Who's at Fault, Disney or the Parents?
By josefina
@josie_ (9763)
Philippines
June 18, 2016 1:31am CST
First it was a zoo Gorilla that was shot and killed because a child climb into the ape's enclosure. The mother was momentarily distracted by her other children. Now the latest incident involving an alligator grabbing a child. The parents were watching an outdoor movie when their child wandered off to a nearby lagoon where alligators occasionally manage to slip into. While the child in the first incident survive, the second wasn't so lucky.
I am surprise at the various comments blaming the parents. REALLY?!
The mother in the first incidence should have had better sense bringing several children into a public place alone. Knowing how children often get lost in crowded places she should have brought along an adult companion. But the sole responsibility for insuring public safety is the zoo administration. The security measures to keep people and animals safely apart were clearly inadequate.
As to the second incidence, "Disney" is a brand name that is associated with children. Shouldn't they "childproof" their amusement parks? After all, children are their "bread and butter" customers. Looking at photos of the lagoon and it's surrounding, I was aghast that there where no barriers.
Right, ask a two year old kid to read the warning signs posted. (I felt like slapping the head of the spokesperson/law enforcer who reminded viewers that there were warning signs around the perimeter of the lagoon)
Finally, to those blaming the parents for being "irresponsible". I wonder if you'll still go to any amusement places if you have to sign a waiver absolving the owners of any liabilities. Hey, you're "responsible" parents, it's your duty to watch where your kids wander off.
Photo Image: Pixabay
18 people like this
16 responses
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
18 Jun 16
it does seem bizarre to get eaten at any theme park short of Jurassic Park
2 people like this
@josie_ (9763)
• Philippines
18 Jun 16
@arthurchappell _ Maybe that's the new thrill in Disney World, "Enjoy the challenge and test your survival skill of not being eaten alive"
2 people like this
@josie_ (9763)
• Philippines
21 Jun 16
@valmnz _ In tragic events such as this, there are legal repercussions. Legal counsels of big corporations try to reduce their financial settlement by shifting the blame on the victims. The point of contention is whether or not the hotel management did everything possible to insure the safety of their guests. At the very least warn the parents about the alligators in the lagoon.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
18 Jun 16
Both incidents were very sad indeed. However I would have assumed that Disney would have been safe. I do not like to point the finger at either Disney or the parents certainly not the parents. They were paddling were from out of town so perhaps not so aware of the risk of alligators in Florida. Sad whatever way you look at it. It only takes a second and bam trouble!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
18 Jun 16
@josie_ Some people are just not as worldly wise or as educated. I would not expect to find alligators in a supposedly child friendly place like that. It is amazing this has not happened before. It is not as if they were swimming in the lake just paddling. It is heartbreaking non the less my heart bleeds for the parents.
@josie_ (9763)
• Philippines
18 Jun 16
@garymarsh6 _ It is my understanding that the parents were watching a movie being shown outdoor near the lagoon when their child wander off to play on the water edge. Unfortunately an alligator spotted the boy and rush out of the lagoon to grab him.
@josie_ (9763)
• Philippines
18 Jun 16
@garymarsh6 _ I have read several similar comments about the parents being out of town people. I'm from the Philippines but I'm aware the alligator population in Florida is in the millions. As to whether it's safe to be in the water with alligators, the answer would be obvious even for non-Florida residence. The important question is whether there was adequate safety measures in place.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7502)
• Canada
19 Jun 16
Traveling to an amusement venue like Disneyland, I would not have expected to have look out for alligators grabbing children. I'm with you on this one.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (9763)
• Philippines
19 Jun 16
@koopharper _Not the kind of thrill I'll look for in an amusement park. They should confine "Jurassic Park" in the movies.
1 person likes this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
19 Jun 16
OH! those two incidents you mentioned bring chills to my spine.. As a mother and now a grandmother, I am always alert when it comes to little children under my care.. I keep an eye on the grandkids like a hawk when they are around in our backyard and even inside the house because with kids, anything could happen even in places familiar to us..
I agree with you that Disney is created with kids in mind so they should have childproofed the area to make the children hundred percent safe.
How unfortunate that a young boy need to die in such tragic circumstances to make the adults realise how irresponsible they are...
1 person likes this
@josie_ (9763)
• Philippines
21 Jun 16
@epiffanie _ There are freak accidents that are beyond human control like getting struck by lightning. But most accidents occur through negligence. Not erecting barriers between the hotel guests and a lagoon where alligators are known to inhabit is simply irresponsible.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
•
19 Jul 16
Personally speaking I would be very careful with my children if I took them to the theme park. I would surely take help if I cannot handle all of them on my own in an open environment like that. Having said that it does not absolve the parks responsibility in anyway. They ought to be more responsible than this since its basically a children's theme park.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
18 Jun 16
both heart-breakin' tragedies. i dunno why folks're so quick to blame the parents when such matters occur.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (9763)
• Philippines
19 Jun 16
@crazyhorseladycx _ The parents could be faulted if the place they were in was considered dangerous. That would have been irresponsible. But an amusement park isn't a place where wild animals should be roaming around freely.
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
19 Jun 16
@josie_ this's true, but then the same could be said 'bout bein''n gator country one should be most wary. doesn't matter who's to blame, a sweet babe lost its life 'n the parents've to live with that.
1 person likes this
@lilnana1111 (2305)
• United States
19 Jul 16
Both incidents were hearbreaking, I can't imagine what those parents are going through.
1 person likes this
@Macarrosel (7498)
• Philippines
18 Jun 16
That's why I tried my best to guard my children well. I was sad for the parents who lost their child in such a tragic and horrible accident.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (9763)
• Philippines
18 Jun 16
@Macarrosel _ The trauma of the incident will take the parents a long time to get over with, if at all.
2 people like this
@josie_ (9763)
• Philippines
18 Jun 16
@ida123 _ We can't be with our children 24/7 and at some point we do assign responsibility to other people we consider responsible like teachers when students have field trips. This post isn't about neglecting our obligations as parents but how safe are amusement parks.
1 person likes this
