2 Year Old Dragged into Water by Gator at Disney Resort

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How dumb are these parents? Who in the United States doesn't know that ANY body of water in FL (besides the ocean), no matter how pretty or inviting it may seem likely has gators and/or venomous things. I love that we're splitting hairs between swimming and wading, when this child shouldn't have been touching water, period. Even if the signs don't say it - why risk it?

Wonder how close the dad was to the kid - bc I would think a dad standing right there could grab the kid under the armpits end pull hard enough to pull him out. Though I guess that also depends on the gators grip.

Sad but I don't want to see Disney paying out huge sums here.

Okay, for one thing, if you believe that every single person in the US is aware of the dangers of alligators in Florida, you are a moron. Full stop.

Secondly, even if this kid was standing 12 inches away, not touching the water, the alligator still could have gotten him.

Really? I would wager that people who don't know about gators in Florida are the idiots.

Yes, I know that you would wager that. Because you don't know shit about how the world works.

We're not talking about the world. We're talking about the US. And if the US school system hasn't taught families well off enough to visit Disney that there are gators in Florida, they're morons.

I am highly educated. I live in New England and visit beaches nearly every day. I am aware that alligators live in Florida, and specifically in the Everglades. I would never dream that there are alligators at the shoreline of a Disney advertised "white sands" beach where families are encouraged to play and watch fireworks. Absent signage saying "No Wading" due to bacteria, alligators, whatever, my 2 year old would certainly have been allowed to go in the water up to his ankles as I stood nearby.

There but by the grace of God go I. Just horrifying.

This is what confuses me. Why is Disney somehow separate from Florida? Is it not in Florida? How would you reasonably expect them to ensure there is no wildlife in their waters? Seriously. How?

We all know how Disney is so meticulous about controlling things, creating a sterile fantasy, that I would think Disney would not deign to allow wildlife in its man-made lagoon next to a man-made lake at a family resort.

But...how would they be able to do this??? The lagoon is connected to bigger bodies of water. Apparently, they DO kill them when they know they are there. I just...can't wrap my mind around people thinking Disney controls wildlife. Wow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How dumb are these parents? Who in the United States doesn't know that ANY body of water in FL (besides the ocean), no matter how pretty or inviting it may seem likely has gators and/or venomous things. I love that we're splitting hairs between swimming and wading, when this child shouldn't have been touching water, period. Even if the signs don't say it - why risk it?

Wonder how close the dad was to the kid - bc I would think a dad standing right there could grab the kid under the armpits end pull hard enough to pull him out. Though I guess that also depends on the gators grip.

Sad but I don't want to see Disney paying out huge sums here.

Okay, for one thing, if you believe that every single person in the US is aware of the dangers of alligators in Florida, you are a moron. Full stop.

Secondly, even if this kid was standing 12 inches away, not touching the water, the alligator still could have gotten him.

Really? I would wager that people who don't know about gators in Florida are the idiots.

Yes, I know that you would wager that. Because you don't know shit about how the world works.

We're not talking about the world. We're talking about the US. And if the US school system hasn't taught families well off enough to visit Disney that there are gators in Florida, they're morons.

I am highly educated. I live in New England and visit beaches nearly every day. I am aware that alligators live in Florida, and specifically in the Everglades. I would never dream that there are alligators at the shoreline of a Disney advertised "white sands" beach where families are encouraged to play and watch fireworks. Absent signage saying "No Wading" due to bacteria, alligators, whatever, my 2 year old would certainly have been allowed to go in the water up to his ankles as I stood nearby.

There but by the grace of God go I. Just horrifying.

+1

+2. And I find the poster calling the parents morons to be truly disgusting.

This. I am highly educated as well, and know that there are alligators in FL. But I also know how Disney controls the theme park experience end-to-end and that they installed a beach at the resort along this lagoon. Despite the "no swimming" signs, I would never expect an alligator to come out of the water and attack my child at the Grand Floridian. And I don't think it's reasonable to expect families visiting from all over the world to know about the alligators in FL and guard themselves against this while on Disney property. If the lagoon is this dangerous, Disney shouldn't have a beach there, nor hold movie nights, fireworks, etc. There should be signs everywhere. As much as I like Disney, I would absolutely sue them in this case. And my heart breaks for these poor parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How dumb are these parents? Who in the United States doesn't know that ANY body of water in FL (besides the ocean), no matter how pretty or inviting it may seem likely has gators and/or venomous things. I love that we're splitting hairs between swimming and wading, when this child shouldn't have been touching water, period. Even if the signs don't say it - why risk it?

Wonder how close the dad was to the kid - bc I would think a dad standing right there could grab the kid under the armpits end pull hard enough to pull him out. Though I guess that also depends on the gators grip.

