Disney to install gator warning signs at resorts
Tuesday, 17 Jun, 2016
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Walt Disney World said it will install signs warning of alligators in the area, as a man came forward claiming he was attacked by an alligator at another Disney resort 30 years ago.
Paul Santamaria, of Hebron, NH, recalled being attacked while feeding ducks at a pond at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort when he was eight years old.
The Fort Wilderness Resort is located just a few miles from the Grand Floridian resort where two-year-old Lane Graves was killed after being dragged into the water earlier this week.
Santamaria spent a week in hospital with injuries after the dangerously close encounter in 1986.
Another gator attack also took place just last year at Disney World’s Coronado Springs Resort, according to a CBS News in San Diego.
When resort guest, San Diego lawyer David Hiden, reported the gator sighting to resort staff he was told: "Those are resident pets, and we’ve known about them for years and they’re harmless, they’re not going to attack anybody."
At Grand Floridian Resort there were ‘No Swimming’ signs at the lagoon but not signs warning about the dangers of alligators.
"We are conducting a swift and thorough review of all of our processes and protocols. This includes the number, placement and wording of our signage and warnings," Walt Disney World Resort vice president Jacquee Wahler said in a statement.
"We have a large property, and from time to time, we have to remove alligators from our property. Nearly one-third of Walt Disney World property is set aside as a conservation area and these areas attract a variety of native wildlife," Wahler said.
A senior source at Disney then told CNN alligator warning signs would be erected at all waterways on Walt Disney World resorts.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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