Gator grabs 2 year old at Grand Floridian?

[umichigan10]

100% incorrect. Walt Disney world is a swamp. It was chartered with the state with wildlife preserve provisions.

To think that they can control the vast area and animal populations on this type of scale is foolish.

I have to defend Disney here - the media line of questioning is silly. They do a damn good job of keeping wildlife in its place there. But it was never going to be failure proof.

And if theyre local...shame on them. They know better. It's an ecosystem and that doesn't need to be apologized for...

I'm a stereotypical northerner who expects to find Gators in marshes, actual swampy areas, etc. That being said you're right, I've always been keenly aware in the back of my head, during all my vacations to Florida in my life that water=gators. But yeah being in any water is not a good idea period. Its surprising they ever allowed swimming there tbh

Also for the record the family was from Nebraska

 

[disneymath]

The press conference questions show how the media can add things to a story. Questions like what is the name of the lake? How long is the family there? When did they check in? Is the trip an annual event?

Is that really necessary?

The one that bothered me was when they asked what the father's last words were to his son ... seriously? Not the time or place for that kind of sensationalism. Don't think the sherriff was impressed by it either.

Off to try and get some sleep ...

 

[Dentam]

Its surprising they ever allowed swimming there tbh

I don't think they've allowed swimming there. (?)

 

[HopperFan]

The press conference questions show how the media can add things to a story. Questions like what is the name of the lake? How long is the family there? When did they check in? Is the trip an annual event?

Is that really necessary?

Lots of dumb questions but will give them benefit that many might have been here from out of state for the shooting story, and rushed over to WDW when this hit the wire. They know nothing about Disney and the story in itself has very little to offer for a story, so they were reaching.

The one that bothered me was when they asked what the father's last words were to his son ... seriously? Not the time or place for that kind of sensationalism. Don't think the sherriff was impressed by it either.

Off to try and get some sleep ...

YES, why? Must have been the Enquirer.

 

[Dentam]

The one that bothered me was when they asked what the father's last words were to his son ... seriously? Not the time or place for that kind of sensationalism. Don't think the sherriff was impressed by it either.

Off to try and get some sleep ...

Oh my god. Completely agree that question was way out of line. Reporters can really lack empathy.

 

[umichigan10]

I don't think they've allowed swimming there. (?)

Wayyyyy back in the day I think you were able to. Long before my time but what I've heard at least

 

[Accident]

I can't wrap my head around how the family setup a spot to hang out with a playpen and 2 other children and splashing around in the water with a lifeguard nearby not only not saying something, but the father had to yell to them for help?!?!?!?

what's the point of the lifeguard?

edited to add: I am assuming the lifeguard said nothing... I didn't even know lifeguards were on the beaches, I've never seen one.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The Local news is saying that the SOUNDS of small children and dogs attract gators, I take the word of local news in Orlando.

Those sounds have been there since the day it opened.

The issue here is why the gator is looking for food or in an aggressive posture where it has never been seen before...

Perhaps there was a nest as suggested...that's just an unfortunate situation.

I've seen many gators on property...honestly I would fear cottonmouths more...

I was on the old Sammy duval jet ski tour and there was one probably 50 ft away on the back of bay lake past ft wilderness. They sun themselves regularly on the palm
And magnolia...

The lake in the center of celebration had residents/frequent visitors.

Part of life...like black widows under my house.

 

[umichigan10]

I can't wrap my head around how the family setup a spot to hang out with a playpen and 2 other children and splashing around in the water with a lifeguard nearby not only not saying something, but the father had to yell to them for help?!?!?!?

what's the point of the lifeguard?

Interesting question is why was there a lifeguard at a beach that doesn't allow swimming? And as you said if they are there not telling people to get out of the water

 

[Maleffiecent41]

I can't wrap my head around how the family setup a spot to hang out with a playpen and 2 other children and splashing around in the water with a lifeguard nearby not only not saying something, but the father had to yell to them for help?!?!?!?

what's the point of the lifeguard?

Late at night hard to see already dark and a Gator grabs your child.

 

[umichigan10]

Those sounds have been there since the day it opened.

