Can you believe this?

[ms.yt]

I have 2 children, both in college, both who started going to WDW before their 3rd birthdays and both who learned what to do if they got separated before it happened. They never got separated at WDW but if they did it would have been my fault, I wouldn't be going after a CM because I screwed up.

 

[Narnia]

Even if the "danger" of being abducted at wdw is low the fact kids need to be found because kids aren't street smart. Geez what if your child gets lost at night and you told him/her you were going to go back to the hotel and then he chooses to LEAVE the park would you want CM help then? what if the child gets taken into a stall with a sex offender? big deal he was only gone for 10 min and it's WDW thoses things don't happen( explain that to the child later in life).It's the what if's I'm afraid of. Even if reality is that if I walk alone at night I could get jumped doesn't mean I will but I make sure I walk with someone else. Just because it hasn't happened doesn't mean it won't. As parents we have responsibilities and one includes finding your missing child asap. My older 2 were wonderers just turning your head for a second they would be gone. I cried my share of tears and recieved help when I needed it.Disney has a responsibility to keep the kids safe .

 

[Purseval]

Even if the "danger" of being abducted at wdw is low the fact kids need to be found because kids aren't street smart. Geez what if your child gets lost at night and you told him/her you were going to go back to the hotel and then he chooses to LEAVE the park would you want CM help then? what if the child gets taken into a stall with a sex offender? big deal he was only gone for 10 min and it's WDW thoses things don't happen( explain that to the child later in life).It's the what if's I'm afraid of.

Then for you running around screaming like a Banshee is the best course of action. In fact I'd spend at least a week before each vacation practicing my screaming just in case.

 

[bwilcox]

Then for you running around screaming like a Banshee is the best course of action. In fact I'd spend at least a week before each vacation practicing my screaming just in case.

It is natural for a mother to be panicked when a child is lost; in fact, I find it odd that you are so nonchalant about missing children. A child can wander off in a second and be lost from sight, especially in a place as large and crowded as WDW. It isn't necessarily anyone's fault. While it isn't the CM's fault the child was lost, it is part of the CM's job to take immediate action when it is reported to them that a child is missing. ALL CM's are taught this.

 

[rie'smom]

Sometimes it's best to ignore the trolls.

 

[JeanfromBNA]

AJ's Mommy, I understand your concern, but the NISMART definition for non-family abducted children is by their own admission rather broad. The 58,200 children reported kidnapped by nonfamily includes those who were reported missing for as little as one hour. According to the NISMART 2 bulletin issued in 2003, 115 "stereotypical kidnappings," in which a stranger takes a child 50 or more miles away and detains them overnight with the intent of harming the child or holding them for ransom occurred during the study year. Here's the link via the Polly Klaas Foundation:

http://www.pollyklaas.org/media/pdf/NISMARTIIhighlights.pdf

I'm not dismissing your concern, or the OPs concern, I just think that it's helpful to put things into perspective. There's a lot of good information in that bulletin.

 

[melancholywings]

I'm glad everything turned out ok. I think the CM should have been quicker to be involved and better trained - but I also think as parents in situations like these we need to be more proactive and yeah it's crappy to say this, but down right bully people for our children's wellfare. Something happens to my kid and I turn into angry, butt kicking, mama bear. I throw my usually docile and shy disposition aside and I will beat them down with my shoe to find my kid if I have to.

I wish your sister wouldn't have assumed that people were thinking she shouldn't have more kids than she could take care of just because her child got lost. They were most likely thinking 'hope that woman finds her kid - hope that doesn't happen to my kid - or oh look mickey ice cream bars.....'

 

[Purseval]

Sometimes it's best to ignore the trolls.

And when you can't make your point with any clarity it's best to call the poster a troll to distract from your weak argument.

