From the OS: Gator drags child into Seven Seas Lagoon

[R W B]

Makes me wonder how many gators they will get before they find one with remains.

By "get" you mean slaughtered...

I hate to even ask this question but did anyone other than the family witness the alligator taking the child

This is a vary valid question and in today's world is very relevant. The press conference didn't go into detail on this subject, they said others were around but never said anyone else actually saw the attack or the gator. I'm wondering this myself.

Oh good grief. Seriously? The child was in clear view, and the parent was right there. Will folks please stop all this judgement?

Tell that to parents of children who are kid napped or lost in stores/theme parks. I've heard countless parents say "I was right there, took my off for only a second and then turned back and they were gone". Happens all the time, only takes a second and that's why this child should of never been there in the first place.

 

[Incomudro]

I feel horrible for the family and can't imagine what they're going through. I also fear for any family or guest who (if the body isn't found) finds a body floating in the lagoon or Bay Lake in the future. I think when people are on vacation they feel like they're in a protective bubble where no harm can come to them and don't think about possible risks depending on their location or situation. This is an example of this along with people in Yellowstone trying to take a picture of themselves standing next to a bison. My point is that bad things can happen and we can only reduce risk but not eliminate it completely.

Yes, but it's not like that. The bison thing.
The Yellowstone thing is out in nature - the most nature of nature - and there is ample warning about what not to do for the idiots who intentionally screw around with wildlife believing it's all cuddly.
Disney World doesn't even have mosquitos.
Resort guests have no idea that there are alligators in the waters of the Seven Seas lagoon.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

Makes me wonder how many gators they will get before they find one with remains.

I'm thinking the same.

 

[polynesiangirl]

I'm not sure what has sickened me more about this story - the unfathomable tragedy of a father seeing his young son being taken to his death despite his heroic efforts to save him, or the unbelivable insensitive judgements laid out on this family on this forum for "bad parenting".

It sure is interesting how many people are so confident that what essentially amounts to a freak accident -- a tragedy that has NEVER happened on Disney property ever before (remember, people used to be allowed to openly swim in that water, like, for years and years) -- could never happen to them. Hell, *I* played on the shoreline on that beach as a child many times, often surrounded by other children whose parents allowed them to do the same. My parents were far from negligent.

These types of incidents always bring out the folks who want to pretend it can never happen to them, though. I think the alternative is too frightening to contemplate.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Time to close Florida

I'm fine with that.

 

[oceanbreeze77]

This is a vary valid question and in today's world is very relevant. The press conference didn't go into detail on this subject, they said others were around but never said anyone else actually saw the attack or the gator. I'm wondering this myself.

I know this is selfish but I would like to hear a witness account at some point.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Nope. If we let bad parenting to continue, then more horrible things will happen. We need to stop being so soft on people who make bad decisions that destroy other people's lives.

I'm not exactly sure what the parents did wrong here. They were walking on the beach on the shoreline.

 

[21stamps]

I don't think it matters much what the signs should have said. This is bad parenting. A parent should never let a 2 year old wander off... by himself... in the dark... into any body of water.

. Here is my child playing at the edge of Seven Seas Lagoon during our Poly stay last fall. Yes, we swam in the pool, but also took some time on the beach, we knew you can't swim in the water. I don't think any parent would assume that they were placing their child in danger. If the child was this distance, instead of 1 foot in, the gator still would have been able to attack. View attachment 146009

I just wanted to quote my previous post and show this photo again. My kid was 5, not 2, but the gator could just as easily grabbed him, as I was snapping that photo. This was taken at dusk. And yes, I know there are alligators in every body of water in Florida.

You're quite a judgmental person to be claiming such things as "bad parenting" by allowing your child to sit or stand at this lagoon during your stay at the resort there.

I'm a bad parent as well in your eyes then, as well as probably several others on this thread who have done the same.

People like you is what is wrong with this world, and an example of what we "need to learn from". Your thought process is scary and disgusting. You may want to learn something from this, and it isn't about keeping your kid away from the water.. You need to learn how to be a decent human.

Ok I'm really out.. Sorry. Have a good day.

 

[Lirael]

Can't believe some are blaming the parents.

