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pnwmom

(109,020 posts) Wed Jun 15, 2016, 03:08 PM Jun 2016

I admit it, I'm dumb about alligators. [View all]

Last edited Wed Jun 15, 2016, 07:16 PM - Edit history (5)

UPDATE: Authorities now say that the family was not wading in the water. They were sitting on the beach by the water, during or right after a Disney "Beach Night."

I wouldn't expect alligators would be living in man-made lagoons in a Disney resort. (Fake alligators maybe -- like everything else in a Disney resort.)

I didn't know that in warm weather, alligators feed mostly at night.

And I didn't know that their jaws could exert thousands of pounds of force -- so there was no way even a quick-acting dad could have pulled his child out of the alligator's mouth.

So I understand why that Nebraska family, attending a Disney-organized "Beach night" didn't understand the risk they were taking. Didn't understand that the "no swimming" sign really meant "stay off the beach or an alligator might eat you."

But how can the people in charge of the $75 billion corporation that owns the resort have been that dumb?

Surely they had to have known about the risk. Did they just count the occasional alligator-caused-death as a cost of doing business? But why didn't they have signs warning of the danger from alligators? And why the heck did they plan a "Beach night" that lured the dumb tourists to the water's edge at feeding time?

Why didn't they post one of these:

https://www.google.com/search?site=&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1024&bih=752&q=warning+alligator&oq=warning+alligator&gs_l=img.12..0j0i8i30.1390.5827.0.8154.17.15.0.2.2.0.71.729.14.14.0....0...1ac.1.64.img..1.16.734.zu65UIPBZ40

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-child-dragged-alligator-disney-20160614-story.html

In response to reports the family was watching a hotel-sponsored movie near the shore, Disney said it hosts such events but believed the film ended before the attack. The family was sitting near the shore, not swimming or wading in the water, officials said.

238 replies

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I admit it, I'm dumb about alligators. [View all] pnwmom Jun 2016 OP

Rule 1 in Florida - where there is water, there can be alligators liberal N proud Jun 2016 #1

And they move from one body of water to another TBA Jun 2016 #11

I didn't see those rules posted when I entered Florida. GeorgeGist Jun 2016 #17

Ignorance is no excuse liberal N proud Jun 2016 #56

When a business invites families onto its property and fails to warn pnwmom Jun 2016 #93

Signs saying no swimming liberal N proud Jun 2016 #115

No, not in other states. It means you don't swim. If they wanted guests to stay out pnwmom Jun 2016 #119

Alligators Rosa Luxemburg Jun 2016 #127

Definitely warning signs about alligators should have been posted. Also on the canals/inlets, just RKP5637 Jun 2016 #185

The problem is the sign didn't say "No swimming because alligators maybe nearby". brush Jun 2016 #158

Who was swimming when the attack happened? N/T RedFury Jun 2016 #162

Swimming/Wading is there really much difference? liberal N proud Jun 2016 #167

In a later report officials were quoted as saying the child was sitting pnwmom Jun 2016 #214

I don't understand this thinking...if I saw a No Swimming sign, I would ask Why? adigal Jun 2016 #196

Yes - there have been brain eating amoeba in Florida waters csziggy Jun 2016 #225

Or if you jump the fence Aerows Jun 2016 #184

"and fails to warn the families of a major hazard" EX500rider Jun 2016 #134

There are two aspects that can make a hazard "major." pnwmom Jun 2016 #135

I'm going to call bs on that. Aerows Jun 2016 #144

From one of the newspapers, a father who grabbed his kid as an alligator headed toward him adigal Jun 2016 #197

If I see a sign that says no swimming, I am staying out of the water liberal N proud Jun 2016 #168

Yes melman Jun 2016 #178

Note "first fatal attack since 2007" rjsquirrel Jun 2016 #182

The demonizing goes beyond the gator. liberal N proud Jun 2016 #189

This isn't Walt Disney we are talking about. truebluegreen Jun 2016 #234

Wherever I go, I check out what kind of wildlife might be around. cwydro Jun 2016 #69

