Memorial Lighthouse honors boy killed by alligator at Disney World
The Grand Floridian Resort at Walt Disney World has unveiled a memorial lighthouse to honor the late Lane Thomas Graves.
Updated June 2026 to include information about the 10-year anniversary and the Lane Thomas Foundation.
A decade later: Lane’s light continues to shine
Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017 following the dedication of the lighthouse memorial honoring Lane Graves at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. It has been updated to mark the 10-year anniversary of Lane’s passing and to highlight the continued work of the Lane Thomas Foundation, established by his family in his memory to support pediatric transplant families and promote organ donation awareness.
Ahead of the 10-year anniversary of Lane Graves’ passing, his family is once again sharing the story of the little boy whose memory inspired the lighthouse overlooking Seven Seas Lagoon. Matt and Melissa Graves told NBC’s TODAY that they plan to release a tribute video through the Lane Thomas Foundation on June 14, honoring Lane’s life and expressing gratitude to those who have supported their family over the past decade. “Lane had a special light about him and cared for his family deeply,” they said. “We simply want to shine a light on our beautiful, blue-eyed boy at this very difficult milestone.”
Since the lighthouse was dedicated in 2017, the Lane Thomas Foundation has expanded its mission to support pediatric transplant families and promote organ donation awareness. The organization has assisted approximately 200 families by helping cover everyday expenses while parents focus on their children’s care.
Original coverage: Disney unveils lighthouse memorial for Lane Graves
Two-year-old Graves was the victim of a horrid incident at the beach of the Grand Floridian a little over a year ago. During a nighttime outdoor movie, Lane was dragged into the Seven Seas Lagoon by an alligator. He did not survive the incident and since then Disney has majorly increased their animal protection procedures.
Video of Disney's construction company building a fence along the beach at Grand Floridian – by @TharinWhite pic.twitter.com/xfNBOesAwe
— Attractions Magazine (@Attractions) June 17, 2016
Our Tweet from last year shows construction at the Grand Floridian beachfront area. Currently there is no access beachside to water anywhere at the resort. There is also new signage all over property that warns guests about wild animals in the area.
Just this week, the Grand Floridian Resort unveiled a memorial lighthouse in his honor. Lane’s parents established the Lane Thomas foundation after his passing and use a lighthouse as the symbol. The family seeks to use this tragedy and its awareness to gain funds to help other families affected by a tragedy. Their foundation and its focus use Lane’s memory to help others across the globe.
