Children's Identification

[bumbershoot]

We went to Disney last weekend (4/21) ....As it turned out my daughter saw someone walking by in a Tinkerbell costume in a crowd of people and thought she was a Disney employee. She started following her because she thought we would want to have a picture taken with her. When she realized it wasn't "the real Tinkerbell" she started looking for us in the wrong direction, and that's when this kind family saw her by herself and called us.

Buuuuttttt, they don't allow adults to be in costume, except for at special events...

I'm not doubting, it just seemed an odd part of the person's story that you were quoting!

And it's a PERFECT example of WHY they don't allow others to go in costume!


*********
Back to the question. I've never ordered, but while doing some internet scavenger hunting, I've run across Chicks and Cubs many times, and that link is to their safety items.

 

[alloyd1170]

I may have to try tottoos for our upcoming trip. Both my kids wear a stainless steel id bracelet all the time (even at home). The top has a design on it, and the back has their name, dob, home # and our names with our cell #s. I got them from childsidinc.com. There is another website that sells laser engraved ones (which I will get next since they can be read better).

alison

 

[momsoftwins]

i went to disney 4-24 thur 5-1 solo with 2 3 yr olds. what i did was use the disney luggage tags they sent me and turned the paper over to the blank side. wrote the childs name ,my name, my cell number as well as hubbies too. and the resort we stayed at. then every morning put it on their belt loop of the shorts they had on. i also told them for weeks b4 the trip if the get lost from me to go in to a "shopping store" and ask help from some one with a name badge on. thank the lord they never got lost but i felt good know that they had the info on them.

 

[brymolmom]

I personally don't like the chain around neck thing with dogtags for my kids - getting off and on rides it is too dangerous because they're still young - might get stuck and choke them.

I make-my-own laminated nametags - child's name, parents name, cell phone numbers, resort where we're staying and hometown. I decorate them with Disney stickers and put a pin through the top and attach it near the bottom of their shirt.

There WAS some resistance to wearing them the first time or two...but we just made it the 'rule' that we couldn't go to a park without them - now they're used to them. We get a lot of comments and the characters love it when we see them and if they have that character's sticker on the nametag.

Oh and one tidbit I learned in an article...we always teach - if we're ever separated, to go find 'another mommy who has her kids near her' and ask her for help (my kids tend to think any adult female is a mommy - so I specify one with kids). Police officers, while great, are usually men. And police uniforms are different and can either be impersonated outright or just look alot like an outfit someone has on...and that leads your child to a man first thing. No offence against men...but statistically speaking - your child is WAY more likely to find help and not evil intentions if he/she goes to a woman instead of a man. CM's at Disney are great but it might take a 3 year old a while to find one...where mommies are all over the place. And just think...if a young one came to you - you would likely hang onto that child until a parent was found. It's almost like a club - you'd want someone to do that for you - so you would watch that child like your own until mom or dad is located. Anyway - maybe not the best thing 100% of the time - but IMO - as far as statistics go...it is the best thing the vast majority of the time.

 

[maidenfairy]

We have the whoshoesid and really like it. I also Print id cards from mouseforless and add our info. and lamenate them. I put those in his pocket and he knows to pull them out if he gets lost. I like the idea of the totoos. and I like the dog tag idea too. What an informative board.

 

[tjmw2727]

I personally don't like the chain around neck thing with dogtags for my kids - getting off and on rides it is too dangerous because they're still young - might get stuck and choke them. >>snip


Oh and one tidbit I learned in an article...we always teach - if we're ever separated, snip>>

.

We put the "pet tag" on the childs shoe for this reason They are big enough to notice if your looking for some ID but small enough that you coudn't read it without being obvious. The new Disney ones are very cute!

ITA about teaching and practicing. When my dd's were little and we were out I would often play "what would you do right now if we got separated" and have them look around to see what to do. We also talked about getting separated on an elevator etc.

TJ

 

[meandtheguys2]

I'm surprised that woman didn't take your daughter to a Cast Member who is trained to deal with lost parents. That whould have been my first response. And surprised she didn't know where to get them. It is advertised on the tattoo.

I learned about the dog tags on shoes on this board, and have found it to be an excellent choice. Luckily, we've never had to depend on them! We also role play. It is a powerful teaching tool for kids, and adults. It trains the brain to respond and remember.

 

[kaysmommie]

I have recently been taking a digital picture of our two girls with us before the trip. I shrink it and print it and write on the back.
Me with my Mommy and Daddy
Daddy's cell #######
Mommy's Cell #####
I then will laminate it to keep it looking nice and in good shape.
The kids will keep these in their pockets and are instructed to show it to police officers and people that sell stuff. We also take digital picture each morning of the kids in the clothes they have on that day just in case if they get lost the cm's can quickly get the pic out to other cms.

