Child missing following alligator attack

[dnickels]

Heart-breaking. Praying for a miracle.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...614-story.html

Deputies are searching for a young child who was dragged into the water by an alligator near Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

The 2-year-old child was dragged into the Seven Seas Lagoon about 9:30 p.m., Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Rose Silva said.

Deputies are searching the waters and put crime-scene tape around the water. Multiple emergency vehicles filled the front drive of the Victorian-style hotel and a helicopter hovered overhead.

Silva said the child has not been found.

[BrerGnat]

This is so sad. The parents allowed the child to wade in the water at night. They were obviously unaware of the danger of doing so. What a nightmare scenario. That poor baby...

[luvdiznee]

This is so incredibly sad. Prayers for the family. I could not imagine.

[BIGDOG]

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

[Goofy4TheWorld]

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.

[waymickey]

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]

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.

[TikiLounger]

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.

[2Epcot]

Just watched a recording of the news conference. Very tragic for everyone. The parents had two other children there with them. Apparently both parents went into the water to try to save the child but couldn't do anything. The Disney spokesperson who was there could barely keep it together as law enforcement talked to the press. Can't imagine what the family is going through. What a terrible thing that entire family, as well as others visiting will have to remember. Definitely a nightmare scenario for everyone.

[Fusillejerry]

My heart breaks for this family. Such a terrible tragedy.

[VacationDisney]

Prayers are with the family. How very terrible.

[faline]

So very sad.

[CleveSJM]

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.

[WDWdriver]

How utterly tragic. Unfortunately, it is a reminder to all of us that when we travel away from home we must consider that there may be dangers that we are not used to. Whether it is aggressive wildlife in our national parks, venomous snakes along state and local hiking trails or alligators in Florida waters, we must assume that such dangers exist.

Those of us who live in Florida are well aware that any body of water, whether it be lakes, ponds, canals, creeks, etc., can contain dangerous creatures at any time of the year. This includes alligators, snapping turtles, water moccasins, and more. Just because a pond was free of alligators yesterday doesn't mean there are none today. Alligators can easily travel overland between bodies of water, especially during the spring mating season.

Some will blame Disney for this tragedy. But consider that WDW is located in or near to a vast area of still undeveloped land containing numerous ponds, estuaries and marshes. Disney does a good job in removing and guarding against harmful critters, but it would be an impossible task to keep all of the native creatures out of developed areas. I have personally seen alligators and water moccasins INSIDE the public areas of the Disney parks.

[dnickels]

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.

[deedee73]

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.

[faline]

I have personally seen alligators and water moccasins INSIDE the public areas of the Disney parks.

As have I (alligators not the snakes).

During our trip last month, we saw alligators on two occasions - once in the waterway alongside the train ride in the Magic Kingdom and once in the Seven Seas Lagoon. We have seen alligators during other trips as well including one that was lurking under the boardwalk in Frontierland.

[DisneyGiant]

Some will blame Disney for this tragedy. But consider that WDW is located in or near to a vast area of still undeveloped land containing numerous ponds, estuaries and marshes. Disney does a good job in removing and guarding against harmful critters, but it would be an impossible task to keep all of the native creatures out of developed areas. I have personally seen alligators and water moccasins INSIDE the public areas of the Disney parks.

May I ask what the protocol is when an alligator or water moccasin is spotted inside the parks in the public areas?

[BrerGnat]

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?

[CleveSJM]

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.