Changes at WDW due to alligator attack (dedicated thread)

[JohnD]

PHOTOS - Permanent shoreline wall under construction at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort

I understand why it had to be done. Actually, it looks pretty good. Like being near jetties. At least you can be back on the beach but no more wading ankle deep, sadly.

 

[LAKid53]

I'm guessing it was something created by one of her direct managers. I doubt it was approved by anyone higher than that land's proprietor/area manager, but things like that don't typically need to get approved by higher ups either, since each land can - to an extent - make many small decisions on their own. Everyone in on-stage roles - as far as I know - got trained on an official, company approved "wildlife update." Her management probably just thought they'd be a little more specific with what they wanted CMs to say when guests ask specifically about alligators. I like that they were trying to give CMs something consistent to say, but I think whoever wrote it was incredibly misguided as to what he/she thought would be best to tell guests. There are soooo many better ways to answer guests' questions about the wildlife than to flat out lie to them!

I must question the competency of any manager who would post such a stupid notice like that, whether it was approved by higher management or not. To instruct, in a posted written notice, employees to lie to customers is litigation waiting to happen...both from employees and those customers you told employees to lie to. OF COURSE they had to rehire her. And need to fire the manager/supervisor who authorized the creation and posting of the notice if that's what happened. Has Disney lost its collective mind?

Sheesh....

 

[Kevin_W]

I think they did a nice job with the barriers and making them blend with the area.

 

[LAKid53]

I think they did a nice job with the barriers and making them blend with the area.

Other than the yellow plastic booms, which are probably temporary for the construction, I agree that it looks nice. Could have been worse, like a real wall or chain link fence.

 

[Bairstow]

I must question the competency of any manager who would post such a stupid notice like that, whether it was approved by higher management or not. To instruct, in a posted written notice, employees to lie to customers is litigation waiting to happen...both from employees and those customers you told employees to lie to. OF COURSE they had to rehire her. And need to fire the manager/supervisor who authorized the creation and posting of the notice if that's what happened. Has Disney lost its collective mind?

Sheesh....

I agree completely.
If, God forbid, there is another attack, this posted notice would be litigation gold.

 

[Blairnicol]

I'm guessing it was something created by one of her direct managers. I doubt it was approved by anyone higher than that land's proprietor/area manager, but things like that don't typically need to get approved by higher ups either, since each land can - to an extent - make many small decisions on their own. Everyone in on-stage roles - as far as I know - got trained on an official, company approved "wildlife update." Her management probably just thought they'd be a little more specific with what they wanted CMs to say when guests ask specifically about alligators. I like that they were trying to give CMs something consistent to say, but I think whoever wrote it was incredibly misguided as to what he/she thought would be best to tell guests. There are soooo many better ways to answer guests' questions about the wildlife than to flat out lie to them!

Playing devil's advocate here: do they know with absolute certainty that there are gators in Rivers of America at all times? Don't they try to relocate them if they see them?

I completely understand why people are upset by this, I just don't think it's an outright lie either. Considering the massive microscope WDW is under with this issue, I don't think the verbage was wise, by any means. I think they could have worded it better, ie: leaving it to "if we see one we call pest services" or "we can't be certain, but if we see one we call pest services" and I understand the desire to quell guest panic. I assume the WARINNG signage is prompting additional questions, as most guests didn't realize that RoA was connected to SSL. It's generaly a horrible situation, and as @natatomic said, I think it's a good idea for them to give cast members a consistent response.

 

[Kylo Ken]

I think the rocks look great and it is definitely aesthetically pleasing when compared to the ropes. I think Disney has done their collective best by doing this. I'm sure people are going to complain that they're an eyesore, that we are paying for the mistakes of others, blah blah blah. Unfortunately though, this is the reality of things and current situations. I feel it's a win for everyone, beaches open back up for everyone's enjoyment and Disney can possibly avoid further accidents (until the first tourist climbs on the rocks, gets hurt, then complains that there was no signage indicating "No climbing on rocks").

 

[LAKid53]

Playing devil's advocate here: do they know with absolute certainty that there are gators in Rivers of America at all times? Don't they try to relocate them if they see them?

I completely understand why people are upset by this, I just don't think it's an outright lie either. Considering the massive microscope WDW is under with this issue, I don't think the verbage was wise, by any means. I think they could have worded it better, ie: leaving it to "if we see one we call pest services" or "we can't be certain, but if we see one we call pest services" and I understand the desire to quell guest panic. I assume the WARINNG signage is prompting additional questions, as most guests didn't realize that RoA was connected to SSL. It's generaly a horrible situation, and as @natatomic said, I think it's a good idea for them to give cast members a consistent response.

