Starwood Might Want to Update the Swan & Dolphin Site Photos
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Madison, NJ
Programs: DL PM, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 2,560
Starwood Might Want to Update the Swan & Dolphin Site Photos
Given the tragedy at the Grand Floridian, Starwood may want to update its photos for the property that shows about 5 young children playing in the sand at the shore of one of the Disney lakes. Clearly, these lakes are not safe for play, and this photo just sends the wrong message.
#2
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: IHG Spire, Marriott
Posts: 574
Perhaps you want to email the property and suggest they remove it from the gallery?
[email protected]
[email protected]
#3
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA - 1K 1MM; Hyatt - Explorist; Marriott - Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,586
This suggestion is akin to having a property pull down exterior photos because someone once jumped off a balcony, or for a town to no longer post pictures of a public park because someone once was struck by lightening.
I just think this is quite an alarmist reaction to what is admittedly a very sad, but extraordinarily unlikely, situation.
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
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Posts: 10,869
Perhaps you want to email the property and suggest they remove it from the gallery?
[email protected]
[email protected]
BIG to this. While the incident is certainly very tragic, this was an extremely freak occurrence. The children on the man made beach are well away from the water, while the children in the swan boat are wearing life jackets.
This suggestion is akin to having a property pull down exterior photos because someone once jumped off a balcony, or for a town to no longer post pictures of a public park because someone once was struck by lightening.
I just think this is quite an alarmist reaction to what is admittedly a very sad, but extraordinarily unlikely, situation.
This suggestion is akin to having a property pull down exterior photos because someone once jumped off a balcony, or for a town to no longer post pictures of a public park because someone once was struck by lightening.
I just think this is quite an alarmist reaction to what is admittedly a very sad, but extraordinarily unlikely, situation.
Given the tragedy at the Grand Floridian, Starwood may want to update its photos for the property that shows about 5 young children playing in the sand at the shore of one of the Disney lakes. Clearly, these lakes are not safe for play, and this photo just sends the wrong message.
Honestly, the property has to market itself fully.
The bigger problem is the outdated photos on the site!
#5
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
The "beach" at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels is located on a very small body of water. Check out this aerial photo courtesy of Bing Maps:
Link to map: http://binged.it/1tBTDq8
While I don't know with 100% certainty, I think it's fairly reasonable to believe that there are no alligators in that pond. There wouldn't be a lot for the gator to eat. Additionally, for it to get to that water, the gator would have to take a fairly long walk along concrete pathways.
There is no need for the hotel to remove this photo, as far as I'm concerned.
Link to map: http://binged.it/1tBTDq8
While I don't know with 100% certainty, I think it's fairly reasonable to believe that there are no alligators in that pond. There wouldn't be a lot for the gator to eat. Additionally, for it to get to that water, the gator would have to take a fairly long walk along concrete pathways.
There is no need for the hotel to remove this photo, as far as I'm concerned.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Madison, NJ
Programs: DL PM, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 2,560
WDW has closed all of its beaches... I assume the Swan and Dolphin beaches are closed as well.
It is very possible and easy for a gator to get in this lake likely through a number of connected tunnel systems throughout the resort. To think a small body of water would not house a gator is not logical. Many, many small bodies of water near highways have gators that live in them. So it is quite possible this small body of water could have one.
I have small kids, and to think that these beaches are 100% safe at water's edge is just misleading. I think playing farther in on the beach is safer given the recent situation. It is because of representations like this, that the beaches were safe to play and wade in the water, is why this family suffered an unspeakable tragedy.
I think the appropriate thing for Starwood would be to take the photo down and shoot another photo not near the water's edge.
It is very possible and easy for a gator to get in this lake likely through a number of connected tunnel systems throughout the resort. To think a small body of water would not house a gator is not logical. Many, many small bodies of water near highways have gators that live in them. So it is quite possible this small body of water could have one.
I have small kids, and to think that these beaches are 100% safe at water's edge is just misleading. I think playing farther in on the beach is safer given the recent situation. It is because of representations like this, that the beaches were safe to play and wade in the water, is why this family suffered an unspeakable tragedy.
I think the appropriate thing for Starwood would be to take the photo down and shoot another photo not near the water's edge.
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
Odd...don't find the picture offensive OR insensitive. In the slightest.
