Changes at WDW due to alligator attack (dedicated thread)

[21stamps]

The walking/biking trail (not the nature trail) is still open.

Thank you.

 

[prberk]

The walking/biking trail (not the nature trail) is still open.

Just don't stop to fish... (sorry, I couldn't help myself)

 

[21stamps]

I took these photos off of a Poly page. But here is the "new decorative fence" added in the past couple of days..and the new view. Definitely different.

Also- just to note, a semi large gator was spotted in the water outside of Tuvalu. It has been removed. I think people will be reporting sightings immediately now.

 

[Raineman]

I took these photos off of a Poly page. But here is the "new decorative fence" added in the past couple of days..and the new view. Definitely different.

Also- just to note, a semi large gator was spotted in the water outside of Tuvalu. It has been removed. I think people will be reporting sightings immediately now.


View attachment 148851 View attachment 148852

I do not see the problem with these fences that some people seem to have-it's not like they are 20 foot high chain link barriers. I think they are very tastefully done. If I want a beautiful beach experience, I'll head to the Caribbean, not WDW.

 

[21stamps]

I do not see the problem with these fences that some people seem to have-it's not like they are 20 foot high chain link barriers. I think they are very tastefully done. If I want a beautiful beach experience, I'll head to the Caribbean, not WDW.

Oh I totally agree that if wanted a strictly beach vacation, then would skip WDW all together.
I think the reason why people stay there, especially Poly, it feels so different than anything else. The boat ride back is beautiful, even the bungalows. Sitting in a hammock or taking mid day breaks and resort days let's you feel like you're experiencing something truly special. It's why so many people are willing to pay obnoxious prices for rooms that aren't "worth" it. But somehow the entire experience is able to be justified.lol

 

[Raineman]

Oh I totally agree that if wanted a strictly beach vacation, then would skip WDW all together.
I think the reason why people stay there, especially Poly, it feels so different than anything else. The boat ride back is beautiful, even the bungalows. Sitting in a hammock or taking mid day breaks and resort days let's you feel like you're experiencing something truly special. It's why so many people are willing to pay obnoxious prices for rooms that aren't "worth" it. But somehow the entire experience is able to be justified.lol

I would love to stay at the Poly some day. My bank accounts/credit cards would not like me to stay at the Poly, however. We do not spend enough time at the resort to justify the cost of the Poly, or any other deluxe resort, for that matter. If I were ever to stay there, the fences would not bother me at all.

 

[Horizons1]

I took these photos off of a Poly page. But here is the "new decorative fence" added in the past couple of days..and the new view. Definitely different.

Also- just to note, a semi large gator was spotted in the water outside of Tuvalu. It has been removed. I think people will be reporting sightings immediately now.


View attachment 148851 View attachment 148852

Hideous. And a lackluster, knee-jerk reaction to say the least.

 

[21stamps]

I would love to stay at the Poly some day. My bank accounts/credit cards would not like me to stay at the Poly, however. We do not spend enough time at the resort to justify the cost of the Poly, or any other deluxe resort, for that matter. If I were ever to stay there, the fences would not bother me at all.

I travel alone with a small child, so breaks and resort days are a must. It's definitely going to be an odd thing to look at the fence. But looks like they're here to stay. I am happy that the beach and activities are reopened. Disney has to weigh what they can restrict/take away from these resorts, especially the MK ones, and if people will still pay their prices with less amenities and an entire different ambiance.

I guess the final compromise was the fence, restricted beach hours, and at Poly-the small plexiglass on the bungalow railings.

 

[prberk]

I travel alone with a small child, so breaks and resort days are a must. It's definitely going to be an odd thing to look at the fence. But looks like they're here to stay. I am happy that the beach and activities are reopened. Disney has to weigh what they can restrict/take away from these resorts, especially the MK ones, and if people will still pay their prices with less amenities and an entire different ambiance.

I guess the final compromise was the fence, restricted beach hours, and at Poly-the small plexiglass on the bungalow railings.

Anyone have pics of this plexiglass and any other addition to the bungalow railings?

 

[21stamps]

Anyone have pics of this plexiglass and any other addition to the bungalow railings?

Not my photo, I took this one from the other page as well. Unlike the fence it won't ruin the view from the boats or from the beach/room. I am a little surprised that Tuvalu didn't get them too. It's my fave building but you are literally feet from the water..there is a fence barrier though- nothing to do with the attack.

 

[ford91exploder]

Brilliant, Plexiglas which will yellow and craze in the sun in no time flat, Could not the company afford tempered glass or a mesh screen that will not turn ugly in 90 days or less in the Florida sun...

 

[prberk]

Not my photo, I took this one from the other page as well. Unlike the fence it won't ruin the view from the boats or from the beach/room. I am a little surprised that Tuvalu didn't get them too. It's my fave building but you are literally feet from the water..there is a fence barrier though- nothing to do with the attack. View attachment 148861

I don't understand that glass. It seems to be on one side only of one building only. What would be its intention? Just trying to figure out if it is truly related to the gator threat (and thus possibly permanent and something for this thread) or not.

