2 Year Old Dragged into Water by Gator at Disney Resort

[Anonymous]

No, every body of water in Florida does not have alligator signs. And yes, people in Florida swim in the lakes, even when there are gators. Attacks just aren't that common. I have friends who have a place on a lake in Florida, and they boat/swim/waterski/tube on it all the time.

Again, looking over the law, Disney is likely covered for liability. I'm sure they will pay the family, and I'm sure they will add signs and some fences. They cannot make all the alligators go away, though.

Also, the remove gators under the direction of the state of Florida wildlife folks. The state sets the rules for removing gators, not Disney.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

In other suits, Florida laws have been interpreted that property owners are not responsible for wild animal attacks unless they kept them as pets.

Also, from an earlier article posted, when it comes to alligator attacks, courts in Florida have held that a swimmer's disregard of "No Swimming" and other warning signs were the sole cause of the serious injuries.

So, actually , it looks like little legal liability for Disney.

Multiple Disney guests have come out publicly that multiple Disney cast members have referred to these alligators as Disney or resort "pets."

They're as much pets of Disney as the squirrels are in my yard. I don't feed them, give them veterinary care, name them, care for or about them. If I could figure out how to get rid of them so they stop eating the fruits off our fruit trees, I would. Disney isn't taking care of these gators as pets, either, and if they could figure out how to get rid of them, they would.

Yes, we have alligators everywhere in Florida. Every fresh body of water is potentially home to our state reptile...and it is not reasonable to think they should all be removed from whatever body of water - manmade or otherwise - to make room for humans. We moved into their habitat and they have learned to coexist. I do not hold Disney responsible for a 1 in 2.4 million accident, which is what this was. People are attacked by bears and cougars out west when they're out walking their dogs. I don't see much of a difference.

The vast wilderness of the Grand Floridian. Keep your guard up, tourists.

PP, you're nuts.

The Grand Floridan is in the middle of a swamp, as is all of disney world.

People who aren't from Florida aren't necessarily aware of this, given that we dont live in swamps and given that Disney is such an artificial and controlled environment. So a warning/reminder/whatever you want to call it is helpful.

I like you, whoever you are.

You know, I really don't get this. All the guidebooks talk about how swimming isn't allowed in the lagoon. There are signs not to swim. The water is brackish and unattractive Yet people still go in the water.

I guarantee if the alligator signs where there, people would still swim as long as they couldn't "see" alligators. How do I know this? I have seen people swimming other places iwhere such signs exist. People regularly boat in lakes with alligators. And you know, ninety nine point nine percent of the time, they are fine. This was a black swan type event.

Moreover, people are strangely fixated on this. Another child of the same age roughly drowned in a Disney pool last year.

[Anonymous]

I've seen lots of signs in SC. Not very many in FL. I wouldn't consider The seven seas lagoon just any lake in Florida, though. It hosts millions of people from around the world.

[Anonymous]

A little story for anyone still reading this thread.

A few years ago Disney decided to do a refurbishment on the Polynesian Resort for it's timeshare Disney Vacation Club. They added a bunch of studio villas and a handful of bungalows over the seven seas lagoon. There's about 20 of them and they're literally over the water. Think Bora but.... Not clear water. They run 2000 DOLLARS a night at least.

They've been open for over a year at this point. Cast members have expressed concerns about guests throwing food into the lake to the gators from the bungalows. They're close to the water, after all. A year of being near humans and food interests the gators.

And look what happened.

Thanks Disney and your desire to push your awful timeshare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A little story for anyone still reading this thread.

A few years ago Disney decided to do a refurbishment on the Polynesian Resort for it's timeshare Disney Vacation Club. They added a bunch of studio villas and a handful of bungalows over the seven seas lagoon. There's about 20 of them and they're literally over the water. Think Bora but.... Not clear water. They run 2000 DOLLARS a night at least.

They've been open for over a year at this point. Cast members have expressed concerns about guests throwing food into the lake to the gators from the bungalows. They're close to the water, after all. A year of being near humans and food interests the gators.

And look what happened.

Thanks Disney and your desire to push your awful timeshare.

Yes, thanks Disney -- actually DVC timeshares are AWESOME! I use mine all the time. Was just at the Grand Floridian, in fact. They are building more cabins on the water at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.

But the people feeding the wildlife are breaking the law and fueling the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

In other suits, Florida laws have been interpreted that property owners are not responsible for wild animal attacks unless they kept them as pets.

Also, from an earlier article posted, when it comes to alligator attacks, courts in Florida have held that a swimmer's disregard of "No Swimming" and other warning signs were the sole cause of the serious injuries.

So, actually , it looks like little legal liability for Disney.

Multiple Disney guests have come out publicly that multiple Disney cast members have referred to these alligators as Disney or resort "pets."

They're as much pets of Disney as the squirrels are in my yard. I don't feed them, give them veterinary care, name them, care for or about them. If I could figure out how to get rid of them so they stop eating the fruits off our fruit trees, I would. Disney isn't taking care of these gators as pets, either, and if they could figure out how to get rid of them, they would.

