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[Slacker]

10mo old? I wouldn't do it. Wait a few years. The heat will be exhausting and there's really nothing for a <1yo to do.

We didn't bring our daughter to WDW until she was 5yo

Yeah I know lots of people who take tiny kids to WDW and it sounds like an exhauting experience for everyone. I can't imagine taking a three year old, much less a kid under 1.

 

[tcrunch]

I am pretty sure a parent's reaction is different to a "no swimming/no wading" sign compared to a sign that says "danger: alligators".

Around here we have "beware/cuidado" signs with pictures of rattlesnakes on them at the rest stops along the highway so you know exactly what you are getting into if you tromp off into the wilderness. Rattlesnake bites are extremely rare, yet this gives people the information they need to understand why no one wants them to leave the rest stop grounds and tells them that they need to watch where they are walking.

But then again we aren't Disney trying to maintain a particular atmosphere.

 

[ElNino]

10mo old? I wouldn't do it. Wait a few years. The heat will be exhausting and there's really nothing for a <1yo to do.

We didn't bring our daughter to WDW until she was 5yo

If the 10mo old is the only child, then maybe. We went to Disney on my son's first birthday, but our eldest was six at the time so it was fine.

Also, this type of story is a parents nightmare. Not sure if I'll even tell my wife about this one if she hasn't already heard it.

 

[SoRuffShoNuff]

As someone who grew up near Pulse, and who's mother has worked for Disney for the past 10 years, let me clarify some shit;

There are signs all over Disney that specify no swimming or wading on almost, if not all, bodies of water surrounding the resorts. Generally, if a cast member sees you anywhere near bodies of water they will call you out. Its not like they will just stroll by while you put yourself in danger. However, if you choose to still disregard blantant signs and warnings, that is your responsibility entirely. Its not Disney's fault you decided to go near massive bodies of water, at night especially, to swim or fuck around. While i am not blaming the parents, this kind of thing is completely spontaneous, people do need to be more aware that Florida is not clear waters. Florida is a swamp. We are a massive state filled to the brim with wildlife at every damn corner. Disney can only tame so much of that.

Also, for those who dont know, Florida is a massive swamp. Every body of water has wildlife in it, gators especially. We cannot control this to the high extent people think we can. They are everywhere and produce rapidly. There are people who hunt them daily and sell their meat as jerky and other products for a living but that still only diminishes their population ever so slightly. If you live in Florida, you know not to go near rogue bodies of water. There are lakes/springs we go to that are controlled or bordered off from gators for swimming and recreational use. Not every place is like this though so when you come to Florida, it is almost always swim at your own risk. Thats just the way it is here. We cant change that and we make grand efforts to but its pretty fucking difficult when this whole state is a massive swamp overflowing with dangerous wildlife.

Well to be fair, if Disney didn't want people near those man made beaches late at night they shouldn't hold movie watching events on those man made beaches late at night.

Disney kinda half asses it with those warnings too. A sign saying no swimming doesn't get the same reaction as a sign that states stay away due to alligators. Of course the alligator sign would scare people and that's not what Disney wants to do.

 

[Croatoan]

As someone who grew up near Pulse, and who's mother has worked for Disney for the past 10 years, let me clarify some shit;

There are signs all over Disney that specify no swimming or wading on almost, if not all, bodies of water surrounding the resorts. Generally, if a cast member sees you anywhere near bodies of water they will call you out. Its not like they will just stroll by while you put yourself in danger. However, if you choose to still disregard blantant signs and warnings, that is your responsibility entirely. Its not Disney's fault you decided to go near massive bodies of water, at night especially, to swim or fuck around. While i am not blaming the parents, this kind of thing is completely spontaneous, people do need to be more aware that Florida is not clear waters. Florida is a swamp. We are a massive state filled to the brim with wildlife at every damn corner. Disney can only tame so much of that.

