Changes at WDW due to alligator attack (dedicated thread)

[LongLiveTheKing]

Here's advice to anyone who witnesses something like that. We all have phones..take a photo of them, and promptly call the police.

Let them pay a fine and maybe they won't do it again.

Taking a picture of someone doing something illegal does run the risk of them assaulting you, though, especially simce they're bound to be having a "WUH I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG" attitude. Whether or not the police come doesn't prevent any damage they do to you or your family.

If you are Jade from Beyond Good And Evil, however, they won't see you obviously and do what you want.

 

[Bocabear]

Surprisingly, most people NOT from FLorida, don't know about not feeding the alligators... They have no idea it is illegal...to them it is just like feeding pigeons or squirrels... Signs will help but to go into a police state about it would be ridiculous... They need to put up some signs and maybe on the resort paperwork have a blurb about feeding alligators specifically... That would help.

 

[mimitchi33]

I saw one there last week. We were headed to our room during the day and unfortunately there were people feeding it. I let the front desk know.

They should really enforce the "Please do not feed the animals" rule there. This is a hotel, not a petting zoo!

Surprisingly, most people NOT from FLorida, don't know about not feeding the alligators... They have no idea it is illegal...to them it is just like feeding pigeons or squirrels... Signs will help but to go into a police state about it would be ridiculous... They need to put up some signs and maybe on the resort paperwork have a blurb about feeding alligators specifically... That would help.

Exactly. We don't want to see people arrested at Disney World for something they thought was OK that wasn't a gun.

 

[21stamps]

Surprisingly, most people NOT from FLorida, don't know about not feeding the alligators... They have no idea it is illegal...to them it is just like feeding pigeons or squirrels... Signs will help but to go into a police state about it would be ridiculous... They need to put up some signs and maybe on the resort paperwork have a blurb about feeding alligators specifically... That would help.

That comment was made in semi jest.
I would normally say that I agree. But after reading so many people here blame the GF incident on the bungalows (which I think is ridiculous btw), then people should do something if they are so concerned.

They should really enforce the "Please do not feed the animals" rule there. This is a hotel, not a petting zoo!

Exactly. We don't want to see people arrested at Disney World for something they thought was OK that wasn't a gun.

You don't get arrested. It's similar to fishing without a license. You get a ticket.

Or-- just politely let them know that it is illegal. That would probably get them to stop feeding.

 

[Matt_Black]

Surprisingly, most people NOT from FLorida, don't know about not feeding the alligators... They have no idea it is illegal...to them it is just like feeding pigeons or squirrels... Signs will help but to go into a police state about it would be ridiculous... They need to put up some signs and maybe on the resort paperwork have a blurb about feeding alligators specifically... That would help.

There's already signs! And, I'm not positive, but isn't there a little video about that topic too on the resort TVs?

 

[Bocabear]

I never noticed it if it were on TV... People visiting the resort get all excited about seeing something they have never seen before and it is our human instinct to either kill or feed... Feeling likw what they do is harmless and not fully understanding the implications... Maybe they need to add that as a blurb on the guest rundown at check in..."The park hours are in the brochure, and if you happen to see any alligators, please don't feed them... Have a magical day! "...

 

[rael ramone]

They should really enforce the "Please do not feed the animals" rule there. This is a hotel, not a petting zoo!

Exactly. We don't want to see people arrested at Disney World for something they thought was OK that wasn't a gun.

Actually I'd love to see a 'Gator Feeder' to have to do the perp walk.

 

[Sonconato]

I know it was a horrible accident, but every time I go to GF, I think of the little boy and his family. I found this today.
http://www.wesh.com/article/disney-to-remember-boy-killed-by-alligator-with-sculpture/10021166

 

[Bocabear]

I was at the CBay Lake Tower pool last week and there was a little boy splashing about with his inflated toy alligator ( which was about 5' long)...
It was fun to watch people's reactions as it dawned on them what happened last year.... The kid was having fun and the parents were clueless...

 

[Disney Analyst]

It is such a beautiful sentiment, and I am glad they are creating this statue.

 

[jlsHouston]

I know it was a horrible accident, but every time I go to GF, I think of the little boy and his family. I found this today.
http://www.wesh.com/article/disney-to-remember-boy-killed-by-alligator-with-sculpture/10021166

Wow it is 2 years today isn't it. That was a terrible evening. Just put a huge cloud over us the rest of our summer vacation. Even when we with enormous relief moved over to Boardwalk just couldn't shake that oppression.
I'm actually glad WDW is memorializing this little boys brief life on their property. Not that anyone wants to be reminded of this horrific accident, more for comfort for his parents and to acknowledge we all grieved with them and for them.

