Child pulled into water by alligator near Grand Floridian

[RedSox68]

Well, actually, on our news, it says that a family of five from Nebraska was 'wading' in the Seven Seas Lagoon about 9:20pm where 'No Swimming' signs were posted when the gator attacked - the baby was splashing.

Yes, we all make mistakes, but I see this very frequently - families letting their children play in the beaches knee deep and more even by the 'signs'! During the day at least you can see right near the edge - at night, no way! It's very scary to know that dangerous animals can get in areas like that, but FL is full of them, and where there's lakes, canals, etc. there 'will' be gators in them!

Can't even think of the unimaginable pain of this poor family - things happen soo fast - just no words to know their heartbreak and suffering.

Sorry about that; the report we heard last night said he was on the beach at water's edge. Now I am seeing the reports today saying he was with the father in the water and the father went after him. But wading in the water is still not the same (I don't believe) as swimming in the water. They need to change/update the signs for sure.

 

[Regan117]

Stop blaming the family. "No swimming" is not the same as "Stay out of the water." Nor is it the same as having a sign warning about alligators in the water. Disney built a beach on a body of water that has alligators, has events on that beach close to water's edge at night when it's dark, and has visitors from all over the world who categorically do not understand the risks that gators pose. Disney invites people, including little kids, who do not know better to come right up to the gator's habitat. This case will never reach court because Disney will pay millions to settle. The lack of any previous history lulled everyone into a false sense of security, but Disney has to reassess the environment it has created on that beach.

I'm going to regret replying to this thread.

Agreed. The news also said a lifeguard was on duty because of movie night. Why didn't the lifeguard tell the boy not to step in the water? Because after all, all he did was put his feet in there. He was two years old - he wasn't swimming.

 

[Daddy Mack]

Disney removes the gators but it is built on swampland some of which are animal reservations. There is absolutely no way to make sure a gator is not in Seven Seas Lagoon. They can sweep the lake every day 3 times a day and there will still be a chance of gators.

Yes and no. They cannot remove all the gators from the property. Impossible. But if Disney is going to continue to have beach areas, they will either have to (a) gator proof them to prevent gators from reaching the beach or (b) create a barrier between water and sand. Probably is going to be (b).

 

[grimley1968]

True but the alligator population is too high period, if you ask me.

How can Disney bring down the alligator population "period"? They can do everything they already do to remove alligators from their own property, but the alligators would be constantly coming onto their property from the surrounding heavily swamp-filled and alligator-populated state, over which Disney has no control. I can understand closing off the beaches from public use to separate humans from the gators, but getting rid of them is pretty much an impossibility, even from WDW property.

Thought and prayers for the family involved in this tragedy.

 

[tink1970]

I suspect, with a loss of a life, the lakes/beach will be roped off, cancellation of the nighttime movie, etc. Perhaps other barriers erected.

I'm not a Disney apologist but I have a longstanding respect for mother nature.

I always, always remember WDW is built on a swamp and this is the habitat of snakes, alligators, insects, lizards and other creepy crawlies. We are the tourists to the animals' habitat, regardless of how much we build and create. Disney has yet to control the weather nor the flora and fauna completely.
There is quite a difference between animatronic animals, wild animals and wild animals who have lost fear of humans. The latter two are present on property and pose a reasonable risk of harm if not respected, understood and anticipated.

As others have said, I am saddened by this and pray for the family.

 

[dmaxphil]

Wife and I were just talking about the signs and she never even imagined Alligators were in the water. We are from Texas and know the danger of water/wildlife. Even though most people know about Alligators/Florida but I sincerely believe that most folks assume Disney "magic" would prevent these things from happening.

We both agreed that seeing a sign that says "No Swimming" does not automatically mean no walking in water, or imply that alligators - snakes - or brain eating amoebas are present.

In our previous stays (many) we see mostly foreigners hanging out in the lakes. I've probably seen folks setting up the beach chairs in the water 5 or 6 times at Poly and Beach Club.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I'm blown away that some are trying to distinguish "no swimming" from "no wading".
Really??

MG

 

[Daddy Mack]

Wife and I were just talking about the signs and she never even imagined Alligators were in the water. We are from Texas and know the danger of water/wildlife. Even though most people know about Alligators/Florida but I sincerely believe that most folks assume Disney "magic" would prevent these things from happening.

We both agreed that seeing a sign that says "No Swimming" does not automatically mean no walking in water, or imply that alligators - snakes - or brain eating amoebas are present.

In our previous stays (many) we see mostly foreigners hanging out in the lakes. I've probably seen folks setting up the beach chairs in the water 5 or 6 times at Poly and Beach Club.

And the fact that people have been going into the water for years with Disney's knowledge and Disney really hasn't done anything about it will be another reason this case settles quietly.

 

[Opie100]

I think it's worth repeating that deadly alligator incidents like this are still very rare. Until last October, Florida had gone seven years without a fatal gator attack.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/...gatorattack&utm_campaign=Content&sf28735240=1

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Yes and no. They cannot remove all the gators from the property. Impossible. But if Disney is going to continue to have beach areas, they will either have to (a) gator proof them to prevent gators from reaching the beach or (b) create a barrier between water and sand. Probably is going to be (b).

