The child was on the edge of the lagoon when the alligator dragged him into the water, according to the boy's family, said Florida Fish & Wildlife executive director Nick Wiley. He cautioned that the investigation is still in an early stage and that officials need to interview at least two other families who may have witnessed the incident.

 

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said the child was "wading ... along the lake's edge at the time that the alligator attacked."

 

Alligator attacks toddler at lagoon at Disney hotel - CNN.com

 

That's exactly how and where gators feed.

Gators in water in Florida = Deer in woods in Kentucky.

News reports said the child was holding the mothers hand at the time and the father tried to rescue the child. It was in a foot of water.

 

I can't even imagine.

 

This story breaks my heart. Just can't seem to get it off my mind.

This story breaks my heart. Just can't seem to get it off my mind.

 

I'm the same way. This hits me like the two young kids who were lost off the Florida coast last summer. In both cases, I with the parents would have made better decisions. I still get upset when I think about those two boys.

Disney didn't introduce alligators to the lake. Florida is one big swamp and alligators finding there way into all bodies of water is very common. Assuring that all bodies of water on Disney property are gator free would be a huge task and ultimately there would be no way of knowing if the water is gator free.

Huge task but must be done. Disney has the money and resources. That resort is around $500 per night. People go to these resorts for a stress free, enjoyable safe haven.

 

"Attack occurred at a sandy beach. Child was playing at the edge of the water when alligator attacked. The attack occurred at a portion of the Lagoon marked with "no swimming" signs."

So---sandy beach area. "No swimming" sign. No swimming because of no lifeguard? Toddler splashing and playing at waters edge is quite different than "swimming". Disney hauls in beach sand to give guests the feel that they are vacationing on a beach. Usually lawn chairs and hammocks on these lagoon beaches for guests to enjoy.

 

Tragic accident--but in this case, Disney is at fault. That's my opinion.

Disney is not at fault. It's tragic and heartbreaking, but Disney is not liable for alligators living in their natural habitat.

I'm the same way. This hits me like the two young kids who were lost off the Florida coast last summer. In both cases, I with the parents would have made better decisions. I still get upset when I think about those two boys.

 

I hear ya. It's so hard to get those poor kids off your mind. I can't even fathom what those parents are going through.

Huge task but must be done. Disney has the money and resources. That resort is around $500 per night. People go to these resorts for a stress free, enjoyable safe haven.

 

"Attack occurred at a sandy beach. Child was playing at the edge of the water when alligator attacked. The attack occurred at a portion of the Lagoon marked with "no swimming" signs."

So---sandy beach area. "No swimming" sign. No swimming because of no lifeguard? Toddler splashing and playing at waters edge is quite different than "swimming". Disney hauls in beach sand to give guests the feel that they are vacationing on a beach. Usually lawn chairs and hammocks on these lagoon beaches for guests to enjoy.

 

Tragic accident--but in this case, Disney is at fault. That's my opinion.

 

It is not that the task is huge - it can't be done. Remove gators today and there will be more / different ones tomorrow.

There are some awful ways to die. Getting eaten alive by an alligator (or any animal) has got to be on the short list of the truly worst ways to die.

Huge task but must be done. Disney has the money and resources. That resort is around $500 per night. People go to these resorts for a stress free, enjoyable safe haven.

 

"Attack occurred at a sandy beach. Child was playing at the edge of the water when alligator attacked. The attack occurred at a portion of the Lagoon marked with "no swimming" signs."

So---sandy beach area. "No swimming" sign. No swimming because of no lifeguard? Toddler splashing and playing at waters edge is quite different than "swimming". Disney hauls in beach sand to give guests the feel that they are vacationing on a beach. Usually lawn chairs and hammocks on these lagoon beaches for guests to enjoy.

 

Tragic accident--but in this case, Disney is at fault. That's my opinion.

 

Are you also thinking we should kill all gorillas in zoos in case a kid decides to venture where he is not supposed to go? Just teasing of course, but letting a 2 year old roam near the water is not a real smart move to begin with. Tragic I agree.

Disney is not at fault. It's tragic and heartbreaking, but Disney is not liable for alligators living in their natural habitat.

It really is not such a natural habitat, is it? Man made lake at Disney with man made sandy beaches and ginourmous man made "family" hotels right on the man made sandy beach on the man made lake. Oops---all manmade, but gators still there.

Most lakes are man-made

It really is not such a natural habitat, is it? Man made lake at Disney with man made sandy beaches and ginourmous man made "family" hotels right on the man made sandy beach on the man made lake. Oops---all manmade, but gators still there.

 

The entire state is their habitat. You make a lake somewhere and eventually the alligators will find it.

Just kidding...my comment was addressed on the next page.

The entire state is their habitat. You make a lake somewhere and eventually the alligators will find it.

Then Disney should not make these inviting sandy beaches at their resorts. Kids want to play in the sand and water at a beach.

 

Make the natural habitat that is on the resort look like a natural habitat.