Oh why don't these people value life?

I meant a two year old paddling in an area such as this is unthinkable

I'm sorry but I don't think people going to Disneyworld would necessarily think of the danger of alligators. If there were no signs on the beach ( which reports say there weren't) I doubt if the parents of a child paddling in a man made lake would think about an alligator attack. I wouldn't.

Yes parents are 100% responsible for their children but we all make mistakes and accidents can happen. It is a horrifying thing for that family to witness and what happened will stay with them forever. We have all (if we are honest) had moments where we have unintentially put ourselves or others at risk.

The problem on holiday, especially somewhere like Disney, is people think it couldn't possibly happen because they are on holiday. Wander into dangerous places, oblivious. We went to Disney World a couple of times when my boys were small. We played golf the second time and were told not to retrieve balls from bushes (snakes) water (alligators). My OH thought it was a joke and went down to a stream and got a ball he could see on the edge. We went around the next corner, to find several alligators around 4ft ish long on the bank. Everything is so artificial at Disney you get lulled into a false sense of security as I remember at first thinking 'How can they let this happen'! It's Disney! Duh. It's Florida. There are swamps. There are snakes (saw a long brown one cross the path by the swimming pool). The parents have been punished enough. Look at the McCanns. Look at me when my youngest was 6 and I took my eye off him for a moment to put down a blanket on a beach in Gozo and he disappeared. I was hysterically running on the spot, as I didn't know which direction to run in. He had gone behind a rock pretty far along the beach in moments. Could've got washed off. My fault? I would've blamed myself for sure. Don't blame these poor parents. They will blame themselves forever. They were outside The Floridian Hotel at Disney. I expect it never entered their heads something like that could happen. Poor souls. And poor little soul that was taken. My heart goes out to them.

Have any of us nothing to reproach ourselves for in our child rearing skills? When I think back to my rather casual hippy 1960's days bringing up 3 kids under 5 years old I think I have had more than one lucky escape - I'm not going into details, too shaming. I too think the child should have been safely tucked up in bed with a teddy, but modern parents seem to want their children to take part in absolutely everything. Imagine the guilt of these poor parents, probably akin to the guilt the McCanns must feel - but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

One of our neighbours has a house in Florida where they spend half the year. Saw him this morning, their house is 30 miles from Orlando. He said that alligators are all over in Florida, but in general only attack if they're hungry, and there's plenty of other food around. He said they can move very fast, he's seen them.
A horrible tragedy,maybe people who visit Disneyland in future will learn from the experience of the tragic family to be more cautious.

It's the done thing to stay up late at Disney World as so much goes on in the evening for children. The fireworks are incredible. That's why Disney provide little carts to ferry tired little legs around from attraction to attraction. We would set off mid morning and not return until after midnight a lot of the time, as those who have been will understand, there is so much to do and so little time. At other holiday locations, unless you have the facility of child listening/babysitting, you will often see children napping in buggies in the evening. Bedtime doesn't have to be adhered to, in my opinion, on holiday. And if any mother tells me she has never had the smallest of close shaves rearing her children, fibber. I had 3 boys under 5 and I could write a book and I consider myself somewhat paranoid about safety. As my now grown up sons will tell you. I still give them 'the lecture' before they go out. One recently said sarcastically 'And don't trip over that pebble'! on his way out. There but for the grace of god say I and don't criticise. Those people will be in the worse pain imaginable. Let them grieve.

I'm sure we've all made mistakes. We took our lot to Florida many years ago and were lounging around at Typhoon Lagoon when a couple of members of staff suddenly leapt on a huge snake in the bushes a few yards away from us and started wrestling with it. Instead of getting away from the area, I'm afraid our instinct was to stand there gawping like idiots, probably wondering if it was some sort of stunt.

These poor parents have been punished more than enough.

I don't understand why Disney think it's a good idea to build lagoons where water enters from the outside terrain. Especially in the part where children are going to be staying.

I also don't understand why anyone would hand over money to a large corporation to stay somewhere where there are alligators round a corner! I don't think I would find fairy princesses or even Mickey Mouse, quite a large enough draw.

Of course you can say parents are 100% responsible for their children's safety at all times. But to want to hang them out to dry after such an event? Really? Callous in my book.

Reading the posts from people who have been there is making me think the world is brimming with madness.

Apologies to anyone who still has Disney stars in their eyes.

No F.T. no comment. I went reluctantly first time. Thought it would be all thrill rides. Adored it so went back again. My boys have never forgotten it. It's not all about Micky Mouse and princesses. Accidents happen, sadly. Anywhere. Perhaps we should all stay in.

