Oh why don't these people value life?

And there it is ....

I should imagine the signage will be a lot more specific , in languages , with pictures to ensure there can never be an time like now when people say no swimming doesn't mean don't go in the water.

Totally agree with you missislippy .

So awful for those poor, poor parents.

Surely a notice would say "Do not go in the water" - paddling is not swimming!

Well , the fence along that section of beach is being erected. It looks to be the sort to keep people out of the water as opposed to fencing wildlife in. I'm sure new signage will be the next thing.

I agree with your post missislippy and yes, I heard it was fireworks and a film.
Disney have been negligent in organising family events on a beach right next to a lagoon which may well have alligators in it.
The parents appear to have acted in no different a way than many other guests at this resort.
In addition, Disney gives a sanitised, unreal view of life so guests at their resorts could be lulled into a false sense of security.

Yes, sorry, NQ is North Queensland, Australia.

I cannot believe some of the sanctimonious claptrap I've read on here.... The facts reported so far are: the child was by the water, not necessarily paddling; the family were watching a film followed by fireworks, so it was dark; alligators were in the lagoon (and can travel at 23mph so much faster than a man or child); signs warned of "no swimming" but did not mention alligators. It's easy to say people are warned at Disneyworld about alligators, but unless they have a big sign up all over the hotels etc, or issue personal warnings to every holidaymaker as they enter, then what if you miss them? I'm an intelligent person, but I was unaware that Disneyworld allowed alligators to swim in their lagoons, and I wouldn't expect it, especially on a "beach" that was designated for watching a film!! What's wrong with putting up big signs showing a drawing of an alligator - much more off-putting than "no swimming"! Yes, Florida is full of alligators, but surely Disney can do something to keep them out of THEIR lagoons. As per usual, MONEY comes before safety. Please stop blaming the parents - EVERY ONE of us is guilty of taking our eyes off our offspring at some time or other, and anyone who says they're not is deluded or a liar! "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone"

It was certainly reported as a film Granny

I presumed it meant North Queensland, Phoenix.

What or where is NQ?

Fireworks,not a film.

Me too

I agree with you Granny2016.

The signs quite clearly said 'No Swimming',the child was paddling.
A couple from liverpool were in the news yesterday revealing that they have also been on that beach for a late film showing.
Their 8 year old noticed a noise and they thought someone had run a jet ski onto the beach,until someone shouted 'alligator '!!!!
People grabbed their children and fled from the beach.
Why on earth are Disney showing these films near water when they know that dusk is when these monsters leave the water,and this is not the first occurrence.
I would not allow my young children to paddle in any water without I was with them ,and certainly not near a warning stating that there was an underwater shelf.
However,I find the comments re.prosecuting the parents lacking in compassion and rather sanctimonious.
This family will live every day in sorrow for the rest of their lives.
Isn,t that enough for you?

Florida is a large swamp with many alligators that get everywhere. Local residents are told to check their swimming pools just in case one has wandered in. I once went on an airboat trip and when we stopped in a lagoon I trailed my hand in the water. I removed it pretty quickly when the guy said he took alligator hunting trips there at night!

I totally agree with you

Yes,what ever,I give up.

How do you know he was on his own? His father was close enough to grab hold of him but couldn't overcome the strength of the alligator in the water. There were no warning signs we are told. I many people would not think of such a danger.

I would not let a child wander on their own near a road but being with a two year old having a paddle in a man made lagoon it would not enter my head that an alligator would grab him.

No health and safety warnings we are told Marmark1 . That's the point.

For goodness sake the parents have lost a small child. They must be heartbroken.

Some very silly remarks made here I'm afraid.
Yes,it's true,many of us will have lapsed at one time or another.and accidents happened course they do,we're only human.BUT,the big but again,a two year old can't be trusted near anything potentially dangerous,like a road,water,a drop of any kind,medicine,need I spell it all out,yes clearly I do.Thats why we have all the elf & safety rules,for silly people.Most of us don't need to be told.Give me bleddy strength.

Some very unkind and selfrighteous comments here

We were there as long ago as 1991, and even back then we were told regularly not to go into water that wasn`t a designated swimming are, as alligators can be found in water almost anywhere in the area.
When we visited Busch Gardens, on our way out I felt very sorry for the indignity suffered by a very large, and old, alligator, in a small pen, because passers by had been flicking their cigarette ends over the fence, and the poor thing`s back was covered in them.

I have spent a lot of time in NQ; I wouldn't swim in estuaries or salty rivers but people still do.
Someone was taken only the other week, she was waistdeep in the sea (not an estuary) in the evening. There were warning notices all around.

Man has built on swamp land, if there was a way to keep the alligators out they would have. I have been there and there are plenty of signs and warnings about. Every year people that live in Florida are taken by alligators, but people still choose to live there, that is the risk they take, so I stand by what I said, you don't take chances. Everyone knows they are a problem in Florida, you can't not know.

The resort was built on swamp land I think, Spangles, so man is encroaching on their natural habitat.
However, I would have thought it should have been a matter of priority when building the resort to erect underwater barriers between the developed areas and the areas where alligators still live.

And unfortunately,you will ALWAYS get some people who vastly under-estimate the danger of wild animals,such as alligators. They think,'oh we would run away if we saw one approaching,or even 'we would scare it off! . Don't underestimate the stealth,speed and strength of these creatures.