While I agree with the admonition to not joke with guests, the rest is balderdash. To instruct employees to tell someone who asks are there alligators in any body of water at WDW "we don't think so" is ignoring reality. It's Florida. There are 1.3+ million gators in this state. The correct thing is to assume there are gators in ANY body of water, whether natural or man made, in this state. And that includes your swimming pool.

I've lived in Florida 50 years, 45 of them in the very wet North Florida region. We have 6 NATURAL lakes in the county I live in. I live less than a mile from the largest and my neighborhood is partially surrounded by one of the arms of said lake and there's a pond smack dab in the middle. Yeah, I can guarantee there's an alligator not far from my house. Lived on a golf course in Miami. An alligator lived in the water hazard not 50 feet from the back of our property line. And he moved between that one and the other water hazard behind our neighbors house, a distance of 50-60 feet. Saw him plenty of times, both in the water and sunning himself. Sadly, poor Freddie was poached one night. But alligators are everywhere in Florida. If a CM told me when I asked what that sign says to tell guests, I'd let that CM know they are flat out wrong.

 

[NearTheEars]

PHOTOS - Permanent shoreline wall under construction at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort

Seems like a good, tasteful solution. Anyone that jumps over those and into the rocks just to get into that questionable body of water is at their own risk.

 

[NearTheEars]

While I agree with the admonition to not joke with guests, the rest is balderdash. To instruct employees to tell someone who asks are there alligators in any body of water at WDW "we don't think so" is ignoring reality. It's Florida. There are 1.3+ million gators in this state. The correct thing is to assume there are gators in ANY body of water, whether natural or man made, in this state. And that includes your swimming pool.

I've lived in Florida 50 years, 45 of them in the very wet North Florida region. We have 6 NATURAL lakes in the county I live in. I live less than a mile from the largest and my neighborhood is partially surrounded by one of the arms of said lake and there's a pond smack dab in the middle. Yeah, I can guarantee there's an alligator not far from my house. Lived on a golf course in Miami. An alligator lived in the water hazard not 50 feet from the back of our property line. And he moved between that one and the other water hazard behind our neighbors house, a distance of 50-60 feet. Saw him plenty of times, both in the water and sunning himself. Sadly, poor Freddie was poached one night. But alligators are everywhere in Florida. If a CM told me when I asked what that sign says to tell guests, I'd let that CM know they are flat out wrong.

Makes me wonder how long the legal team went over the phrase "we don't think so," before settling on it.

 

[Variable]

Didn't want us in the water anyway.
Classic case of attractive nuisance and they're fetish for illusionary immersion has caused great suffering.

 

[TabulaRasa]

The rocks are tenfold better than that awful fence. Blends in a lot better, and is way more aesthetically pleasing.

 

[peter11435]

The rocks are tenfold better than that awful fence. Blends in a lot better, and is way more aesthetically pleasing.

Do we have confirmation that the fence will be removed once the rocks are installed?

 

[TabulaRasa]

Do we have confirmation that the fence will be removed once the rocks are installed?

I don't remember if there was definitive confirmation of it. But I do remember reading somewhere that the fence was a temporary solution until a permanent one was decided upon. The rock barrier sure looks way more permanent.

 

[peter11435]

I don't remember if there was definitive confirmation of it. But I do remember reading somewhere that the fence was a temporary solution until a permanent one was decided upon. The rock barrier sure looks way more permanent.

Yeah, they have always stated the fence was temporary while theyworked on permanent solutions. I'm sure the rock barrier will be permanent. I'm just not convinced the fence will be removed completely.

 

[wdwmagic]

Do we have confirmation that the fence will be removed once the rocks are installed?

No not that i know of.

 

[LAKid53]

I don't remember if there was definitive confirmation of it. But I do remember reading somewhere that the fence was a temporary solution until a permanent one was decided upon. The rock barrier sure looks way more permanent.

However, that rock barrier will not keep people out of the water... only some sort of fencing will do that. The point is to discourage, along with signs, people entering the water. Only some type of fencing will do that.

 

[Raineman]

However, that rock barrier will not keep people out of the water... only some sort of fencing will do that. The point is to discourage, along with signs, people entering the water. Only some type of fencing will do that.

I'm betting that the fence goes, but the signs stay, maybe with a few more added once the fence is gone.

 

[ToTBellHop]

My understanding is we keep the fence plus the rocks. The rocks aren't enough to keep people away. Plus, the rocks after the fence makes the intention here quite clear. I actually think it looks nice. There are beaches that look like that. It'll look perfect over at the Beach Club, certainly.

 

[wdwmagic]

My understanding is we keep the fence plus the rocks. The rocks aren't enough to keep people away. Plus, the rocks after the fence makes the intention here quite clear. I actually think it looks nice. There are beaches that look like that. It'll look perfect over at the Beach Club, certainly.

Yep I think the fence is staying. The posts are metal topped, and don't appear to be temporary.