Child missing following alligator attack

BrerGnat;2487417 wrote: They did take all guns out of the parks recently, before the Orlando shooting. It is a security issue related to not wanting to have to make the call whether a gun is real or a toy. So, the new rule is nothing with a trigger (even bubble guns) is sold or permitted in the parks.

We were in the parks in June and I was glad to see they do have a replacement product for the bubble guns. It looks like a wand you would grip and has a dome on the top that lights up. There's a button on the side you press and bubbles come out of the top.

They removed "bubble guns?" I guess it's a good think that none of these snowflakes was around Disneyland when they were using real .22 rifles at the shooting gallery! The horror! lol! Yes, times have certainly changed...

Stu29573;2487514 wrote: They removed "bubble guns?" I guess it's a good think that none of these snowflakes was around Disneyland when they were using real .22 rifles at the shooting gallery! The horror! lol! Yes, times have certainly changed...

They had real 22s back in the day? Now that is awesome.

If they are afraid of the bubble guns, why allow cell phones? they have them now that shoot real bullets and look like cell phones. Oh, b/c FP+ would be worse..

Goofy4TheWorld;2487425 wrote: This is exactly how I feel. There have been multiple families who have had their seemingly healthy child get on Mission Space and RnRc, only to find them dead at the end of the ride, unusually from undiagnosed heart defects. The ride was inspected and then reopened, and I just don't see what is so different about this alligator tragedy.

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The difference is a major one. While both are tragedies, many children ride the attraction and don't die, not many are snatched by an alligator and live. In one case the flaw is internal and only the person with the flaw has a problem. The case with an alligator everyone would be injured at best

I actually just read a FB post by a CM in Merchandise that the HM pins with the girl/alligator have been removed from the shelves as well... ridiculous.

And, I have to agree with Goofy4TheWorld... The gator attack was, simply put, a tragic accident. Many, many, MANY children over the years have played in/near the lakes, and ONE child died as a result. It's horrible. It's extremely sad... but in the end, it was an accident.

I would think removing the alligators and crocodiles from attractions would just do more to remind people about what happened, then prevent anyone from being offended.

I can vouch as being a kid that played on the beach at Fort Wilderness and lived to tell the tale. Actually, my family would go to Fort Wilderness every summer and we would make our way to the beach to watch fireworks or the electric pagent. Like someone said, WDW has been open for over 40 years and this is the first time this has happened. But let's freak out and remove any reference to an animal that calls central Florida home.

Because removing Tic Toc from the parade makes us safer. Because removing Louie from the show makes us safer. Because removing the croc from the pagent makes us safer. Because removing a stinkin pin with a gator on it makes us safer.

Might as well not have Baloo do meet and greets anymore because a bear may maul someone. Better hope a snake doesn't bite anyone because then we'd have to say goodbye to the Jafar scene in Fantasmic! And Jafar wouldn't be able to hold his staff since it had s snake head on it!

What happened was tragic but come on!

I read today that they have already gone back to making the crocodile joke on Jungle Cruise as of today. I expect the rest of the stuff to slowly come back. The news media has moved on...no one is really still talking about this anymore. Disney was just probably wanting to lay low for a little bit until the dust settled.

While I understand the frustration, all I think Disney is doing is showing sensitivity in this horrific situation. Their blog went silent for a while, they did not do the big opening for the Frozen attraction, they have erected fences and put up signs to improve guest awareness of a real danger...and apparently they removed some alligatory things (as an aside, who knew there were so many?) The blog has returned and I imagine after a time, other things will return as well. This whole thing is so disturbing and I appreciate that they are not just going on like it is business as usual. It hasn't been a month since this tragedy.

It saddens me that for this family Disney World will never bring thoughts and memories of joy, but of grief. I cannot even imagine.

BrerGnat;2487575 wrote: I read today that they have already gone back to making the crocodile joke on Jungle Cruise as of today. I expect the rest of the stuff to slowly come back. The news media has moved on...no one is really still talking about this anymore. Disney was just probably wanting to lay low for a little bit until the dust settled.

Thank you for the update Natalie.
I will say, whether or not I agree with some of their choices I am happy to see that they are sensitive to the family during their time of mourning.

Terra;2487584 wrote: I am happy to see that they are sensitive to the family during their time of mourning.

Exactly this.

My heart truly breaks for the family and I have been keeping them in prayer these past weeks. I can't imagine what a true nightmare it has been for them. Horrific.
You never know danger lurks, and I'm sure an alligator attack was the farthest thing from their minds as they were out enjoying the evening.
Their sweet son was killed. How do you even begin to recover?

princessgirls;2487601 wrote:
You never know danger lurks, and I'm sure an alligator attack was the farthest thing from their minds as they were out enjoying the evening.
Their sweet son was killed. How do you even begin to recover?

You don't... My guess is that, if followed, a divorce is in their future and wouldn't surprise me if one of them ends up taking their own life due to the guilt.

DizneyRox;2487603 wrote: You don't... My guess is that, if followed, a divorce is in their future and wouldn't surprise me if one of them ends up taking their own life due to the guilt.

Wow! What if the family were reading this post?

Yes this will be extremely difficult for them to overcome, but reading things like this do nothing to help. They have another kid to live for. I'm betting that will give them something to live for and help them tremendously.

I can't even begin to imagine what they are going through. My heart breaks for them.

We had a horrible tragedy in my family with the loss of a 5yr old. The outcome wasn't too far off from what you've predicted. I'm sure you're not the only one to have these thoughts. It's macabre and hard to read in print, but not unheard of.