parents not suing

[mom2rtk]

None of the legal technicalities matter. Disney never could have won this in the court of public opinion. And that's everything in their business.

 

[kidshop]

So did I, and deep up there, like when quickly submerging---and I thought the swimming ban was about that---no one had ht ought the gators were a real risk.

Yes, the population has gotten bigger, but that doesn't mean it would be assuemd gators woudl start heading into well populated areas to attack humans and such would be anticipated.

Of course, now we all know, and now Disney does and needs to warn people, but before? I don't see it. I see a horrific, awful, terrible thing that happened that no one is to blame for.

I wish nothing but peace and healing for the heartbroekn family.

No one thought gators were a real risk...not Disney who owns these waters, and not the family from Nebraska. Now we ALL know without a question.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Yes--now we all know. It is horrible that such a tragedy is what alerted us, but life can be like that sometimes. unfortuanetly

 

[TLSnell1981]

That water has been around since the parks opened and people used to swim in it regularly at the resorts and at River Country; there was a awater ski show on it, etc---and gators, while present, never came up and attacked like this----so, perosnally, I think it is reasonable that this was not foreseen as the danger it turned out to be.

There has been a significant increase in population...gators and humans. Can't quite compare it to days gone by...

 

[NHdisneylover]

There has been a significant increase in population...gators and humans. Can't quite compare it to days gone by...

true--but at what point should some company suddenly "know" thigns have changed? I don't know that there is such a point, short of an acutal attack happening.

Sometimes bad htings happen and not everything in the world can be controlled.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Things didn't suddenly change. There have been numerous gator sightings in Bay Lake and reports of guests feeding them. Disney was aware of these incidences and the increased risks, especially with the gators being fed by humans.

 

[cabanafrau]

true--but at what point should some company suddenly "know" thigns have changed? I don't know that there is such a point, short of an acutal attack happening.

Sometimes bad htings happen and not everything in the world can be controlled.

I agree with you, but I find several things about Disney's choices troubling. Disney has staff to work on gator removal, so they absolutely are monitoring the gator situation. Where the attack occurred is an area that sees daily maintenance by cast members and is seen by many cast members on a daily basis. Gator activity is definitely something they should have been paying attention to. How many times have cast members seen guests wading in the water? If they wanted to maintain their policy of avoid confronting guests' behavior as much as possible then clearer signage and proactively informing guests at check in or in their rooms was most definitely in order so that the risks were clearly communicated.

A person wading in that water who stumbled and fell face into that water also risked exposure to an amoeba that almost certainly causes death. The amoeba flourishes most at water's edge. IMO that right there merited policy where guests were well informed and cast members were required to request guests remove themselves from the water immediately.

Do I think Disney expected something like this to happen? Certainly not. Do I think that they should have anticipated and communicated the risks better? Absolutely.

 

[Bluestars]

Although I feel Disney should have had signs warning people about the gators, I think they were responsible once the staff and guests started feeding them. Disney didn't bring the gators in, but they knew of the danger, that the gators were being fed by humans, and that tourists from all over the world may not have been aware of the gators in their lake. All it would have taken was for properly placed signs to prevent the loss of this sweet child's life. It's heartbreaking.

 

[mummabear]

So did I, and deep up there, like when quickly submerging---and I thought the swimming ban was about that---no one had ht ought the gators were a real risk.

Yes, the population has gotten bigger, but that doesn't mean it would be assuemd gators woudl start heading into well populated areas to attack humans and such would be anticipated.

Of course, now we all know, and now Disney does and needs to warn people, but before? I don't see it. I see a horrific, awful, terrible thing that happened that no one is to blame for.

I wish nothing but peace and healing for the heartbroekn family.

First of all also easy to see how quickly a toddler could have tripped and fallen in that water.

Second, Disney knew that guests were feeding gators and did not take reasonable steps to stop them.

So, if I get bitten by a rabid squirrel on your property, you are responsible right?

Literally the most dangerous animal in NZ is a dog....

Things didn't suddenly change. There have been numerous gator sightings in Bay Lake and reports of guests feeding them. Disney was aware of these incidences and the increased risks, especially with the gators being fed by humans.

