Alligator Incident Discussion/Fence being built at Grand Floridian?

[dizprincess717]

Did you report these weekly gator sightings to Disney management????

No, because like most people, I knew well before I went to work at Disney World that there were gators. And to not go into gross water.

So many people are saying they can't believe Disney management wouldn't put warning signs of wildlife. Well I can't believe that people would go into that gross water and let their children in it.

To each their own. We can continue this round and round debate forever. Like I said in my first post, my prayers go to the Graves family. This was a horrible, terrible accident.

 

[dizprincess717]

Thanks for clarifying this. I read earlier that he was hiding near houses. But, you surely must admit that alligators can and do come out of the water. If Disney can't keep alligators away from me and my family, I will have to stay away from Disney. Just my opinion and I'm sure there will be thousands of people to take my place. If they make it safe, I'll come back.

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And to think that's someone's own home and they aren't telling the state ofor Florida (or any other state with a high gator population) to remove them all or they won't go back to their home.

I would think the general population would consider their home their safe place, their little bubble, but look at that gator climbing up the door.

A deer could total a car and kill people.

A poisonous spider could crawl up your arm and do some serious damage.

There are dangers all around you. The dangers are everywhere.

 

[tink'smom2B]

Okay, I LOVE Disney! I am a mom of eight grown children who grew up watching Disney videos and vacationing in Disney nearly every year (23 times). It never occurred to me that an alligator would grab a child off these beaches. I'm very shook up about it. Maybe what disturbs me most, and the reason I came on here to begin with, is I am very upset with the cavalier attitude about this. Yes, I love Disney so much I bought into it. I actually own more than one resort. Get it?? I LOVE Disney. I can't believe this happened here. Below is a picture of the beach with the "fence". My husband and I were sitting on that beach last Monday night with our 2 year old granddaughter. I don't see any reason at all why an alligator couldn't have come by us last week and I don't see what is stopping him now. That is bothering me. If you can't understand why I am upset and don't want to come back, you have a problem, not me. I think it would be very irresponsible to be anywhere near that beach with a small child. If you all are telling me they will Never fix this problem, it would be impossible to go back.

 

[freshmanjs]

Okay, I LOVE Disney! I am a mom of eight grown children who grew up watching Disney videos and vacationing in Disney nearly every year (23 times). It never occurred to me that an alligator would grab a child off these beaches. I'm very shook up about it. Maybe what disturbs me most, and the reason I came on here to begin with, is I am very upset with the cavalier attitude about this. Yes, I love Disney so much I bought into it. I actually own more than one resort. Get it?? I LOVE Disney. I can't believe this happened here. Below is a picture of the beach with the "fence". My husband and I were sitting on that beach last Monday night with our 2 year old granddaughter. I don't see any reason at all why an alligator couldn't have come by us last week and I don't see what is stopping him now. That is bothering me. If you can't understand why I am upset and don't want to come back, you have a problem, not me. I think it would be very irresponsible to be anywhere near that beach with a small child. If you all are telling me they will Never fix this problem, it would be impossible to go back.
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What is stopping a deadly snake or spider from entering your bedroom? Or your granddaughter's?

 

[sotoalf]

I understand you're nervous. But the child wasn't snatched off the beach. To be exact, he was splashing in ankle deep water at 9 p.m.

I don't know – those barriers look fine to me! Those barriers are to keep people out of the water, not to keep alligators out. I suspect we're going to see more CMs patrolling the beaches, which means we'll be safer. An alligator is not a tyrannosaurus rex.

 

[GPC0321]

