Accident of sorts at Disney in Florida, may be upsetting

[CheerfulYank]

A two year old was dragged into the lagoon by an alligator a few hours ago and hasn't been seen since.

It's so awful I feel like I can't breathe. I cannot imagine how scared he/she was and what the parents are feeling.

Accounts vary but apparently they were sitting on the beach either waiting for fireworks or having movie night. It's just too awful. I'm sure it was supposed to be a wonderful trip and now this.

I know the chances that child will be found alive are almost nothing, but I am hoping against hope that he or she is. I just cannot imagine.

[carryam]

I can understand people living there would understand the dangers. But the family are from Nebaskra. They would have no reason to realise how many alligators there are around there.

[noblegiraffe]

It sounds like an accident waiting to happen, small children encouraged to play by water known to contain alligators. What the bloody hell were Disney thinking?

That poor family, this is unthinkably awful.

[MumOnTheRunCatchingUp]

If they are that over run by them then I'm really surprised this kind of thing hasn't happened before

Why build a holiday resort or even houses, near a lagoon with native alligators tho?

[CheerfulYank]

I don't know Little. This is not even slightly about me in any fashion but I feel so sick and I keep thinking of it and crying. We have been saving up to go to Disneyworld, you know? I can't even imagine how they must be feeling. It's just such a scary world and lately it feels like a scary country I live in.

DS1 just woke up and was pleasantly surprised when I hugged the life out of him instead of scolding him for not being in bed.

I know there's no chance that the poor child is alive but wouldn't it be wonderful if somehow? I hope at least it was quick.

[CheerfulYank]

Right carry! I'm incensed that some people are being awful about it. This family would have NO IDEA.

I'm afraid I lost it at someone on FB. She's from Florida and kept talking about how "everyone knows". I asked her to tell me all she knows about surviving if your car breaks down in -50 weather or driving in a blizzard or falling through a hole into a frozen lake or what to do if you see a black bear or a million other things. Because where I'm from, "everyone knows" those things!

Sorry to hijack the subject at hand but I just can't believe anyone can feel anything but horror and compassion for these people.

[RedCrimson]

The Disney lagoon is man made, they dig it all out. The alligators just find their way to water.

[BendydickCuminsnatch]

Oh I have never been so I imagined the resort to be a sealed off/enclosed park so they could make sure no deadly beasts got in. Would have made sense to build it that way if they wanted to put an amusement park somewhere that alligators are rife. But it's no good me saying that now, I know. Just a horrific story. Poor family.

[carryam]

Apparently there are signs telling people not to swim in the lagoon, but nothing warning people about alligators.
There is a comment in the local paper saying there has been a lot of alligator activity lately. Presumably this means that many more alligators have been seen by people lately. So there should have been measures in place, at least warning people at a minimum.

[DoloresVanCartier]

This is just heartbreaking!! We are there every year and although DS is older now, I'm shaking just thinking about it. Poor poor family

[Goingtobeawesome]

I hope it was quick if the child has died. So so sad .

[Gobbolinothewitchscat]

This is horrendous. Obviously we need to understand exactly how it happened, but it's put me right off Disney World atm. How horrific. We went a fair bit when I was a child and I only recall seeing alligators down in the Floruda keys

[Northernlurker]

There do seem to have been a lot of alligator attacks in the news recently. How dreadful, poor, poor family :(

[redhat]

Its the beach at the Grand Floridian, right next to the Magic Kingdom. We've been there a few times. You are told not to go into the lake and there are lots of signs up - although I do agree that the fact that there are beaches around the lake would confuse a small child (but surely not adults).

[Gobbolinothewitchscat]

One thing I remember after living in Zambia is how quickly crocodiles can move out of the water and how dangerous their tails are. You have to be very careful if you're fishing on the Zambezi I think if you weren't aware of that, you would assume that the shores of a lake were safe.

[carryam]

It was at one of the Disney hotels. So still in the resort, but not at the amusement park.

[Ihatechoosingnames]

Apparently there are no signs warning of alligators, only signs warning you not to swim. In a man made lake at a hotel full of tourists you'd expect signs warning of alligators. So sad. That poor family.

[lem73]

What a nightmare for the parents. I can't imagine how they are feeling. God bless that poor little boy. I can't believe people think just because it's a Disney resort there wouldn't be alligators . Alligators and other wildlife are always nearby. I've been to Orlando three times and have once seen people called out to catch an alligator that was seen in someone's garden. Another time a snake got into a villa in the resort we were staying.

[VimFuego101]

This is terrifying. Apparently they show a movie on the beach each night at the resort... I'm surprised that Disney would actively encourage people to sit by water in the dark. That poor family.

[carryam]

I read elsewhere someone saying they saw an enormous alligator once sunning itself just outside one of the Disney hotels.

[redhat]

They tell you when you're on the boats that there are alligators (and all sorts of other wildlife). Theres a whole island in the middle of the lake that is a nature reserve. You used to be able to go there but its now closed off. Its not a Disneyfied area that you would expect to be safe to play in.

[Cocolepew]

This is just horrific.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

This is awful, poor family. Poor little boy.

[80Kgirl]

Toddlers and dogs are attacked by alligators every year in Florida. It typically happens on the water's edge around fresh water lakes and ponds. Alligators can migrate for miles and do in the Spring when the males are looking for females. They can move very, very fast.

All that said Disney does keep tight control over its property and they definitely, quietly move alligators and other pests, and they certainly don't frighten their guests by highlighting alligator risk (Or water moccasin risk, etc.) around the edge of all their numerous, man made fresh water lakes. I think there was nothing unreasonable about the family not being on guard against alligators in that situation. My heart goes out to them.

[Tattieboggle]

I've seen people swim in that lagoon.

[AndYourBirdCanSing]

I'm really shocked at this. I had no idea this would even be a possibility at a Disney resort?! If it was known to have happened why on earth haven't Disney put barriers up and made visitors aware?