Alligators can jump 6 feet high from a standing rest. That's a vertical, not a horizontal, leap.

You cannot "gator-proof" a large body of water. Gators can get onto the deck of the Poly bungalows if they want.

 

[gottalovepluto]

True but the alligator population is too high period, if you ask me.

The articles I read said FL gator population is estimated at 1.3 million. MILLION. (Admittedly being Californian a gator population of 1 is too many for me.) But this is life in FL & the South as I'm reading today. Purging the area of gators just isn't realistic & it could backfire instilling in people a false sense of security. As someone already stated it's the fear of gators that keep them vigilant & safe in gator territory. The only possible solution that I see is better tourist education. Sure, many won't head the advice but some signs around super tourist areas with gator pics (everyone can understand a picture, even if they don't read English) might make some people think twice. (I suspect a fence is overboard in my uneducated opinion, but I guess that decision ultimately comes down to Disney's risk management office.)

 

[book_junkie]

For those that are suggesting it, how do you propose Disney get rid of the gators? I'm sure if they could have they would- I know of instances where they've been in the moat around the castle, around most of the properties at WDW and other resorts, and there's two that are being watched in my family's neighborhood. They relocate the gators as soon as they're found- the problem is finding them.
They are in the ponds and lakes around here, and the massive construction projects aren't helping to keep them away- it draws them in because gators are losing places to live, same as wildcats and other wildlife in other areas of the nation. In a state that has a sports team named for these animals, they aren't going away.
Another fallout, aside from the signage and beaches, is what (if anything) will happen with the DVC properties that are on the beaches. The Poly huts are on the water, and I've seen people go in the lagoon from there. The new Wilderness huts/cabins are on a new beach right next to the water.

 

[Hundredacre]

Alligator population is too high? Get rid of the alligators? You all can't be serious. Signs were ignored that "beach is closed" and "no swimming" and it's the gators fault?!? This is FL. Gators live here, long before Disney did. We have to be smart and respectful of them while in their territory. Same as with any other wild animal.

The alligator population has been allowed to grow beyond a natural level because they are "protected." This has been happening to many different groups of animals all over the US. Absolutely, time to allow some alligator hunting again.

 

[Opie100]

I'm blown away that some are trying to distinguish "no swimming" from "no wading".

No swimming = not safe to swim
No wading = don't go in the water

Sign may not have made any difference, however.

 

[BagOLaughs]

Read a couple of reports that say all beaches are closed in WDW at the moment due to last nights attack.

 

[Hundredacre]

For those that are suggesting it, how do you propose Disney get rid of the gators? I'm sure if they could have they would- I know of instances where they've been in the moat around the castle, around most of the properties at WDW and other resorts, and there's two that are being watched in my family's neighborhood. They relocate the gators as soon as they're found- the problem is finding them.
They are in the ponds and lakes around here, and the massive construction projects aren't helping to keep them away- it draws them in because gators are losing places to live, same as wildcats and other wildlife in other areas of the nation. In a state that has a sports team named for these animals, they aren't going away.
Another fallout, aside from the signage and beaches, is what (if anything) will happen with the DVC properties that are on the beaches. The Poly huts are on the water, and I've seen people go in the lagoon from there. The new Wilderness huts/cabins are on a new beach right next to the water.

I just read they have euthanized at least four alligators in their search. That's what I'm talking about.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Not to be cynical but were there cameras capturing this? We have no idea how far the kid was in the water except from what the parents say, right?

Are there any witnesses other than the father that a gator did this?

Don't flame me folks, just asking the obvious.

 

[Spoiledraf]

I have fished the Seven Seas and Bay Lake a number of times. We were into weed beds and swampy areas around the islands and out of reach backwaters of Bay Lake. We even spent some time casting to the GF beach area. The guides said yes there are a few gators. But they have usually stayed well away from people to the NE end of Bay Lake and we were restricted from fishing there. They get in through canals that can run off Disney property. I never saw any or even any evidence of one but common sense told me they could be anywhere. There is an island not far from the GF beach that looks like an inviting home for an alligator. I'm sure that area will be heavily searched. So sad. Prayers for the family. We will be at the GF in September. We always keep our little ones away from the lake water but as horrifying as this is, we won't let it affect our visit.

 

[book_junkie]

I just read they have euthanized at least four alligators in their search. That's what I'm talking about.

For every four they find now, there will be that many later. Think about how many man hours and specialists this involves, and apply that property wide day in and day out. Not going to happen.
And I'm guessing that they are killing the large ones- that's wildlife policy- as they're trying to find that poor toddler's body. There's no count of the small gators (under 4 feet) that they're not touching in this search.

 

[TeamH5]

Yes and no. They cannot remove all the gators from the property. Impossible. But if Disney is going to continue to have beach areas, they will either have to (a) gator proof them to prevent gators from reaching the beach or (b) create a barrier between water and sand. Probably is going to be (b).

Where we used to live in VA, they created a family friendly beach by making a sand barrier, and also had a large net to catch any major animals that might come in(though it didn't keep the jellyfish out. Lol)
I can't imagine that Disney couldn't do something like this to make their beaches safer, though with gators being able to move on land and over fences, I wonder how they would really be able to 'gator proof' the beach?
But I'm not at all familiar with gators or FL, so maybe there's a way to do that.