 

[katieandemismom]

So let's take being kidnapped out of the equation. A four year old typically has little experience in making important decisions. My six year old would probably panic if she got separated from us in a place as big as AK, and she wouldn't know the park well enough to be able to navigate it. What if the child ended up trying to find a cast member to help but wandered into an unsafe area. There are places that are off-limits b/c they are dangerous, and small children might try to get into those areas b/c they wouldn't be as crowded as others. Yes - it would be stupid for the child to do it, but a terrified 4 yr old alone in a strange place with a bunch of people he or she doesn't know should be pretty freaked out (after all we educate them not to talk to strangers - strangers are bad). I'd say there are many reasons to panic if your young child goes missing, and a cast member who doesn't stop to help you search is certainly lax in judgement. The CM needs to be on it in a heartbeat b/c let's face it, not only is it the right thing to do, but a kid who wanders off and gets hurt while mom is waiting patiently by the CM is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Also, there may never have been a child kidnapped from a park, but there is always a first time for everything. We were staying at AKL when the Swan incident happened, and every parent I saw was talking about it. We felt safe to let our guard down b/c of where we were - Disney. The incident could have been at any pool - at any resort - at any park. It was a huge reality check to dh and I. We try to keep the girls in sight at all times b/c not even the happiest place on earth is 100% safe. I just pray it never happens to us.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

And when you can't make your point with any clarity it's best to call the poster a troll to distract from your weak argument.

I don't agree with what you're saying, Purseval, but I don't think you're a troll. People start the name calling when they have nothing constructive to say. Now, I don't think you are right about it not being Disney's responsibility to help you find your lost child. They make it their responsibility when they train their CMs to respond. It was the CM's job to help and she refused to. That's a big deal. It has nothing to do with whether or not the parents were upset or how they themselves responded.

 

[AJKMOM]

I don't agree with what you're saying, Purseval, but I don't think you're a troll. People start the name calling when they have nothing constructive to say. Now, I don't think you are right about it not being Disney's responsibility to help you find your lost child. They make it their responsibility when they train their CMs to respond. It was the CM's job to help and she refused to. That's a big deal. It has nothing to do with whether or not the parents were upset or how they themselves responded.

This is the correct response to Purseval, thanks.

If there were big signs everywhere "Not Responsible for Lost Children" , then this would not have even been reported.

Purseval is the dad of children, not the mom, and they think differently than women when children are involved.

 

[Purseval]

Now, I don't think you are right about it not being Disney's responsibility to help you find your lost child. They make it their responsibility when they train their CMs to respond. It was the CM's job to help and she refused to. That's a big deal. It has nothing to do with whether or not the parents were upset or how they themselves responded.

I never said it wasn't Disney's responsibility to help you find your lost child. If you reread the thread you will see I was responding to the suggestion that the CM be dealt with harshly because of the "stuff" that could have happened, when in reality they are not only in the happiest place on earth but one that has historically proven to be one of the safest and secure places as well. I counseled panic as the last resort, not the first because losing your head has never been shown to help a situation.

 

[goofy4tink]

So what "stuff" happens at WDW? I asked for examples, where are they?



And why is that? Why would it be that parents would be thinking their child go snatched rather than their child just wandered off if it wasn't for semi-hysterical displays like we have seen in this thread?

Some "stuff" is a lot rarer than other "stuff". Statistically your child is far more likely to be killed/injured riding a bicycle. Do we have threads about panicked parents searching for their children who are on bikes? Do you threaten to fire your babysitter because they let your kids ride a bicycle while you were away?

You are vacationing in a place that has had countless of millions of children onsite, that has had thousands upon thousands lost and has never had a child abducted out of one of their parks. Read about the reactions of parents in this one thread and tell me it's not alarmist.

I have 2 children, both in college, both who started going to WDW before their 3rd birthdays and both who learned what to do if they got separated before it happened. They never got separated at WDW but if they did it would have been my fault, I wouldn't be going after a CM because I screwed up.



The first thing I would do would be to head for our prearranged meeting point while my wife notified the CMs. Running around screaming wouldn't be the first option or even the second. The last thing would be to blame the CM.



Maybe you should read the entire thread.

I never said it wasn't Disney's responsibility to help you find your lost child. If you reread the thread you will see I was responding to the suggestion that the CM be dealt with harshly because of the "stuff" that could have happened, when in reality they are not only in the happiest place on earth but one that has historically proven to be one of the safest and secure places as well. I counseled panic as the last resort, not the first because losing your head has never been shown to help a situation.