Exactly liberal N proud Jun 2016 #169

You know how other states have raccoons? Scootaloo Jun 2016 #102

My state has plenty of all of the above. Aerows Jun 2016 #175

Rule 1A in Florida...where there is water, there ARE alligators. Lochloosa Jun 2016 #25

The Great Lakes must be covered in them deaniac21 Jun 2016 #38

I didn't realize the Great Lakes were in Florida. GoCubsGo Jun 2016 #45

Huh? liberal N proud Jun 2016 #57

That's a croc. Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #66

ba da BOOM! kwassa Jun 2016 #202

There is one huge carniverous reptile near Lake Michigan, bvar22 Jun 2016 #72

Actually, toads are amphibians. But there's still Walker and Snyder n/t Scootaloo Jun 2016 #103

I see what you did there :) n/t Aerows Jun 2016 #187

I played golf recently in Florida. Atman Jun 2016 #154

Exactly liberal N proud Jun 2016 #155

Two club length drop, no penalty. Check that — as many club lengths as needed to avoid being eaten. brush Jun 2016 #159

I'll take a mulligan! n/t Aerows Jun 2016 #183

Including people's pools Ghost of Tom Joad Jun 2016 #161

Also golf courses Ash_F Jun 2016 #215

Yeah, I've had to learn a lot today as well Blue_Tires Jun 2016 #2

I grew up in the parish in Louisisana that has the largest alligator population of any parish. GumboYaYa Jun 2016 #3

Louisiana has more alligators than Florida, yet attacks on humans in Louisiana are a rarity Ex Lurker Jun 2016 #18

Could one reason be that there are so many more tourists in Florida? pnwmom Jun 2016 #20

yes, that is a correct answer. ManiacJoe Jun 2016 #43

If you grow up around gators you have a healthy respect for them. GumboYaYa Jun 2016 #70

South Louisiana is not exactly a Tourist Mecca. bvar22 Jun 2016 #99

I love this post. GumboYaYa Jun 2016 #133

And I LOVE South Lousiana Seafood Gumbo... bvar22 Jun 2016 #138

You're killin' me here. I need to go make some. nolabear Jun 2016 #140

My gumbo takes two days to make. GumboYaYa Jun 2016 #141

Don't forget the filet. brush Jun 2016 #163

I've read wheniwasincongress Jun 2016 #151

Tell you one thing, I'd set a record if I was running from a gator. nt raccoon Jun 2016 #160

Population density is more than 3X higher in Florida Cal Carpenter Jun 2016 #28

3rd largest state in union. Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #32

Florida has a greater population density Aerows Jun 2016 #40

Humans are also much closer to gators in Florida Scootaloo Jun 2016 #105

They are pretty excellent Aerows Jun 2016 #106

Don't they call them bayous in Louisiana? brush Jun 2016 #164

Or coolies. Like a stream or a canal. Aerows Jun 2016 #177

This message was self-deleted by its author bvar22 Jun 2016 #111

Regularly? No. Overall quite rare given how Hortensis Jun 2016 #59

A place where I fish has some goats that hang out on a hillside near the water Ex Lurker Jun 2016 #63

Any viewing area is likely to draw gators, as some dumb asses feed them... Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #65

I certainly believe it about the goats. Friends Hortensis Jun 2016 #82

Fluffy is a gator snack NT 1939 Jun 2016 #128

In te Pan Hndle, hunters had their dogs go missing near a pond. Fnally, someone Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #204

Attacks are very rare. I worry more about moccasins and yellowjackets (yuck!). Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #64

My husband killed a moccasin last spring. Hortensis Jun 2016 #71

The eyes at night are just freaky. GumboYaYa Jun 2016 #96

Yes to freaky. But fascinating, too-- Hortensis Jun 2016 #130

Feral hogs. Aerows Jun 2016 #79

Another dubious gift from DeSoto. Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #118

The false "fountain of youth" Ponce de Leon Aerows Jun 2016 #146

He spent too much time looking into his own cistern. Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #201