Also, for those who dont know, Florida is a massive swamp. Every body of water has wildlife in it, gators especially. We cannot control this to the high extent people think we can. They are everywhere and produce rapidly. There are people who hunt them daily and sell their meat as jerky and other products for a living but that still only diminishes their population ever so slightly. If you live in Florida, you know not to go near rogue bodies of water. There are lakes/springs we go to that are controlled or bordered off from gators for swimming and recreational use. Not every place is like this though so when you come to Florida, it is almost always swim at your own risk. Thats just the way it is here. We cant change that and we make grand efforts to but its pretty fucking difficult when this whole state is a massive swamp overflowing with dangerous wildlife.

Yeah gators, deadly snakes, other crap that can kill you. I wouldn't fuck around in Florida Waters.

 

[shiba5]

Ah, they do? I haven't stayed at the Grand Floridian or been on its beach yet. I know some of the signs on property don't say anything but "No Swimming".

(this one is from the Beach Club resort, taken on Feb 5, 2016)



EDIT:

Not sure what part of GF's beach this is in regards to the movie viewing area, but this is from a Chicago Tribune article and is actually on the Grand Floridian beach:


(says "Steep Drop-off / Deep Water / No Swimming")

I was just there in February too, but at the Contemporary, and definitely noticed the "No wading" signs because I made a comment to my husband about it. Maybe the signage is different at that hotel since it's on the back part of the lake where it's more heavily forested.

 

[Haruko]

I was just there in February too, but at the Contemporary and definitely noticed the "No wading" signs because I made a comment to my husband about it. Maybe the signage is different at that hotel since it's on the back part of the lake where it's more heavily forested.

Yeah, that could be. It's clear the signs vary from resort to resort.

I think that may be changing after this incident. I'm not sure fencing off the beaches is the right call, since there would still be ways for wandering gators to inevitably end up on the "safe side" of the fence.

 

[Jailer of Hope]

EDIT:

Not sure what part of GF's beach this is in regards to the movie viewing area, but this is from a Chicago Tribune article and is actually on the Grand Floridian beach:


(says "Steep Drop-off / Deep Water / No Swimming")

That part of the GF beach is no longer there. They built the Grand Floridian vacation homes over that part of the beach. Not sure if the signage is the same along the parts that are still there.

EDIT: Not sure if it's been stated but Disney has officially closed all beaches following this incident.
2nd EDIT: Duh. The article in the quote says as much about the beaches closing.

 

[Netherscourge]

Where are the "WARNING: DEADLY ALLIGATORS IN THESE WATERS" signs?

Gators can grab you right up on the shoreline - you don't even have to be IN the water.

 

[Saucy_XL]

So basically it's Yellowstone again and the parents ignores mountains of obvious signage and common sense?

 

[Joezie]

Where are the "WARNING: DEADLY ALLIGATORS IN THESE WATERS" signs?

Gators can grab you right up on the shoreline - you don't even have to be IN the water.

What part of the dozens "Alligators routinely sneak into large bodies of water despite having been removed or attempts to remove them" responses in this thread are you not getting?

 

[Netherscourge]

Fuck that's awful.

But I have seen gators on property before. And there are quite a few lakeside "beach" areas around the resort, though none of them allow swimming today. That is half due to the brain-eating bacteria though, or so I've heard.

Lakes are all-around bad places in Florida.

Besides having the potential for gators, they don't have much if any circulation in them and they are basically petri dishes for bacteria thanks to the mostly warm-to-hot weather all year-round.

Not to mention all the goose/duck poop and pollution and whatever else is oozing around in them.

 

[InfiniteBento]

Well to be fair, if Disney didn't want people near those man made beaches late at night they shouldn't hold movie watching events on those man made beaches late at night.

Disney kinda half asses it with those warnings too. A sign saying no swimming doesn't get the same reaction as a sign that states stay away due to alligators. Of course the alligator sign would scare people and that's not what Disney wants to do.

