2 Year Old Dragged into Water by Gator at Disney Resort

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have they found the alligator that attacked the child yet? And is it known how far into the water this little boy actually was?

No, they have to do forensics on the gators they've caught viz the bite marks on the child. He was found 15-20 yards from the shoreline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Disney bears zero responsibility. This was a wild animal in its natural habitat doing what it does. The signs clearly said no swimming and the kid was in the water at dark.

2. The parents bear very little responsibility. The child was not in deep water, presumably they were keeping their eye on him, they just didn't know about the gator. That is a safe assumption given the attacks are so so so incredibly rare as to not be a really reasonable fear.

3. That said, of course Disney writes a check for PR reasons and institutes preventive policies going forward for PR reasons. Might be a good deal on a new pair of boots coming up with all of the gators that are going to be harvested!

This was not its natural habitat. This was a Disney create vignette. A set to create a mood.

Gators show up in swimming pools, ditches, canals, etc. Their natural habitat is water, any water.

The same is true for ducks, turtles, frogs, lizards, snakes, etc. They go everywhere, but are usually harmless.

+1. When you're outside you're outside. Mother nature is way more powerful than any human or corporation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look, ultimately, it was an accident. The parents should not be blamed. Disney should not be blamed. They will pay, which they should, but this was an incredibly unusual, freak accident. Sometimes, nobody is at fault.

How can you say, at this point, that Disney should not be blamed?

Because they cannot control mother nature, and had no reason to assume any child would be attacked and eaten by a gator on their property since it has never happened in the history of the park. And because there WERE no swimming signs. But since it did happen on their property, they should and will pay the family some damages. Held entirely to blame? No. They didn't have any foresight that this was an expected thing to happen.

It seems proven at this point that Disney knew there were alligators in that water. If that is the case, the "No Swimming" signs should have read something along the lines of "Do not go in the water. Alligators present. Swim/wade at your own risk." I great up on the East Coast and I've been to Florida several times so I know there are alligators there. But never in a million years would I have expected that alligators would be present in a man-made body of water on Disney's property. And I don't think swimming and wading are the same things either. So the signage should make it clear to stay completely away from the water.

I studied abroad in Australia in the 90s and there were crocodile warning signs all over the place. On one guided trip our tour guide had us swim through a channel in order to get to a waterfall. The channel had crocodile warning signs but the guide assured us they weren't actually in there because it was the dry season. I can assure you I was terrified the entire swim but I knew very clearly that I was swimming at my own risk.

The parents of this poor child should have had the benefit of a warning that alligators were present. I bet their son would be alive right now if that were the case.

Exactly. Another issue Disney will face, if this ever goes to court which I can't imagine that it will, is that the signs didn't just say "no swimming" - they said "steep drop off, deep water, no swimming" - by giving a reason for the "no swimming" being a steep drop off and deep water, it gives the impression that being present at the water's edge would not pose much if any danger. Disney would have had a better argument actually if it literally just said "no swimming" and didn't give reasons.

Sigh. The picture everyone is referring to was taken during construction of the grand Floridian villas many years ago. There is no drop off now. I've said it 20 times. It looks like any other beach with zero entry look.

[Anonymous]

What proves to me the most that this was a freak accident, is the fact that Disney IS so controlling. I just cannot believe they thought, "We know there's alligators; oh well". I think if Disney knew there was a threat of alligators, they would have done everything they could to remove them, get special dispensation from the state to kill them, whatever.

People say the sign wasn't specific enough. I also think this shows they didn't think there was a threat. There's no way Disney would rely just on signage; they are way more controlling than that.

[Anonymous]

Well, up until recently their bag check didn't include people going into the park without a bag. You could walk in with any weapon in your pocket. In my bag, they never check inside all the zippers. They aren't as into safety as they'd have you believe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What proves to me the most that this was a freak accident, is the fact that Disney IS so controlling. I just cannot believe they thought, "We know there's alligators; oh well". I think if Disney knew there was a threat of alligators, they would have done everything they could to remove them, get special dispensation from the state to kill them, whatever.