Exactly.
The reasons I feel Disney was negligent (and I am talking from a moral negligence and likely civil) are
1) they felt the need to post no swimming signs but since the (known) danger was still at risk at the shoreline they should have had don't enter the water (and don't even start with that's what no swimming means, WDW attracts people from all around the world and the sign should have been clear)
2) They knew there were alligators in the water, they didn't communicate that risk with their guests. They also knew guests were feeding alligators and didn't take steps to stop it.
3) knowing that they had alligators in the water, and that alligators hunt at dusk/night they chose to run waterside resort activities at those times. Again no warnings.
4) they created the environment that encouraged guests to wade/ being right at the waters edge. They also created (or developed further) the lagoon itself.

I have no doubt that risks about the alligators/amboea have been discussed in meetings and it was decided that it wasn't a "magical" look to have alligator warning signs on the beaches.
They may have thought the risks were low, they may have thought they could manage the alligators with their team, but they made a gamble with people's lives and lost.

 

[monsterkitty]

I could swear that I've seen "Please do not feed wildlife" signs around POR and in parks. Granted at the time I saw the sign was when people were feeding the ducks at the resort and feeding birds French fries at AK. I never dreamed people would be stupid enough to feed an alligator.

 

[fly girl]

I could swear that I've seen "Please do not feed wildlife" signs around POR and in parks. Granted at the time I saw the sign was when people were feeding the ducks at the resort and feeding birds French fries at AK. I never dreamed people would be stupid enough to feed an alligator.

I know they have them at Epcot too, and people still feed the ducks and birds.

Disney employees were also exposed to feeding gators too! I don't get it either. Why? The last thing I would want is to attract a reptile that big towards me!

 

[ronandannette]

I agree with you, but I find several things about Disney's choices troubling. Disney has staff to work on gator removal, so they absolutely are monitoring the gator situation. Where the attack occurred is an area that sees daily maintenance by cast members and is seen by many cast members on a daily basis. Gator activity is definitely something they should have been paying attention to. How many times have cast members seen guests wading in the water? If they wanted to maintain their policy of avoid confronting guests' behavior as much as possible then clearer signage and proactively informing guests at check in or in their rooms was most definitely in order so that the risks were clearly communicated.

A person wading in that water who stumbled and fell face into that water also risked exposure to an amoeba that almost certainly causes death. The amoeba flourishes most at water's edge. IMO that right there merited policy where guests were well informed and cast members were required to request guests remove themselves from the water immediately.

Do I think Disney expected something like this to happen? Certainly not. Do I think that they should have anticipated and communicated the risks better? Absolutely.

And the total spin-doctoring of the message, including the directive to blatantly lie about alligators being observed, is sickening.

 

[aristocatz]

If this were me, the only compensation I would have liked would be for cost of the ruined trip and maybe another trip comped. And I think Disney would have been happy to oblige that. And it would merely be a drop in the ocean for them.

I'm not always great with picking up on sarcasm.....are you being sarcastic?

 

[jevs]

I'm not always great with picking up on sarcasm.....are you being sarcastic?

I read it as being completely serious, and..

I can't even...

 

[aristocatz]

Also, couldnt fathom spending a dime of that money.

I was just thinking the same thing.

 

[ronandannette]

I'm not always great with picking up on sarcasm.....are you being sarcastic?

Um, yeah, it kind of does totally re-define "Worst Trip Ever" doesn't it.

 

[PlainJane]

When I read that they started a foundation, I wondered if some donation from Disney would have followed (whether anonymously or not). They want their kid back, no amount of money is going to make that pain go away. If Disney did give them a settlement, I can see it being used for any siblings education, medical bills, funeral costs, and to cover lost wages while they grieve. Possibly the rest will go towards the foundation.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Um, yeah, it kind of does totally re-define "Worst Trip Ever" doesn't it.

Well now, hold on. Is the Dining Plan included? Deluxe or regular?

 

[ZachnElli]

I think growing up in small midwestern town will certainly help. To be healthy and happy is always the goal. While she may or may not recall bits and pieces of the events, the loss will gradually become a part of her life story as she grows.

Omaha is not a small midwestern town, it is a city. The town of Elkhorn that they, and I, live in was annexed into Omaha in 2008.

 

[gwynne]

Omaha is not a small midwestern town, it is a city. The town of Elkhorn that they, and I, live in was annexed into Omaha in 2008.

Goodness. I've driven out to Elkhorn several times. It's a lovely place. The people I interacted with there felt it still had it's own unique identity, but maybe not.
Back to topic...I did not actually write out Elkhorn in my earlier post because I wish the family privacy. I know it's on the 'net, but I don't have to add to it.