Sad but I don't want to see Disney paying out huge sums here.

Okay, for one thing, if you believe that every single person in the US is aware of the dangers of alligators in Florida, you are a moron. Full stop.

Secondly, even if this kid was standing 12 inches away, not touching the water, the alligator still could have gotten him.

Really? I would wager that people who don't know about gators in Florida are the idiots.

Yes, I know that you would wager that. Because you don't know shit about how the world works.

We're not talking about the world. We're talking about the US. And if the US school system hasn't taught families well off enough to visit Disney that there are gators in Florida, they're morons.

I am highly educated. I live in New England and visit beaches nearly every day. I am aware that alligators live in Florida, and specifically in the Everglades. I would never dream that there are alligators at the shoreline of a Disney advertised "white sands" beach where families are encouraged to play and watch fireworks. Absent signage saying "No Wading" due to bacteria, alligators, whatever, my 2 year old would certainly have been allowed to go in the water up to his ankles as I stood nearby.

There but by the grace of God go I. Just horrifying.

This is what confuses me. Why is Disney somehow separate from Florida? Is it not in Florida? How would you reasonably expect them to ensure there is no wildlife in their waters? Seriously. How?

It's a big state. I didn't realize it was so uniformly infested with alligators.

Maybe it's not. But, when near fresh water, assume the worse. Better safe than sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People in the South seem to have their heads up their you-know-whats and think that the whole world is just like what they know.

Actually, this thread proves that people in the North assume that the world is just like what they know. The vast majority of posts are "there are no alligators in Bethesda, how could I possibly know that they would be in Florida!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Disney was negligent.

Every family that witnessed the tragedy will sue. Disney will quickly settle, paying through the nose and securing no disclosure agreements to prevent interviews, and signs will be posted all over the property (to shift risk).

I'm sure they will get money but Disney wasn't negligent. Nature happens. An alligator, indigenous to fresh water in Florida and animals who feed at night, got into a pond on Disney property. Shit happens. It's tragic but it's the first time it's ever happened in this park that serves millions of visitors so to say it was negligence isn't fair. It was an unfortunate accident.

+1. If I were on a jury for this case, knowing the facts currently available, I wouldn't award any money. Disney cannot control the alligator population on its property.

As for the posters claiming eyewitnesses will be able to sue, you clearly know nothing about the law.

I'm a lawyer, and I recognize that anybody can file a lawsuit.

Disney will settle and secure non-disclosure agreements to prevent people from being interviewed by media. Disney wants to kill this story quickly. Big settlements with witnesses, and no jury trial for the family...they'll get a ginormous settlement.

I wouldn't take that bet. Disney is known to play hardball and can be very litigious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always thought those lagoon beaches were gross. Why would you set up a beach for kids to run around on next to an alligator infested lagoon. The Disney "illusion" is that all is safe. There are no warnings about alligators.

Lots of things have the illusion of being safe. You still need to use your head. I can't believe people want a warning about alligators in FLORIDA.

How many times does this bear repeating? PEOPLE FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY ARE SIMPLY IGNORANT OF ALLIGATOR BEST PRACTICES.

This is not something we are taught in the Northeast, Midwest, or West coast. I know about alligators and to stay away from them. But I had no idea that they eat in the evening, that they could be lurking next to a white sand beach on a seemingly "safe" Disney property that they encourage families to use, that they could snatch a toddler in only a few inches of water. Parents from Nebraska will not know any of this. I'm well educated, an Eagle Scout and very outdoorsy (love to hike, camp, surf, etc) and I did not know about these rules. Absent information about gators lurking nearby, I'd probably let my kids dip their toes in the water at this "beach" given the setup.

Disney did not properly communicate the risks.

Well, then you're an idiot. If you're visiting an area, you should always learn about the dangers, what to avoid, what to expect, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nanny here- Why would the parents (even if they didn't know about alligators, which is weird since its FLORIDA) be playing with a toddler in the dark by the water? This makes no sense. I feel awful for the family, but this is just really bad parenting. Not thinking about gators in a state known for gators, playing in the water, by signs that tell you not to go in the water.

Because it's a recreational beach at dusk? It's a mistake; it's not "bad parenting."

9:30pm is dusk? I wouldn't be in the water at night by no swimming signs with any other the kids I work with. Who doesn't know about alligators and fresh water?

Sunset is at 8:24 PM in Orlando (today). The further south you get, the earlier it becomes dark.

Signage was up, the parents will not have a case against Disney. It doesn't matter if the child was in 1 inch of water or 2 feet of water. Signage will cover any legal recourse.

Wrong. There were no signs about alligators and the area was not roped off. This was a resort event on the beach and there was a life guard and employees present. Disney is going to pay serious bank to this family and witnesses.

