Disney has announced that a lighthouse statue will be added to the Walt Disney World property in honor of Lane Graves, the toddler killed by an alligator last June.
A lighthouse was chosen because it is the symbol of The Lane Thomas Foundation. The foundation was stated by the Graves Family as a way for their son’s legacy to live on. The intent for the foundation to serve as a “beacon of hope” for other families in crisis. The family chose to use Lane’s first and last name because when anyone asked his name he always responded, “I’m Lane Thomas. I’m two.”
“To provide continued awareness of the foundation and its mission, we’ve commissioned an original sculpture of the lighthouse the foundation uses as a symbol of love and hope, to be installed on our property this summer,” George A. Kalogridis, president of Walt Disney World Resort, said in a statement Tuesday.
Tomorrow, June 14, makes the tragic one year anniversary of Lanes’ passing. Lane and his family were enjoying an evening on the shoreline of The Grand Floridan Resort and Spa. Lane was playing in the sand on the beach area of the resort when an alligator appeared from the Seven Seas Lagoon and pulled him under. Lanes’ father, Matt Graves, jumped in to fight the gator off but was unsuccessful. Lane’s body was later recovered and his death was ruled an accident.
This tragedy brought some changes to the Walt Disney World Resort. Fences were added to the shorelines of resorts that were directly on a body of water and signs were installed advising guests that reptiles were present in the water around Disney World.
The location of the lighthouse statue has not been announced.
To learn more about the Lane Thomas Foundation, CLICK HERE.
Source: Orlando Sentinel
Let our friends at Destinations to Travel help you book your next Disney Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.
Get started below for your FREE No Obligation Quote.
Book With our friends at Destinations to Travel
For the BEST in Disney, Universal, Dollywood, and SeaWorld Theme Park News, Entertainment, Merchandise & More follow us on, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Don't forget to check out the Chip and Company Radio Network too!
