Today marks a solemn anniversary for the Walt Disney World community. On June 14, 2016, 2-year-old Lane Graves lost his life in a tragic alligator attack while playing near the shoreline of the Seven Seas Lagoon at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Orlando. The incident shocked the nation and left an indelible mark on the Disney Resort experience.
Lane had been playing along the edge of the water with his family nearby when the unthinkable happened. In the aftermath, questions about safety, signage, and wildlife awareness on Disney property sparked intense public conversation and internal reassessment.
Tragedy Leads to Big Changes
In response, Disney implemented sweeping changes across its resort properties, including installing fences and barriers along waterfronts, increasing signage warning of wildlife dangers, and limiting guest access to certain lagoon and lake areas. These changes were quickly adopted and have remained in place ever since.
But perhaps the most lasting legacy belongs not to Disney’s physical changes, but to Lane’s family.
In the wake of their unimaginable loss, Matt and Melissa Graves created the Lane Thomas Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring their son’s memory by supporting families with children in need of life-saving organ transplants. Through grants, awareness campaigns, and advocacy efforts, the foundation has become a force for good, bringing hope to families across the country.
Remembering Lane
Each year, the anniversary serves not only as a time of remembrance but also as a reminder of the importance of safety, preparedness, and compassion within theme parks and beyond. Disney has not held formal public memorials, but the area near the Grand Floridian’s lagoon remains a quiet site of reflection for many visitors who know the story.
As the nine-year mark arrives, many across the Disney community continue to honor Lane’s memory and the positive impact his story has inspired.
To learn more about the Lane Thomas Foundation or support its mission, visit lanethomas.org.
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