In times of tragedy like this, there's always the "woulda shoulda" bunch.  I would challenge anyone to wrestle and force open the mouth of a 4 foot gator in the water.  In probably 99.9% of the case the gator is going to win.  If it's a bigger one as reported, there's no way, but I digress.

 

I heard something on the radio regarding Disney resort employees knowing of customers feeding them.  I didn't catch the whole story and couldn't really find anything on the internet other than this story from the Orlando newspaper.  If it's true and Disney management is aware of the practice and doesn't discourage the practice, then there could be a major lawsuit coming.

 

From the article.

Quote: 

San Diego attorney David Hiden told the Orlando Sentinel on Wednesday that last year he whisked his son to safety at Disney's Coronado Springs after a gator approached the boy playing in calf-deep water. Then Hiden saw a second gator nearby. Hiden said a hotel manager called one of them a "resident pet" and seemed unconcerned
.

 

...

 

One employee at the Disney property who did not want to be identified said in an email "there is such a problem on property with guests feeding the alligators thinking it's cool."
Visitors at Buena Vista Palace regularly feed two of them
from the balconies, he said.
 

 

If it's true that Disney management or Disney Resort management was aware of this, then I see a major lawsuit.  As I stated in an earlier post, feeding them in any way is a huge "no-no" because they soon lose their natural instinct to be afraid of humans.  Allowing that practice to happen presents a clear danger to their customers, especially if it's common to be out there after dark near the water (as was this case) to watch the fireworks display.

 

The bottom line is, a little boy lost his life and his family is permanently scarred after what should have been a "relaxing, fun vacation".

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