Last year, this man specifically warned Disney about alligators after his son

[Whiskeytide]

66. Umm.... Disney knew.

We're hearing a lot now (from the famously reliable internet) that Disney was certainly on notice of a potential problem:
- new bungalows at the water's edge
- employees concerned over guests feeding the gators
- past removal of alligators in the lagoon
- a report of a near incident weeks ago
- a continued policy of holding beach events at feeding time

But even without such facts, Disney SHOULD have known and taken steps to address the problem. If it is simply common sense for ANYONE to know and take precautions around water in Florida, then shouldn't Disney be held to that same standard? And the standard is "reasonable precautions" - no one says they have to be perfect. Just reasonable. But if they are going to invite every toddler in the world to come vacation at their paradise, they damn well should take reasonable steps to make sure its safe for those toddlers to toddle around.

So, to me, the question is "Why didn't Disney place signs warning of the alligators in the lagoon"? There has to have been a decision made by someone, somewhere that it wasn't something they wanted or felt they needed to do. If Disney has a reasonable answer to that question, then that is their defense. If not, they're in a pickle.

A "No Swimming" sign might tell some people to stay out of the water altogether. But isn't it also reasonable to take such a sign literally as don't "swim". Standing in 5-10 inches of water isn't really swimming. Standing on the sand right at the water's edge isn't really swimming. And just because YOU would take such a sign as "OMG, WHATEVER you do - STAY AWAY - FAR, FAR AWAY - from this highly dangerous H2O - We're NOT KIDDING!, Damn it. Stay BACK!!! BACK I say!", can't you appreciate the fact that not everyone would be expected take it that way?

When a Nebraskan sees a "No Swimming" sign, maybe they think that there is a drowning risk. Maybe they think the water has chemicals in it. Maybe the floor has sharp stones, or there is an undertow. I don't necessarily expect someone who has not grown up around gators to think there is a risk of being eaten. I certainly wouldn't expect that to be their first thought.

And, for Carl's sake, DON'T kill all the gators (or the gophers, for that matter). They are just being themselves.

But DO hold Disney accountable for not taking reasonable steps to protect its invitees on the premises.