Please Be Aware of the Dangers of Gators in Disney World waters.

[McCrae]

You have to ask how safe the Villas are at PVB..... No chance in a million years would I take the risk of staying in them with my kids.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

You have to ask how safe the Villas are at PVB..... No chance in a million years would I take the risk of staying in them with my kids.

Why not?
That seems a bit paranoid to me. Aren't they well above the water??

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I seem to remember back when BCV first opened, there was a famous gator in the pond that everyone talked about.

How long did it take Disney to remove that guy??

MG

 

[hcortesis]

I seem to remember back when BCV first opened, there was a famous gator in the pond that everyone talked about.

How long did it take Disney to remove that guy??

MG

I saw him on and off for a couple of years.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

Just broken hearted about this--we have 3 kids nearly the same ages as this family and GFV is one of our home resorts. I can see a million ways this could have been us. I agree, a silhouette of an alligator should be added the "stay out of the **** lakes* signs so people understand that it's not just an arbitrary rule. And yet a crazy little toddler isn't going to read the sign or listen.

Ugh We have VGF booked in November and I am a bit concerned that just seeing the beach will make me too sad to enjoy the stay, which I know is crazy. Just brokenhearted for Orlando in general this week, and for all those that love it and it's visitors and inhabitants.

 

[EllieBride]

Just broken hearted about this--we have 3 kids nearly the same ages as this family and GFV is one of our home resorts. I can see a million ways this could have been us. I agree, a silhouette of an alligator should be added the "stay out of the **** lakes* signs so people understand that it's not just an arbitrary rule. And yet a crazy little toddler isn't going to read the sign or listen.

Ugh We have VGF booked in November and I am a bit concerned that just seeing the beach will make me too sad to enjoy the stay, which I know is crazy. Just brokenhearted for Orlando in general this week, and for all those that love it and it's visitors and inhabitants.

You're not crazy... we're staying at VGF this November as well, and I feel the same way. This could have been any of us. So much heartbreak for all of the families who have lost loved ones this past week.

 

[Baklava]

Why not?
That seems a bit paranoid to me. Aren't they well above the water??

MG

We toured one and unless the gator was a ninja he'd have trouble getting in.

 

[ColonialMouse]

I'm horrified by this attack, and that apparently Disney was doing nothing about gators. (there were 6? in the seven seas lagoon?) While I know there are gators in Florida, Disney has gone to a lot of effort to build beautiful beaches, encourages families to play there (there's a picture on one of the dvcmember pages from PVB), and hosts parties and movies for kids on the beach (which I think was right before this child was killed). Encouraging kids to play right next to water infested by gators is ludicrously irresponsible. I think most of us are aware that Disney is a business and not to be too taken in by the aura they try to project, but the notion that apparently they were hosting parties on beaches they built next to water that apparently they spent no time monitoring for gators is horrifying. It's really hard to express how irresponsible that is, particularly for a business like Disney.

At least the next time we're at BLT, we know.

Bruce

 

[chalee94]

Or since there has only been one attack in 45 years, maybe a little perspective could be helpful. I'm certain some adjustments will be made...

 

[lisaviolet]

I'm horrified by this attack, and that apparently Disney was doing nothing about gators. (there were 6? in the seven seas lagoon?) While I know there are gators in Florida, Disney has gone to a lot of effort to build beautiful beaches, encourages families to play there (there's a picture on one of the dvcmember pages from PVB), and hosts parties and movies for kids on the beach (which I think was right before this child was killed). Encouraging kids to play right next to water infested by gators is ludicrously irresponsible. I think most of us are aware that Disney is a business and not to be too taken in by the aura they try to project, but the notion that apparently they were hosting parties on beaches they built next to water that apparently they spent no time monitoring for gators is horrifying. It's really hard to express how irresponsible that is, particularly for a business like Disney.

At least the next time we're at BLT, we know.

Bruce

Bruce, part of this post is untrue.

Do I think Disney didn't do enough? Yes.

Am I horrified? Of course. It's sickening to think about.