Yes, we have alligators everywhere in Florida. Every fresh body of water is potentially home to our state reptile...and it is not reasonable to think they should all be removed from whatever body of water - manmade or otherwise - to make room for humans. We moved into their habitat and they have learned to coexist. I do not hold Disney responsible for a 1 in 2.4 million accident, which is what this was. People are attacked by bears and cougars out west when they're out walking their dogs. I don't see much of a difference.

The vast wilderness of the Grand Floridian. Keep your guard up, tourists.

PP, you're nuts.

The Grand Floridan is in the middle of a swamp, as is all of disney world.

People who aren't from Florida aren't necessarily aware of this, given that we dont live in swamps and given that Disney is such an artificial and controlled environment. So a warning/reminder/whatever you want to call it is helpful.

I like you, whoever you are.

You know, I really don't get this. All the guidebooks talk about how swimming isn't allowed in the lagoon. There are signs not to swim. The water is brackish and unattractive Yet people still go in the water.

I guarantee if the alligator signs where there, people would still swim as long as they couldn't "see" alligators. How do I know this? I have seen people swimming other places iwhere such signs exist. People regularly boat in lakes with alligators. And you know, ninety nine point nine percent of the time, they are fine. This was a black swan type event.

Moreover, people are strangely fixated on this. Another child of the same age roughly drowned in a Disney pool last year.

But the little guy who drowned last year?

Mom and dad did not physically fight the plastic character statues in the swimming pool for their child, then watch their child get pulled underwater, then spend the next 17 hours believing that tuey might not get to lay their child to rest, or if they did he would be half or entirely eaten.

Tyat is the difference between the emotional response to this child's death and other drowning deatys of children, including the one last year at Disney.

The gator and fight for the child brings an added element of horror that a typical accidental death does not have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A little story for anyone still reading this thread.

A few years ago Disney decided to do a refurbishment on the Polynesian Resort for it's timeshare Disney Vacation Club. They added a bunch of studio villas and a handful of bungalows over the seven seas lagoon. There's about 20 of them and they're literally over the water. Think Bora but.... Not clear water. They run 2000 DOLLARS a night at least.

They've been open for over a year at this point. Cast members have expressed concerns about guests throwing food into the lake to the gators from the bungalows. They're close to the water, after all. A year of being near humans and food interests the gators.

And look what happened.

Thanks Disney and your desire to push your awful timeshare.

Yes, thanks Disney -- actually DVC timeshares are AWESOME! I use mine all the time. Was just at the Grand Floridian, in fact. They are building more cabins on the water at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.

But the people feeding the wildlife are breaking the law and fueling the problem.

The math on them is a really bad deal. Renting DVC points from DVC owners who don't want them anymore is a good deal though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

In other suits, Florida laws have been interpreted that property owners are not responsible for wild animal attacks unless they kept them as pets.

Also, from an earlier article posted, when it comes to alligator attacks, courts in Florida have held that a swimmer's disregard of "No Swimming" and other warning signs were the sole cause of the serious injuries.

So, actually , it looks like little legal liability for Disney.

Multiple Disney guests have come out publicly that multiple Disney cast members have referred to these alligators as Disney or resort "pets."

They're as much pets of Disney as the squirrels are in my yard. I don't feed them, give them veterinary care, name them, care for or about them. If I could figure out how to get rid of them so they stop eating the fruits off our fruit trees, I would. Disney isn't taking care of these gators as pets, either, and if they could figure out how to get rid of them, they would.

Yes, we have alligators everywhere in Florida. Every fresh body of water is potentially home to our state reptile...and it is not reasonable to think they should all be removed from whatever body of water - manmade or otherwise - to make room for humans. We moved into their habitat and they have learned to coexist. I do not hold Disney responsible for a 1 in 2.4 million accident, which is what this was. People are attacked by bears and cougars out west when they're out walking their dogs. I don't see much of a difference.

The vast wilderness of the Grand Floridian. Keep your guard up, tourists.

PP, you're nuts.

The Grand Floridan is in the middle of a swamp, as is all of disney world.

People who aren't from Florida aren't necessarily aware of this, given that we dont live in swamps and given that Disney is such an artificial and controlled environment. So a warning/reminder/whatever you want to call it is helpful.

I like you, whoever you are.

You know, I really don't get this. All the guidebooks talk about how swimming isn't allowed in the lagoon. There are signs not to swim. The water is brackish and unattractive Yet people still go in the water.

I guarantee if the alligator signs where there, people would still swim as long as they couldn't "see" alligators. How do I know this? I have seen people swimming other places iwhere such signs exist. People regularly boat in lakes with alligators. And you know, ninety nine point nine percent of the time, they are fine. This was a black swan type event.

Moreover, people are strangely fixated on this. Another child of the same age roughly drowned in a Disney pool last year.

But the little guy who drowned last year?

Mom and dad did not physically fight the plastic character statues in the swimming pool for their child, then watch their child get pulled underwater, then spend the next 17 hours believing that tuey might not get to lay their child to rest, or if they did he would be half or entirely eaten.

Tyat is the difference between the emotional response to this child's death and other drowning deatys of children, including the one last year at Disney.