Okay, I LOVE Disney! I am a mom of eight grown children who grew up watching Disney videos and vacationing in Disney nearly every year (23 times). It never occurred to me that an alligator would grab a child off these beaches. I'm very shook up about it. Maybe what disturbs me most, and the reason I came on here to begin with, is I am very upset with the cavalier attitude about this. Yes, I love Disney so much I bought into it. I actually own more than one resort. Get it?? I LOVE Disney. I can't believe this happened here. Below is a picture of the beach with the "fence". My husband and I were sitting on that beach last Monday night with our 2 year old granddaughter. I don't see any reason at all why an alligator couldn't have come by us last week and I don't see what is stopping him now. That is bothering me. If you can't understand why I am upset and don't want to come back, you have a problem, not me. I think it would be very irresponsible to be anywhere near that beach with a small child. If you all are telling me they will Never fix this problem, it would be impossible to go back.
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Because alligators don't actively come onto dry land to attack. If they are on dry land, it's usually to sun themselves or to travel to another body of water. They don't look at a beach full of people and think, "Mmmm! Dinner!" They are more likely to think, "Eek! People!" and stay away. That's not to say they NEVER come onto dry land and get into places they don't belong. Obviously they do. But as rare as an attack at the water's edge is, an attack on dry land is even more unheard of. It's just not their nature to seek out confrontation. If a gator winds up on dry land in an area he's not supposed to be, he's going to want to get the heck away from anyone he encounters there. They are shy.

The fence is not designed to keep them off the beach. It is designed to keep people from going into the water where the risk of attack is still quite slim, especially during the day, but much higher than staying back a bit from the water's edge. And personally, at night, I wouldn't have gone as close to that water as where the fence is now. Snakes don't just swim in the Wilderness Lodge swimming pool.

I'm really sorry your love for Disney has been wrecked, and I mean that. Maybe learning a bit more about gators and their habits would make you feel better about the situation. Because really, Disney cannot remove the threat entirely. It just isn't feasible. But YOU can remove the threat to a large extent by staying on the correct side of that fence, and being mindful when you're near a body of water. It's not entirely up to Disney. They've put up the signs and the fences. Other than that, it's kind of on the guest to now use this knowledge to make good choices and be aware while near any body of water on the property or in the entire state. As someone said, this isn't a Disney issue. It's just how it is in Florida. Disney isn't immune to the wildlife of the state just because it's "Disney". They're good, but they're not that good. If they could, I'm sure they'd clear the area of every gator and snake, but they just CAN'T. It's not possible. Heck, people in Florida can't even keep the things out of their own swimming pools in their backyards. How can Disney keep them out of a huge network of waterways over 40 square miles?

Hopefully your perspective will change once the shock of this horrible accident has worn off. A lot of people swore they'd never fly again or visit NYC or any major city after 9/11. But they have. It's natural to be frightened, especially of the unknown. You don't know much about gators, which is why you're afraid of them. It's understandable.

 

[disneynutz]

You have a greater chance of being in a Disney bus, boat, or ride accident, than being attacked by an alligator at Disney.

Bill

 

[pigletgirl]

Okay, I LOVE Disney! I am a mom of eight grown children who grew up watching Disney videos and vacationing in Disney nearly every year (23 times). It never occurred to me that an alligator would grab a child off these beaches. I'm very shook up about it. Maybe what disturbs me most, and the reason I came on here to begin with, is I am very upset with the cavalier attitude about this. Yes, I love Disney so much I bought into it. I actually own more than one resort. Get it?? I LOVE Disney. I can't believe this happened here. Below is a picture of the beach with the "fence". My husband and I were sitting on that beach last Monday night with our 2 year old granddaughter. I don't see any reason at all why an alligator couldn't have come by us last week and I don't see what is stopping him now. That is bothering me. If you can't understand why I am upset and don't want to come back, you have a problem, not me. I think it would be very irresponsible to be anywhere near that beach with a small child. If you all are telling me they will Never fix this problem, it would be impossible to go back.
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I know the thought watching a wild animal carry your young child away is horrifying. The amount of pain and anguish Lane's parents feel is beyond any of our comprehension.

Moral of the story, don't let your 2yo granddaughter splash in the lagoon at night! Just be smart about it. That's all....

Also, don't let this one incident ruin your love for Disney. Remember, this is Florida and they're is a heavy presence of wildlife.