Disney can hold movie nights on those beaches because its in a controlled environment. They have staff everywhere on those nights and its not right on the water, its not even that close to it. Its one thing to do something on your own without supervision, its another to do something when surrounded by staff who are there to ensure your safety. Also, Disney wont put up signs that terrify people. Its a place of relaxation and childhood adventure. Yeah, it might encourage people more so to not fuck around near those waters but they more than likely would rather not call attention to the fact that there are gators in those waters. I can agree with more blantant signage tho, if anything, its possible they will do it now with this occurring.

 

[Christopher]

So basically it's Yellowstone again and the parents ignores mountains of obvious signage and common sense?

Don't you dare fucking victim blame. The is a sign not robust signage, and there was a movie night hosted on the fucking beach.

 

[Chiaroscuro]

I feel there is an essential difference between "no swimming" and "beware alligators". I feel like they illicit two potentially contrasting reactions, especially if you're not from FL. One gives way to curiosity or a bit of rebellion. Maybe one thinks the water is dirty or unwatched by life guards for which the sign amounts to legal coverage for Disney. The other says, "oh shit let me say way the fuck back, lest I get bit in the ass by a dinosaur ancestor."

Yes and no.

They were not transpassers. They were naivy.

Of course an alligator sign is different and more effective than a no swimming sign. But then you will have to put alligators signs all over Florida. The problem is that visitors do not know about them and how serious it is (myself included).

Disney may not wanted to put such signs because of the atmosfere, yes. But then agaun this is a very rare incident and a first for them. They will sure do something about it.

At least, limiting the beach events and place more staff to prevent people for staying near the water.

And again, no I would not let my children (8 and 3 years old) enter the water on such place, not even a little, not even in shallow waters. Specially after sunset.

 

[Zantetsuken]

Where are the "WARNING: DEADLY ALLIGATORS IN THESE WATERS" signs?

Gators can grab you right up on the shoreline - you don't even have to be IN the water.

Disney is still a business, after all. They don't want to scare people necessarily.

 

[andthebeatgoeson]

People ignore those signs all the time. I think most people think it's about potential bacteria in the water, not alligators.

And yeah, the Seven Seas Lagoon is what they call the big body of water next to the Magic Kingdom.

Another good reason not to throw your hands up and wonder why the signs were ignored. Let alone illiterate people. At least have a life guard directing people out of the water.

'Why are people going into the water of our man-made beach?' Seems like the worse question.

How about, don't put a beach there.

 

[Storm Chamber]

Disney is still a business, after all. They don't want to scare people necessarily.

And who would be scared of a Disney gator in the first place?

Who, I ask you, who?

 

[Haruko]

And who would be scared of a Disney gator in the first place?

Who, I ask you, who?

That's clearly a crocodile.

And you should never smile at them, either.

 

[SoRuffShoNuff]

Disney can hold movie nights on those beaches because its in a controlled environment. They have staff everywhere on those nights and its not right on the water, its not even that close to it. Its one thing to do something on your own without supervision, its another to do something when surrounded by staff who are there to ensure your safety. Also, Disney wont put up signs that terrify people. Its a place of relaxation and childhood adventure. Yeah, it might encourage people more so to not fuck around near those waters but they more than likely would rather not call attention to the fact that there are gators in those waters. I can agree with more blantant signage tho, if anything, its possible they will do it now with this occurring.

I was just at the boardwalk area earlier this week, the movie screen is right on that man made beach.

 

[dave is ok]

And who would be scared of a Disney gator in the first place?

Who, I ask you, who?

Too soon, dude

 

[Chiaroscuro]

So basically it's Yellowstone again and the parents ignores mountains of obvious signage and common sense?

Don't you dare fucking victim blame. The is a sign not robust signage, and there was a movie night hosted on the fucking beach.

Yes, the parents were only naivy. Think about it: A Disney Luxury Resort, in the very front of Disneyworld. They believed (and everything said that to them) they were on a controlled enviroument.