The hogs scare me more! Raissa Jun 2016 #208

One you *might* be able to outrun (gators) Aerows Jun 2016 #219

I've thankfully never had to run from one! Raissa Jun 2016 #220

Yep, at dusk Aerows Jun 2016 #75

Exactly - you expect to find them in the water liberal N proud Jun 2016 #170

I have stayed at the Grand before and had dinner there a month or so ago Gothmog Jun 2016 #4

I've seen one gator in my life ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2016 #50

The rule of thumb is that a gator can out run a man for ten to 25 feet on land Gothmog Jun 2016 #74

I was happy, opting for staying in the cart and driving down the other side of the fairway. ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2016 #80

Gators grabbing children is really very rare considering how many kids and gators there are aikoaiko Jun 2016 #5

I think Disney was at fault for not posting the same kind of sign they have at pnwmom Jun 2016 #6

That one sign with the German on it too says to keep away from water's edge in addition adigal Jun 2016 #207

I thought Disneyworld WAS a protective bubble. Gidney N Cloyd Jun 2016 #10

Exactly. And the risks are supposed to be "just-pretend." n/t pnwmom Jun 2016 #16

Agreed. This is similar to shark attacks. yardwork Jun 2016 #31

Exactly. The reason this is news is because it rarely ever happens RAFisher Jun 2016 #101

Disney has allowed feeding of gators for years even though it is illegal csziggy Jun 2016 #231

Having read and learned more, I think you are correct. Disney should have done more. aikoaiko Jun 2016 #233

Aligators have been found swimming in swimming pools. geomon666 Jun 2016 #7

We have a 10 footer in a drainage pond next to a bar we frequent. Fuddnik Jun 2016 #34

There was one in the pool at the house next to my parents house 1 week after moving in. JanMichael Jun 2016 #124

Alligators are just modern day dinosaurs. cwydro Jun 2016 #8

Actually birds evolved from a group of dinosaurs ksoze Jun 2016 #12

Very true. cwydro Jun 2016 #51

Did you run across their backs like Indiana Jones? FSogol Jun 2016 #13

Lol, no. But we went canoeing at that same Five Mile pond. cwydro Jun 2016 #53

Did Indy do at too? JHB Jun 2016 #77

I don't think indy did that Travis_0004 Jun 2016 #120

Gators are all over in those parts. They are getting crowded out too. nolabear Jun 2016 #9

Lost my poodle to a gator when I was 13 TBA Jun 2016 #14

They're like coyotes and bears in other areas. nolabear Jun 2016 #15

There are twice as many alligators than deer in Florida... Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #19

And when I googled, I found many "Danger: alligator" signs. pnwmom Jun 2016 #23

Disney is the prototype corporate city state, and has enjoyed virtual independence from any gov. Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #39

It's like North Korea, but has a friendlier despot jberryhill Jun 2016 #229

"When they move, it is special effects speed." Aerows Jun 2016 #27

That fixed, mouth-open position is for heat regulation, not threat. Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #62

They are cold-blooded Aerows Jun 2016 #76

When sunnng on land in winter, they clock their bodies to follow the sun. Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #205

you are bringing back memories edhopper Jun 2016 #42

As a kid, my Mom & Dad took us to Lake Wauburg for fishing, swimming and picnics in the 50s. Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #61

Wow edhopper Jun 2016 #180

In the mid-70s, I picked blackberries on Payne's. The bushes were so thick and big... Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #200

Great info Corgigal Jun 2016 #46

U of F owns part of Lake Wauburg's shoreline for a swimming area. Lifeguards have to check.. Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #60

I had no idea about Payne's Prairie. We've only driven Hortensis Jun 2016 #86

Payne's State Park is on the SE side of Gainesville, but there are other entries... Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #112

Thank you, Eleanors. I just googled the area you Hortensis Jun 2016 #129

Well back on the 441 trail to the overlook tower, you can see (feel?) the faint opening... Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #203

I love connections to a past that's not Hortensis Jun 2016 #216

I just googled Payne's State Park and there are wild horsed there, too adigal Jun 2016 #209