But to say that apparently Disney was doing nothing about the alligators doesn't seem to be true at all. First, the experts have said that the lagoon - although man made - is connected to many other sources of water. An expert also said that an alligator can be absolutely nowhere in the area in a short time frame. And vice versa. So that makes me think that the numbers can change at any point. Despite ongoing programs that Disney runs.

The expert also said that Disney is vigilant about surveying the area and also removing alligators. He mentioned that multiple times. It did not seem like anything but a genuine statement. He seemed to have no reason to side with them. He doesn't work for them.

Also, it seems like our own ridiculous behavior only adds to this issue. That some idiots -- okay maybe harsh - ignorant people --feed them. And that makes them less afraid of human interaction. Because they usually don't want to interact with us.

I've only seen one in all these years; in the BC canal. And I've seen people feeding whatever they see in there numerous times.

I remember travelling to Banff, AB. One was given verbal warnings and numerous pamphlets on the threat of bears. Disney needs to implement some of these choices, in my opinion. At the absolute minimum, to change their signs and have some sort of paper at check-in, including not feeding wildlife and the repercussions of that.

Also, some other threads were saying that the movie was not at the beach. No idea what is the right information there.

So yes it is absolutely horrific. But I felt that part of your post contained erroneous information.

Or at the least information that needs to be expanded upon.

 

[ColonialMouse]

Possibly "nothing" is wrong. Whether it was "enough" or "appropriate given the beaches on the water" is maybe a better question.

Various news media have reported something along the lines of "officials stated no similar attacks had occurred at Disney World before" which apparently is also incorrect. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...-by-an-alligator-at-disney-here-is-his-story/ Fortunately that kid I think was further from the water and got away.

Bruce

 

[lisaviolet]

Whether it was "enough" or "appropriate given the beaches on the water" is maybe a better question.

Agreed.

 

[McCrae]

Why not?
That seems a bit paranoid to me. Aren't they well above the water??

MG

Alligators can jump several feet out of the water. Legs hanging over the edge could easily be grabbed.

This type of thing wil probably never happen....but why take the risk when plenty of safer options are available.

 

[LisaS]

I've often seen those water patrol boats out on Disney waterways, racing across the water not too far from shore, then slowing down to a stop. There was no emergency situation that I could see from my vantage point. Then they turn and race off in another direction. Whenever I see this, I wonder if they do it to annoy any gators that might be in the area, to try to keep them away from guest areas. Anybody know?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Alligators can jump several feet out of the water. Legs hanging over the edge could easily be grabbed.

This type of thing wil probably never happen....but why take the risk when plenty of safer options are available.

Gators can also climb most fences. Curved fences are key.

 

[Shanti]

Or since there has only been one attack in 45 years, maybe a little perspective could be helpful. I'm certain some adjustments will be made...

Actually, an 8 year-old boy was attacked by an alligator on dry ground in Fort Wilderness in 1986. This isn't the first time an attack has occurred. This is just the first death. A big difference, as Disney definitely knew that the danger was there...

http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-old-gator-attack-disney-world-20160616-snap-story.html

 

[tink'smom2B]

So, someone who knows alligators needs to explain just exactly what is stopping them from coming onto the beach? I'm here now at PVB, been here all week, have witnessed all of this, and am sick to my stomach. Just because I don't wade into the water I'm safe??

 

[stitch'sgirl]

Gators can also climb most fences.

*shudder*

I don't think I will be able to get rid of that new mental picture

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I've often seen those water patrol boats out on Disney waterways, racing across the water not too far from shore, then slowing down to a stop. There was no emergency situation that I could see from my vantage point. Then they turn and race off in another direction. Whenever I see this, I wonder if they do it to annoy any gators that might be in the area, to try to keep them away from guest areas. Anybody know?

I always just thought they were just having fun going fast.

MG

 

[old lady]

Now parents won't take their small children to stay inside Disney or get on the water or the beaches. Stay in the pool area. I heard that the employees called the gators around Disney world pets because they often feed them. Unlike dogs, gators, snakes and other reptiles lost fear of men and associated them with food?