Disney Gator Attack Puts Key Business at Risk

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Disney’s woes are very small compared to those of the family that just lost a two-year-old in an alligator attack at the company’s Grand Floridian resort.

But if Disney handles the tragedy insensitively — or fails to quickly reassure families that its other attractions are safe — it is putting one of its most important businesses, theme parks, at risk. The challenge arises at what was supposed to be a triumphant moment for Disney: Its new Shanghai park opens today (Thursday, local time).

Disney’s theme parks make up about 31 percent of overall company revenue annually. Only the company’s media networks — the segment of the company that includes ESPN and ABC — earns more. Theme parks earned $16.62 billion in fiscal 2015 — which was up 7 percent from the comparable prior year.

Also Read: Is Disney Legally Liable for the Gator Attack?

Disney had a really strong 2015, hitting a company-record $8.4 billion in net income, up 12 percent year over year. Theme parks contributed significantly to that growth, and the Shanghai park is key to its growth strategy.

So far, for fiscal 2016, Parks revenue was up 9 percent in the first quarter and 4 percent in the second.

Could those gains reverse course as unthinkable tragedy struck just before the busy summer months?

Also Read: Disney Gator Attack: Toddler's Body Recovered

Disney, understandably, is only speaking about its sorrow for the family of Lane Graves, the child who died.

“As a parent and a grandparent, my heart goes out to the Graves family during this time of devastating loss,” said Bob Iger, chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company. “My thoughts and prayers are with them, and I know everyone at Disney joins me in offering our deepest sympathies.”

Also Read: Disney Closes All Resort Beaches After Alligator Attack on Toddler (Updated)

The Grand Floridian could get calls for cancellations — and could face a lawsuit, or insurance hikes. The park — and maybe entire Central Florida operation — will probably need to incur unexpected costs to reassure guests and combat bad press.

Today, all beach resorts were temporarily closed following the attack, amid reports of at least one other recent gator sighting surfacing.

Of course, Disney is so massive that the financial fallout could prove a drop in a very deep bucket. Disney stock slid just 0.14 percent today.

13 Other Dark Disney Moments Before 'Jungle Book' (Photos)

"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937)
First Snow White gets lured into the woods by a huntsman who wants to kill her, but he shows mercy. However, the scary moments aren't over as she walks through the terrifying forest, which becomes hostile towards her. Obviously, the whole Evil Queen thing is incredibly dark and sinister as well, as she tries to poison Snow White out of jealousy.
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"Pinocchio" (1940)
Well, Pinocchio's punishment for being a bad boy is to be turned partially into a donkey, or a literal jackass. Also, his father got swallowed by a gigantic whale so Pinocchio goes to rescue him and also dives into Monstro's mouth.

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"Fantasia" (1940)
"Fantasia" sets itself apart from all other Disney movies as it mashes together animation and famous classical music. However, at one point, a demon named Chernabog sits on top of a mountain and sends ghosts and unearthly creatures to the village below. Horrifying.
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"Bambi" (1942)
We all know this tear-jerker scene, in which Bambi goes on a stroll with his mother when she senses a hunter nearby. Her instincts prove correct, and soon shots ring out, killing the mother and leaving Bambi to call out for his mom.

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"Alice in Wonderland" (1951)
Many theorists have claimed that Alice's journey to Wonderland actually represents a trip on acid, and many have theorized that the movie is about drugs. Whatever the truth is, all the characters she meets are downright dark and scary, especially the Queen of Hearts.
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"Escape to Witch Mountain" (1975)
Two orphans who have psychic/telekinetic powers get chased by a millionaire, forcing them to go to Witch Mountain to find their "true" family. Scary stuff for young or sensitive kids. There's even a flashback in which someone drowns.
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"Return to Oz" (1985)
This film was actually criticized for being too dark and terrifying for children. The fantasy film has Dorothy getting electroshock therapy at the beginning, and the characters of the mental institution present themselves in the World of Oz. All in all, Dorothy explores some scary places.
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"The Black Cauldron" (1985)
This movie became the first Disney animated film to receive a PG rating. An evil Horned King seeks to obtain a magical Black Cauldron in the hope to enslave the rest of the world -- the King himself is a figure with a skeletal body, glowing red eyes and a terrifying voice.
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"The Jungle Book" (1994)
This first attempt to bring a live action Mowgli to the screen featured Cary Elwes getting devoured by a giant python.
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"The Lion King" (1994)
One of the most famous moments in Disney history is when Scar kills Mufasa while Simba is watching. The most heartbreaking moment, however, is when Simba gets to Mufasa's lifeless body and starts tugging at his fur, only to start crying and cuddling up against the corpse of his dead father.
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"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1996)
Lots and lots of dark moments here: From a deformed boy being locked up in a cathedral, to being ridiculed in public, to the way gypsies are portrayed in the film, "The Hunchback" is one of Disney's darker offerings. And Frollo's thoughts about Esmeralda evoke Catholic guilt and he decides he would rather burn down Paris than let anyone else have her.
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"Hercules" (1997)
Filled with ancient monsters and the God of the Underworld, "Hercules" is another dark movie as the female lead, Meg, literally sells her soul to Hades and spends the rest of her life hating the concept of love.
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"Finding Nemo" (2003)
Yes, "Finding Nemo" is on the list. At the start of the movie, an entire clown fish population is devoured by a vicious barracuda. During Marlin's quest to find his son, Nemo (after he goes missing during a school day), he encounters dangerous-looking sea creatures and swims through shipwrecks and minefields.
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From “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Alice in Wonderland” to “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” see extremely scary and sad plotlines from classic Disney films

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