 

[dunangst]

Yes it is true, life is inherently dangerous. That being said, sometimes certain things resonate with a certain person in a very emotional way. We're all heartbroken for this family, but some people because of their experiences own it in a different way. Let me say this, I've been to WDW many times (and have travelled lots of other places too, country and city, in the US and elsewhere, so I've got some perspective), and have seen the "no swimming" signs. I'm aware that gators and other critters are part of the Florida ecosystem...but I assumed, and I think reasonably so, that as such a family destination, if my toddler wading in the water could result in him being snatched by a gator, such a diligent multinational corporation would warn me - and then I could decide assume the risk. I always thought we weren't swimming because the water wasn't clean. I've let my then three year old son put his feet in the water at Grand Flo, and looking back can't escape the feeling that I dodged something. Every warning sign you see anywhere came at the expense of someone's personal tragedy. I just can't help but feel that if there was clear signage, people would be informed and might make other choices. I think it is okay to be disappointed that this wasn't handled better, and think that this little boy could have been any of our children. It is an opportunity to revisit the gator management program for Disney, and I think an opportunity to get serious about guests feeding these animals.

 

[tink'smom2B]

What is stopping a deadly snake or spider from entering your bedroom? Or your granddaughter's?

I guess I have been extremely blessed to have never encountered a poisonous snake or spider in my 60 year old life. Yes, I live in a bubble. Is that so bad? Why wouldn't I want to keep a child safe from harm?

 

[GPC0321]

I always thought we weren't swimming because the water wasn't clean. I've let my then three year old son put his feet in the water at Grand Flo, and looking back can't escape the feeling that I dodged something.

Not meaning to pick on you specifically, dunangst, because I've seen this sentiment a few times on here and I cannot understand it. Why would you allow your child to walk in water that you assume is unclean? I cannot wrap my brain around that.

 

[sotoalf]

I guess I have been extremely blessed to have never encountered a poisonous snake or spider in my 60 year old life. Yes, I live in a bubble. Is that so bad? Why wouldn't I want to keep a child safe from harm?

No one is questioning your wanting to keep a child safe from harm. But we can't keep them 100 percent safe. No one's stopping you from thinking an alligator will lunge for a child, T-Rex style, from the Contemporary Resort beach, but a child is more likely to choke on a chicken bone or get stung by a wasp.

 

[tink'smom2B]

more children lose their lives in private pools than on a beach at a resort hotel.

oh, and don't forget that alligators and other wildlife love private pools.

Now if you want a perfectly safe environment, don't let children (even when they're grown ups) go to bars and clubs ... so sad for the mothers and fathers of 49 people in Orlando lately ...

nearly 6000 people were killed by a firearm since the beginning of the year, but senate has rejected the gun control law. That's 1000 lives wasted each and every month. Yet we consider gun possession as a freedom. how many guests at disney conceal carry despite it being forbidden .... well it should stop with the metal detectors, but what about disney springs and resort hotels (wait, I'm not starting a gun control thread, so please don't pick it up, I'm just stating the fact that the guest next to you could carry a weapon of some sort, and you can never be sure that person has all of their marbles where they should be.
And you face the same issue at Publix, Target, Walmart or safeway (ain't that ironic)


don't let your children ever drive a car ... 32,765 people lost their lives to the blacktop. Despite the highway pattrols, despite the buckle up signs, despite the speed limit, despite speed traps, ...

death by unintentional fall : 30,208 (2013)
death by unintentional poisonning : 38,851 (2013)
sources : CDC

deaths by alligator attack in 2016 : 1 (and a 0 in 2013 for comparison)

and this goes on forever.
Compared to the risks we take, on an everyday basis, WDW is what could be called "safe".


this doesn't lessen the grief, shcok and horror felt by the little boy's family, but that's just a way to say that people overreact

Since you feel the need to bring out statistics, look at the link below for unprovoked alligator attacks in Florida

http://myfwc.com/media/310203/Alligator-GatorBites.pdf

 

[Baklava]

Okay, I LOVE Disney! I am a mom of eight grown children who grew up watching Disney videos and vacationing in Disney nearly every year (23 times). It never occurred to me that an alligator would grab a child off these beaches. I'm very shook up about it. Maybe what disturbs me most, and the reason I came on here to begin with, is I am very upset with the cavalier attitude about this. Yes, I love Disney so much I bought into it. I actually own more than one resort. Get it?? I LOVE Disney. I can't believe this happened here. Below is a picture of the beach with the "fence". My husband and I were sitting on that beach last Monday night with our 2 year old granddaughter. I don't see any reason at all why an alligator couldn't have come by us last week and I don't see what is stopping him now. That is bothering me. If you can't understand why I am upset and don't want to come back, you have a problem, not me. I think it would be very irresponsible to be anywhere near that beach with a small child. If you all are telling me they will Never fix this problem, it would be impossible to go back.
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So there's a tendency when things like this happen for people to take extreme positions. Either the parents are horrible people who are too stupid to have kids and this is all their fault OR this was an accident they couldn't possibly have avoided. Those whose hearts are breaking for the family tend to seize on the idea that the parents did nothing wrong. That comes from a place of kindness and compassion.

