Anonymous
Post 06/15/2016 22:37     Subject: 2 Year Old Dragged into Water by Gator at Disney Resort
Anonymous wrote:Just for the record, the lake is man made (i.e. made by Disney) as is the beach that abuts it. The sand - which is glittery white and not natural to Florida - was placed there by Disney, as were the abundant beach chairs, hammocks and other beach-related items. These were a few feet from the shore line. Any alligator could easily simply walk on to the beach where children were playing.

I was literally there last month, and the sliding glass door of our room at the Polynesian was about 15 yards from the lagoon. So much of Disney ISN'T natural. It's all part of the Disney decor. It was a very inviting scene.

I thought the "no swimming" signs were there because there was no lifeguard on duty whereas at the nearby pool there were several. I can't even tell you how many children I saw digging in the beach sand - with parents lounging on the beach chairs - and apparently alligators lurking nearby.


There's 1.3 million gators in Florida and a fatality every few years. Pretty good odds for peaceful cooexistence when basic safety rules are followed. This was a tragic, black swan event.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2016 22:32     Subject: 2 Year Old Dragged into Water by Gator at Disney Resort
Anonymous wrote:Just for the record, the lake is man made (i.e. made by Disney) as is the beach that abuts it. The sand - which is glittery white and not natural to Florida - was placed there by Disney, as were the abundant beach chairs, hammocks and other beach-related items. These were a few feet from the shore line. Any alligator could easily simply walk on to the beach where children were playing.

I was literally there last month, and the sliding glass door of our room at the Polynesian was about 15 yards from the lagoon. So much of Disney ISN'T natural. It's all part of the Disney decor. It was a very inviting scene.

I thought the "no swimming" signs were there because there was no lifeguard on duty whereas at the nearby pool there were several. I can't even tell you how many children I saw digging in the beach sand - with parents lounging on the beach chairs - and apparently alligators lurking nearby.


That's Florida. Gators everywhere, right by the paths and in the water. DH is from Florida and thinks its normal, takes precautions and doesn't worry too much about it. I worry, but in general the gators are safe. Such a tragic accident.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2016 22:31     Subject: 2 Year Old Dragged into Water by Gator at Disney Resort
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Having never lived in Florida or the surrounding states, I would have assumed the no swimming signs were there so that people didn't drown or less up the man made lake. Never would I have thought that an alligator could eat my kid who was playing in ankle-deep water. Never. Especially at a place like Disneyworld where everything is so fake and constructed. Those poor parents. It is horrifying.


Ankle-deep water seems right up the alligator's alley, no? Did you think they might stalk their prey way deep underwater?


In the Everglades, sure. In a man-made lake at Disneyworld? I wouldn't have worried at all. And I worry about so many things.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2016 22:29     Subject: 2 Year Old Dragged into Water by Gator at Disney Resort
Anonymous wrote:Having never lived in Florida or the surrounding states, I would have assumed the no swimming signs were there so that people didn't drown or less up the man made lake. Never would I have thought that an alligator could eat my kid who was playing in ankle-deep water. Never. Especially at a place like Disneyworld where everything is so fake and constructed. Those poor parents. It is horrifying.


Ankle-deep water seems right up the alligator's alley, no? Did you think they might stalk their prey way deep underwater?
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2016 22:28     Subject: 2 Year Old Dragged into Water by Gator at Disney Resort
Just for the record, the lake is man made (i.e. made by Disney) as is the beach that abuts it. The sand - which is glittery white and not natural to Florida - was placed there by Disney, as were the abundant beach chairs, hammocks and other beach-related items. These were a few feet from the shore line. Any alligator could easily simply walk on to the beach where children were playing.

I was literally there last month, and the sliding glass door of our room at the Polynesian was about 15 yards from the lagoon. So much of Disney ISN'T natural. It's all part of the Disney decor. It was a very inviting scene.

