Author: WDWNT

Searchers finally located the body of the missing 2-year-old boy a short time ago at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.

It appears the boy was drowned since the body was found intact. Experts will compare the bite marks on the victim to the 5 alligators that were captured over the course of the last day to ensure the animal was indeed removed from the area.

Divers found the boy about 15 yards from the shoreline.

Reportedly, Matt Graves wrestled with the alligator , trying to pry to child from the alligator’s jaw, but came away only with a few scratches on his hands.

During a noon press conference, the sheriff in charge of the ongoing investigation offered a few updates on the incident.

Since it has been 15 hours since the child was taken, the effort has now become a recovery mission to bring closure to the family who suffered the loss.

5 alligators have been removed, euthanized, and examined since the search began, but no traces of the victim have been found.

There were several eyewitnesses to the incident according to the Sheriff, so any thoughts of foul play can be laid to rest.

Walt Disney World has since closed of all of the beaches in the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake areas of the resort in response, as well, all watercraft service has been suspended.

Apparently, guests at Walt Disney World are currently unable to book FastPass+ reservations.

The service interruption is affecting all booking online and through the app, but in-park kiosks are still able to book FastPass+ for guests. All existing FP+ reservations are unaffected in the outage.

If guests try to book online, the system informs guests that distribution has concluded for the day, which is of course, inaccurate.

Disney is unsure of when the problem might be fixed, stay tuned for any updates as they are provided.

The search continues by water and air over the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake at the Walt Disney World Resort as officials continue to look for a 2-year-old boy who was dragged away by a alligator roughly between 4 and 7 feet long.

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings stated that the Nebraska family of five was relaxing on the shoreline when the alligator attacked the boy. The father of the boy entered the water and tried to pry the child away from the gator, but was unsuccessful. He had minor scratches on his hands following the encounter.

The parents of the boy then ran to the nearby quiet pool at the resort and alerted a lifeguard of the situation. There are no lifeguards on the beaches as there are a multitude of signs warning guests not to go swimming in the Seven Seas Lagoon. Whether or not the child was in the water when he was attacked is still unclear at this time.

Vice President of Walt Disney World Resort Jacquee Wahler made the following statement:

“Everyone here at the Walt Disney World Resort is devastated by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the family,” he said. “We are helping the family and doing everything we can to assist law enforcement.”

In what has already been a rough week for the Orlando area, another tragic story is now developing on Disney property.

Deputies are currently searching for a missing 2-year-old boy who was dragged into the water by an alligator by the shoreline of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

It is unknown what the exact circumstances of the situation were, nor if the child or his parents are guests at the hotel.

We will update you on the search as more becomes available.

Today, the Walt Disney Company is announced a $1 million cash commitment to the OneOrlando Fund, established by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer to assist those affected by the tragic events in Orlando. Also, eligible donations from Disney employees will be matched dollar for dollar by Disney Employee Matching Gifts: A Program of The Walt Disney Company Foundation.

“We are heartbroken by this tragedy and hope our commitment will help those in the community affected by this senseless act,” said Bob Chapek, chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “With 74,000 Cast Members who call Orlando home, we mourn the loss of the victims and offer our condolences to their families, friends and loved ones.”

OneOrlando Fund will provide funds and other services to individuals affected by the tragedy. The website for the new fund is www.oneorlando.org. Anyone can donate to the fund through that website.

The Walt Disney World Resort has also been working in coordination with other Central Florida agencies and leaders to provide support to those in need. In coordination with OneBlood, cast members and other employees working at Walt Disney World Resort wishing to donate blood to help victims may donate at five designated locations across the resort property.

Through an effort led by the City of Orlando and the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association, Walt Disney World Resort is also providing complimentary accommodations for the families and friends of the victims.