Such a freak occurrence... take it from a Floridian who sees gators almost daily.
Such a freak occurrence... take it from a Floridian who sees gators almost daily.
#8
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Paradise
Posts: 1,617
BIG to this. While the incident is certainly very tragic, this was an extremely freak occurrence. The children on the man made beach are well away from the water, while the children in the swan boat are wearing life jackets.
This suggestion is akin to having a property pull down exterior photos because someone once jumped off a balcony, or for a town to no longer post pictures of a public park because someone once was struck by lightening.
I just think this is quite an alarmist reaction to what is admittedly a very sad, but extraordinarily unlikely, situation.
This suggestion is akin to having a property pull down exterior photos because someone once jumped off a balcony, or for a town to no longer post pictures of a public park because someone once was struck by lightening.
I just think this is quite an alarmist reaction to what is admittedly a very sad, but extraordinarily unlikely, situation.
Agreed. I take more issue with that dirty mucky water being a beach.
#9
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA - 1K 1MM; Hyatt - Explorist; Marriott - Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,586
WDW has closed all of its beaches... I assume the Swan and Dolphin beaches are closed as well.
It is very possible and easy for a gator to get in this lake likely through a number of connected tunnel systems throughout the resort. To think a small body of water would not house a gator is not logical. Many, many small bodies of water near highways have gators that live in them. So it is quite possible this small body of water could have one.
I have small kids, and to think that these beaches are 100% safe at water's edge is just misleading. I think playing farther in on the beach is safer given the recent situation. It is because of representations like this, that the beaches were safe to play and wade in the water, is why this family suffered an unspeakable tragedy.
I think the appropriate thing for Starwood would be to take the photo down and shoot another photo not near the water's edge.
It is very possible and easy for a gator to get in this lake likely through a number of connected tunnel systems throughout the resort. To think a small body of water would not house a gator is not logical. Many, many small bodies of water near highways have gators that live in them. So it is quite possible this small body of water could have one.
I have small kids, and to think that these beaches are 100% safe at water's edge is just misleading. I think playing farther in on the beach is safer given the recent situation. It is because of representations like this, that the beaches were safe to play and wade in the water, is why this family suffered an unspeakable tragedy.
I think the appropriate thing for Starwood would be to take the photo down and shoot another photo not near the water's edge.
Clearly, the Swan / Dolphin suggesting the swimming pools are 100% safe is just misleading. We better pull those down too.
I'm also terribly concerned by this representation of Mickey and Minnie Mouse so closely to this alligator-infested tributary.
Imagine the crippling blow to the national psyche in the event of an alligator-derived mouse-snatching.
Additionally, this beach is clearly not safe for hosting high-level executive meetings. I think we can all agree it best that the below is struck from this property's website:
#10
Join Date: Aug 2010
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#11
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wayne, PA USA
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#12
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
Having walked that beach with my young children hundreds and hundreds of times, I have no concerns whatsoever. I will continue to remain vigilant for any dangers but I would not hesitate to keep enjoying this property.
And, re: one of the up thread posts, since there has never been any pond swimming allowed at the S/D, closing it is a mute point.
The fact of the matter is - as horrific as the Grand Floridian incident was - there is a far greater risk of dying from sun stoke at Disney than by gator.
Cheers,
Cheers,
And, re: one of the up thread posts, since there has never been any pond swimming allowed at the S/D, closing it is a mute point.
The fact of the matter is - as horrific as the Grand Floridian incident was - there is a far greater risk of dying from sun stoke at Disney than by gator.
Cheers,
Cheers,
#13
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
It appears that the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort recognizes that the chance an alligator will show up on their beach is quite minute. They will be hosting a special event soon:
Activities include:
Lots more information about this event can be found on the Swan/Dolphin website: http://www.swandolphin.com/sandtastic/
Activities include:
- Master Sand Sculpture Demonstrations
- Sand Sculpting Classes
- Speed Sand Demonstrations
- DJ Dance in the Sand Party
- Cinema on the Sand
- And more!
Lots more information about this event can be found on the Swan/Dolphin website: http://www.swandolphin.com/sandtastic/
#14
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
I was thinking the same thing when I got this email. They do this every year. With any luck, we'll be there on those dates!
Cheers,
Cheers,
#15
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Actually, I think all major financial company CEOs should be encouraged to attend!