I thought the "no swimming" signs were there because there was no lifeguard on duty whereas at the nearby pool there were several. I can't even tell you how many children I saw digging in the beach sand - with parents lounging on the beach chairs - and apparently alligators lurking nearby.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2016 22:24     Subject: 2 Year Old Dragged into Water by Gator at Disney Resort
Having never lived in Florida or the surrounding states, I would have assumed the no swimming signs were there so that people didn't drown or less up the man made lake. Never would I have thought that an alligator could eat my kid who was playing in ankle-deep water. Never. Especially at a place like Disneyworld where everything is so fake and constructed. Those poor parents. It is horrifying.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2016 22:20     Subject: 2 Year Old Dragged into Water by Gator at Disney Resort
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It blows my mind how many people apparently don't know that you shouldn't go into murky freshwater lakes in FL at night. I though was common sense you're just supposed to know like not using a hair dryer in the bath tub.


Blows my mind, too. The ignorance is quite frightening. Alligators are very popular animals and I assumed most people knew this basic shit.


Growing up in the northeast, how would I know this "shit"? Yes, I would be wary of wildlife at a park or out in nature, but everything at Disney is orchestrated down to the last second - down to what people say, and what the air smells like. It wouldn't occur to me to be cautious around their man-made lake. And no, I didn't realize that alligators show up in swimming pools, etc.


Growing up in the northeast is no excuse. I was born and raised in DC. To not know about Florida and its gators is sad as hell. Disney is a great place but it can't control wildlife.


Where did you learn your gator facts? Those facts aren't taught in the DC area schools. Until this thread I didn't know that gators feed at night. Even if I had learned that fact at some point in my life I didn't retain it because living in the DC area I had very little use for a fact like that. Now that this horrible tragedy has happened at Disney World I doubt very much that I'll ever forget it.

I can not imagine what those parents are going through. To lose your child in such an unexpected and sudden freak way is just incomprehensible.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2016 22:19     Subject: 2 Year Old Dragged into Water by Gator at Disney Resort
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It blows my mind how many people apparently don't know that you shouldn't go into murky freshwater lakes in FL at night. I though was common sense you're just supposed to know like not using a hair dryer in the bath tub.


Blows my mind, too. The ignorance is quite frightening. Alligators are very popular animals and I assumed most people knew this basic shit.


Growing up in the northeast, how would I know this "shit"? Yes, I would be wary of wildlife at a park or out in nature, but everything at Disney is orchestrated down to the last second - down to what people say, and what the air smells like. It wouldn't occur to me to be cautious around their man-made lake. And no, I didn't realize that alligators show up in swimming pools, etc.


Since you never learned, don't go in any fresh water lake pond or creek that has a no swimming sign. Never swim at night or twilight in the ocean or freshwater because that is when animals feed.

Not the first pp, but people are awful uneducated about nature, it really is dumbfounding.


+1
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2016 22:18     Subject: 2 Year Old Dragged into Water by Gator at Disney Resort
I think the parents are partly to blame as it does not seem wise to let a little kid wade in murky waters in the dark of night, especially with no swimming signs posted. Disney must have known about gator activity though so I think they should have made signs that warned guests of such. Sad situation all around.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2016 22:13     Subject: Re:2 Year Old Dragged into Water by Gator at Disney Resort
FYI...alligators and water moccasins like water. They do not know the lagoon was man made. For heaven's sake, parents, attend to your children. Yes, I know that's a lot of work.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2016 22:10     Subject: 2 Year Old Dragged into Water by Gator at Disney Resort
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It blows my mind how many people apparently don't know that you shouldn't go into murky freshwater lakes in FL at night. I though was common sense you're just supposed to know like not using a hair dryer in the bath tub.


Blows my mind, too. The ignorance is quite frightening. Alligators are very popular animals and I assumed most people knew this basic shit.


Growing up in the northeast, how would I know this "shit"? Yes, I would be wary of wildlife at a park or out in nature, but everything at Disney is orchestrated down to the last second - down to what people say, and what the air smells like. It wouldn't occur to me to be cautious around their man-made lake. And no, I didn't realize that alligators show up in swimming pools, etc.


Since you never learned, don't go in any fresh water lake pond or creek that has a no swimming sign. Never swim at night or twilight in the ocean or freshwater because that is when animals feed.

Not the first pp, but people are awful uneducated about nature, it really is dumbfounding.


Yes, and some people are just awful.


