Toddler dragged into the water by an alligator at Disney

Does touching the water make the difference here? No. If the toddler was not touching the water, the gator can still easily grab him. There is little difference between a toddler touching the water and being right at the water edge or even a few feet away. The gator would not magically only grab a child that is touching the water.

The keys are it was night time so it's almost near impossible to detect a gator swimming toward the beach and coming out of the water. The beach area connection to the water is quite flat and continuous (very kid friendly) and is not designed in anyway to slow down a gator OR indicate to someone to not hang around by the water edge or to tip their feet into the water. The firework show would distract everyone (add to not noticing a gator coming out of the water). The past incidents and apparent feeding of the gator by human in that area was not handled by Disney.

Also, let's not add additional meaning to sign. Do not swim means do not swim. Absolutely does not mean do not touch water.

 

Curious... what are the possible solutions for Disney? I've read that the beach was an attractive nuisance and so it would seem that should be removed. Seems the presence of alligators would still exist. Would installing a large fence suffice? Or should the lagoon be drained/removed?

Seems the idea of putting hotels (homes, parks, stores, restaurants, and any other place that families, especially with kids, gather) near bodies of waters in Florida can create a dangerous place.

 

If I were Disney, I'd get rid of the beach altogether. The benefit of a sandy, relaxing beach resort on a lake is not worth the risk of alligators, even with any added preventions.

And if I were a business owner, I'd feel the same way in anything that could possibly be a liability in this sue-happy world we live in. We can't have nice things anymore.

 

Sign should say:
"Alligators in water. Do not tempt with food or children."

 

Typical "water hazard" at a Florida golf course ...

<img src="https://cbsmiami.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/gator-bites-python.jpg" width="512" />

The python probably should have let the gator play through

 

Only because people expect life to be shrink-wrapped and sterile. I've been to places like The Woodlands and Plano and Orange County, CA. People live their entire lives that way. It's terrifying.

 

splashing attracts them to a potential food source. So completely wrong here.

You are the reason everything I buy has a crapload of dumb warning signs like don't put hands in mower.

 

1.) Obviously not have a beach next to the water.
2.) More clear signs. "Do not get in the water." "Beware of Alligators."
3.) Just general things that make it undesirable for anyone to walk up to the shoreline. If you have to have a walkway close to the water, then have a simple iron railing. Have a raised boardwalk. Have a sloped shore to the pond or lagoon, so that the water doesn't just start at level ground.

I think any one of those things prevent this tragedy, but the first two just seem like common sense.

 

Oh man, I hope it hasn't affected your life too negatively. Hang in there.

 

Well it does make me feel bad that humans can possibly be so stupid. It turns out they can and their name is txtony.

This is a horrific incident, even though they broke the rules Disney will be paying and making changes. I'm sure whatever solution they will preserve the beauty of the area, probably not allow access to it at all.

 

Newsflash: The universe is indifferent to your happiness and will eventually kill you. Live accordingly.

 

Why does the universe covet rocks though. That is the question we need to answer. If human can support the formation of giant floating rocks somehow, the universe might change it's mind about our happiness.

 

I agree. Mentioned something similar way back in this thread. But again, my comment was about the writing.

 

Gator hunt at night. They seek land masses because that's where many of the food sources are. Splashing may or may not play a part. Not splashing <> no gator. In fact, one of the past incident involve tourists playing on the sand, at night time.

I'm not for warning sign on everything, so you are wrong. A Do Not Put your hand in mower for adult isn't anywhere close to the incident here involving toddlers. Sandy inviting beach + gator + night + firework + past incidents + human feeding = pretty common sense to do something about it by Disney.

 

Not looking to blame or withhold blame, but that beach looks very enticing to walk on...just saying.

 

So apparently it is not the first time alligators have attacked someone at Disney.

They are going to be paying a lot of $$$ to the victims family.

DD

 

The victim's family should sue for $1 billion dollars.

Disney royally screwed the pooch on this one. Time to pay up.

 

Disney installing new signs and temporary barriers while working on permanent long-term solutions.



http://www.news4jax.com/news/national/disney-resorts-installing-signs-warning-of-alligators-snakes

 

It better have some extensive barbwire...

Spoiler

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