 

[21stamps]

I don't understand that glass. It seems to be on one side only of one building only. What would be its intention? Just trying to figure out if it is truly related to the gator threat (and thus possibly permanent and something for this thread) or not.

Yes, they seem to be permanent, and are a direct result of the attack. They do nothing of course, but either do the fences, but it "shows" they are making an effort to keep us safe. I don't get it, but oh well, trying to curb my distaste for all of this and just relay what I know has changed

 

[danlb_2000]

Yes, they seem to be permanent, and are a direct result of the attack. They do nothing of course, but either do the fences, but it "shows" they are making an effort to keep us safe. I don't get it, but oh well, trying to curb my distaste for all of this and just relay what I know has changed

The fences make for a clear delineation of where guests should not go, yes someone can climb them but that makes it easier for Disney to say it was the guests fault. The plexi on the other hand I don't understand.

 

[Coaster Lover]

As a parent of small children, what this fence does is provide peace of mind. We're looking to book an August 2017 Disney trip and despite my wife knowing that this has only happened once in the history of Disney (a nearly 50 year period), she was still showing concern about staying at any of the hotels on Seven Seas Lagoon given the fact that we have three kids that will be in the age range of 1 year to 6 years. I think seeing something like this would/will ease her concerns. As a parent, you know you can't ever completely let your guard down with children around, but it's always nice when you go on vacation and the place you are going helps "child proof" things (even in the smallest regard).

 

[21stamps]

I don't understand that glass. It seems to be on one side only of one building only. What would be its intention? Just trying to figure out if it is truly related to the gator threat (and thus possibly permanent and something for this thread) or not.

The only thing I can think of is to restrict someone from sticking a hand or foot out. Technically they would prevent a gator from climbing the rail, but a gator isn't going to lunge that high from the water anyway.

As a parent of small children, what this fence does is provide peace of mind. We're looking to book an August 2017 Disney trip and despite my wife knowing that this has only happened once in the history of Disney (a nearly 50 year period), she was still showing concern about staying at any of the hotels on Seven Seas Lagoon given the fact that we have three kids that will be in the age range of 1 year to 6 years. I think seeing something like this would/will ease her concerns. As a parent, you know you can't ever completely let your guard down with children around, but it's always nice when you go on vacation and the place you are going helps "child proof" things (even in the smallest regard).

And this is why they are implementing the changes. Because you aren't the only one who feels that way.
But then you have other parents, like me, and all of the others who grew up going to these resorts and have swam in that very lagoon, who have the opposite mentality. One that doesn't include child proofing everything. I have a small child, I don't feel any less safe letting him near the lagoon tomorrow than I did 7 months ago.
But, I don't want to get off topic...that's an entirely separate discussion.lol. Have a wonderful time on your trip!

 

[prberk]

The only thing I can think of is to restrict someone from sticking a hand or foot out. Technically they would prevent a gator from climbing the rail, but a gator isn't going to lunge that high from the water anyway.

But as I pointed out above, the picture only shows ONE piece of plexi-glass on ONE side of ONE of the piers in the picture. I don't understand that. That is one reason I am questioning this, as to whether it is a safety measure from the alligator attack or something else. Or should only people on that one side of that pier be protected?

 

[21stamps]

But as I pointed out above, the picture only shows ONE piece of plexi-glass on ONE side of ONE of the piers in the picture. I don't understand that. That is one reason I am questioning this, as to whether it is a safety measure from the alligator attack or something else. Or should only people on that one side of that pier be protected?

I rarely totally commend any Disney "expert", but I have been reading Tikiman's pages for several years. I've yet to see him relay false information on anything. He reports fact, not rumors and speculation, which is what makes his content so reliable. As far as the 1 side, I would assume that they will be going around the entire balcony. Just as when people were posting pics of fence construction. Maybe not, but I think it's a safe bet.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I took these photos off of a Poly page. But here is the "new decorative fence" added in the past couple of days..and the new view. Definitely different.

Also- just to note, a semi large gator was spotted in the water outside of Tuvalu. It has been removed. I think people will be reporting sightings immediately now.


View attachment 148851 View attachment 148852

The second picture is exactly what I feared. It will keep people from going into the water, I'll grant you that. However, not all gators start out in the water, they can and do travel overland. If they came in from the other side, how do they get to the water where their food source is? Are they going to put up "Gator Detour Signs" to an Alligator exit area, if there is one? Couldn't that same exit work like Walmart that clearly is marked "Exit" but is used by animals that allegedly can read, as an entrance? We'll see how that works out. It is indeed more attractive, but, just became less safe, IMHO!

 

[Goofyernmost]

I don't understand that glass. It seems to be on one side only of one building only. What would be its intention? Just trying to figure out if it is truly related to the gator threat (and thus possibly permanent and something for this thread) or not.

The only thing I can think of is that it is to prevent food from accidentally falling into the water and becoming gator food. Clear plexiglass so that the view of the lagoon will not be altered. Who knows?