Found Deceased FL - Lane Graves, 2, Walt Disney World, 14 June 2016 #1

[AlwaysShocked]

If Disney has full time staff "removing alligators" from their lagoon, they clearly know there is a danger. And I just cannot imagine having a policy of "only removing an alligator larger than 4 ft. long". Meaning they are intentionally leaving alligators in the lagoon, having made a decision - of what?

"Hey, Bill, look at that guy! Whadda ya think? Look like a four-footer to you?" "Nah. I'd say three-and-a-half"." "Okey dokey. Hey, how 'bout we take our lunch break now? "

I just do not understand knowingly leaving ANY alligators in their lagoon. You can sit and say "We'll never get rid of all the alligators in this lagoon" or you can make a determined effort and remove every single alligator you see, immediately upon seeing it. Obviously, reducing the number of alligators in the lagoon would reduce the number of alligators able to reach a 4 ft. or greater length.

And who knows how many "incidents" Disney has had over the years that did not result in death?

The basic problem seems to be having created a "beach" alongside an alligator-filled body of water onto which Disney is inviting people to spend time at night. Certainly the perimeter of this body of water could be re-vamped into a raised, railed concrete walkway that would prevent any access at all to the water. If it is not for swimming and it is not a beach, then don't call it a beach and don't have it set up as a beach.

I've been in parks that have a large lagoon that is not set up as a beach. (No alligators here in Pennsylvania) You can rent row boats and paddle boats, but there is no "beach" of any kind.

 

[human]

BBM. We see that so much in Florida. Just because you're on vacation, it doesn't mean you're not still living in real life. Watch your kids. Safeguard your valuables. Lock your car. Don't tuck your wallet into your beach bag and leave it on your beach blanket while you go for an hour walk down the beach. Be aware of your surroundings. Bad guys love to target vacationers, exactly because they have their guard down. Condition white, all the time.

This is true all over the world. People know to watch out for human predators.

 

[lstiff]

The Internet has been a beautiful invention, it has brought our immense unimaginable Earth into our tiny homes. However, along with the good always comes the bad. And I AM SICK OF IT!!! I read a blog post today that spoke exactly what I have been thinking especially over the last month .
It was written on a blog by a mom (initials MF) of four boys (that gives you some info to google it). In it she brings up 2 situations that if you are at least 35 -40 you should recall. I will paraphrase a bit of it below.

35 years ago a mom left her 6 year old son with another group of boys while she looked for something while shopping at the mall.
30 years ago, we sat helpless in front of the TV as workers spent hours trying to free an 18 month old that was stuck in her aunt's well.

That first boy was Adam Walsh and of course the second was Baby Jessica.

Guess what else those 2 events have in common? The entire country LOVED them and SUPPORTED them. I would be naive to think there weren't snarky thoughts entering minds back then...but they didn't have the ability to publicly shame.
And just because we have that ability now does not mean we should.
As the mods say to us here at WS- "scroll and roll," and as my mama always has said "your words have the power to heal and the power to destroy. Use your power carefully."

RIP beautiful Lane. Your life was short, but it reminds me how precious my children are and how easy accidents happen. I pray for your family, currently walking though a blurry unimaginable existence , that each day will bring a renewed strength to cope with coming years. I pray for the big sister left to grow in the shadow of this tragedy, that her life is blessed with unconditional love and support.

I love this post!! I have been in tears over this, as the mom of a 2 year old (who took a trip to WDW in OCT 2015) It hurts to know it could have been me or any of my friends. When I was there I never even thought about gators. I didn't swim in any water besides the pool at the resort but I would not have thought to be on the lookout for them. It seemed "safe" inside the "wall" of the WDW property the entire time we were there. We went to GF to catch a ride to MK and the property is just gorgeous, very safe feeling. I have family in FL who I visit often and am making a beach trip very soon, I know the dangers of gators in FL but honestly when you enter WDW you don't have gators on your mind. At least my family and my friends who we traveled with didn't. Those poor parents.

IMO

 

[fourcatsonepup]

No they do not. However, it should not be attractive/easily accessible to a child or an adult. Put sharp and awkward shaped rocks along the shore and further inland to deter both people and the gators. It's a pretty easy fix IMHO. And add some signs.

The rocks are a good idea! I like that. Although, now I'm sure someone will say a kid might play on them and get hurt...

 

[LLC]

The rocks are a good idea! I like that. Although, now I'm sure someone will say a kid might play on them and get hurt...

Exactly. Someone would sue for getting cut therefore ruining their vacation. Guaranteed.