The gator and fight for the child brings an added element of horror that a typical accidental death does not have.

The dad pulled the kid from the bottom of the pool and tried to revive him until a nurse bystander took over with CPR. I'm quite sure if you meet that family IRL, you wouldn't have the gall that their loss was somehow lesser, but I guess the anonymity of the internet allows people to make idiotic statements.

[Anonymous]

It just so happens that all the major news outlets were already in Orlando when the gator attack happened. That's part of it, I think. Both losses incredibly awful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

In other suits, Florida laws have been interpreted that property owners are not responsible for wild animal attacks unless they kept them as pets.

Also, from an earlier article posted, when it comes to alligator attacks, courts in Florida have held that a swimmer's disregard of "No Swimming" and other warning signs were the sole cause of the serious injuries.

So, actually , it looks like little legal liability for Disney.

Multiple Disney guests have come out publicly that multiple Disney cast members have referred to these alligators as Disney or resort "pets."

They're as much pets of Disney as the squirrels are in my yard. I don't feed them, give them veterinary care, name them, care for or about them. If I could figure out how to get rid of them so they stop eating the fruits off our fruit trees, I would. Disney isn't taking care of these gators as pets, either, and if they could figure out how to get rid of them, they would.

Yes, we have alligators everywhere in Florida. Every fresh body of water is potentially home to our state reptile...and it is not reasonable to think they should all be removed from whatever body of water - manmade or otherwise - to make room for humans. We moved into their habitat and they have learned to coexist. I do not hold Disney responsible for a 1 in 2.4 million accident, which is what this was. People are attacked by bears and cougars out west when they're out walking their dogs. I don't see much of a difference.

The vast wilderness of the Grand Floridian. Keep your guard up, tourists.

PP, you're nuts.

The Grand Floridan is in the middle of a swamp, as is all of disney world.

People who aren't from Florida aren't necessarily aware of this, given that we dont live in swamps and given that Disney is such an artificial and controlled environment. So a warning/reminder/whatever you want to call it is helpful.

I like you, whoever you are.

You know, I really don't get this. All the guidebooks talk about how swimming isn't allowed in the lagoon. There are signs not to swim. The water is brackish and unattractive Yet people still go in the water.

I guarantee if the alligator signs where there, people would still swim as long as they couldn't "see" alligators. How do I know this? I have seen people swimming other places iwhere such signs exist. People regularly boat in lakes with alligators. And you know, ninety nine point nine percent of the time, they are fine. This was a black swan type event.

Moreover, people are strangely fixated on this. Another child of the same age roughly drowned in a Disney pool last year.

But the little guy who drowned last year?

Mom and dad did not physically fight the plastic character statues in the swimming pool for their child, then watch their child get pulled underwater, then spend the next 17 hours believing that tuey might not get to lay their child to rest, or if they did he would be half or entirely eaten.

Tyat is the difference between the emotional response to this child's death and other drowning deatys of children, including the one last year at Disney.

The gator and fight for the child brings an added element of horror that a typical accidental death does not have.

The dad pulled the kid from the bottom of the pool and tried to revive him until a nurse bystander took over with CPR. I'm quite sure if you meet that family IRL, you wouldn't have the gall that their loss was somehow lesser, but I guess the anonymity of the internet allows people to make idiotic statements.

I am not saying their loss is any less than the other family's and I don't see how you got that from my post.

I am saying that people are reacting more strongly to this child's death because it has an added element of horror that the other boy's drowning or any other accidental death does not have. As someone upthread mentioned, this boy was snatched by a monster and was prpbably very conscious of the alligator and dad fighting for him before he was pulled under. What that child saw and what the dad experienced in those last seconds or minutes of his life is unimaginable and goes beyond the realm of what could have happened if he had experienced some other accidental death.

[Anonymous]

Pretty much. I've replayed how I thought it went about 1000 times in my head. Absolutely horrific. Just can't imagine how terrifying it was.

[Anonymous]

Heartbreaking to hear the Dad was a state wrestling champion:

http://nypost.com/2016/06/16/tough-as-nails-dad-tried-to-fight-off-gator-attack

I somehow think this must make this tragedy even worse for him, if that is possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Heartbreaking to hear the Dad was a state wrestling champion:

http://nypost.com/2016/06/16/tough-as-nails-dad-tried-to-fight-off-gator-attack

I somehow think this must make this tragedy even worse for him, if that is possible.

Because he couldn't successfully wrassle the gator? Come on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Heartbreaking to hear the Dad was a state wrestling champion:

http://nypost.com/2016/06/16/tough-as-nails-dad-tried-to-fight-off-gator-attack

I somehow think this must make this tragedy even worse for him, if that is possible.

Because he couldn't successfully wrassle the gator? Come on.

He couldn't save his son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Heartbreaking to hear the Dad was a state wrestling champion:

http://nypost.com/2016/06/16/tough-as-nails-dad-tried-to-fight-off-gator-attack

I somehow think this must make this tragedy even worse for him, if that is possible.

Because he couldn't successfully wrassle the gator? Come on.

He couldn't save his son.

This.