Back on June 19, 2016, we reported that temporary fencing and signs were being erected along shorelines at Walt Disney World in in the wake of the unfortunate tragedy of a 2-year old child getting killed by an alligator.
At the time, we wondered what the permanent solution might be, and we suggested that adding rocks along the shoreline might be appropriate.
Well, it looks like Disney may be doing just that. Earlier this week, Disney began bringing in plastic tarps, sand and rocks to the shoreline. They took down the fences, laid down some sand and black tarp, and covered the tarp with rocks. They then put the rope fencing back up.
Here is what the shoreline along the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa looked like on the afternoon of July 15.
What do you think of this approach?
It may help by the resorts but what about the rest of the WDW parks? The alligators will still get in other areas. So what will they do then? I have never seen one and we have been to WDW since 1998.
When the accident happened recently the guests involved had entered the water to paddle. The fencing is about keeping guests away from the water, not Alligators away from guests. Its Florida and there will always be gators, but staying away from the water and not feeding the wildlife (as it encourages them to get closer) will prevent most issues.
Eh nah, why worry about the other resorts. Alligators and Disney only want rich meat.
What about the other hotels? Any plans for them?
I think it should have been done when they built the resort there.
When the resorts opened the gators were more scared of humans and kept away, as people have been feeding the wildlife recently the animals have been getting closer.
Also lake swimming used to be permitted, until a combination of the brain-eating amoeba being found and lawyers being scared of death in water that doesn’t have lifeguards. Today’s Disney is very different to 40 years ago.
so alligators don’t walk on rocks? I saw an alligator climb 5ft chain link fence??
It’s meant to be a more physical, visible barrier to prevent humans from going into the water, not something guaranteed to keep alligators out. In Florida, that sort of thing isn’t possible.
I don’t think there really is a way to keep the alligators out of their natural habitat, but it is estheticly pleasing and the rocks will discourage people from “playing” at the water’s edge.
Thanks for the photos and update! The fence and rock are well done – they look to me as if they were always meant to look this way.
The fencing and rocks look very nice. Hoping the Yellow line in the water is underwater fence to keep alligators away from the shoreline. There isn’t a way to keep alligators out of their natural habitat after all they have been in Florida longer then WDW but the fencing and rocks will keep people especially children from the waters edge and parents need to be mindful and keep a close eye on their children. Hopefully this will never happen again, such a horrible accident.
Someone mentioned that yellow barrier was temporary to keep construction debris from floating into the lake.
Just got back for Grand Floridian today. The actual shoreline is raised up about 2-3 feet with the addition of the rocks. They added hundreds of yards of sand to raise the beach level up to meet the new rock height. Also talked to one of the workers and he indicated that this is the first of 23 beach areas to get the new design. Seeing what went into this one I can’t imagine the effort and cost that will be required to address all beach areas.
Just got back 7/24 from 1st stay at Grand Floridian. Wow! That place is amazing! As for the fence and rocks – they don’t look bad at all.