People say the sign wasn't specific enough. I also think this shows they didn't think there was a threat. There's no way Disney would rely just on signage; they are way more controlling than that.

Again, the park has been open 45 years, and other than 1 bite 30 years ago, it hasn't been a problem.

This is our day and age: People wanting absolute certainty from danger, with no responsibility to educate themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What proves to me the most that this was a freak accident, is the fact that Disney IS so controlling. I just cannot believe they thought, "We know there's alligators; oh well". I think if Disney knew there was a threat of alligators, they would have done everything they could to remove them, get special dispensation from the state to kill them, whatever.

People say the sign wasn't specific enough. I also think this shows they didn't think there was a threat. There's no way Disney would rely just on signage; they are way more controlling than that.

Sorry, but I think it is the opposite. Everyone who lives in Florida knows alligators are a threat. I think it is so commonplace that to people that live there know what no swimming signs mean. I think this horrible accident has made Disney and probably other hotels realize that tourists are ignorant of the threat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look, ultimately, it was an accident. The parents should not be blamed. Disney should not be blamed. They will pay, which they should, but this was an incredibly unusual, freak accident. Sometimes, nobody is at fault.

How can you say, at this point, that Disney should not be blamed?

Because they cannot control mother nature, and had no reason to assume any child would be attacked and eaten by a gator on their property since it has never happened in the history of the park. And because there WERE no swimming signs. But since it did happen on their property, they should and will pay the family some damages. Held entirely to blame? No. They didn't have any foresight that this was an expected thing to happen.

It seems proven at this point that Disney knew there were alligators in that water. If that is the case, the "No Swimming" signs should have read something along the lines of "Do not go in the water. Alligators present. Swim/wade at your own risk." I great up on the East Coast and I've been to Florida several times so I know there are alligators there. But never in a million years would I have expected that alligators would be present in a man-made body of water on Disney's property. And I don't think swimming and wading are the same things either. So the signage should make it clear to stay completely away from the water.

I studied abroad in Australia in the 90s and there were crocodile warning signs all over the place. On one guided trip our tour guide had us swim through a channel in order to get to a waterfall. The channel had crocodile warning signs but the guide assured us they weren't actually in there because it was the dry season. I can assure you I was terrified the entire swim but I knew very clearly that I was swimming at my own risk.

The parents of this poor child should have had the benefit of a warning that alligators were present. I bet their son would be alive right now if that were the case.

Exactly. Another issue Disney will face, if this ever goes to court which I can't imagine that it will, is that the signs didn't just say "no swimming" - they said "steep drop off, deep water, no swimming" - by giving a reason for the "no swimming" being a steep drop off and deep water, it gives the impression that being present at the water's edge would not pose much if any danger. Disney would have had a better argument actually if it literally just said "no swimming" and didn't give reasons.

Sigh. The picture everyone is referring to was taken during construction of the grand Floridian villas many years ago. There is no drop off now. I've said it 20 times. It looks like any other beach with zero entry look.

But the water is so gross and sketchy looking! Even in the picture posted by that other mom in FB saying her child was in the same spot 30 minutes earlier. The water IN HER PICTURE looks nasty. Alligators or not, you wouldn't catch me in there!

[Anonymous]

I recently stayed at a Marriott in Hilton head. The sign said "don't approach, harass, or feed the alligators" near a little pond. Simple. As. That.

[Anonymous]

Disney will pay 4 cast members to redirect you away from a closed attraction but there's no one telling people to remain away from the water. It's messed up.

[Anonymous]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3645000/Mom-posts-eerie-photos-son-standing-exact-spot-Lane-Graves-killed-alligator-just-ONE-HOUR-later.html

First pic on the left...you couldn't pay me to dip a toe in that! Not to mention the brain-eating amoebas in there!