I think it was a tragic accident. But I also think people should educate themselves about wildlife. You are saying that makes me awfu?
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2016 22:05     Subject: 2 Year Old Dragged into Water by Gator at Disney Resort
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It blows my mind how many people apparently don't know that you shouldn't go into murky freshwater lakes in FL at night. I though was common sense you're just supposed to know like not using a hair dryer in the bath tub.


Blows my mind, too. The ignorance is quite frightening. Alligators are very popular animals and I assumed most people knew this basic shit.


Growing up in the northeast, how would I know this "shit"? Yes, I would be wary of wildlife at a park or out in nature, but everything at Disney is orchestrated down to the last second - down to what people say, and what the air smells like. It wouldn't occur to me to be cautious around their man-made lake. And no, I didn't realize that alligators show up in swimming pools, etc.


Growing up in the northeast is no excuse. I was born and raised in DC. To not know about Florida and its gators is sad as hell. Disney is a great place but it can't control wildlife.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2016 22:01     Subject: 2 Year Old Dragged into Water by Gator at Disney Resort
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It blows my mind how many people apparently don't know that you shouldn't go into murky freshwater lakes in FL at night. I though was common sense you're just supposed to know like not using a hair dryer in the bath tub.


Blows my mind, too. The ignorance is quite frightening. Alligators are very popular animals and I assumed most people knew this basic shit.


Growing up in the northeast, how would I know this "shit"? Yes, I would be wary of wildlife at a park or out in nature, but everything at Disney is orchestrated down to the last second - down to what people say, and what the air smells like. It wouldn't occur to me to be cautious around their man-made lake. And no, I didn't realize that alligators show up in swimming pools, etc.


Since you never learned, don't go in any fresh water lake pond or creek that has a no swimming sign. Never swim at night or twilight in the ocean or freshwater because that is when animals feed.

Not the first pp, but people are

awful uneducated about nature, it really is dumbfounding.


+1

The ones saying they are appalled people blame the parents probably see a lake with a (no swimming ) sign and say "hyuk hyuk this sign here means nothing it must be safe to go in the water and I will let my baby wade in the pond hyuk"
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2016 22:00     Subject: 2 Year Old Dragged into Water by Gator at Disney Resort
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It blows my mind how many people apparently don't know that you shouldn't go into murky freshwater lakes in FL at night. I though was common sense you're just supposed to know like not using a hair dryer in the bath tub.


Blows my mind, too. The ignorance is quite frightening. Alligators are very popular animals and I assumed most people knew this basic shit.


Growing up in the northeast, how would I know this "shit"? Yes, I would be wary of wildlife at a park or out in nature, but everything at Disney is orchestrated down to the last second - down to what people say, and what the air smells like. It wouldn't occur to me to be cautious around their man-made lake. And no, I didn't realize that alligators show up in swimming pools, etc.


I grew up in downstate Illinois. I genuinely thought this was just stuff people generally knew. What about the big alligator on the golf course that just made news? The golf club held a contest to name it, instead of removing it. That doesn't suggest to you that there might be lots of alligators in FL and you can't really control where they go?

And you can't just count on everything at Disney to be orchestrated to perfection. For gods sake, we just learned the Orlando shooter almost did his mass murder there.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2016 21:59     Subject: 2 Year Old Dragged into Water by Gator at Disney Resort
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It blows my mind how many people apparently don't know that you shouldn't go into murky freshwater lakes in FL at night. I though was common sense you're just supposed to know like not using a hair dryer in the bath tub.


Blows my mind, too. The ignorance is quite frightening. Alligators are very popular animals and I assumed most people knew this basic shit.


Growing up in the northeast, how would I know this "shit"? Yes, I would be wary of wildlife at a park or out in nature, but everything at Disney is orchestrated down to the last second - down to what people say, and what the air smells like. It wouldn't occur to me to be cautious around their man-made lake. And no, I didn't realize that alligators show up in swimming pools, etc.


Since you never learned, don't go in any fresh water lake pond or creek that has a no swimming sign. Never swim at night or twilight in the ocean or freshwater because that is when animals feed.

Not the first pp, but people are awful uneducated about nature, it really is dumbfounding.


Yes, and some people are just awful.