A few things....I have read the entire post (I know, you weren't talking to me), I also have two grown children as well as a 15 y/o who has been going to WDW since she was 5. I do realize that the statistics for child abductions are practically non-existent for DisneyWorld. I get it, I really do. BUT...when a child 'wanders' off, a parent is still going to assume the worst. Sorry, but that's human nature. And yes, stuff does happen. I know, it probably wouldn't happen but...a child could wander off, fall into a pond/lake/stream. A child could wander off and get injured in some way....small chance I know, but it is possible.
My issue is with the CM. I don't care how the child wandered off, or what the statistics are, that CM should not have told an anxious parent to wait a minute...that's wrong. Getting a headcount instead of starting a 'search' (for lack of a better word) is wrong.

I understand what you are sayin, I really do. But...you may want to put yourself in another person's shoes. I have also done the whole premptive strike as you (talking about 'what ifs' at home, what to do etc), but that all goes out the window when your child 'wanders off'.

I'm sorry but your attitude is just a bit over the top....a little empathy for others would be nice. Man, to jump down everyone's throat that feels the CM was wrong is a bit much.

 

[kymom99]

On one of my trips to MK, someone lost their child for a short time. The CM working the fastpass return at Buzz would not let anyone enter while he helped the family. He was on his radio communicating with someone about the situation. When the child was found the look on the mother's face brought tears to my eyes.

One time my son wandered off at a small local amusement park. I would have panicked but my friend was with me and she talked me through it. He was probably 4 years old. I was buying a drink at a concession window. When I turned around he was gone. It was very unlike him to leave my side. There was a theater with a show going on that caught his eye and he walked over to watch it. Fortunately we didn't have to ask for any help, but if we did, I would have expected the employees to take it seriously.

 

[Purseval]

I'd say there are many reasons to panic if your young child goes missing, and a cast member who doesn't stop to help you search is certainly lax in judgement. The CM needs to be on it in a heartbeat b/c let's face it, not only is it the right thing to do, but a kid who wanders off and gets hurt while mom is waiting patiently by the CM is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Again you are assuming the most horrible scenarios imaginable when in a different post of this same thread one CM mentioned dealing with this same situation (a lost child) 10 times per day on average. That is one CM, add her experience to the hundreds of other CMs and you may start to see that it isn't exactly uncommon to anyone except the person whose child has wandered off.

Now, since you mentioned lawsuits waiting to happen, consider that the OP walked up to a CM who was monitoring people going into a show. Shows have a certain amount of seats, we'll say in this case 1000. So the CM walks away and, while she is helping the OP people keep streaming into the theatre because nobody is monitoring the door. Now all of a sudden there are 1500 people inside, tons of big bodies pushing against the little ones leading to the possibility of even more children getting separated or even trampled on. Odds are that will also never happen but this thread is all about assuming the worst possible scenario.

Also, there may never have been a child kidnapped from a park, but there is always a first time for everything. We were staying at AKL when the Swan incident happened, and every parent I saw was talking about it. We felt safe to let our guard down b/c of where we were - Disney. The incident could have been at any pool - at any resort - at any park. It was a huge reality check to dh and I. We try to keep the girls in sight at all times b/c not even the happiest place on earth is 100% safe. I just pray it never happens to us.

We can at least agree to pray for that, and perhaps to add a "what would I do if" scenario to our trip plans just in case.

If you can keep your wits about you while all others are losing theirs, and blaming you. . . . The world will be yours and everything in it, what's more, you'll be a man, my son.- Rudyard Kipling

 

[ajsmommy1129]

Was your babysitter the person who gave your child an attitude that wearing a helmet didn't matter? Why would a babysitter have to "make" your child put a helmet on? Do you manage to transfer blame in every situation you encounter?

Just FYI, my husband is a professional cyclist, and my son has worn a helmet on every bike since his first ride, in a bike trailer at age one. The rule in our house is no helmet, no bike. He was 3, the babysitter 25. It was her job to keep him safe. As a general rule, 3 year olds do not know what is best for themselves just yet.His "friends" didn't have helmets on while on the bike path, and he didn't want to wear his. I was clear with the sitter, she chose to allow the bike without the helmet. She was given one warning, and chose again to allow the ride without the helmet. I have never said, in any post, that my child's safety is not my job. That is why I teach him howto be safe, and expect those I entrust his care with to do the same. Under your theory, since no kidnappings have ever happened at WDW, I should not worry. We have never had a child hit by a car while riding a bike on my block; should I let my child ride without his helmet? My point has been, and continues to be, just because something has not happened, does not mean it can not happen. I do not feel that makes me an alarmist, nor have I transferred any blame for anything that has happened to my son. You seem to view us all as hysterical women, and I will no longer read or respond to you posts. To the OP, I am glad the child was found, and once again, I understand your sisters fears.