They didn't go to a random swamp, dump the kid then leave. They were inside a luxury resort, which at no point has any signs warning "danger, keep away from here", which is inside a place known for being kid friendly (disney) and they were near the kid. How dare anyone suggest it's the parents fault for not thinking the environment inside an expensive resort with no warning whatsoever was dangerous. People should be ashamed.

 

[Master Yoda]

I'm fine with that.

I am not. I rather like all of the tourists making it to where I don't have to pay a state tax.

 

[networkpro]

By "get" you mean slaughtered...


This is a vary valid question and in today's world is very relevant. The press conference didn't go into detail on this subject, they said others were around but never said anyone else actually saw the attack or the gator. I'm wondering this myself.

Y'all havent been around gators I'm observing. Gators only will immediately consume their prey if they are very hungry and its small enough to fit down their throat. They like to cache prey under submerged logs, rocks etc so it can decompose into a more easily consumable consistency. So they might have already killed the perpetrator but might never be able to prove it.

 

[FutureCEO]

This is my worst nightmare

 

[Communicore]

I'm not sure the technology has been creative that bonds asphalt to H20.

They could use whatever they used at Echo Lake. Isn't that paved over, or supposed to be?

 

[disney4life2008]

I completely agree. Well, besides the "water alone" part. The parents were right there.

That is even worse. I am trying to put myself in their shoes: my 2 year old, I do not even think I would have them near the beach without him or her being in my arms. But it is F

Can't believe some are blaming the parents.

They didn't go to a random swamp, dump the kid then leave. They were inside a luxury resort, which at no point has any signs warning "danger, keep away from here", which is inside a place known for being kid friendly (disney) and they were near the kid. How dare anyone suggest it's the parents fault for not thinking the environment inside an expensive resort with no warning whatsoever was dangerous. People should be ashamed.

I like how you say "luxury." Would it have been any different if they were at the super 8 that has a swamp right behind there the room?

 

[Raineman]

My main thought with all of this is that I wish that all WDW visitors, including the parents involved in this tragedy, had the level of paranoia that I carry with me whenever I'm in Florida. I never get any closer than 10-15 feet to a lake/pond/etc in Florida. I have always been aware that gators can be found in any freshwater body in Florida, and that they can move very fast. Our last trip to WDW in March, my DD and I were walking around Hourglass Lake on the Pop side, and we saw a crane standing in the reeds at the edge. I made sure my daughter did not get any closer than 15 feet to the water's edge, because all I could picture was a gator leaping out of the water at her. It should be compulsory that ever visitor to WDW is made aware before coming onto property about all dangerous wildlife, and the necessary precautions to be taken. Even with the "bubble" that people talk about at WDW, it is always in the back of my mind to stay vigilant for any dangers that we may not be used to. Sometimes being an over-protective parent isn't a bad thing.

 

[Lirael]

I like how you say "luxury." Would it have been any different if they were at the super 8 that has a swamp right behind there the room?

Yes, a little. Because when you pay a lot to stay at a resort of that kind, you assume safety is being taken care of. A swamp behind a super 8 is a different matter.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Oh look, parent shaming

Time to close Florida

and "lol Florida sucks!" posts

You guys are no better than Facebook/YouTube comment threads

 

[Kylo Ken]

Now it's a "recovery" mission. Truly sad and heartbreaking. People really need to stop passing judgement, being insensitive and playing the "what-if" game. All of your theories unfortunately won't bring this little boy back. One can only hope this family can have closure.

 

[sublimesting]

It sure is interesting how many people are so confident that what essentially amounts to a freak accident -- a tragedy that has NEVER happened on Disney property ever before (remember, people used to be allowed to openly swim in that water, like, for years and years) -- could never happen to them. Hell, *I* played on the shoreline on that beach as a child many times, often surrounded by other children whose parents allowed them to do the same. My parents were far from negligent.

These types of incidents always bring out the folks who want to pretend it can never happen to them, though. I think the alternative is too frightening to contemplate.

My wife, who is a therapist, said this morning that people do that because they are so freaked out and it gives them a sense of control over the situation.

 

[thomas998]

I'm not exactly sure what the parents did wrong here. They were walking on the beach on the shoreline.

Only thing I see that they did wrong was go splashing the water when it said no swimming.... one report I saw said the kid and mom were splashing in the water.... I don't know but where I'm from a "no swimming" sign means you aren't supposed to be in the water.