From the OS: Gator drags child into Seven Seas Lagoon

[Daveeeeed]

The signs do forbid guests from entering the lagoon. If it's not ok for an adult to swim in it during the day what makes it ok for an infant to do it alone at night? The water was deep enough for the child to drown in (1ft)

That is not no swimming water, no swimming water is more like 3 and 1/2 feet where you can actually swim in. Still they shouldn't have let him, but it is still Partly Disney's fault by not having signs posted of wildlife WHEN THEY KNEW there were gators. That is what I am frustrated about. This could have been prevented.

Jeff Quattroochi, an expert with alligators has said that of course people know there are gators in Florida, but if you are from the Mid-West or someplace like that you really have to be reminded of the possibility in every lake, because Disney knew there were alligators they needed to be some posting.

 

[21stamps]

It's not even 9 now and as I look to the shallowest part of the lake in my back yard I can't see any part of the lake floor. I'm just saying, who lets their infant alone in such a swamp like that while they sit far away preoccupied watching a movie?

Is your lake zero entry?

 

[Daveeeeed]

I went for a walk at Bass River in New Jersey's Pine Barrens earlier this spring.
This sign was posted quite obviously near a lake by the parking area:View attachment 146132

They have signs at the Shades of green as well, but they don't have anything like that for gators or snakes for GF, Poly or Contemporary.

 

[Daniel Johnson]

I've never been to an ocean where the beach had shark warning signs. Just saying you can't put signs up for everything.

Ever seen a blue or purple flag on the beach? That's there to let you know there is dangerous marine life in the area...

 

[Incomudro]

It's not even 9 now and as I look to the shallowest part of the lake in my back yard I can't see any part of the lake floor. I'm just saying, who lets their infant alone in such a swamp like that while they sit far away preoccupied watching a movie?

The kid wasn't alone in a swamp.
He was at the beach of the Grand Floridian on movie night, and according to reports - his father was right there with him.

 

[21stamps]

They have signs at the Shades of green as well, but they don't have anything like that for gators or snakes for GF, Poly or Contemporary.

If you had signs every place where wildlife could be in Florida, you wouldn't be able to walk without hitting your head on one.

 

[jaklgreen]

This family is from the same community as me. It is beyond horrible. It is all over our local news with pictures of that poor little boy and his family. They are talking to their neighbors, etc. We can't get away from it. I do not blame the parents. I know a lot of people go near the water thinking it is safe. I do not think that just because someone is from NE, or any other state that does not have gators is a good enough excuse to not do your due diligence when travelling somewhere. Maybe I am an over planner but I have been going to WDW for 20 years and have always know about the gators and look sideways at the water as we walk by. But I understand that not everyone does that and kind of goes with the flow type of thing. I am also kind of surprised at how many different interpretations of what "No Swimming" means. For us, no swimming has always meant do not go in the water because if not swimming, then what is the reason to go into the water. You are not going to bathe in it. Seven Seas lagoon is something we never went close to and made sure our kids never went near it. Not just because of the gator issue but that water is f..ing disgusting! It is dirty, has oil and diesel from the boats in it and it smells. I also cringe when I see people in it. I think that since people think the no swimming can mean its OK to wade in it then Disney should put better signs up warning not to go near the water. Even though I do not blame Disney either, I think it would be a good idea for them to give everyone information about the wildlife when they check into the hotels. This can include the dangers and also the no feeding policy. Sometimes you have to save people from themselves. I think this is just a freak accident. Could it have been avoided? Of course, by a million different ways. That is the nature of accidents. The only thing we can do is just be more aware of your surroundings, just be a bit more educated and informed. I don't believe that a person can be "too prepared".

 

[Nemo14]

It's not even 9 now and as I look to the shallowest part of the lake in my back yard I can't see any part of the lake floor. I'm just saying, who lets their infant alone in such a swamp like that while they sit far away preoccupied watching a movie?