 

[bengraven]

this is the most frustrating post i've seen on GAF, ever.

surely you dont let your kid swim with gators anymore?? that is fucking insane. would you let him go into a forest with tigers roaming around..? this is even worse because you cant even see a gator coming! aaargh

Thank God for GAF for confirming what I was calling my irrational fears.

 

[Chucker]

So basically it's Yellowstone again and the parents ignores mountains of obvious signage and common sense?

Ignorant AF.

It was dark, there was a movie playing, there are literally hundreds of distractions for parent and curious toddler alike.

Would I have taken my kid to see the movie at night? Only if she had begged and it was a movie she wanted to see. Have I seen movies being played there? Yeah, in passing while at the Beach Club.

Disney has plenty of signs saying HEY DON'T GO IN THERE.

It's tragic all around.

 

[FrontalMonk]

Yes, the parents were only naivy. Think about it: A Disney Luxury Resort, in the very front of Disneyworld. They believed (and everything said that to them) they were on a controlled enviroument.

I've been to the Grand Floridian, and I watched the fireworks out on the pier behind it. That is one of the most controlled environments there are. I thought it was silly and crazy at first, but now that I know where it is that you're talking about...no. This could have happened to anyone.

 

[Horsemama1956]

I've been to the Grand Floridian, and I watched the fireworks out on the pier behind it. That is one of the most controlled environments there are. I thought it was silly and crazy at first, but now that I know where it is that you're talking about...no. This could have happened to anyone.

Is this a new area or something? It doesn't appear to be a normal occurrence, there were signs and no one else was in the water.

 

[Chiaroscuro]

I've been to the Grand Floridian, and I watched the fireworks out on the pier behind it. That is one of the most controlled environments there are. I thought it was silly and crazy at first, but now that I know where it is that you're talking about...no. This could have happened to anyone.

That was I was saying in my previous posts: It is an accident, a tragedy, but there is no one to blame. At leastbuntil the lawyers arrives...

 

[Cheebo]

That was I was saying in my previous posts: It is an accident, a tragedy, but there is no one to blame. At leastbuntil the lawyers arrives...

Disney is not going to get in trouble for this. They had their asses covered. Signs warned against going in water.

 

[Cormano]

And who would be scared of a Disney gator in the first place?

Who, I ask you, who?

Man, Id usually laugh at this, but having an 18 month old makes it hard to laugh at.

 

[dave is ok]

Disney is not going to get in trouble for this. They had their asses covered. Signs warned against going in water.

I don't think a sign covers their ass in this case.

 

[BattleMonkey]

A sign doesn't stop a lawsuit from happening, and if Disney doesn't want to fight it in court or also drag this out in the public long, they are just gonna settle right away.

Waivers, signs, etc do not stop lawsuits from happening

 

[dave is ok]

If they're smart, they'll offer a generous settlement before a lawsuit is even thought about

 

[Hazmat]

I could see Disney replacing all their fake beaches with bulkheads keeping guests out of and above the water. That's the way it is at the Wilderness Lodge, but a beach isn't part of the theming.

 

[nillapuddin]

children before 5-6 dont remember shit from trips to disney world, save your money folks

 

[Cormano]

If they're smart, they'll offer a generous settlement before a lawsuit is even thought about

Must be millions if thats the case, sadly this is not about to fix the loss of a son, but more like a punishment for Disney.

 

[Chiaroscuro]

children before 5-6 dont remember shit from trips to disney world, save your money folks

Irrelevant to the thread.

But my son first visit to Disney was when he was four, he still remembers it.

My daughter was one and a half when she was there first, and 3 the last time. You can ask her things about both visits.

 

[slider]

Fuck. So... I dunno the word. The poor kid and his family. Fuck.

 

[Chucker]

children before 5-6 dont remember shit from trips to disney world, save your money folks

My 5 year old brings up her trips from when she was 18 months and 3 years old.

Must be millions if thats the case, sadly this is not about to fix the loss of a son, but more like a punishment for Disney.