The problem is that the truth generally lies somewhere in the middle. These people are probably good, smart people and good, loving parents who made a mistake- like we all do. Every single parent has had some lapse in judgement that could have ended in tragedy. Forgot to buckle the car seat, let the baby have grapes, let the toddler splash in the water even though the sign said "no swimming." Most of the time nothing goes wrong, but sometimes those lapses have a terrible cost. The biggest tragedy will be if we do not learn from this.

It is NOT irresponsible to be near the beach with small children. Being near and on the beach is not where the danger lies. The crowd around a movie and a bonfire is not where the danger lies. An alligator is not interested in coming up on the beach and messing with you. An alligator is not hunting humans. Stay out of his zone, but his zone at night is the dark and the wet. The beach holds no interest for him in the dark.

The fence is not to stop the alligator. The fence is to stop you- and not even to stop you if you're determined to get over it. The fence is to remind you to use your common sense, keep your babies out of the water and to prevent you from suing Disney if you go ahead and make a bad choice anyway. If you stay on your side of that fence, you'll be okay. The alligator doesn't want to be on your side of that fence. Food and safety and shelter are all on his side. You could continue to vacation safely at Disney if you wish to. I understand the emotion behind not wanting to and that's valid, just know that if you want to work through that, there is logic on the other side of the immediate aftermath that may make you feel better.

I guess my point is, don't do anything in the heat of the moment. Give yourself a couple months to get past the shock and think it through. Learn a little about the animals and you will feel better about your ability to avoid danger without giving up something you love. There's a balance you can strike that will let you feel safe and still enjoy WDW. I'd hate to see you give that up.

 

[maxiesmom]

I guess I have been extremely blessed to have never encountered a poisonous snake or spider in my 60 year old life. Yes, I live in a bubble. Is that so bad? Why wouldn't I want to keep a child safe from harm?

Ask yourself how likely it is that what you are worried about will happen. Your grandchild is more apt to be harmed in the car ride to the resort than she is to be harmed by the wildlife there. Even car seats are not fool proof. Do you look at the car seat and think, "It isn't 100% guaranteed to keep my granddaughter from harm, I'd better not use it"?

We all need to be aware of the dangers, but also realize how likely they are to happen.

 

[dunangst]

I didn't think it was hazardous waste unclean, just you don't want it in your nose, mouth, eyes, open sores - unclean. Just assumed it wasn't properly aerated, and therefore not intended to be submerged in.

He walked on the edge and his feet got a little wet.

I'm not offended by the question - should have been more clear.

 

[sotoalf]

Since you feel the need to bring out statistics, look at the link below for unprovoked alligator attacks in Florida

http://myfwc.com/media/310203/Alligator-GatorBites.pdf

I know it's only been six months, but 2016 is below average so far. And attacks ten (!) years ago were in the single digits.

 

[tink'smom2B]

I'd like to know where you live. You do know of all the dangers that are all over the world, yes? Including the fact that you're more likely to get into a car accident, or even an airplane accident, than you are being attacked by a gator (or snake, spider, etc.) in Disney World. If you really won't return because of a freak accident then I feel sorry for the children who won't get to return. And it's very sad that you and other people thought that nothing could ever harm them in Disney World.

I live in Wisconsin. It's up to my grown children whether they want to return with my grandchildren. Every time I heard "Wishes" I had to turn away. For me, Disney was magical. Not anymore. There are just too many things associated with that night. I can't expect everyone to feel like I do. I know they don't. That's okay. Just want Disney to do more to protect the little children. Obviously, there are parents on here who think living dangerously is an expected way of life. Not me or my family.

 

[tink'smom2B]

Do you regret that polynesian purchase?

Right now? Yes!

 

[sotoalf]

We live dangerously by opening the front door and stepping outside.