Child missing following alligator attack

So very sad. Prayers to everyone involved.

That is terrible. It makes you wonder though, who in their right mind lets children play in water in Florida or anywhere in the South for that matter at night? However, the Grand Floridian has what is presented as a "Beach". When people think Beach, they think salt water ocean which does not typically have alligators attacking people. I guess they must just not have thought much of it and felt safe.

I have also personally seen both alligators and snakes in both the resort and park areas. We were walking on a path at Saratoga Springs from Downtown Disney once and an alligator crossed the path about 50 ft in front of us and went in the water. It was about 11:00 at night so that was sort of unnerving. Once while standing in the line at Big Thunder, a snake went through the scenery area and people were freaking out.

They were there first, it isn't their fault we built a playground in the middle of their home.

CHILD WAS IN ANKLE DEEP WATER

As a home owner & if you own a dog, you are to have a sign that says: WARNING BEWARE OF DOG" and that is for the occasional visitor. Disney has millions of visitors and only has sign saying "NO SWIMMING". I would say Disney should have had signs saying " WARNING ALLIGATORS NO SWIMMING" ... When we have shark sightings here on the Cape they put up signs with in an hour "Beach closed Shark sightings" ...... Disney is screwed

CleveSJM;2486247 wrote: So sad. So many questions. Seems impossible. Must have been no one around at all. No one to help drag the gator back to the shore? Other witnesses? Deep water? Just literally unbelievable...

Tragic. Condolences to the family.

Do you have any idea how strong alligators can be, or how fast they can move? Especially one who has just attacked? There is no getting the child back from a gator who has its jaws clenched at 1000psi. Plus, it was pitch dark...what could have realistically been done?

A horrible, almost incomprehensible tragedy. :( My heart hurts for that little boy and his family.

About the only thing you can do to get a gator to release whatever it has in its mouth is to beat it on the head and eyes.

There is no way for Disney to eliminate all the gators from the bodies of water in WDW; even if they wanted to, more would migrate in. They are a fact of life in Florida (and here in Texas) and the only thing you can do is stay alert and aware and away from the water's edge. And if you see someone feeding alligators at Disney World or elsewhere, report them.

My heart breaks for this family. I only hope that somehow someday they can move beyond this tragedy. I cannot imagine what the parents & fellow siblings are experiencing. I hope that the prayers from everyone give them some comfort.

dnickels;2486256 wrote: As of this morning they still haven't recovered the child's body. I would imagine all of the water taxis / ferry boats are being kept at dock at this point? You can't risk a boat full of guests seeing a child's body.

Something like this has to be a 100 million to 1 type of tragedy, but I would imagine there will be changes. Either fences put up on the beach around the lake or the 'beach' permanently covered in large rocks to keep people from going near the water.

I believe the rocks would actually give host to more dangerous situations as snakes love to hide & sunbathe on them as well as gators. Let's face facts...kids & adults always climb on rocks etc even when signs state not to. I'm thinking something will be done but not sure what exactly. Perhaps more clear signage or more lights that could be dimmed for the fireworks/electrical water pageant.

BIGDOG;2486268 wrote: CHILD WAS IN ANKLE DEEP WATER

As a home owner & if you own a dog, you are to have a sign that says: WARNING BEWARE OF DOG" and that is for the occasional visitor. Disney has millions of visitors and only has sign saying "NO SWIMMING". I would say Disney should have had signs saying " WARNING ALLIGATORS NO SWIMMING" ... When we have shark sightings here on the Cape they put up signs with in an hour "Beach closed Shark sightings" ...... Disney is screwed

I have been racking my brain trying to remember the exact signage, and I was thinking that it was simply "No Swimming". If that is the case, then the signage really should be more explicit to KEEP OUT OF THE WATER, GATORS AND BRAIN-EATING AMOEBA IN WATER, DO NOT TOUCH WATER AND KEEP 10 FEET AWAY FROM WATER'S EDGE AT ALL TIMES (and posted in multiple languages).

But Disney bends over backwards to not be very aggressive with people, especially with signage, and now with 20/20 hindsight such direct signage may well have prevented this tragedy. While some people will break the rules no matter what, I am sure it is possible that Nebraskans don't realize the hidden dangers of Florida swamp water.

There is no doubt Disney will be sued, and they will settle quickly, it's just the way it is. I just hope the result is better signage and not an over-the-top reaction such as closed beaches or 10' gates around all bodies of water.

