Alligator Attack in Disney

I read the entire thread that was originally started and I am in complete shock at how many people can read into the "no swimming" sign and think that it is ok to blame the parents for allowing their 2 year old to be knee deep (or whatever the exact depth was) This child didn't even have to be in the water, he could have been 12 inches from the water line and have been attacked and dragged into the water. These poor parents and what they went through is unimaginable and to argue over symentacs over what the sign said is insane. Lets all agree please that these parents were unaware that there was an alligator danger there. I have a very close friend who is a DVC member who said she was in the very same area last year with her children having a sand castle contest with Disney staff allowing the children to go to the shore to retrieve water. I think Disney failed here to patrol their lagoons for alligator danger.

Re: Alligator Attack in Disney

This woman posted on FB with a pic of her son in the same exact spot she said. Who would think that is considered "swimming", and who would think an alligator would snatch you up there?

link to post and pics

Alligator Attack in Disney

The worst is over on DIS boards. A lot of those people are ******* Disney fanatics… They will defend Disney at all costs.

It's really sad how many people are so heartless and just so argumentative. It's like they are contrarians just for the sake of doing so.

If it was their child, their tune would change quickly and it would be law suit city. People like that are so hypocritical and clueless.

Message edited 6/15/2016 10:32:14 PM.

Re: Alligator Attack in Disney

This is on Disney 10000%

sidebar I don't patronize them, but would never anyway after the outsourcing

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Message edited 6/15/2016 11:17:41 PM.

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Message edited 6/16/2016 1:31:58 AM.

Re: Alligator Attack in Disney

Posted by MsSissy

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by Mushesgirl

This is on Disney 10000%

sidebar I don't patronize them, but would never anyway after the outsourcing

I don't know, I think it's a horrific, terrible tragedy but how is this all on Disney? It's not like there have a been a rash of alligator attacks there, in fact since their opening in the 70's..........have they even had a single one? They say the chances of being attacked by an alligator are 1 in 2.5 million so I'm pretty sure you can chalk this up to a freak accident...........not really a failing of Disney specifically.

Going back to the zoo/gorilla incident.
They didn't have any issues with that enclosure for I believe 38 yrs and yet the majoriry of the people feel it was still the zoos fault. Something more should've beem done to prevent that boy from getting in.
I feel like this is the same scenario.
Something more couldve been done by Disney. Starting with signs saying Stay out of Water. Alligators in area. Because people really do need things spelled out for them.
But I dont think Disney had them for fear of losing customers.



This wasnt directed at you. It was just easier to quote that section and reply wit my thoughts.

Message edited 6/16/2016 1:12:26 AM.

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You are absolutely right. The truth is that accidents happen, to everyone. No matter how vigilant one is, things go wrong. It's life. No one is perfect. Instead of being thankful or grateful all is well, some people like to preach about how wonderful their parenting is. I'm devastated for this family, I can't even begin to imagine the heart break.

Alligator Attack in Disney

I am a Disney lover- but they are partially to blame. I stayed at the Polynesian (which is right next to the grand Floridian) and my kids were playing on the beach at night during the fireworks. They went to go out their feet in- but I wouldn't let them bc the water is murky and gross. I have been to Disney 10+ times and I had no idea there were alligators in the water. I saw pleanty of families letting their kids play ankle deep in the water- Disney employees didn't tell anyone to get out! I don't blame the parents at all- this was a horrific accident but I think Disney downplayed the danger of the alligators.

They need to close the beaches - put a barrier up to prevent people from putting their feet in the water. I don't think the alligator problem is going to get any better and they are responsible for preventing another horrific accident the best they can.

Message edited 6/16/2016 6:40:51 AM.

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Alligator Attack in Disney

There really is no end to the blaming these days and it's terrible. If an asteroid fell from the sky and killed a young child, some would blame Disney for not having put up a barrier over the entire park and others would blame the parents for letting their child walk around workout a helmet. I keep seeing references to common sense but common sense would be to show compassion and stop trying to place blame when am extremely unlikely and tragic accident occurs.

Re: Alligator Attack in Disney

Re: Alligator Attack in Disney

Posted by LauBear

Posted by MsSissy

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by Mushesgirl

This is on Disney 10000%

sidebar I don't patronize them, but would never anyway after the outsourcing

I don't know, I think it's a horrific, terrible tragedy but how is this all on Disney? It's not like there have a been a rash of alligator attacks there, in fact since their opening in the 70's..........have they even had a single one? They say the chances of being attacked by an alligator are 1 in 2.5 million so I'm pretty sure you can chalk this up to a freak accident...........not really a failing of Disney specifically.

Going back to the zoo/gorilla incident.
They didn't have any issues with that enclosure for I believe 38 yrs and yet the majoriry of the people feel it was still the zoos fault. Something more should've beem done to prevent that boy from getting in.
I feel like this is the same scenario.
Something more couldve been done by Disney. Starting with signs saying Stay out of Water. Alligators in area. Because people really do need things spelled out for them.
But I dont think Disney had them for fear of losing customers.



This wasnt directed at you. It was just easier to quote that section and reply wit my thoughts.

I completely agree that more should have been done by Disney. They are aware that a large number of their guests are not Floridians and may not be aware of the dangers and prevalence of gators in Florida.

