INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Gives Guests Comp Rooms Following Gator Attack

By Effie Orfanides
Published on: 09:53 PST, Jun 16, 2016

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has been a nightmarish scene for a couple of days now after a young boy playing on the beach area was attacked by an alligator. The incident happened on Tuesday when 2-year-old Lane was wading in the waters of the Seven Seas Lagoon when a gator grabbed him.

In the wake of this tragedy, the Grand Floridian is reportedly comping guest rooms, though it’s unclear how many rooms have been refunded.

Lane was on vacation with his parents and his sister when the unthinkable happened. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, the Nebraska family of four were relaxing near the sand after 9 p.m. in an area where there is no swimming allowed, but children often hang out. As Lane and his sister were enjoying movie night (an outdoor event held at the hotel), their parents looked on, never once suspecting what would happen next.

During the film, Lane wandered into the water, just going in a little ways. Within minutes, a gator came out of the water and attacked him, dragging him deeper into the lagoon. Despite a heroic effort by his father who rushed into the water to try to free his son from the gator’s jaws, Lane disappeared. His mother rushed into the water, frantically searching for her little boy, but to no avail.

While there aren’t any posted alligator warning signs at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, there are alligators in the lagoon.

Almost immediately, Disney personnel flooded the scene and emergency crews were called. Search and rescue efforts continued overnight and didn’t stop until the boy’s body was recovered by a dive team the next day. Several alligators were caught and euthanized in the process, but none have been confirmed as the one responsible for Lane’s tragic death.

According to the Orange County Medical Examiner, Lane’s cause of death was listed as due to drowning and traumatic injuries, according to CNN.

Management at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has acknowledged the gravity of this situation and the effects it has had on their guests and have reportedly tried to ease the stress on their patrons. According to TMZ, the hotel has comped an unknown, but an expected large amount, of guest rooms.

“A number of guests staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa tell us the hotel was turned upside down after the 2-year-old went missing. Various parts of the property were on lockdown, and no one from the resorts was cluing in the guests. After some complaining, the resort offered free rooms, which averaged $560 a night. It’s unclear if everyone got comped, but if they did… with 867 rooms that’s nearly half a mil.”

It is unknown if the family was staying at the Grand Floridian at the time of the attack.

Some feel as though Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and the Walt Disney World resort didn’t do enough to warn families of the potential dangers lurking, in the form of deadly reptiles. Other resorts in the Seven Seas Lagoon area do have signs that warn of the presence of alligators.

The Grand Floridian is one of Disney’s “deluxe resorts” and tends to range in price from $350/night to over $600/night at peak times. The interior boasts luxury and southern charm. The hotel grounds are beautifully landscaped and have magnificent views of the Magic Kingdom.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and other hotels on the Seven Seas Lagoon have closed their beaches indefinitely.

[Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images]

Share this article: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Gives Guests Comp Rooms Following Gator Attack
Walt Disney World
More from Inquisitr