Alligator Incident Discussion/Fence being built at Grand Floridian?

[Lynne M]

Couldn't they have at least put the fence just inside the water line to allow wading and getting wet sand for sand castles?

They don't want guests doing that, either.

The water has a high bacterial count, and there's always the risk of a Naegleria infection. Not to mention the water moccasins.

IMO, this is a liability fence. In a world where parents plop their kids down next to a wild bison in Yellowstone so they can take a picture, I don't think anything short of barbed wire fences and guard turrets would be 100% effective in keeping people out of the lagoon. Disney's putting a simple fence there so people have to take the conscious step of going over/under a physical barrier, in hopes that they'll say "hm, maybe I shouldn't be here?"

And failing that, it's something they can point to in court when they're sued. They can say "but look, we put up warning signs AND a fence, and the plaintiff walked right past the signs and climbed over a fence before they jumped into the lagoon and got bitten by a poisonous snake. We're not liable."

 

[DLgal]

So, a fence to keep people from going into the water, but nothing to stop gators from coming onto the beach. Am I missing something here?

Alligators and other wildlife need to have access to the water. Alligators lay their eggs on the shore...turtles, lizards, ducks, birds, etc. all come and go from the water to the land. You have to allow the local wildlife access to it's environment.

It's the humans that have no "need" to go in the lakes, period. The fence is to keep people out of the water, while allowing wildlife the same access they have always had. You cannot "alligator proof" WDW.

 

[Realfoodfans]

The boy that was killed was wading. That is exactly what they want to stop. The fence is to keep people out not the alligators.

Before I knew about this fence I was wondering if they could have submerged a chain link fence that could keep alligators out yet wouldn't be too obtrusive.

Good idea - when we visited Australia they had areas with suitable unobtrusive netting to keep various creatures and swimmers apart.

 

[Dreamin192]

They don't want guests doing that, either.

The water has a high bacterial count, and there's always the risk of a Naegleria infection. Not to mention the water moccasins.

IMO, this is a liability fence. In a world where parents plop their kids down next to a wild bison in Yellowstone so they can take a picture, I don't think anything short of barbed wire fences and guard turrets would be 100% effective in keeping people out of the lagoon. Disney's putting a simple fence there so people have to take the conscious step of going over/under a physical barrier, in hopes that they'll say "hm, maybe I shouldn't be here?"

And failing that, it's something they can point to in court when they're sued. They can say "but look, we put up warning signs AND a fence, and the plaintiff walked right past the signs and climbed over a fence before they jumped into the lagoon and got bitten by a poisonous snake. We're not liable."

Exactly. This is another step by Disney to keep people out of the water since their signs weren't doing the job. Bacteria, animals, the water isn't safe to be in. Hopefully the fence with the signs will get the point across to all.

 

[dmaxphil]

Fence, shmence.

 

[iLOVEartLARK]

I personally haven't seen a single report that would indicate that baby Lane was "several feet out into the water". He was wading in ankle deep water. He was 2 years old, so what? 35 inches tall? Give or take a few inches....I guarantee he was not several feet out into the water.

The news reported that he was a foot from shore. He was found about 15 yards from shore, maybe that's what you were thinking.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

The boy that was killed was several feet out into the water. If the alligator got THAT close to the shore they'll happily go under this fence too.

And yes I *AM* serious. I said WATER LINE. Enough to get your feet wet at best. That PLUS the signs saying "here be alligators" should be enough for safety and reponsible parenting/caretaking.

More people have been killed at Disney because of Mission Space than alligators but I don't see calls for shutting that down -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission:_Space#Controversy

The boy was killed by wadding in the water, a foot from shore.

No, they are not going to allow people in the water. Not only are there gators, there are also snakes and deadly bacteria.

No one should be in the water, even getting their feet wet.

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

The one story quoted the lifeguard there as saying he was 10 ft out into the water, in about 12 inches of water. But there are so many conflicting stories, who knows what is true and what isn't, just the sad truth that a little boy lost his life. I'm shocked that Disney does not have the area on a security camera?