 

[Lilibet]

OT--This tragic incident has made me mull over what kind of legal slippery slope my local government and well-known Shakespeare Festival may be on. For thirty years, the deer population has exploded and they have become increasingly comfortable around people. The city has done nothing to address the problem except hold meetings. The deer live all over town in residential areas and wander downtown. Some residents have fed them and put out salt licks for them, which was just recently made illegal and signs have been posted on the main drag.

In years past they were only a nuisance if they ate your flowers. However, in recent years there have been a number of attacks on people by mama deer who think their fawns are threatened. Anyone walking a dog through a neighborhood, not even seeing deer, can be a target. I've run outside and warned a dog walker that a doe is stalking them. In at least one case, a woman walking alone without a dog near the post office downtown was attacked from behind. Deer come right up to my front door and they aren't scared at all but they scare me!

In addition to locals, there are over 250,000 visitors to the Shakespeare Festival in our community each year who think "Bambi" is sooooo cute and have no clue that they can be attacked. Given the relative rarity of these attacks, I wonder what responsibility the City or the Festival has to warn people. There are also mountain lions and bears in parts of our beautiful downtown park and even neighborhoods, who have not attacked anyone, although a bear entered a home recently. I have no answers, but I would like to the City and the Festival to err on the side of caution and inform the visitors they actively invite of the remote risks somehow. It just seems like the courteous thing to do. I warn people who visit me.
JMO

 

[AmyPond]

My children and granddaughters leave for Orlando on Sunday for their pre-planned vacation to the Magic Kingdom. They always stay at Resorts as they did in San Antonio in April. (Robert Redford was at the pool and my daughter sent a picture of him to me

<modsnip>

Lane's splashing and audible exuberance likely alerted and attracted the alligator. While weeping as my chest heaved, I watched the livestream presser this afternoon. The baby boy was found about 10' from where he was taken and located in water nearly 6' deep. You've seen the pictures. It was quite dark on the beach of the lagoon as a movie was being shown.

The term "lagoon" conjures many images to mind and there are not at all like the ones in the movie "The Blue Lagoon". That water is murky. Most of the bank if filled with tall grass. The lagoon is used for boats to transport tourists to and fro. Fishing nor swimming is allowed.

<modsnip>
RIP Lane Graves - Little Angel, you are gone too soon. +
Thank you goes to Nebraska for what I anticipate to be a loving, respectful, warm welcome when he arrives back to his home state.

Just an FYI even though it's probably not relevant....but there is fishing allowed in Bay Lake and in Seven Seas Lagoon. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/fishing/

And it's not "swimming" but people are allowed to water ski there as well (maybe just Bay Lake though.) https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/waterskiing/

 

[JerseyGirl]

The family of Lane Graves will hold a special service at St. Patrick's Church in Elkhorn, Nebraska Thursday. A priest at the church will also pray a rosary specifically for the Graves family.

The Graves family asks for their privacy during this time.

http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/story/32234955/services-scheduled-for-lane-graves

____

to add to that...

George A. Kalogridis, the president of Walt Disney World Resort, said in a statement, "There are no words to convey the profound sorrow we feel for the family and their unimaginable loss. We are devastated and heartbroken by this tragic accident and are doing what we can to help the family during this difficult time. On behalf of everyone at Disney, we offer our deepest sympathies."

Robert A. Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, also said in a statement, "As a parent and a grandparent, my heart goes out to the Graves family during this time of devastating loss. My thoughts and prayers are with them, and I know everyone at Disney joins me in offering our deepest sympathies."

http://www.wkow.com/story/32236331/...after-alligator-attack-that-killed-2-year-old

 

[eileenhawkeye]

It's interesting that Disney has yet to release a formal statement on the matter. Is it because they are having a hard time thinking of the right words? Maybe they are still trying to figure out what the best immediate plan of action should be. They have the best PR and legal minds working for them. Are they hoping that a big news story breaks and everyone moves on so the statement gets buried? I think they have to release something that will protect them legally in the future, but does not blame the family in any way.

Unfortunately for Disney, the world's media is currently in Orlando for the Pulse nightclub shooting. They are waiting on the arrest of Mateen's GF so in the meantime, they are going to cover this story.

Watch Mateen's GF is arrested today, and Disney releases a statement tomorrow...on Friday.

 

[Wyle_E_Coyote]

It's interesting that Disney has yet to release a formal statement on the matter. Is it because they are having a hard time thinking of the right words? Maybe they are still trying to figure out what the best immediate plan of action should be. They have the best PR and legal minds working for them. Are they hoping that a big news story breaks and everyone moves on so the statement gets buried? I think they have to release something that will protect them legally in the future, but does not blame the family in any way.

