wildfires were particularly bad and this individual said that we wouldn't have so many fires if we cut down more trees. Ugh

 

[DekrRini]

WDW is a wide open huge swamp. Gators do not follow road maps, so to say that it wouldn't happen is a huge hunk of denial. Leaving room for Gators to get under the ropes also makes them useless when it comes to keeping humans out of the water. The boy was not walking on the shore, he was in the water, shallow water granted, but still in the water the gator didn't climb up on land to get him, however, that was easily possible. Just the signs would be more then sufficient when you consider the uselessness of the fence. Also a little education about how gators hunt after dark would also help warn people that it is more dangerous after dark.

I don't see the fence so much as a protective barrier, but more of a deterrent. Signs are easier to ignore than a fence. Those who don't realize the lakes pose a hazzard or miss the signage would think twice before entering the water. Those who are going to ignore the fence will do so no matter what sort of barrier WDW would erect. These are the same people who cross barriers to stand at the edge of the Grand Canyon or go wandering around off the pathways at the hot springs of Yellowstone.

 

[goofyernmost]

Its been discussed all over this board that the signs weren't really clear, plus the fact that CMs have allowed kids to wade in the water up until this tragic incident. So, in this case the sign did do its job, nobody was swimming at the time.

The fences are not meant to keep gators in, that really isn't possible. They are meant to keep people out of the water, and I guess at this point if a person ignores the signs that say Stay out of the water and decides to climb a fence to get into it there really isn't anything Disney can do about that. Maybe if they are seen doing in they can be told not to, or even escorted off the property but that seems a bit extreme. At some point we do have to be responsible for our own actions, and if a sign and a fence don't do that then its not really Disney's responsibility to keep you safe from whatever may happen in that event.

OK, I have already acknowledged that a rope fence will not keep the gators in. I will also not keep them out. I am also aware that there were not sufficient warnings until now, because, well, people aren't to bright and can't figure out that there might be Alligators in the swamps in Florida. A place that is famous for it's Alligators. Anyway I'm sure some of the CM's have allowed it because it isn't that huge a problem during the daytime. Most Alligators are nocturnal. I don't think any CM in recent years has thought it a good idea to even wade in there, but, it could have happened. A two year old would not know the difference between swimming and wading and they cannot read, so the signs in that case are useless. But, now, with the new signs it is probably more urgent that parents make it clear that they are not to go into the water at all, especially at night.

I do indeed agree that although Disney does have a certain degree of responsibility to make sure that their guests are aware of the dangers, it is not responsible for the foolishness of others. I'm not talking about this occurrence which wasn't anything like that, we are talking about a situation that no one would have imagined as possible. That has all changed now. I don't care if they have fences for the purpose of reminding people of the danger as long as the plans do not include a barrier that prohibits the wildlife from getting to and from the water.

 

[goofyernmost]

I don't see the fence so much as a protective barrier, but more of a deterrent. Signs are easier to ignore than a fence. Those who don't realize the lakes pose a hazzard or miss the signage would think twice before entering the water. Those who are going to ignore the fence will do so no matter what sort of barrier WDW would erect. These are the same people who cross barriers to stand at the edge of the Grand Canyon or go wandering around off the pathways at the hot springs of Yellowstone.

Agreed!

 

[Boski]

 

[bryanb]

Having a fence also allows them to reopen the beaches. The fence is not about keeping alligators from coming onto land. As we know, such attacks are rare. It's to give people a clear line in the sand (literally) on how far back they should stay from the water.

I know how some people are cynical about this as a PR stunt, but "Disney" is also made up of humans like us. They are looking for solutions that improve safety, without having to close the beaches forever. If I worked for the company. I am sure I'd be even more mortified by the events of last week than those of us on the sidelines, and that a lot of people are taking the responsibility to act very personally.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

To answer the OP and everyone else.

There is no purpose to the water being NEAR people.

There is a purpose to the water (drainage/water table, etc.)

You could have built WDW with no water near any guests, but they didn't because water is "fun". As someone else said there used to be water skiing and swimming in 7 Seas Lagoon. Shoot, they even had a wave machine at Poly (it's still there) so you could body surf in the 7 Seas Lagoon.


One thing nobody's mentioned on the DIS that I've seen is how the gator-feeding at Poly bungalows has made the gators look to humans for food and lose their fear of humans. Is it really just a coincidence that the Poly bungalows opened a year or so ago, the people started feeding gators from their deck, and then a gator hears humans and goes over to find food and finds....a little boy who gets murdered?

Actually I have mentioned the gator feedings and that the bungalows were the worst thing. Yes, I agree, gators are viewing humans as food and that is where the dangers start

 

[GPC0321]

Does anybody else have Big Yellow Taxi going through their head?

YES! I was singing in my head earlier when staring at this thread with my mouth hanging open in disbelief. "They paved paradise and put up a parking lot." Totally.

 

[pa. dad]

Yeah just like those useless Geysers and hot springs in Wyoming. You can't swim in them it's too hot, you can't go near them the fumes would kill you, you can't walk on them it's forbidden, and they smell like rotten eggs .... Yeah right, let's tear down Yellowstone and build a giant mall with a fun spot america in the back. Oh, and make sure there's a walgreens in that mall. I'd like to be able to have my water pictures printed...

Really ?

Why do people insist on putting words in my mouth that aren't there? Respond to my words or just dont respond please.

 

[pa. dad]

Actually I have mentioned the gator feedings and that the bungalows were the worst thing. Yes, I agree, gators are viewing humans as food and that is where the dangers start

I saw something today that gators have been spotted in SPLASH MT and frequently at the CS resort.
Of all the rides there, I can't think of any that I have been on more frequently than Splash Mt. And I have stayed at the CS resort.
You have a resort that is primarily designed for families and you have gators all over the place. HELLO? Sorry you guys don;t see a problem with that, I DO. There are plenty of miles for gators to happily live their lives in FL. A theme park resort should not be one of them.

 

[mom2rtk]

I saw something today that gators have been spotted in SPLASH MT and frequently at the CS resort.
Of all the rides there, I can't think of any that I have been on more frequently than Splash Mt. And I have stayed at the CS resort.
You have a resort that is primarily designed for families and you have gators all over the place. HELLO? Sorry you guys don;t see a problem with that, I DO. There are plenty of miles for gators to happily live their lives in FL. A theme park resort should not be one of them.

Other than draining all the water, how are you going to solve that problem?

 

[AFwifelife]

Is this for real? Like really for real?

 

[Hikergirl]

I saw something today that gators have been spotted in SPLASH MT and frequently at the CS resort.
Of all the rides there, I can't think of any that I have been on more frequently than Splash Mt. And I have stayed at the CS resort.
You have a resort that is primarily designed for families and you have gators all over the place. HELLO? Sorry you guys don;t see a problem with that, I DO. There are plenty of miles for gators to happily live their lives in FL. A theme park resort should not be one of them.

I don't think the gators know they can happily live somewhere else. Maybe somebody should tell them

 

[ITALIANNYC]

I am sorry but this is the worst thread I have ever seen made on here... I won't waste my time with a rebuttal.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

It's a boring day in Wisconsin. But looks like more confusion on the meaning of life and water and wildlife and signs and such still on the boards.

Back to squinting the neighbors kids with water guns. Taa.