 

[ElenaJane]

@dmaxphil Holy Moly! That video! I saw a picture that someone posted of a gator scaling a fence, but I thought it was photoshopped.

 

[Dean Marino]

Just a suspicion.... Right about now, it would not surprise me to hear that WDW Board Lawyers are simply suggesting filling in Bay Lake.

Now- the State of FL would likely not APPROVE of such a move, due to wetlands requirements. But if the request is made, then DENIED, by FL? Guess who gets to hold the liability sack in the future.... .

 

[iLOVEartLARK]

I doubt anyone would go more than a foot into this water.

 

[scrapquitler]

Couldn't they have at least put the fence just inside the water line to allow wading and getting wet sand for sand castles?

Are you kidding??

 

[Mousemommy1]

The news reported that he was a foot from shore. He was found about 15 yards from shore, maybe that's what you were thinking.

You might want to re read what I posted, and what I was posting in response to. Your comment illustrates my assertion.

But yes, maybe that's what was confusing Skywise.

 

[boltjames]

Image of new signs going in at WDW as of today.

 

[DISNEY1975]

Just a suspicion.... Right about now, it would not surprise me to hear that WDW Board Lawyers are simply suggesting filling in Bay Lake.

.

I always thought the no swimming signs were due to the bacteria and risk of being hit by a ferry or other watercraft you can rent in the Lagoon and Lake. I think the whole world now knows there are gators in there. Without a fence, most parents wouldnt feel safe bringing their kids out to the beach, thus forgoing all the beach activities for the hotel, which brings down the activity level, which may decrease the nightly room rate or decrease the occupancy as you can go to another resort with less activities for 1/2 the price of the deluxes.

Yes, gators climb fences, but you have a better chance of running if you see it as it climbs over and you wouldnt be dragged into the water as easily.

But now my question is, if they filled in Bay Lake, where would you go wakeboarding?

 

[Sammie]

The one story quoted the lifeguard there as saying he was 10 ft out into the water, in about 12 inches of water. But there are so many conflicting stories, who knows what is true and what isn't, just the sad truth that a little boy lost his life. I'm shocked that Disney does not have the area on a security camera?

That was also shared by the Sheriff, in an interview.

 

[Sammie]

Image of new signs going in at WDW as of today.

Where were these posted?

 

[chigirl]

Yeah, Florida fresh water is gross. I have honestly seen gators every visit to WDW, but my family calls me "the nature spotter". Actually, on our first trip in 2005 as a family (my 5th trip), I spotted a big gator in a pond by Pop and yelled out, "There is a gator!" and the Magical Express driver, whom I was sitting behind, told me to not scare the guests. We went in 2006, 2009, 2012, 2014...always told my kids to avoid water and the brush. We watched the ELP in 2014 from WL on the dock (beach was closed for the pool remod)and I was on alert. But lets not forget BILLIONS of people have visited WDW since 1971 and there were 2 attacks, both children and both in or near the water.Alligators are afraid of humans, but guests also need to stop feeding them!

 

[Shawn K.]

Just a suspicion.... Right about now, it would not surprise me to hear that WDW Board Lawyers are simply suggesting filling in Bay Lake.

Now- the State of FL would likely not APPROVE of such a move, due to wetlands requirements. But if the request is made, then DENIED, by FL? Guess who gets to hold the liability sack in the future.... .

Since the lake is man made, it likely wouldn't qualify as a wetland. Regardless, there would be plenty of support if they decided to do this, but I don't think it will happen.
Edit: Just saw that you mentioned Bay Lake, and not the Seven Seas Lagoon. The lagoon is man made. Not sure about Bay Lake to the east.

 

[disneydreamer781]

Won't stop gators from what? They aren't known to approach developed areas with high human traffic. It is doubtful they would ever come up on the beach if left alone.

They have been spotted from time to time. Someone on here said they saw one on the beach at Poly.