Why were lifeguards present if Disney discouraged swimming?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How dumb are these parents? Who in the United States doesn't know that ANY body of water in FL (besides the ocean), no matter how pretty or inviting it may seem likely has gators and/or venomous things. I love that we're splitting hairs between swimming and wading, when this child shouldn't have been touching water, period. Even if the signs don't say it - why risk it?

Wonder how close the dad was to the kid - bc I would think a dad standing right there could grab the kid under the armpits end pull hard enough to pull him out. Though I guess that also depends on the gators grip.

Sad but I don't want to see Disney paying out huge sums here.

Okay, for one thing, if you believe that every single person in the US is aware of the dangers of alligators in Florida, you are a moron. Full stop.

Secondly, even if this kid was standing 12 inches away, not touching the water, the alligator still could have gotten him.

Really? I would wager that people who don't know about gators in Florida are the idiots.

Yes, I know that you would wager that. Because you don't know shit about how the world works.

We're not talking about the world. We're talking about the US. And if the US school system hasn't taught families well off enough to visit Disney that there are gators in Florida, they're morons.

I am highly educated. I live in New England and visit beaches nearly every day. I am aware that alligators live in Florida, and specifically in the Everglades. I would never dream that there are alligators at the shoreline of a Disney advertised "white sands" beach where families are encouraged to play and watch fireworks. Absent signage saying "No Wading" due to bacteria, alligators, whatever, my 2 year old would certainly have been allowed to go in the water up to his ankles as I stood nearby.

There but by the grace of God go I. Just horrifying.

This is what confuses me. Why is Disney somehow separate from Florida? Is it not in Florida? How would you reasonably expect them to ensure there is no wildlife in their waters? Seriously. How?

We all know how Disney is so meticulous about controlling things, creating a sterile fantasy, that I would think Disney would not deign to allow wildlife in its man-made lagoon next to a man-made lake at a family resort.

But...how would they be able to do this??? The lagoon is connected to bigger bodies of water. Apparently, they DO kill them when they know they are there. I just...can't wrap my mind around people thinking Disney controls wildlife. Wow.

The issue will be negligence and justice for the family. This will be an existential fight for Disney as it calls into question the premise behind the lagoon hotels. I imagine that all lawyers are at battle stations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nanny here- Why would the parents (even if they didn't know about alligators, which is weird since its FLORIDA) be playing with a toddler in the dark by the water? This makes no sense. I feel awful for the family, but this is just really bad parenting. Not thinking about gators in a state known for gators, playing in the water, by signs that tell you not to go in the water.

Because it's a recreational beach at dusk? It's a mistake; it's not "bad parenting."

9:30pm is dusk? I wouldn't be in the water at night by no swimming signs with any other the kids I work with. Who doesn't know about alligators and fresh water?

Sunset is at 8:24 PM in Orlando (today). The further south you get, the earlier it becomes dark.

Signage was up, the parents will not have a case against Disney. It doesn't matter if the child was in 1 inch of water or 2 feet of water. Signage will cover any legal recourse.

Wrong. There were no signs about alligators and the area was not roped off. This was a resort event on the beach and there was a life guard and employees present. Disney is going to pay serious bank to this family and witnesses.

Why were lifeguards present if Disney discouraged swimming?

There's a gigantic pool right next to the beach. The lifeguard came from the pool area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How dumb are these parents? Who in the United States doesn't know that ANY body of water in FL (besides the ocean), no matter how pretty or inviting it may seem likely has gators and/or venomous things. I love that we're splitting hairs between swimming and wading, when this child shouldn't have been touching water, period. Even if the signs don't say it - why risk it?

Wonder how close the dad was to the kid - bc I would think a dad standing right there could grab the kid under the armpits end pull hard enough to pull him out. Though I guess that also depends on the gators grip.

Sad but I don't want to see Disney paying out huge sums here.

Okay, for one thing, if you believe that every single person in the US is aware of the dangers of alligators in Florida, you are a moron. Full stop.

Secondly, even if this kid was standing 12 inches away, not touching the water, the alligator still could have gotten him.

Really? I would wager that people who don't know about gators in Florida are the idiots.

Yes, I know that you would wager that. Because you don't know shit about how the world works.

We're not talking about the world. We're talking about the US. And if the US school system hasn't taught families well off enough to visit Disney that there are gators in Florida, they're morons.

I am highly educated. I live in New England and visit beaches nearly every day. I am aware that alligators live in Florida, and specifically in the Everglades. I would never dream that there are alligators at the shoreline of a Disney advertised "white sands" beach where families are encouraged to play and watch fireworks. Absent signage saying "No Wading" due to bacteria, alligators, whatever, my 2 year old would certainly have been allowed to go in the water up to his ankles as I stood nearby.

