Gator grabs 2 year old at Grand Floridian?

[rteetz]

Do we know he drown?
Was that confirmed?

That has not been confirmed.

 

[Dentam]

The autopsy will show cause of death. I'm glad he was found. Still so heartbroken for this family.

 

[Delgado]

As the CNN article states alligators don't go after prey that are more distant than the shoreline. Unfortunately the child was on the shore line. Alligators eat small animals which is likely what the gator thought the child was. If alligators were going to leave the water and attack people in hammocks this would occur more often.

I bet every single alligator will go the same distance to get food.

You are missing my point. The hammocks should not be on the beach. Parents will lounge on hammocks while the small children play closer to the water.
I never said theyd attack a person in a hammock....but then again its not a problem til it is right? Because thats what you are saying. Which brings us full circle to youre saying its natural Lane lost his, thats the risk. I bet the Graves' dont think its natural to bury their son.

 

[Maleffiecent41]

I honestly feel like this is a case of mistaken identity on the Gator's part seeing as the body was intact. This is the time of year when Gators are sitting on nests etc. It could be as simple as the Gator perceived a threat to her nest and she did what any mother would do because if it wanted a meal it would have done so.

 

[Mac30188]

As I have tried to wrestle of the legal ramifications of this in my head, I tend to believe Disney has an uphill battle as there are several points that will be used against them.

1) There is no right answer to the sure to be requested answer to, "How many gators do you pull out of the Seven Seas Lagoon?" - If they say 2, they will be blasted for being negligent in trying to resolve the problem (i.e. they put profits over this boy's life). If they say 1,000, they will be blasted on why do they have an entertainment area so close to such a dangerous area. There is no correct answer for Disney and it will all look bad.

2) Disney encourages people to be on the beach at night. - There is no denying that Disney considers the beach a night time entertainment area.

3) The beach is poorly lit. - Since most of the night time activities (fireworks, water pageant) thrive in lower lights, it makes sense that Disney would not focus on extreme lighting on the beach.

4) Wading versus Swimming - Even the police officer made the distinction of them being different. While you could say that common sense should have dictated an assumption of danger, that won't hold up well in court.

5) Not a Local Family - I am guessing there are no alligators in the State of Nebraska. Regardless on there true knowledge, the prosecution can always present that the nature of alligators just was not known to the victims.

There was a great picture earlier in this post that sent shivers down my spine of a little girl playing by herself with her back turned to the shore playing near murky water with a very generic no-swimming sign. That picture was the nail in the coffin for me. It sent shivers down my spine. There was no denying that the girl was happily having fun in an entertainment area with no real fear or knowledge of what dangers could be lurking a few feat offshore. It was exactly what Disney wanted. Unfortunately an astronomically improbably event occurred that resulted in a horrific tragedy. Due to the violent nature of the event it repaints that entire picture as eerily dangerous. There is no way that a parent or Disney really would believe this type of event was going to occur. From a legal standpoint this is going to come down to Disney is responsible for ensuring that entertainment areas are safe. They should have been looking out for the guest and anticipating this tragedy. Legally this will be...Disney encourages families from all over the world to entertain at night in a poorly lit entertainment area a few feet from a lake they know contains lethal predators without adequately warning the guests of the dangers they are subjected to by being in that area.

 

[Metalliman98]

337 alligator attacks in Florida since 1948. 17 fatal attacks. Only 1 attack a Disney. I think it is qualified as rare in every since.
My kids and I will still go to the movies under the stars. Signs do not deter everyone from doing what they shouldn't. And for Disney to have the foresight to place beware of gator signs all along the beaches so they couldn't possibly be missed is asking a lot. That said signs should now be posted about the possibility that gators could be present on or near the shore.

You are thinking far too logically my friend. The hysteria has already started, as evidenced by several posters on this board. It won't be limited to signs (which I agree are prudent) but will include fencing off the lagoon, removing the beach activities or the beaches themselves entirely, or some misguided, ineffective effort to kill all of the Gators on sight. Never mind that this is the first fatality of this kind in the history of Disney world; we all have to "feel" safe, even if we aren't actually safer. It's assinine.....but it's 21st century America.

 

[umichigan10]

I bet every single alligator will go the same distance to get food.

You are missing my point. The hammocks should not be on the beach. Parents will lounge on hammocks while the small children play closer to the water.
I never said theyd attack a person in a hammock....but then again its not a problem til it is right? Because thats what you are saying. Which brings us full circle to youre saying its natural Lane lost his, thats the risk. I bet the Graves' dont think its natural to bury their son.