The signage that they chose to display stated "No Swimming Please" which implies they don't want you SWIMMING in those waters. This could be for a number of reasons including lack of life guards in the area. But this little boy was not swimming. Were there other families in the water AT THAT TIME? No. But a quick google, Facebook or Instagram search will pull up a bunch of photos of children who were standing in the same water, posted by individuals in the last day who had been guests at the Grand Floridian. It appears to be a fairly common occurrence at that resort.

What could Disney have done?

They could have put up signage informing their guests of the possibility of alligators in the lake.

They could have put up any type of barrier between the sand and lake.

They could have had their employees approach those in the water letting them know that any contact is not allowed (many of those posting pictures of their own children in the lake said they were never approached by any of the employees in the area informing them that they were not allowed in the water at all).

They could have chosen to not host a movie night just steps from this lake- with small children all around-at dusk- during mating season.

Any of these precautions could have helped to save this poor boy's life

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Re: Alligator Attack in Disney

Re: Alligator Attack in Disney

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by Mushesgirl

This is on Disney 10000%

sidebar I don't patronize them, but would never anyway after the outsourcing

I don't know, I think it's a horrific, terrible tragedy but how is this all on Disney? It's not like there have a been a rash of alligator attacks there, in fact since their opening in the 70's..........have they even had a single one? They say the chances of being attacked by an alligator are 1 in 2.5 million so I'm pretty sure you can chalk this up to a freak accident...........not really a failing of Disney specifically. In a state riddled with alligators there is always that very small possibility that one attacks and no body of water, not even in Disney, is really free from the danger of an alligator.

What I've learned today:

1) Perhaps Disney can add clearer signs around their property because I now see that what "no swimming" means to me isn't the same as everyone. So maybe being more clear with the signage is a good idea. Maybe "Do Not Go in Water" would be a better, more clear choice of words over "No Swimming".

2) Life is preciously fragile and it can change in an instant. The thought that at any moment my kids could be taken from me literally scares the cr@p out of me. I think because of that when you hear about these horrible tragic things you can't always process your own thoughts and feelings right away AND in the *best* way.

I admit, I wondered why that baby would be in that icky water because for me, the signs seemed clear enough. But I can appreciate the fact that being on vacation in the most magical place on earth you let your guard down a little. I do when I am in Disney. I feel safe, I feel like I'm in a place where bad things don't happen............even though I KNOW they can. And I can see how the sign might be interpreted differently, especially to someone from another state who might not have the occasion to swim often. After the shock of hearing the news I couldn't help but to think about the boy and his family. And NOTHING else.

I am sad. So, so very sad for those parents. Because no matter what the circumstances, no matter who is at fault I cannot FATHOM what it must have felt like to watch an alligator reach up, snatch your most precious thing on earth, and drag him to his death. Just like that. Your child is gone. Forever. I can't even process the horror of that so much so that I've been heartbroken all day. I've been squishing up my kids ALL day. And I've been thanking my lucky stars that even though they were driving me crazy today they are alive, and with me, and safe in their beds tonight.

I don't know how a parent moves forward from something like this. I don't know how as a parent you are ever able to pick up the pieces and go on after such a loss. My heart is heavy for that family and I really pray that they are able to find some peace in this extremely sad and difficult time. No parent should have to bury their child. And no parent should EVER have to witness their child dying right before their eyes.

It's just a sad, horrible, terrible tragedy all around. Blaming Disney won't change anything. Blaming the parents won't change anything. Trying to figure the how and why will just make you crazy. ALL you can do is hug your kids tighter and thank god for another day on this planet. We're all just here hanging by a thin thread, be thankful for every moment because it can all be gone in a blink.

R.I.P Lane Graves

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https://www.facebook.com/4BoysMother/?fref=nf&pnref=story

this was one on fb this morning. Such a terrible tragedy

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I think the fact that Disney regularly removes alligators from this man made beach makes them 100% accountable for this horrendous tragedy. They knew the alligators were there. This family and countless other families did not. The blame lays solely at their door.

Will blame get this poor child back to his parents? Absolutely not but Disney has to be held accountable for this and they have to be forced to secure this area so another tragedy like this does not happen again. This was preventable. This child did not go out swimming and drown. This child was snatched from his parents by a wild animal that Disney officials knew was lurking in the water. I am disgusted at them and beyond livid that they knew and said nothing.

They knew that posting a sign that alligators were in the waters would deter guests from going to that area and it sickens me that most likely the almighty dollar was more important to them. I hope each and every decision making official at Disney is haunted by this for the rest of their lives.

Message edited 6/16/2016 10:17:37 AM.

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Message edited 6/16/2016 10:15:59 AM.

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The blaming of the parents AND of Disney - has to freakin stop!! STOP!!!

Disney is not to blame because a wild animal made it's way onto their property. They remove them as they find them, but we are very quick to forget that the animals lived here first, not us.

The parents are not to blame because their child was abducted by a wild animal right in front of them.

That instinct that so many people have to blame someone, anyone, somewhere - that's a product of this over litigious society, where there's always someone at fault and always someone to pay up for the damages.

I am quite sure Disney will be putting up MORE signs because someone always has to take the blame for everything, even a horrific accident like this one.

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