Child pulled into water by alligator near Grand Floridian

[Eastern]

Why does the reason matter?

MG

Because people would think twice about even putting their feet in the water or walking near the water in the dark. I am not from Florida and I never thought about an alligator possibly being in that beach area.

 

[sotoalf]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...-dragged-alligator-disney-20160614-story.html

 

[GPC0321]

Woke up happy this morning as it's my last day of work (I'm a teacher) before summer vacation. Checked Facebook, as usual, and saw this on my feed. My first thought was that it had to be a hoax. When I realized it wasn't, I was horrified. I cannot wrap my head around what that father must be going through.
Prayers for them.

 

[MsAmerica]

This is such tragic news however I am surprised it has never happened before. Disney is on swampland. Disney cannot patrol every inch of its property. I have seen multiple gators on property throughout the years. There use to be a gator outside Beach Club Villa's and you would often see ignorant guests feeding it. You see guest feeding wild animals all over Disney and it drives me insane. From the black birds to squirrels to the gator that used to reside at the Beach Club.

When Disney spots a gator, it monitors it and MOVES it only AFTER it becomes a certain size. However, by the time the animal gets that size it's probably been feed dozens of times by ignorant people who think it's fun to feed the animal. By the time it gets to be of a dangerous size, its no longer afraid of people.

Also, I would bet the "lifeguard" mentioned in this story wasn't a lifeguard at all but a recreation cast member. Guests often think the CM's at the nightly movies are lifeguards but they are part of the recreation department and not trained to save lives. Not that I think it would have mattered in this situation.

For years, guests have been sitting outside on the beach at the Poly and GF watching the nightly water parade and fireworks and nothing like this has ever happened. I would bet Disney will soon be canceling these nightly movies, maybe even the water parade.

I would guess these guests from Nebraska never even thought about the possibility of an aligator being in the water. Its truly tragic

MsA

 

[lizzytizzy]

http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/15/us/alligator-attacks-child-disney-florida/index.html

 

[lovesdumbo]

So tragic! I cannot imagine going home without one of children. Prayers for the family.

I was at the Grand last week at a conference staying in the Saco Cay building near the marina. One night I was watching the fireworks on the sidewalk near the end of the building with about 10 other folks. When the fireworks were nearly over we heard a loud low growl of an alligator.-repeated several times. It was like nothing I've ever heard before. There was a fence there but the gator was no more than 5 feet away and there was break in the fence at the end of the walkway. It was scary. Wonder if it was the same gator. The one I encountered seemed very aggressive.

 

[Guyton dis lover]

I certainly didn't have enough respect. My goodness. I would have stood close to the water and enjoyed looking at the view without a second thought to gators. This is horrifying, that poor family.

I live just out side of Savannah Georgia. It is not uncommon to see gators in small retaining ponds and small water ways. A gator can run as fast as horse for a short distance. I am no expert by any means. But I have assisted our local Gator trapper in the capture of several gators here on the chemical plant where I work on. Big gators seem to lack fear of people. Dogs are killed in and around bodys of water allot. Something like this is very rare but it can and does happen. My advice is be aware and when it says no swiming do not go in the water not even just a little bit. Splashing in shallow water will attract a gator in a minute. When the local area is dry gators move and they will move several miles. I have seen a small area that holds water have a cave off to the side where a gator will lay in wait for prey to come and drink. The best thing to do is be aware and pay attention. Very Sad day. Prayes sent to all concerned. Very tragic.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I hope WDW will now catch and transport those gators elsewhere. I'd imagine they should take steps to search any property lake for them as well. I KNOW it's Florida, and swampland, but they have to stop this from happening again. I'm legitimately scared about my upcoming visit.

Been to WDW 63 times and have yet to see an alligator. They are there of course, but folks must understand they aren't swarming the entire complex.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

this is so sad, my heart breaks for this family. All we can do from this vantage point is learn. Signs are there for a reason.
but beyond just not going in the water, it's so important that people don't feed alligators when they see them. That's how alligators become nuisance alligators.

 

[lizzyb]

So terribly sad. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

 

[Eastern]

"A Florida Fish and Wildlife official said they have already caught four alligators in the lagoon early this morning but found no evidence that any of the reptiles were responsible for attacking the boy." from Fox News

 

[Uncleromulus]

According the Orange County Sheriff at the press conference, the family was relaxing on the beach and the child was playing in the water when the attack occurred.

IN the water was a big mistake. Do they not have signs station "NO swimming"--or something to that effect??

 

[Guyton dis lover]

I hope WDW will now catch and transport those gators elsewhere. I'd imagine they should take steps to search any property lake for them as well. I KNOW it's Florida, and swampland, but they have to stop this from happening again. I'm legitimately scared about my upcoming visit.

i am afraid that will not happen. There are just so manay of them. They do a great job and I am always on the look out and i surprised that I have never seen that many at WDW. Best thing ios to be safe and pay attention. good luck. Prayers for the family.

 

[Guyton dis lover]

IN the water was a big mistake. Do they not have signs station "NO swimming"--or something to that effect??

They do have signs.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Someone shared a photo on Tikiman's FB page just a couple of weeks ago of one floating by the Polynesian. I hope Disney stops selling sand buckets and shovels in the gift shop since this encourages guests to go in the water. Those signs will have to change to no swimming, no wading.

Swimming vs wading--to me there isn't much of a difference as to the meaning--to me it means don't get in the water.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Yes there are signs but they don't state WHY you shouldn't go into the water. I imagine some people think it's just because there is no life guard on the beach. Perhaps the signs should say "There are alligators, venomous snakes and brain eating amoebas in the lake. Do not go into the water."

Well--no swimming or don't go in the water--how large will a sign need to be?? Don't go in the water--don't go in the water. Seems simple enough.

 

[Uncleromulus]

We've seen the no swimming signs, but this family was wading in the water. Not swimming. And of course not understanding that "no swimming" meant " do not enter the water". Obviously. They just lost their child. It's all over the news here in Boston, so heartbreaking.

They were steps from the playground at the Floridian. The baby was in less than a foot of water.

No swimming to me means don't go in the water---

 

[Eastern]

Swimming vs wading--to me there isn't much of a difference as to the meaning--to me it means don't get in the water.

I have seen people/kids putting their feet in the water many times. I never thought anything of it (besides the fact that I wouldn't do it because the water seemed stagnant to me). I'm sure a lot of people think the same thing. If you posted signs saying alligators might be around, I'm guessing that people would pay better attention. You'd also lose some business/attractiveness as far as family vacations go.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

If the guests witnessed this why wouldnt they all be in the water trying to rescue this child? Only his father tried?

 

[Uncleromulus]

Unbelievably sad

I remember back in 1988 the Polynesian had a roped off section of the lagoon for swimming! I have pictures of my kids and our whole family out there. How naive we were

And very few actually went "swimming"--most (like me back then) just got in the water as we would a pool--just floating and cooling off.