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Since the recent alligator attack that took the life of a 2 year old boy at the Grand Floridian beach, Walt Disney World is attempting to respond to this incident for both physical and emotional safety as swiftly as possible. Here’s a few adjustments that are currently in effect but could change in coming days:
- All beach areas remain closed to the public to prevent a similar issue from occurring. Disney has currently removed all lounge chairs from beach areas. Beaches will reopen at some future point, but it is uncertain when.
- Walt Disney World is changing all signage around the beach areas to reflect a warning that alligators are known to be in the area. Exact verbage is uncertain, so that is not any type of quote.
- All water recreation departing from resorts, including boat rentals, is currently suspended pending review.
- The Magic Kingdom ferryboat has returned to operation.
- The Fireworks boat cruises, including Pirates and Pals, has resumed operation.
- The Jungle Cruise is no longer making any type of jokes or references in the portion of the ride that passes the animatronic crocodiles. It’s uncertain when or if the skippers could return to using such jokes.
- Tic Tock Croc has not appeared in the Festival of Fantasy parade
- Kilimanjaro safari drivers also have new script cutting out any facts about the Nile Crocodile’s bite force, any jokes about them “always looking hungry”, the speed they can run on land/swim, their thrashing techniques when catching prey, or their diets.
It is uncertain at this time if Louis the Alligator will still appear in the new Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire at the Magic Kingdom. The show begins tomorrow, but some may see it as insensitive to present that portion of the show. I’ll be on hand tomorrow filming live for my Facebook page, so we’ll know what the show looks like.
1upgamer (@1upgamer)
Wednesday 6th of July 2016
Goodbye to the Gator statues in Port Orleans French Quarter.
Beatrice Ferguson
Saturday 9th of July 2016
That's crazy....
tchrdavidDavid Barbaree
Friday 17th of June 2016
Will they be retiring the Blizzard Beach mascot?
kennythepirate
Friday 17th of June 2016
He hasn't had a meet and greet for years. Not sure what will happen to the statues
Kathy
Friday 17th of June 2016
Thank you for the info. I also remember swimming in the lake in the 80s. No blame just love and comforting thoughts to the Graves family and Disney.
Bea Ferguson
Friday 17th of June 2016
The changes are great but unfortunately people seem to leave their common sense at home. They also pay little attention to signage. See it every day. God bless that child. Need a big sign above also staying "DONT LET YOUR CHILDREN WADE INTO THE WATER ALONE AT NIGHT ANYWHERE"!!
Jillian Eisenhardt Freeman
Friday 17th of June 2016
My understanding is they were waiting for fireworks to start. He was not alone, his whole family was right there and both his father and witnesses tried unsuccessfully to pry the gator's mouth open to release the boy before he was pulled under water and out of sight. This could have happened to anyone. Less judging and more prayers, please.
J. Lopez
Friday 17th of June 2016
I'm so happy to be a guest at Disney parks, because of the thoughtfulness and empathetic things Disney does to help in any way. Blessings to the Graves family.
Indisbelief
Sunday 19th of June 2016
I feel for the Graves family but Disney's changes represent nothing but political correctness run amok. No info on bite force? You've got to be kidding.