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The Disney alligator story =(

  1. Maysprout

    grapefruit / 4800 posts

    @Mrs. Sketchbook: it got put in the car because it was begging at cars because it had learned where food was located, so it already was a hazard, one that other people had tried to alert park rangers about.
    I'm not arguing that it should have been put in the car but that these are things that happen when loads of people go through wild areas - people and animals end up coming in contact, they're not unpredictable situations. And not every park has the same protocol on dealing with abandoned animals. Im big on environmental issues as well but that requires some education when people are on vacation in a different location. Not everyone's going to be an expert researcher.
    I used to go collect samples in the woods at night for work with at least one other person. Bear attacks pretty much never happen where I was but we still always checked with others who'd been out earlier in the day to see if their bear boxes had been bashed and if so we went to a different area to collect. When I've traveled I've never stayed in a luxury resort and camped plenty, I probably talk more than average but have relied somewhat on being provided local info on currents and any strange going ons with animals. That's why I just can't imagine why Disney would neglect to point out to stay away from the water at night when they're holding night events there and have had plenty reports of people feeding a predator. If that was sharks or bears that would be crazy, even if bears are sighted more there are often signs at trailheads about increased bear activity. These signs don't mean people are stupid, they're informative and help people/wildlife not have bad encounters.

  2. Mrs. Chocolate

    blogger / nectarine / 2600 posts

    They are putting up a fence as we speak around the lagoon. One of my forums has members at WDW right now and have pictures showing it.

  3. BSB

    hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts


  4. pmrlady

    apricot / 316 posts

    I thought this was very touching and wanted to share...

    "To The Mom of the Gator Attack at the Grand Floridian

    I am you. We have never met, I have never faced your tragedy but that’s all I can think this morning- “I AM YOU”. I have done what you have done. I have saved and spent countless hours planning to take my family on a Magical trip to see the Mouse. Every trip has its own expectations, hopes and dreams. Weeks of preparing and talking with my children about all the exciting things we will do and see. Finally arriving and checking into one of the many beautiful Walt Disney World Resorts. Wandering the property pointing out the different animals we don’t see at home, a gecko, an armadillo even a small gator or two. We stand in line to catch our resort bus or monorail to the park of our choice. I lather my children with sunscreen to protect them from the Florida sun. We stop for the family photo at every landmark possible. Even after all these trips there’s nothing quite like stepping onto Main Street to see that Castle. Each time it’s breath-taking. I have spent many hours at the parks with children melting down trying to make the most of each moment. Maybe this was your first trip, that once in a life time trip or maybe like my family you go as often as possible. Whatever the case may be, we are the same. Like you, my family has spent our evenings on the beaches of a Walt Disney Resort. We grab our jackets and head to the resort beach to unwind from a busy day at the parks. We scout out a place to sit for the perfect view of the movie, fireworks, Electrical Water Parade. My children run ahead of me excited to have a little freedom from my clutching hands. Sometimes I chase after them pretending to slip in the sand so the game can continue and memories are made. Other times I firmly plant myself on the beach because let’s face it, walking all day at the parks is exhausting and now it’s time to relax! As I sit far enough from the water’s edge to miss the mist carried in by the gentle breeze, my children run along the shoreline. I carry on in conversation with those around me, keeping an eye on my children who play in the near distance. They scoop up the wet sand because it makes for the best sandcastles, they toss sticks in the water to watch them float. As they step into the shallow water I yell out to remind them not to get their clothes wet as it’s a bit of a hike back to our room for dry clothes or at least take their shoes off before wading in. I check my watch to see how much longer before the movie starts, until the fireworks begin, or the Electrical Water Parade is due to come by thankful for moments like these. Truth be told, I’m not the only one. Other families are doing this exact same thing. Some parents are multitasking as their children head in different directions to discover their own areas to play in. Everyone is in a relaxed state because this is what vacation looks like! Tragically for you, a force of nature, an alligator, stole your child, your heart, while no doubt your family was enjoying one of these simple moments like I have so many times before. The unimaginable has happened and I’m sure you have replayed that moment over and over in your head. I can not begin to fathom what you are going through but I can tell you, I am you! This could have been my family, my child. It could have happened to thousands of others who have sat on these very beaches. People are harsh and they will be cruel accusing and blaming. Probably not nearly as mean as you are being to yourself with each passing hour. I simply want you to know, “This is not your fault”. You went on vacation and the unthinkable happened. It could have been my child or any other family who has walked those beaches. My heart is breaking for you. My prayers are going out to you. I am hugging my kids tighter because of you. Though you may feel otherwise you are not alone. I am all too aware, I AM YOU."