I've only been the once (we couldn't have afforded it again!). We were very sceptical and thought we were going "for the children", but DH and I probably enjoyed it as much as they did. Because we knew it was a one off, we stayed in Florida for three weeks and did everything we wanted to do. It was without a doubt our best holiday, and I hope we can take the grandchildren there one day, when they're all of an age to enjoy and remember it.

Best family holiday, I mean - I wouldn't go there without children, though thousands do (not sure why).

Horrendous tragedy, I can't imagine a worse nightmare for any parent.

I have noticed that some people while on holiday seem to switch their brains into neutral mode. Walking across a busy road without any regard for traffic, over indulging in alcohol (and other things) and allowing their children to do things they would probably never dream of allowing at home.

What a terrible price to pay. It will live with them forever and I can't imagine their lives ever being the same again.

Agree mags. Our boys saw a space shuttle take off. A few days later heard the loud bang as it re entered earth's atmosphere. Experience their first Japanese meal at Epcot and much much more. 40 million people a year can't be wrong. I think the outcry is because this pour soul was taken in such a grotesque way. Had he fallen down steps, just as tragic but not as horrific. We don't live with any dangerous here. So when abroad can be complacent about danger. Disney will put extra procedures in place after this I'm sure but I doubt they can eliminate the risks entirely as it's 46 miles and close to swamps. Tragic tragic case. As would've been had he been paddling in shallow water in Aus and been taken by a shark. Or the dingo incident in Aus many years ago. These things sometimes happen. Have to learn by it and try to be as vigilant with our precious little ones as possible but not deny them wonderful experiences. My son is going with his girlfriend next year. He cried yesterday, when he heard about the tragedy, as he has a 3 year old, which makes it worse to hear as you can relate to how you'd feel. Taking her and sister to Euro Disney first because of the height restrictions but plans to take them when they can enjoy more. I'll be giving the 'Mum lecture' then for sure. But I'd never suggest not taking them. We have to live our lives.

Disney are wholly to blame.... how the heck can you build a children's park amongst alligators' living space, the families are encouraged to go to this beach to watch films and come on folks 'NO SWIMMING' means no swimming it doesn't mean don't sit by the waters edge (presumably the alligators come out of the water) it doesnt say 'no paddling' it certianly doesnt say 'DANGER THESE WATERS ARE HOME TO ALLIGATORS' I'm intelligent enough to know alligators live in Florida I certainly would never connect them with wandering around on a beach that Disney was telling me to go to with my little kids
I hope Disney does get sued, it will NEVER help those poor parents but it might make Disney do something in the way of safety measures The second incident in US in a few weeks where very poor security has caused a problem in this case a life
Maybe they ll build the next one in the middle of a lion reserve

I can't understand so many people's first thought being blame and judgment rather than compassion and sympathy.

Even if this parents had made the stupidest mistake of all time (which it doesn't look like), it is still a mistake and they actually had to see this happen.

Judging them achieves nothing and just makes the world that little bit harder.

Jings if they build something where water didn't enter from an outside area it would be called a swimming pool.

In answer to those wanting a 6 foot fence built all the way round ... I've uploaded a picture- it should be obvious why that wont work.( its an old picture but best I could find at short notice. You can see one lagoon and a linked one

I'm still in favour of semi submerged shark type nets to keep the animals out. But I'm not an expert so maybe there's a reason why that wont work either.

Yeah. And what's wrong with swimming pools?

Actually you can have something called a 'lake'. Many large houses in this country do.

Ignore my recent posts. It's getting a bit tasteless.

You cant make a swimming pool that big Jings at least I don't think so. I'm almost positive the environmentalists would have something to say about trillions of gallons of chlorinated water

A lagoon is a lake isn't it? But this is a massive lake...it would be like trying to fence Windermere I imagine. And many of the same issues would arise if we suggested that I imagine.

ooops sorry Jings didn't see your ignore till too late...consider yourself ignored

Not tasteless Jings. Opinions on the tragedy and anything that could be done to help are a good thing. NannaandGrampy pic shows why it's difficult. But also these things have legs and walk across land. So wouldn't solve the problem. I had a look on the official Disney Booking site earlier and under health and safety, not one mench of the risk of alligators/snakes. Only a small item about being careful in unfamiliar surroundings. I think because of the nature of the holiday (mostly children) people don't think it can happen. So, MUST be pointed out clearly to people that although rare, it sometimes happens, and once is too often. I hope Disney take on board and try to educate and protect wherever possible. But accidents will always happen sadly.