That's not at all what he's saying and you're simply putting in words in his mouth to sound bad.

Its an awful, horrific thing that happened but it's also something that rarely happens. Hence the news blitz on it

 

[Delgado]

im not being rediculous im being logical. theres a difference, and logic says that many things you do on a day to day basis are more likely to result in deatb than this scenario. These things all have warnings or are considered common knowledge. Using this knowledge in regards to yoyr statement leads me to believe the following.

1. IF something happens its not your fault
2. You intend to nolonger do anything because the potential of death is greater than this scenario.

EXACTLY, WHERE WERE THE WARNINGS. IT MAY NOT HAVE COMMON KNOWLEDGE TO THEM! ITS NOT TO MANY PEOPLE! PEOPLE ARE FROM ALL KINDS OF WALKS OF LIFE. GET OUT OF YOUR BUBBLE AND PUT BY YOURSELF IN ANOTHER PERSONS SHOES. NOT EVERYONE HAS THE SAME BRAIN, UPBRINGING, AND KNOWLEDGE. YOU DONT HAVE AN ARGUMENT.

IS IT KNOWLEDGE TO YES BUT THATS BECAUSE I GREW UP VACATIONING IN FLORIDA AND HAD RELATIVES THERE. ANYONE THAT IS CALLING ANYONE STUPID OR SAYING THEY CANT BELIEVE THE PARENTS NEEDS TO NOT PASS JUDGEMENT SO QUICK!

 

[closetmickey]

You're not 2...and you can defend yourself.

Based on the reports that have come out...one toddler in the water and 4 others on the sand...do you think that the circumstances were good?

See...the is the classic disboards thing. Everybody wants it always to be "opinion" based and nobody wants anyone To be told that they're wrong. But sometimes things are "more correct" or "less correct"...but you can't say that because it becomes hurt feelings.

It was a tragic event. I'm sure Disney will respond. But there is some personal responsibility here and everyone should take that into account.

Too much "I wouldn't even think that at Disney..." Going on...

...so the correct response is to start thinking...is it not? Prevent further problems through wise actions...as much as you can.

But that wasn't at all the point you made to which I was responding. I was responding to the point where you claim all tourists should be aware of the hidden dangers in the lagoon. That one.

 

[rteetz]

I bet every single alligator will go the same distance to get food.

You are missing my point. The hammocks should not be on the beach. Parents will lounge on hammocks while the small children play closer to the water.
I never said theyd attack a person in a hammock....but then again its not a problem til it is right? Because thats what you are saying. Which brings us full circle to youre saying its natural Lane lost his, thats the risk. I bet the Graves' dont think its natural to bury their son.

I never said its natural that the child died. You are putting words in my mouth.

Removing hammocks from the beach isn't going to prevent an attack. I don't understand that comment.

 

[rteetz]

I honestly feel like this is a case of mistaken identity on the Gator's part seeing as the body was intact. This is the time of year when Gators are sitting on nests etc. It could be as simple as the Gator perceived a threat to her nest and she did what any mother would do because if it wanted a meal it would have done so.

Very possible

 

[Delgado]

That's not at all what he's saying and you're simply putting in words in his mouth to sound bad.

Its an awful, horrific thing that happened but it's also something that rarely happens. Hence the news blitz on it

They do come out of the water!
Oh my gosh they werent in the everglades or hanging out at a park! Disney should not have allowed them or anyone to be on the beach! It doesnt matter if it rarely occurs! It is your prerogative If you want to cry about not enjoying beach activities. Hopefully you wont be bitten by an alligator.

 

[Clockwork]

Gators don't come far out of the water to get their prey as far as I know. Entertainment on the beaches usually isn't within 2-3 feet of the water but usually closer to the walkways of the resort. Hammocks are also not that close to the water. It's very unlikely a gator would go all the way to a hammock to attack a person.

Gators do come out of the water if they feel the opportunity is there. I've seen a gator drag a Labrador retriever 10 ft,10 ft on land into the water. We live outside of New Orleans and pet attacks are common. On the bayou here they can be very aggressive if you accidentally wind up in their territory. And if you have a house on the bayou side it's not uncommon to find them in your yard. There have been a few incidents where they have gone through screened in areas to attack pets.

 

[Delgado]

Very possible

It is extremely possible. which is why no one should be on the beach. Why is this hard to understand.