 

[Sonconato]

I know this incident was incredibly tragic for everyone involved, but I'm some what suprised WDW mangement would want to bring this incident back up in public view

I didn't realize there was another thread already started, but on the other thread it had said there was foundation in the little boy's name that is somehow connected. I thought the same thing as you, though.

 

[Bolt]

I know this incident was incredibly tragic for everyone involved, but I'm some what suprised WDW mangement would want to bring this incident back up in public view

I imagine they looked at it as 'no matter what, this going to be in the news today so we might as well insert something that seems positive from the company.'

Wow it is 2 years today isn't it. That was a terrible evening. Just put a huge cloud over us the rest of our summer vacation. Even when we with enormous relief moved over to Boardwalk just couldn't shake that oppression.
I'm actually glad WDW is memorializing this little boys brief life on their property. Not that anyone wants to be reminded of this horrific accident, more for comfort for his parents and to acknowledge we all grieved with them and for them.

It is only 1 year, not 2.

 

[TeriofTerror]

I lived in SoFla for most of my life. Times I saw an alligator outside of alligator alley or on an airboat- ZERO.
Doesn't mean that they weren't there...and I'm not complaining either.
I've been to Costa Rica several times..there's crocodiles everywhere, they are in SoFla too, but I never saw one. I would see them in CR when walking but thankfully have never seen one in the ocean!!!
Fun fact- Surfers in CR have a higher risk of being killed by a croc than they do by a shark.

I'm not doubting you, but this just shows the variability of anecdotal evidence - yours and mine. I live in Ohio and travel to Florida maybe once per year. I can't begin to count the number of gators I've seen.
Reptiles are the number one reason I haven't moved to Florida. I've never had a trip there where I didn't encounter at least one (since I've been old enough to remember).
I hate 'em. I just hate 'em.

 

[21stamps]

I'm not doubting you, but this just shows the variability of anecdotal evidence - yours and mine. I live in Ohio and travel to Florida maybe once per year. I can't begin to count the number of gators I've seen.
Reptiles are the number one reason I haven't moved to Florida. I've never had a trip there where I didn't encounter at least one (since I've been old enough to remember).
I hate 'em. I just hate 'em.

That's why I lived close to the ocean and on the intracoastal.. much less of a chance for alligators.lol. I hate 'em too.

 

[Nubs70]

I'm not doubting you, but this just shows the variability of anecdotal evidence - yours and mine. I live in Ohio and travel to Florida maybe once per year. I can't begin to count the number of gators I've seen.
Reptiles are the number one reason I haven't moved to Florida. I've never had a trip there where I didn't encounter at least one (since I've been old enough to remember).
I hate 'em. I just hate 'em.

I lived in northern Maine for 2 years and never saw a moose.

 

[jlsHouston]

I imagine they looked at it as 'no matter what, this going to be in the news today so we might as well insert something that seems positive from the company.'


It is only 1 year, not 2.

yah I know I meant to write 1 but somehow the 2 went in..Its been quite a week already, ready for the weekend

 

[PizzaPlanet]

I know this incident was incredibly tragic for everyone involved, but I'm some what suprised WDW mangement would want to bring this incident back up in public view

I'd imagine most won't know what it represents unless they get up close or know what to look for.

 

[natatomic]

I'm not doubting you, but this just shows the variability of anecdotal evidence - yours and mine. I live in Ohio and travel to Florida maybe once per year. I can't begin to count the number of gators I've seen.
Reptiles are the number one reason I haven't moved to Florida. I've never had a trip there where I didn't encounter at least one (since I've been old enough to remember).
I hate 'em. I just hate 'em.

Lived in Florida for 7.5 years and I can think of 3 gators I've seen - one in the water in Celebration (a baby), one that made it into our old neighborhood (maybe 4ft?) from a nearby pond, and now we have a "resident" gator in our new neighborhood, another baby. And anytime I pass a body of water, I'm always looking!

 

[FamilyCallsMeWalt]

I had heard that the Alligators at the Living on the Land attraction were removed at one point. I was glad to hear that they hadn't.