The issue here is why the gator is looking for food or in an aggressive posture where it has never been seen before...

Perhaps there was a nest as suggested...that's just an unfortunate situation.

I've seen many gators on property...honestly I would fear cottonmouths more...

I was on the old Sammy duval jet ski tour and there was one probably 50 ft away on the back of bay lake past ft wilderness. They sun themselves regularly on the palm
And magnolia...

The lake in the center of celebration had residents/frequent visitors.

Part of life...like black widows under my house.

Probably idiots who feed the things attracting them to guest areas

 

[rteetz]

Actually, attacks, not killings, have happened at WDW before. Someone posted this on another thread. What got me is that it seemed to be about an attack/month in the state, not just WDW or Orlando. But still, that's more than I expected.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1986-10-12/news/0260190168_1_hitt-alligator-fort-wilderness

I was just reporting what the sheriff said. Thanks for the link.

 

[sndral]

Watched the Press Conference, here's what I heard - victim's family arrived day before from Nebraska - mother, father & 3 children. Had a play pen set up on beach (?) victim age 2, male. Playing maybe a foot into the water. Alligator grabbed child, father tried to retrieve child, father has slight abrasion on hand. Mother may have gone into water as well. Father alerted nearby lifeguard. Someone called 911. No other children playing nearby.
Disney focused on helping family.
50 officers on scene, sonar vessel, dive units on standby, alligator trapper. Fish & Wildlife concurrent investigation. No reports of nuisance alligators in area. Reports on gator size 4-7 ft.. Sounds like they've interviewed witnesses.

 

[rteetz]

Wayyyyy back in the day I think you were able to. Long before my time but what I've heard at least

Yes you were once allowed to swim in the shallow water of the resorts in seven seas lagoon.

 

[Accident]

Late at night hard to see already dark and a Gator grabs your child.

There's no swimming and stay out of the damn lake signs.. what's the lifeguards job on this beach? i'm assuming it's to make sure people see the sign and know the dangers of ignoring them.

 

[HopperFan]

I can't wrap my head around how the family setup a spot to hang out with a playpen and 2 other children and splashing around in the water with a lifeguard nearby not only not saying something, but the father had to yell to them for help?!?!?!?

what's the point of the lifeguard?

edited to add: I am assuming the lifeguard said nothing... I didn't even know lifeguards were on the beaches, I've never seen one.

Interesting question is why was there a lifeguard at a beach that doesn't allow swimming? And as you said if they are there not telling people to get out of the water

Lifeguards are not on the beach since there is NO SWIMMING allowed. The lifeguard is at the pool and I know in all my visits they are highly focused and walking the pool deck. Dark and out beyond the water play area is the beach .... there would be no visibility by lifeguard of the beach nor any reason for him to do so.

They were on a beach next to the pool area but with the water play area between them.

AFTER the event occurred the family was yelling to lifeguard for help.

 

[rteetz]

I can't wrap my head around how the family setup a spot to hang out with a playpen and 2 other children and splashing around in the water with a lifeguard nearby not only not saying something, but the father had to yell to them for help?!?!?!?

what's the point of the lifeguard?

edited to add: I am assuming the lifeguard said nothing... I didn't even know lifeguards were on the beaches, I've never seen one.

Life guard was at the resort pool. Life guards are not at the beaches.

 

[Accident]

Yes you were once allowed to swim in the shallow water of the resorts in seven seas lagoon.

I have very fond memories of swimming in that lake (and bay lake) when I was younger. I used to love the waves that came from the island to the poly.

 

[ck2d]

So sad for the family. Walking a foot out into the water, I can understand how they didn't think that was "swimming."

It's going to haunt everyone who was there. I was at Pop Century when the boy drowned. Our room was right over the pool. We didn't know what had happened until we got home. I thought there might have been a bar brawl. Now everyone there is going to know about it because of media coverage. It's so sad for everyone. I can't imagine how freaked out anyone in Orlando is at this time.

 

[Accident]

Life guard was at the resort pool. Life guards are not at the beaches.

thanks for clarification, it was unclear from the press conference if they were on the beach or not.