 

[rteetz]

Gators do come out of the water if they feel the opportunity is there. I've seen a gator drag a Labrador retriever 10 ft 10 ft on land into the water. We live outside of New Orleans and pet attacks are common. On the bayou here they can be very aggressive of you accidentally wind up in there territory. And if you have a house on the bayou side it's not uncommon to find them in your yard. There have been a few incidents where they have gone through screened in areas to attack pets.

Okay but that's not a common thing in Florida.

 

[umichigan10]

Oh my gosh they werent in the everglades or hanging out at a park! Disney should not have allowed them or anyone to be on the beach! It doesnt matter if it rarely occurs! It is your prerogative If you want to cry about not enjoying beach activities. Hopefully you wont be bitten by an alligator.

Lol when did I say I was gonna cry over no beach activities? You're in Florida, there's gators around. Its just the natural way of life there. Now possibly there should've been some better signage I can buy that. But you're blasting a poster for the "natural cycle of life" when that's not at all what he was trying to say.

Also alligators come out of the water? No kidding, but typically NOT to feed. There's exceptions to every rule of course.

 

[Metalliman98]

Oh my gosh they werent in the everglades or hanging out at a park! Disney should not have allowed them or anyone to be on the beach! It doesnt matter if it rarely occurs! It is your prerogative If you want to cry about not enjoying beach activities. Hopefully you wont be bitten by an alligator.

Given that this is the only gator fatality in 40 years, I'm pretty sure the poster doesn't have to worry about being bitten. But I'm sure that the hysterical overreactions exhibited here will unfortunately result in him, and others, being unable to enjoy beach activities.

 

[rteetz]

It is extremely possible. which is why no one should be on the beach. Why is this hard to understand.

If no one should be on a beach. All beaches in the world should be closed including beaches along the oceans because there could be shark attacks. Beaches are not the problem.

 

[Maleffiecent41]

As I have tried to wrestle of the legal ramifications of this in my head, I tend to believe Disney has an uphill battle as there are several points that will be used against them.

1) There is no right answer to the sure to be requested answer to, "How many gators do you pull out of the Seven Seas Lagoon?" - If they say 2, they will be blasted for being negligent in trying to resolve the problem (i.e. they put profits over this boy's life). If they say 1,000, they will be blasted on why do they have an entertainment area so close to such a dangerous area. There is no correct answer for Disney and it will all look bad.

2) Disney encourages people to be on the beach at night. - There is no denying that Disney considers the beach a night time entertainment area.

3) The beach is poorly lit. - Since most of the night time activities (fireworks, water pageant) thrive in lower lights, it makes sense that Disney would not focus on extreme lighting on the beach.

4) Wading versus Swimming - Even the police officer made the distinction of them being different. While you could say that common sense should have dictated an assumption of danger, that won't hold up well in court.

5) Not a Local Family - I am guessing there are no alligators in the State of Nebraska. Regardless on there true knowledge, the prosecution can always present that the nature of alligators just was not known to the victims.

There was a great picture earlier in this post that sent shivers down my spine of a little girl playing by herself with her back turned to the shore playing near murky water with a very generic no-swimming sign. That picture was the nail in the coffin for me. It sent shivers down my spine. There was no denying that the girl was happily having fun in an entertainment area with no real fear or knowledge of what dangers could be lurking a few feat offshore. It was exactly what Disney wanted. Unfortunately an astronomically improbably event occurred that resulted in a horrific tragedy. Due to the violent nature of the event it repaints that entire picture as eerily dangerous. There is no way that a parent or Disney really would believe this type of event was going to occur. From a legal standpoint this is going to come down to Disney is responsible for ensuring that entertainment areas are safe. They should have been looking out for the guest and anticipating this tragedy. Legally this will be...Disney encourages families from all over the world to entertain at night in a poorly lit entertainment area a few feet from a lake they know contains lethal predators without adequately warning the guests of the dangers they are subjected to by being in that area.

I actually asked a Lawyer here in Florida your points and He said that if they had written knowledge in their possession ie a vacation package warning in writing of the wildlife including Alligators and there are no swimming signs posted Disney did all they had to do legally speaking to warn others of the possible danger.
He did say that he does think that they will pay out and make some changes to the signage but that will only be out of the standpoint from wanting to preserve the Disney image.

 

[rteetz]

I actually asked a Lawyer here in Florida your points and He said that if they had written knowledge in their possession ie a vacation package warning in writing of the wildlife including Alligators and there are no swimming signs posted Disney did all they had to do legally speaking to warn others of the possible danger.
He did say that he does think that they will pay out and make some changes to the signage but that will only be out of the standpoint from wanting to preserve the Disney image.

I agree I don't think much will change other than signage.