There but by the grace of God go I. Just horrifying.

+1

+2. And I find the poster calling the parents morons to be truly disgusting.

This. I am highly educated as well, and know that there are alligators in FL. But I also know how Disney controls the theme park experience end-to-end and that they installed a beach at the resort along this lagoon. Despite the "no swimming" signs, I would never expect an alligator to come out of the water and attack my child at the Grand Floridian. And I don't think it's reasonable to expect families visiting from all over the world to know about the alligators in FL and guard themselves against this while on Disney property. If the lagoon is this dangerous, Disney shouldn't have a beach there, nor hold movie nights, fireworks, etc. There should be signs everywhere. As much as I like Disney, I would absolutely sue them in this case. And my heart breaks for these poor parents.

Again, Disney can not control wildlife in their water. Can they remove them, if found? Sure. But to expect them to know at all times what lurks in their waters is asinine. They told you "No Swimming" and that should be enough. Now, if alligators were all over their sandy beaches, that's another story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How have they not found the boy yet?

The ugly truth is that the Gator may have eaten him. They don't normally actually eat people - the bite can kill, but they rarely actually eat people - but this was a small child.

I'm amazed at the people asking how a Gator got into the lagoon. We have two gators (that I know of) in the man made retention pond in our back yard. Wildlife control will relocate them when they reach 6 feet. Every house on our lake has kids. The kids are outside all the time and know not to play in the water. I worry more about the water moccasins than about the gators.

It's been said so many times in this thread - In Florida you assume all fresh water has gators.

You can't have it both ways - either gators are a risk in "all fresh water" in Florida, and you make that risk known at your resort where you host people not from Florida, or you don't post a warning about gators because it's such a rare and freak thing to happen. What you do not do is have an explicit "no swimming" warning, including numerous signs picturing a person swimming in a circle with a line though it, when the risk isn't really about swimming. Not everyone knows the whole state is infested with alligators.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People in the South seem to have their heads up their you-know-whats and think that the whole world is just like what they know.

Actually, this thread proves that people in the North assume that the world is just like what they know. The vast majority of posts are "there are no alligators in Bethesda, how could I possibly know that they would be in Florida!"

Oh, I bet you're aces at walking or driving on ice. Wait, what's that? You don't have that ever? We all still posses regional knowledge? Goodness me, how can that be?

To everybody wishing there were explicit signs: we can have signs every few feet. People still don't heed them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nanny here- Why would the parents (even if they didn't know about alligators, which is weird since its FLORIDA) be playing with a toddler in the dark by the water? This makes no sense. I feel awful for the family, but this is just really bad parenting. Not thinking about gators in a state known for gators, playing in the water, by signs that tell you not to go in the water.

Because it's a recreational beach at dusk? It's a mistake; it's not "bad parenting."

9:30pm is dusk? I wouldn't be in the water at night by no swimming signs with any other the kids I work with. Who doesn't know about alligators and fresh water?

Sunset is at 8:24 PM in Orlando (today). The further south you get, the earlier it becomes dark.

Signage was up, the parents will not have a case against Disney. It doesn't matter if the child was in 1 inch of water or 2 feet of water. Signage will cover any legal recourse.

Wrong. There were no signs about alligators and the area was not roped off. This was a resort event on the beach and there was a life guard and employees present. Disney is going to pay serious bank to this family and witnesses.

Why were lifeguards present if Disney discouraged swimming?

Lifeguard was at the pool, not the beach area. Try to keep up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How have they not found the boy yet?

The ugly truth is that the Gator may have eaten him. They don't normally actually eat people - the bite can kill, but they rarely actually eat people - but this was a small child.

I'm amazed at the people asking how a Gator got into the lagoon. We have two gators (that I know of) in the man made retention pond in our back yard. Wildlife control will relocate them when they reach 6 feet. Every house on our lake has kids. The kids are outside all the time and know not to play in the water. I worry more about the water moccasins than about the gators.

It's been said so many times in this thread - In Florida you assume all fresh water has gators.

You can't have it both ways - either gators are a risk in "all fresh water" in Florida, and you make that risk known at your resort where you host people not from Florida, or you don't post a warning about gators because it's such a rare and freak thing to happen. What you do not do is have an explicit "no swimming" warning, including numerous signs picturing a person swimming in a circle with a line though it, when the risk isn't really about swimming. Not everyone knows the whole state is infested with alligators.

I am in SHOCK that so many people are so ignorant.

[Anonymous]

I'm going to have to do a search. Earlier this morning I read that the family was wading in the water, and there were no swimming signs posted.