Alligator Spotted in Disney World Lake Where Toddler Was Killed

Walt Disney selected Central Florida for his second theme park because of the expansive, cheap land and warm climate–but thousands of acres of swampland didn’t come without drawbacks. It’s humid; some ground isn’t solid enough to build upon, and there’s ample wildlife. You might spot a snake or an alligator on your Walt Disney World Resort vacation!

Disney cast members have captured and relocated hundreds of alligators since 2016 alone, ensuring they find wild homes while protecting Disney Park guests. Last September, half of Magic Kingdom Park shut down after cast members spotted a black bear roaming in the woods near Frontierland! The bear was also trapped and released.

Most Floridians know that where there is still water, there are alligators. For this reason, Walt Disney World Resort doesn’t permit swimming or wading in its natural waterways. In 2017, Disney added dozens of signs across the Central Florida Disney parks after a toddler tragically died following an alligator attack at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

On June 14, 2016, 2-year-old Lane Graves was wading and scooping up sand on the beach of the Seven Seas Lagoon. Disney’s Grand Floridian shares the lake with Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

Divers found the toddler’s body after 16 hours of searching. It was discovered that an eight-foot alligator killed Graves. His family started the Lane Thomas Foundation, which supports families whose children need organ donors. They later erected a lighthouse memorial on the beach where he lost his life.

This week, a Walt Disney World Resort guest spotted a large alligator in the Seven Seas Lagoon. Redditor u/sexygaypalpatine shared photos of the reptile’s head and back just above the water a few hundred feet from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort hotel:

Disney Alligator saying hi 

Disney Alligator saying hi
byu/sexygaypalpatine inDisneyWorld

Though they appear menacing, alligators seldom attack humans unless provoked or scared. Like other wildlife in the Central Florida swamps, they’ll usually leave people alone as long as people leave them alone.

The guest notified a Disney cast member, who called in a special lake patrol team.

“They called the lake patrol and they looked around a few minutes and left,” the guest explained. “They mentioned calling animal control but said they could only do that if they saw the gator.”

Once discovered, the reptile will likely be relocated to a more remote area. Wildlife Conservation Commission officials rarely euthanize non-aggressive animals.

It’s common to encounter wildlife at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs, or Disney Resort hotels. But it’s unlikely that any Florida wildlife poses any danger. Notify the nearest Walt Disney World Resort cast member with any safety concerns.

Have you ever spotted an alligator at Walt Disney World Resort? Share your story with Inside the Magic in the comments.