Unfortunately for Disney, the world's media is currently in Orlando for the Pulse nightclub shooting. They are waiting on the arrest of Mateen's GF so in the meantime, they are going to cover this story.

Watch Mateen's GF is arrested today, and Disney releases a statement tomorrow...on Friday.

Disney has released a statement.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/latest-authorities-search-boy-dragged-gator-39868823

[video]http://money.cnn.com/2016/06/15/media/disney-crisis-bob-iger/index.html?section=money_news_companies[/video]

ETA. Actually, two statements, one from the President and the other from the CEO.

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[eileenhawkeye]

Disney has released a statement.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/latest-authorities-search-boy-dragged-gator-39868823

[video]http://money.cnn.com/2016/06/15/media/disney-crisis-bob-iger/index.html?section=money_news_companies[/video]


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My bad...I read someone else's post that Disney had yet to release a formal statement but it was written before the CEO spoke.

 

[eileenhawkeye]

The statements:

The president of the Walt Disney World Resort has issued a statement following the killing of a 2-year-old boy by an alligator at the resort's Seven Seas Lagoon.

George A. Kalogridis says "There are no words to convey the profound sorrow we feel for the family and their unimaginable loss.We are devastated and heartbroken by this tragic accident and are doing what we can to help the family during this difficult time. On behalf of everyone at Disney, we offer our deepest sympathies."

"As a parent and a grandparent, my heart goes out to the Graves family during this time of devastating loss," Iger said in a statement Wednesday evening. "My thoughts and prayers are with them, and I know everyone at Disney joins me in offering our deepest sympathies."

Notice how the last lines are super similiar? LOL.

I wonder if Disney will issue another formal statement about what future precautions they plan to take?

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I hope Disney see sense and fence this beach off. This little boy's parents and the public need assurances every measure possible is being taken to prevent a tragedy like this happening again. I think it would be reasonable for Disney to reimburse this family for the cost of their holiday and possibly help pay for his remains to be brought home and his funeral. This poor boy's family shouldn't have to worry about paying for sending his coffin home and his funeral. I don't know if they would have travel insurance but Disney should do the decent thing.

I think it's safe to say that the family's stay at the Grand Floridian, dining, theme park admissions, travel expenses, etc. were taken care of by Disney. I feel certain, also, that Disney has offered financial assistance for the boy's funeral/burial. While further compensation won't bring little Lane back, the family should reach a significant financial settlement from Disney. I hope no family ever again experiences something so horrific at Walt Disney World and that Disney Corporation immediately begins to modify beach access at all of their resort properties. :moo:

 

[SurfieTX]

This is part of the seawall in Galveston. Notice there is no railing either.

 

[Wyle_E_Coyote]

Another statement, from a Disney VP

http://myfox8.com/2016/06/15/disney...-after-child-dragged-into-water-by-alligator/

"Everyone here at the Walt Disney Resort is devastated by this tragic accident," said Jacquee Wahler, a vice president at Walt Disney World Resort.

"Our thoughts are with the family. We are helping the family and doing everything we can to assist law enforcement."


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[LaborDayRN]

They are extremely difficult to spot. See sonjay's post just above.

While i understand they are difficult to find, they did manage to find 5 in less than 24 hours.

 

[SurfieTX]

Another statement, from a Disney VP

http://myfox8.com/2016/06/15/disney...-after-child-dragged-into-water-by-alligator/

"Everyone here at the Walt Disney Resort is devastated by this tragic accident," said Jacquee Wahler, a vice president at Walt Disney World Resort.

"Our thoughts are with the family. We are helping the family and doing everything we can to assist law enforcement."


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Assist law enforcement with what, exactly?

 

[LaborDayRN]

4 foot would be very small. As Sonjay said it might bite off a finger or snatch a small dog/cat but it would be no match for a grown man. Of course they would be very strong for their size/weight but they still couldn't prevent being snatched up and dragged out of the water while trying to hold on to prey.


Here is a man holding a nearly 5 ft gator:

Thanks Sonya. Adding to that, the tail of an alligator accounts for 50% of total length. So a 4 foot alligator has a 2 foot tail and 2 foot body.

The alligator uses its powerful tail to propel itself through water. The tail accounts for half the alligator's length

http://www.defenders.org/american-alligator/basic-facts

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Assist law enforcement with what, exactly?

:waitasec: WTH does that mean?

 

[eileenhawkeye]

I wonder if Disney will release a statement that says: "In the wake of this tragic accident, we plan to X, X, X" or are they just going to have the "Deepest sympathies" statements from the higher ups?