[Anonymous]

A lot of folks go swimming in lakes that look like that. Depends on where you're from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What proves to me the most that this was a freak accident, is the fact that Disney IS so controlling. I just cannot believe they thought, "We know there's alligators; oh well". I think if Disney knew there was a threat of alligators, they would have done everything they could to remove them, get special dispensation from the state to kill them, whatever.

People say the sign wasn't specific enough. I also think this shows they didn't think there was a threat. There's no way Disney would rely just on signage; they are way more controlling than that.

Sorry, but I think it is the opposite. Everyone who lives in Florida knows alligators are a threat. I think it is so commonplace that to people that live there know what no swimming signs mean. I think this horrible accident has made Disney and probably other hotels realize that tourists are ignorant of the threat.

There is no way that Disney just made assumptions about what its guests understand about alligator threats. This is a company that researched how long people are willing to carry trash before littering in order to strategically place its trashcans. I don't, in a million years, believe that Disney just assumed that guests from around the world, many who may be traveling to the US for the first time and don't even know what alligators are, understand the risks of being near freshwater in Florida.

I think this is a freak accident...they do seem to have actively worked to control the alligator population in their freshwater lakes etc. Freak accident or not, though, there is a likelihood that Disney could have done more...so there would probably be a finding of some negligence if they went to court. In a trillion years, though, I don't think Disney would take this to court.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What proves to me the most that this was a freak accident, is the fact that Disney IS so controlling. I just cannot believe they thought, "We know there's alligators; oh well". I think if Disney knew there was a threat of alligators, they would have done everything they could to remove them, get special dispensation from the state to kill them, whatever.

People say the sign wasn't specific enough. I also think this shows they didn't think there was a threat. There's no way Disney would rely just on signage; they are way more controlling than that.

Sorry, but I think it is the opposite. Everyone who lives in Florida knows alligators are a threat. I think it is so commonplace that to people that live there know what no swimming signs mean. I think this horrible accident has made Disney and probably other hotels realize that tourists are ignorant of the threat.

There is no way that Disney just made assumptions about what its guests understand about alligator threats. This is a company that researched how long people are willing to carry trash before littering in order to strategically place its trashcans. I don't, in a million years, believe that Disney just assumed that guests from around the world, many who may be traveling to the US for the first time and don't even know what alligators are, understand the risks of being near freshwater in Florida.

I think this is a freak accident...they do seem to have actively worked to control the alligator population in their freshwater lakes etc. Freak accident or not, though, there is a likelihood that Disney could have done more...so there would probably be a finding of some negligence if they went to court. In a trillion years, though, I don't think Disney would take this to court.

Agreed. No way will they go to court with grieving parents. No way. It would cost them way more than a payout.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What proves to me the most that this was a freak accident, is the fact that Disney IS so controlling. I just cannot believe they thought, "We know there's alligators; oh well". I think if Disney knew there was a threat of alligators, they would have done everything they could to remove them, get special dispensation from the state to kill them, whatever.

People say the sign wasn't specific enough. I also think this shows they didn't think there was a threat. There's no way Disney would rely just on signage; they are way more controlling than that.

Sorry, but I think it is the opposite. Everyone who lives in Florida knows alligators are a threat. I think it is so commonplace that to people that live there know what no swimming signs mean. I think this horrible accident has made Disney and probably other hotels realize that tourists are ignorant of the threat.

There is no way that Disney just made assumptions about what its guests understand about alligator threats. This is a company that researched how long people are willing to carry trash before littering in order to strategically place its trashcans. I don't, in a million years, believe that Disney just assumed that guests from around the world, many who may be traveling to the US for the first time and don't even know what alligators are, understand the risks of being near freshwater in Florida.

I think this is a freak accident...they do seem to have actively worked to control the alligator population in their freshwater lakes etc. Freak accident or not, though, there is a likelihood that Disney could have done more...so there would probably be a finding of some negligence if they went to court. In a trillion years, though, I don't think Disney would take this to court.

Agreed. No way will they go to court with grieving parents. No way. It would cost them way more than a payout.

Yup. The backlash would be insane.