I was in Orlando several times years ago, and went to nature areas. MH1 Jun 2016 #21

I've only been to the Disney park in California, and there was nothing real there. pnwmom Jun 2016 #26

You advertize as "PNW" Aerows Jun 2016 #33

When I first moved to Florida, the first thing I did was to ask about gators. cwydro Jun 2016 #67

Exactly Aerows Jun 2016 #73

Ah, sadly, Aerows, I'm no longer on a Key lol. cwydro Jun 2016 #85

I went a couple of times when I lived in Florida. Aerows Jun 2016 #88

Absolutely! At sunset celebration. cwydro Jun 2016 #117

We were looking at real estate in St. Petersburg and there is a small lake in one nice neighborhood adigal Jun 2016 #210

Coyotes don't go after humans, as far as I know. I would love to see a cougar. Oregon. Shrike47 Jun 2016 #211

Best "tourism" in FL.: Cheap motel in G'ville or High Springs, within 2 hrs of either coast... Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #41

Good luck with that on game weekends KamaAina Jun 2016 #47

That's why god made calendars! Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #58

The best time of year to come to Florida is after football season, anyway csziggy Jun 2016 #92

Never, ever Aerows Jun 2016 #181

LOL! I can imagine. csziggy Jun 2016 #190

Cool story GulfCoast66 Jun 2016 #193

Frankly St. George Island has gotten too built up csziggy Jun 2016 #195

That is true GulfCoast66 Jun 2016 #198

St. George Island had a few businesses - mostly catered to fishing and locals csziggy Jun 2016 #237

And back to the this thread GulfCoast66 Jun 2016 #199

They certainklly can handle salt water csziggy Jun 2016 #238

I've lived in Florida all my life and have never been to Disney World csziggy Jun 2016 #84

Thanks TuxedoKat Jun 2016 #171

Recommended 1000 time!!!! Fake Disney - never took my kids there, hated the idea. adigal Jun 2016 #212

They are everywhere Aerows Jun 2016 #22

I honeymooned at WDW in 1999 and stayed at one of the resorts on property and knew there were gators maryellen99 Jun 2016 #24

I think that Disney should post the same signs at its man-made lagoons pnwmom Jun 2016 #30

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge which is on Bay Lake maryellen99 Jun 2016 #55

In FL always assume that there are alligators in any body of water. peace13 Jun 2016 #29

My heart goes out to the family.... Adrahil Jun 2016 #35

Yes, that is a tactic. Aerows Jun 2016 #36

Me neither! NT Adrahil Jun 2016 #37

On TV today they said punch it on the nose csziggy Jun 2016 #87

Whacking it in the eyes and forehead is more effective Aerows Jun 2016 #89

No way is it Disney's fault gators are in the water obamanut2012 Jun 2016 #44

Don't you think they should have signs warning of the alligator danger? pnwmom Jun 2016 #49

They warn guests about alligators and not to go near the shoreline obamanut2012 Jun 2016 #52

They do have signs about not swimming. The signs should have warned about pnwmom Jun 2016 #54

They could claim the "no swimming" signs are for brain eating amoebas csziggy Jun 2016 #90

I believe this is the exact sign Travis_0004 Jun 2016 #123

That's interesting, because all the accounts I've read say that the signs pnwmom Jun 2016 #126

That's not the sign they showed on the news tonight laundry_queen Jun 2016 #148

According to TMZ that sign is at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress csziggy Jun 2016 #227

This is precisely what Disney should have done steve2470 Jun 2016 #232

Disney should also stop illegal feeding of the alligators csziggy Jun 2016 #235

totally agree! nt steve2470 Jun 2016 #236

I wouldn't jump into a chlorinated swimming pool in FL without looking first. hobbit709 Jun 2016 #48

Gators are pretty much the opposite of crocodiles. ancianita Jun 2016 #68

Well, I wanted to know the sex of the 10-footer Hortensis Jun 2016 #91

Haha... ancianita Jun 2016 #95

Shit, if those parents had simply been armed with an AR-15 or two... randome Jun 2016 #78

