Another Orlando tragedy

This involving a 2 year old who was dragged into waters from a Walt Disney World Resort. At this point it is just a recovery effort, unfortunately.

This is such a tragedy for a family who was vacationing at Disney World. I just can't imagine being in those parents shoes. We have been to WDW but I never heard of this happening.

Thoughts and prayers for this family.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/alligator-attacks-2-year-old-boy-at-disneys-grand-floridian-recovery-effort-continues/ar-AAh40fF?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=HPCDHP

 

A tragedy, yes, but there are times in life when we aren't at the top of the food chain. When we close in on native gator waters, these things happen. When we swim in the ocean, we can get attacked by sharks. When we build cities on the water, they can flood during storms. When we cross the street, we can get hit by deadly moving objects.

My guess is that Disney and other Floridian parks will relocate Gators from adjacent ponds to rural areas, and/or put up fencing to lessen the risks.

Nick

 

Probably because most read the 'no swimming' sign.

Still a tragedy, but in a way all the worse because those parents will be living with a terrible decision the rest of their lives.

 

I couldn't imagine that burden. Tough way to lose a kid. Wild animals are to be respected.

Nick

 

I have friends at Disney right now. they said the helicopters flying overhead spotlighting the lagoon was very eery last night. Very sad.

 

Not only people reading the no swimming signs but just a rare occurrence as gators don't usually go for humans. Disney has also been quick to remove these animals when they have been spotted. But it is difficult to keep such swampy waters free of them

 

I lived in Orlando for 12 years, fortunate to not know anyone directly affected by these tragedies. There are gators everywhere down there, they are in most lakes, on golf courses, rivers and streams. Most leave folks alone, this is truly tragic.

 

Too bad Troy Landry wasn't around.

Gruesome, I know, but they are going to have to cut open some gator bellies to find the kid. Alligators have been known to take deer fawns.

Reports say the father fought with the alligator to save the child but to no avail.

Just simply horrible.

 

Our first trip to WDW as in 2003 when my kids were 3 and 5 yrs old. We stayed at the old Wyndham Palace resort, which I think now has a different name. They did have a 'Gators in Lake" sign...I remember it vividly because we slightly freaked out, took a picture of the sign and kept extra watch over the kiddos. Other times staying at the Hyatt Grand Cypress...they had the same sign. We've been to the Disney Caribbean resort three times and although I remember the no swimming signs, I do not recall any gator signs. I just have to think that these people from Nebraska had no clue about there being any alligators in the water. A lot of people think that Disney is a magical place and bad things could never happen there.

Either way, it is true that nature is nature - the gator was doing what gators do. It is awful and horrific and if it had been my child I can't say how I would react. I'd probably have jumped in and wanted the gator to take me too. So sad.

 

Our first trip to Disney we also stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort and I remember walking around spending time on the beach but not going in the water. Little did I know what couldhave been lurking under that swampy land.

I've always said that when in FL only swim in pools. Though that's not so guaranteed safe nowadays either.

 

Not a Disney story but part of the problem is that we are encroaching on land that alligators used to live in. Now there are developments close to those areas so naturally some gators will roam the neighborhood even though it is now developed. If residents see a gator they usually report it to have him killed or removed.

 

At least they did find the little baby and he was intact, I guess for whatever that's worth. So perhaps some sort of closure the family.

 

I feel sorry for the family. I know we can "blame" them for allowing the child to be near the water, but I still feel sorry for their loss and the pain their decision will bring forever.

...I grew up in Florida. Why I swam in water that had gators in it when I was young I will never know...especially since I knew there were gators there...

 

Played golf w/ a gator lying in the fairway. ( FLA )
I thought it was a branch - my brother told me what it really was.
The golf course has written statements "Do not look for golf balls in woods or water."
I hit a ball into this wooded swampy area - I started looking - and then, it dawned on me --
"Hey...idiot !....you can't tell the difference between a muddy tree root + a gator !"
I got outta there fast.
*
Stupid, sad,tragic, and how could you live with yourself, as a parent ?

 

My buddy in Jacksonville says small dogs and kittens disappear all the time.

 

I read people feed the gators at Disney despite the signs forbidding it.

 

First incident in 45 years at Disney with LOTS of water, beaches, etc.

Gator attacks are very, very rare. Even in a state with 2 million of them.

Still, very, very sad for these parents.

 

Saw on another board alligators getting a verbal smackdown by a member saying that they should have been extinct like dinosaurs since they really don't do anything for us, except attack people and other animals. He also said they would have been extinct had it not been for someone wanting to save them. But now they multiply so quick.

 

Now that the tragedy has closure I'm sure we can agree that this horrible incident was ridiculous and never should happened. Disney has a huge PR problem as well as a big lawsuit heading their way.

 

I live in a Golf Course Community next to a State Park. On my drive home I have seen Deer, Wild Boar and Turkeys on the opposite side of the State Park fence next to the road.
I've seen Florida Black Bears in my neighborhood (several times) and one with her Cubs in my Neighbors Yard. I had a Racoon eat a hole in my roof and turn my Attic into a Playground.
I had a Coyote walk in front of me in broad daylight while I was out on a walk. I came to a full stop and watched it stroll onto the Golf Course. I thought it was a Mangy looking German Shepard.
I came home and looked it up online. I had a smaller Coyote walk across my path while I was out walking early morning when it was still dark out. That was the last time I did that!
That's Florida Wildlife for ya!