 

[Disneyaunt4]

Op I am sorry it wasn't handled better, but very happy it turned out well. We had a similar situation when we went in May with my 5 year old niece at Downtown Disney. Group of 4 adults and 4 children and another case of each thinking the other had her(not an excuse). Even more horrible was that we got on a launch and left her behind. We had just pulled away from the dock when we realized it, the captain immediately turned the boat around and radioed to other CM's that she was missing. We ran up the dock to where we had last seen her and a woman opened the door at a rest. and I asked if she had seen a little girl in the same bright yellow shirt I had on(we wore the matching shirts so no one would get lost) she said she was right behind me in Disney Quest with a CM. Turned around and there she was running to me crying, I started to cry. The CM was so nice saying what a good job she did telling him her name and her Mommy's name and that we were all wearing matching shirts. This all happened in about 10 mins. and they were the worst 10 mins. of my life so scary, we are so careful and it happened to us. Just wanted you to know that I know first hand the huge difference a caring and well trained CM can make.

 

[ms.yt]

Then for you running around screaming like a Banshee is the best course of action. In fact I'd spend at least a week before each vacation practicing my screaming just in case.

It must be rough for you to have to deal with all us emotional idiots who don't have 3 year olds who would remain totally calm and proceed in an orderly fashion to the predesignated meeting place if separated.

By the way, I'm curious about this prearranged meeting point. Was there one for each park or several depending on what part of the park you were in? For instance, if you were in Magic Kingdom were you supposed to meet at the castle even if you got separted at Big Thunder Mountain? Or did you have a separate point for Frontierland, Fantasyland, Adventureland, etc.? Either way, it's a lot to expect for a child of three years old to navigate all through a crowded park to get to the meeting point or to expect them to remember several meeting points in several parks. It's good to have a plan, but you act as if yours was a foolproof way to avoid any moments of panic. Give me a break!

 

[famsen]

Well, I am also less than impressed by the response of CMs at Animal Kingdom and I know first hand.

Last May my husband got sick after getting off Expedition Everest. My husband is 44. He almost NEVER throws up-EVER. So I was very concerned after we we in the EE exit gift shop that he was walking very oddly and telling me in a weak voice that he wasn't feeling well. He turned white as a sheet and as we were looking for a rest room, he stoped by a bush and began gagging and throwing up. He looked as if he would faint. It was very hot that day and I didn't know if he was just dehydrated or got woosie on the ride of was having a heart attack. I led my husband to a shaded corner and had him sit down while I looked for a CM who I thought could find us a cup of water or an ice pack or even some pepto bismal. The CM came over and did not know what to do. I asked for some water and she said "hold on" and left for about 10 minutes. She came back alone and said she was not allowed to give him water because if he is throwing up he "might choke on the water".
I asked her if she could sit with my husband while I went to find a kiosk and bought a $2.75 bottle of water for him. She looked as if she did not even want to sit with him. When I finally found a water bottle kiosk I practically tossed a $5 bill and told her to keep te change.
I came back and my husband said he was feeling better and he finished the water. I didn;t want to risk him getting sicker at AK so we hopped on a bus and spent the day in our room. I was worried about him the rest of the trip and I made shure he stayed about from the "big" rides for the rest of the trip.
I was really shocked that the CM did not help with getting us water. I was also surprised that there wasn't some other protocol they followed such as getting more than one cast member to assist a sick guest.

To wrap up this long story, my husband was okay after a few hours.

 

[DISNEYNUTS]

I totally understand because I have been there, however we had a competely different situation with CM. at Typoon Lagoon, my at the time son was 3 1/2 thought his Dad and Grandpa were on their way (told us this later) to water slide, he didn't want to go, so he on his own went in wave pool. It was a mass miscommunication between adults, and within seconds!! he was out of our sight. CM there was on phone instantly and gates were locked down, no exiting until he was found. Oh and we had a spot to meet in case this ever happened. He was 3 1/2/ he didn't go there. All worked out in the end but it was a horrible feeling.