They're a major pain in the ass near Florida golf courses. JonathanRackham Jun 2016 #81

Yes, they are... csziggy Jun 2016 #94

Did you let him play through? kwassa Jun 2016 #206

I expect it's like the old joke with the 800 pound gorilla csziggy Jun 2016 #213

I'm only familiar with the famous Olympic Lake Placid. kwassa Jun 2016 #222

I grew up near Lake Placid, Florida csziggy Jun 2016 #223

Alligators are not native to Maine? who knew? kwassa Jun 2016 #224

Gator tail fried in batter Aerows Jun 2016 #83

Alligator Sauce Piquant....one of the best things you will ever eat. GumboYaYa Jun 2016 #97

Alligator is pretty damn tasty Aerows Jun 2016 #98

Is that you Troy? Nt azmom Jun 2016 #107

No I'm Aerows Aerows Jun 2016 #108

Swamp people. Used to watch it often. azmom Jun 2016 #109

No, I'm more likely to wear loafers by day Aerows Jun 2016 #116

The parish I grew up in was one of the first to get tags to hunt gators. GumboYaYa Jun 2016 #122

Very, very cool. azmom Jun 2016 #143

I had some amazing gator bites when I was up in Palatka. geomon666 Jun 2016 #110

Plain delicious, aren't they? n/t Aerows Jun 2016 #114

Indeed geomon666 Jun 2016 #139

Alligator Etouffee Fumesucker Jun 2016 #113

They only like fresh water right? Freddie Jun 2016 #100

They only do fresh or brackish water. Aerows Jun 2016 #104

There are saltwater crocs, but fortunately somewhat rare. HooptieWagon Jun 2016 #186

The only crocs we see on the Gulf Coast Aerows Jun 2016 #188

I would not expect you to... Phentex Jun 2016 #121

Well, I've never been in the southeast and pnwmom Jun 2016 #125

Wow, that's super rare. LeftyMom Jun 2016 #132

Great post. Floridians may know... YvonneCa Jun 2016 #131

Here's some info about the warnings the resort had already had -- and apparently ignored. pnwmom Jun 2016 #136

+1000. I didn't know either. And I lived I Florida (briefly). nt ecstatic Jun 2016 #147

I agree with you laundry_queen Jun 2016 #149

I didn't know either, I've been to Disney a couple of times... few if any signs warning of this uponit7771 Jun 2016 #191

Gators can be found golf course water hazards. RandySF Jun 2016 #137

There was a documentary a while back on the Alligators of Disneyworld Recursion Jun 2016 #142

Situations like this make me wish Aerows Jun 2016 #145

Well, then you might consider volunteering at your local state park. kentauros Jun 2016 #166

Thank you, kentauros Aerows Jun 2016 #173

Yeah, there's no reason to kill insects to study them. kentauros Jun 2016 #174

I can't help it. Aerows Jun 2016 #176

I love turtles, too. kentauros Jun 2016 #179

I'm with you. Raissa Jun 2016 #217

The interesting and shocking thing about this attack wheniwasincongress Jun 2016 #150

Right For example, in the CA Disney there is a lagoon with pirates. But they're not pnwmom Jun 2016 #152

I agree they will be sued and will... YvonneCa Jun 2016 #192

they bite MFM008 Jun 2016 #153

What is very unlikely, is a lawsuit quaker bill Jun 2016 #156

Alligator signs should be required as a part of any settlement because these lagoons pnwmom Jun 2016 #157

Yep Separation Jun 2016 #165

Shoes & matching belts. GOLGO 13 Jun 2016 #172

This pisses me off Gothmog Jun 2016 #194

This is a statewide problem, unfortunately. Raissa Jun 2016 #218

I don't know anything about them either,I just figure once sufrommich Jun 2016 #221

Alligators are mean predators! Silver_Witch Jun 2016 #226

Disney is mostly at fault... avatar123 Jun 2016 #228

Adult alligators weigh several hundred pounds. pnwmom Jun 2016 #230