As of right now the beaches are closed you can not go on the sand at all. All weddings that were to be on the beach will be moved to other venues. No boat rentals, no boat service to the parks. I know Disney is taking this very very seriously. CMs are being told if they see anyone on the sand or near the water they will be told to leave Disney property. No excuses no leeway.

I think there will be fences or walls built around the water in Disney after this. Something that will keep all visitors away from the water unless on a watercraft. I am sure it will look nice and go with the themeing and it will make it safer for all involved.

I feel so bad for all involved and I am sure they never in their wildest thoughts could think this would happen. Most people let their guard down when visiting the Happiest place on Earth.

BrerGnat;2486269 wrote: Do you have any idea how strong alligators can be, or how fast they can move? Especially one who has just attacked? There is no getting the child back from a gator who has its jaws clenched at 1000psi. Plus, it was pitch dark...what could have realistically been done?

Yes I do. Worked at an adventure ranch around Fort Myers for a few summers growing up. Not saying you'd get the kid out of the jaws but an adult man should be able pick up a 4-5 gator in shallow water rather easily. Bigger would be tough. And with a couple people helping... Must have got to deep water pretty fast is what I am saying. No way pitch dark at 9:15pm on June 14. Nautical twilight was 9:24pm. And they have lights around the beach area.

My biggest amazement is that no one was around to help the father. Witnesses must have been pretty far away.

Tragic. I'm not blaming the parents at all. I just can't get my head around the whole thing.

BIGDOG;2486268 wrote: CHILD WAS IN ANKLE DEEP WATER

As a home owner & if you own a dog, you are to have a sign that says: WARNING BEWARE OF DOG" and that is for the occasional visitor. Disney has millions of visitors and only has sign saying "NO SWIMMING". I would say Disney should have had signs saying " WARNING ALLIGATORS NO SWIMMING" ... When we have shark sightings here on the Cape they put up signs with in an hour "Beach closed Shark sightings" ...... Disney is screwed

As someone who knows the Cape very well, I agree. People take beach closings because of shark sightings very seriously. I think warnings specifically addressing the fact that alligators are a real threat in Disney waterways and lagoons are a must. That said, it's a terrible tragedy. I'm sure that an alligator attack was the last thing on those parents' minds. My heart goes out the family.

waymickey;2486283 wrote: As of right now the beaches are closed you can not go on the sand at all. All weddings that were to be on the beach will be moved to other venues. No boat rentals, no boat service to the parks. I know Disney is taking this very very seriously. CMs are being told if they see anyone on the sand or near the water they will be told to leave Disney property. No excuses no leeway.

I think there will be fences or walls built around the water in Disney after this. Something that will keep all visitors away from the water unless on a watercraft. I am sure it will look nice and go with the themeing and it will make it safer for all involved.

I feel so bad for all involved and I am sure they never in their wildest thoughts could think this would happen. Most people let their guard down when visiting the Happiest place on Earth.

I really hope they don't build fences. That would be a huge overreaction. WDW has been open for almost 50 years and nothing like this has ever happened before. Building fences would be an impractical solution due to the instability of the land at the edge of lakes, plus it would completely look out of place and, IMO, ridiculous. Plus, you know people will just hop the fence anyway.

I think a practical solution would be more blatant, graphic signs warning of alligators in the water. And perhaps find alternate venues for the nightly movies, rather than having them ON the beaches.

And maybe closing off the beaches between dusk and dawn would be a good idea.

You cannot protect the public from every possible risk. But people can be better informed of the dangers of Florida wildlife on Disney property, I agree. They don't do a whole lot to inform guests of the risks of gators and snakes, which are both in abundance on property.

Honestly, I think the media coverage of this incident will do more to keep people away from the water at WDW than anything else they might do. Hopefully, nothing like this will ever happen again because now, the risk is well known. This is a HUGE news story...and I'm sure it is getting international attention.

Very, very true. The whole world knows, now.

This has been a very hard few days to live here in central Florida. I am heartbroken for all who have lost their lives around the City Beautiful. I will not offer an observation on the circumstances surrounding all three tragedies or the right or wrong of said circumstances, there are more than enough people doing that. My wish is for an open out pouring of love and support for everyone, the victims, their families and friends. The parents of this sweet baby are going through such grief it is unimaginable. Florida is awash it tears, that's how it feels as outside my door, it is raining. I am so sad...