    http://www.oneroomcabin.com/2016/06/15/to-the-mom-of-the-gator-attack-at-the-grand-floridian-wdw/

  5. pmrlady

    apricot / 316 posts

    @littlebug: Actually all of your reasons listed for that sign are none that I would associate with "No swimming"
    To me, no swimming means just that, likely because there is no lifeguard on duty so if you happen to start drowning, there will be no one to save you. That's what I think when I see "no swimming".
    Now if the sign said "Do not enter water" then I would truly not let my child put their feet in the water even if I don't know the exact reason why the water is not safe.

    However, let's say hypothetically that Disney truly meant for people to not enter the water because of wildlife. WHY then would they make a man-made BEACH out of that area? Why would they put sand and beach chairs around water that should not be entered? When their main occupants are small children? Children who like to splash in water and build sand castles, for which they want to get wet sand to make better castles with? Why create that temptation to enter the water and then try to fight that temptation with signs?
    That's what I don't understand. And to me, that is being negligent on Disney's part. Not even the wording of the signs, but the part where they create an illusion of safety by making such a lovely inviting beach there.

  6. turquoisemama

    persimmon / 1481 posts

    @pmrlady: I agree 100%. I haven't read all the comments, but even if you didn't go swimming, don't alligators ever come out of the water? It just seems like a very dangerous situation all together. Really negligent on the hotels part.

  7. pmrlady

    apricot / 316 posts

    And the plot thickens.....

    "Disney employees say they have warned their bosses for more than a year about guests feeding alligators at the Seven Seas Lagoon - especially guests in the $2,000-a-night Bora Bora Bungalows.
    The bungalows have private porches and guests apparently feed the alligators as they float past.

    'Disney has known about the problem of guests feeding the alligators well-prior to the opening of the bungalows,' said an insider. 'With the opening of the bungalows, it brought the guests that much closer to wildlife. Or, the wildlife that much closer to the guests.'

    A few employees said they had complained about the bungalow guests feeding the alligators, but alleged that park officials may have been hesitant to reprimand guests staying in $2,000-a-night suites.

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3645504/Disney-ignored-employees-complaints-guests-2-000-night-bungalows-feeding-alligators.html

  8. FaithFertility

    eggplant / 11861 posts

    @pmrlady: Ohhhh that is sad

  9. sorrycharlie

    hostess / watermelon / 14932 posts

    I have a photo of my girls sitting a foot from the water in the exact spot the Britains and Canadians saw a gator lurch onto the sand.

    Yay anxiety. 😑 My oldest loved the sand. Next visit I don't know that I'll be anywhere near it!

  10. Mrs. Sketchbook

    GOLD / nectarine / 2884 posts

    @Maysprout: finally getting back to this! I definitely don't think that extra signage is a bad thing. I don't suppose I think that Disney should be sued for the sign they did use. I am from the mountains in NC so I totally understand the whole bear issue. My family has had them on their carport in their trash. Sadly the bear issue is partly because people keep on encroaching into bear territory. But then people treat them like nuisances! And are surprised when bears are roaming around their mountainside cabin. I think the rhetoric around these issues is typically very people centric, which is what disturbs me. This is just a general observation, Disney is a part of the problem too. The relationship should be more give and take than that. Example: A better gorilla enclosure would help protect people and animals, a fence around the lagoon would protect children and also return the habitat to alligators. Not leaving the path in Yellowstone is safer for humans but also protects the landscape around the geyser etc.

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