It's going to take some ridiculously strong people to come back from this. I don't hear anything about the mother being around. (I could be wrong). The father will likely blame himself for the death. The wife will likely resent him (even if there was nothing he could have done short of being omnipresent) even if she doesn't mean to.
The public will look at them as unfit parents, even though they're not and horrible accidents happen.

Money won't fix this. I'm not sure what can.

 

[diamount]

That's terrible. Is there no effective repellent for alligators?

 

[commish]

Disney is not going to get in trouble for this. They had their asses covered. Signs warned against going in water.

Sign does nothing for them. They will get sued, and they will settle because they'll lose in court. This is especially true if the family can show that Disney knew that this type of attack was possible.

 

[Palmer_v1]

That's terrible. Is there no effective repellent for alligators?

Rifles?

 

[Yopis]

children before 5-6 dont remember shit from trips to disney world, save your money folks

I remember things from 2 years old. This is false or your cheap.

 

[p2535748]

Another good reason not to throw your hands up and wonder why the signs were ignored. Let alone illiterate people. At least have a life guard directing people out of the water.

'Why are people going into the water of our man-made beach?' Seems like the worse question.

How about, don't put a beach there.

To be clear, I wasn't trying to blame the victims with my statement. If anything, I think the fact that I've seen a lot of people going into the water speaks to the fact that Disney doesn't take it very seriously.

 

[diamount]

Rifles?

Not after the fact. Something to prevent it coming to built up areas in the first place.

 

[TheCochese]

I remember things from 2 years old. This is false or your cheap.

Or you are a special snowflake. Taking very young children to Disney is almost entirely about the parent.

 

[Nodnol]

What a tragedy. My heart goes out to the parents; must have been an utterly traumatic experience.

Are "Warning: Alligators" signs not utterly redundant in Florida? I'm not even from there, or the USA mind, but on my three visits there I didn't need telling to mind out for them. Hell, I wouldn't even jump into a pool when I was a kid without checking for anything lurking there.

 

[Dubbedinenglish]

Lakes are all-around bad places in Florida.

Besides having the potential for gators, they don't have much if any circulation in them and they are basically petri dishes for bacteria thanks to the mostly warm-to-hot weather all year-round.

Not to mention all the goose/duck poop and pollution and whatever else is oozing around in them.

And snakes, and snapping turtles.

 

[tiredheadcrab]

Terrible. Just got a Breaking News update from AP that the gator got him. I cant imagine what the parents are going through. Gators are everywhere in Florida. I mean search Youtube Gator in swimming pool and you'll see what I am talking about. They will find that gator and put him down quickly.

 

[andthebeatgoeson]

I highly doubt legally they can say "the signs said no swimming but we thought its okay to be a little rebellious". I do not see how they could win here, it would be against Disney of all companies. They know how to make sure they are legally protected.

Hell, you could sign a contract and a good lawyer gets that contact thrown out. It would be akin to them placing ice cream with poison in it and a sign that says, do not eat. It seems to make sense but Disney is at fault.

You can't erect objectionably dangerous attractions and get off the hook with a sign.

 

[AkumaNiko]

Sign does nothing for them. They will get sued, and they will settle because they'll lose in court. This is especially true if the family can show that Disney knew that this type of attack was possible.

I said it once already

Disney is a billion dollar corp with lots of lawyers. let that sink in.

Now, will they settle before it gets to court, yes they will. This is a tragic situation and im sure disney will pony up a few million. But that money wont bring back their lost son. I doubt they will even sue, if they do, it will be a long time before they do.


Which, on another subject, i dont get why when someone someone is killed or dies due to a situation like this, how can someone think money will make the pain go away? I see it as profiting from someones death, and thats a little selfish

Hell, you could sign a contract and a good lawyer gets that contact thrown out. It would be akin to them placing ice cream with poison in it and a sign that says, do not eat. It seems to make sense but Disney is at fault.

You can't erect objectionably dangerous attractions and get off the hook with a sign.

There have been literally thousands of those nightly movies shown in the very same spot, but this is the first time this is happened. No swimming to me means "dont enter the water"