Far away? The father grabbed the gator and attempted to save his son.

 

[Daniel Johnson]

If you had signs every place where wildlife could be in Florida, you wouldn't be able to walk without hitting your head on one.

Being in South Georgia, it's the same....there is a snake or gator in EVERY body of water.

 

[The Mom]

Again, many of these posts really make me wonder about people.

 

[FigmentForver96]

Again, many of these posts really make me wonder about people.

Some of these people are making me sick to the stomach. Absolutely pathetic

Edit: Does this thread need to be remained opened? Is there a point anymore?

 

[HouseHacker97]

The water is more or less about 1 ft here. I don't think parent should let their child in this water. Period. Let alone while the dad is sitting at a distance. Especially because the angle the father was sitting in does not permit a clear view into the water because the sky reflects off of it, even if the water was clear enough looking straight down into it

 

[GoofGoof]

I agree with that the parents shouldn't have let him, but there are ZERO signs that warn of wildlife, just not to swim. It never says do not go into the water, it never warns of wildlife, so by a kid going in not deep water compared to an adult, where it wouldn't be deep for an adult has nothing to do with gators.

This was a tragic accident. Nobody is really to blame. In Disney's defense there are signs saying no swimming. They don't list out all the reasons why and really shouldn't have to. There are brain eating amoebas, gators, snakes, bugs that sting or spread disease and any number of other dangerous things in the water. I'm sure after this tragic event there will be new signs added that warn of all of these things individually and more. That's the way the legal system works.

 

[HouseHacker97]

I know I'm the unpopular cruel heartless opinion but no one should be framing Disney as the devil money hungry that didn't warn them

 

[JohnD]

There are videos and photos on TMZ from guests earlier this week that show gators in the water at the Grand Floridian.

Once again, the issue isn't that there are gators in the water, it's that Disney had insufficient signage warning guests of the danger and that they were throwing a movie party on a beach near a body of water where gators have been sighted.

Either way, this thing will never see a courtroom.

Definitely no blame to the parents here but you have a point about the nighttime movie beach party with known sightings of gators earlier. If I were a parent that would give me pause. Either Disney will cancel activities on the beach (more likely in the short term) or put up orange mesh at night to indicate forbidden areas.

 

[GenerationX]

I am curious as to how extensive Disney's standard gator relocation process is. Regardless, the lack of specificity on the signage is what the lawsuit will ultimately boil down to. Many other properties throughout Florida warn people explicitly about gators.

This has to be the most horrific, tragic week in Orlando's history.

 

[Incomudro]

If you had signs every place where wildlife could be in Florida, you wouldn't be able to walk without hitting your head on one.

This isn't everywhere.
It's the beach at the fricken' Grand Floridian. One which is outfitted with white sand, beach chairs, and a movie night.

 

[Nemo14]

The water is more or less about 1 ft here. I don't think parent should let their child in this water. Period. Let alone while the dad is sitting at a distance. Especially because the angle the father was sitting in does not permit a clear view into the water because the sky reflects off of it, even if the water was clear enough looking straight down into itView attachment 146133

Again, the father was right there with the child, and the child was not in a foot of water - he was in a couple of inches.

 

[durangojim]

If the kid drank the water and two weeks later died of infection would people be saying that there should have been signs saying "Warning! Amoebas present! Don't drink the water!"? Seems to me that would be pretty similar but I bet there wouldn't be nearly as much uproar because it's not as exciting. Disney would be no more at fault for that than they are for this.

 

[Electricsoup]

The water is more or less about 1 ft here. I don't think parent should let their child in this water. Period. Let alone while the dad is sitting at a distance. Especially because the angle the father was sitting in does not permit a clear view into the water because the sky reflects off of it, even if the water was clear enough looking straight down into itView attachment 146133

This is 100% nothing like the spot this happened.

The beach was zero entry. Zero. Entry. It seems like you're forming opinions based on your own experiences instead of the facts of the story.