I think that its important to keep a very close eye on your kids at all times. Disney is much safer than most places but it can still happen.

Bill

That is a good idea. The ones that go on shoelaces would not work because my kids often wear sandals or crocs at Disney. But I'm starting to think ID is a must. I watch my kids like a hawk and hold their hands when walking through any store or park but you can never be too safe. thanks for posting this.

 

[kaysmommie]

I personally don't like the chain around neck thing with dogtags for my kids - getting off and on rides it is too dangerous because they're still young - might get stuck and choke them.

I make-my-own laminated nametags - child's name, parents name, cell phone numbers, resort where we're staying and hometown. I decorate them with Disney stickers and put a pin through the top and attach it near the bottom of their shirt.

There WAS some resistance to wearing them the first time or two...but we just made it the 'rule' that we couldn't go to a park without them - now they're used to them. We get a lot of comments and the characters love it when we see them and if they have that character's sticker on the nametag.

Oh and one tidbit I learned in an article...we always teach - if we're ever separated, to go find 'another mommy who has her kids near her' and ask her for help (my kids tend to think any adult female is a mommy - so I specify one with kids). Police officers, while great, are usually men. And police uniforms are different and can either be impersonated outright or just look alot like an outfit someone has on...and that leads your child to a man first thing. No offence against men...but statistically speaking - your child is WAY more likely to find help and not evil intentions if he/she goes to a woman instead of a man. CM's at Disney are great but it might take a 3 year old a while to find one...where mommies are all over the place. And just think...if a young one came to you - you would likely hang onto that child until a parent was found. It's almost like a club - you'd want someone to do that for you - so you would watch that child like your own until mom or dad is located. Anyway - maybe not the best thing 100% of the time - but IMO - as far as statistics go...it is the best thing the vast majority of the time.

I told my DD the same thing, the mom with kids is always a good choice. DS just turned 3 so he doesn't quite get it yet. But I can surely say that if a child approach me and my family I wouldn't rest until their parents were found. And I'm definately a park commando.

 

[txmomto1]

we are another dog tag family from wal-mart. we did not need it, but he liked wearing it.

we also go every morning, and point out a cast member, and tell him to look for one of their names tags if he gets lost.

 

[wdw-ocd]

we are another dog tag family from wal-mart. we did not need it, but he liked wearing it.

Where in WalMart do they sell dog tags? Do they do the engraving too?

Thanks!

 

[txmomto1]

They have a machine, that is normally near the front of the store, and is primarily used for dog tags, but they do have necklaces you can purchase for the tags.

They are not expensive, just a few dollars.

 

[tjmw2727]

That is a good idea. The ones that go on shoelaces would not work because my kids often wear sandals or crocs at Disney. But I'm starting to think ID is a must. I watch my kids like a hawk and hold their hands when walking through any store or park but you can never be too safe. thanks for posting this.

Just fyi the dog tag style can go on a shoelace or you can put it on a key ring and attach it to a belt loop, a buckle or belt and or a tie from a waist band or a shirt. My sil even put them on the bathing suit - string tie in the back for my neice and waist string for my nephew.

I have also seen the rubber bracelets that are popular now (livestrong) as kids id's.

TJ

 

[wdw-ocd]

They have a machine, that is normally near the front of the store, and is primarily used for dog tags, but they do have necklaces you can purchase for the tags.

They are not expensive, just a few dollars.

Hmmm, I've never seen them at our WalMart. (and considering how often I go to WalMart I know where everything is!)
I wonder if they're not available in Canada. I hope not as this is a really good idea!

 

[tjmw2727]

Hmmm, I've never seen them at our WalMart. (and considering how often I go to WalMart I know where everything is!)
I wonder if they're not available in Canada. I hope not as this is a really good idea!

Around here they are in the front with the customer service desk. Usually along with one of those machines where you try to claw a stuffed animal, and a couple of coin operated gum and sticker machines.

They are easy to miss if you aren't looking for something like that. If you have a pet store chain like pet smart (pet supermarket) they usually have them as well.

HTH
TJ

 

[bearloch]

Something that I did and still do is put bright colored shoe laces on my daughters shoes and matched them with mine they are easier to see in a crowd you can look for their shoes and they can you. Also if god forbid there was a kidnnapping attemp I heard the they often change shirts right away if possible but maybe not shoes!

Its so scarry anymore can;t be too carefull

 

[DisneyDivaMom]

Last December my 8 yo dd and I became separated at Epcot. I had instructed her on what to do in this instance. She was wearing a fanny pack in which we had placed a card with my name on it and my cell phone #. She went straight up to a cashier and presented the card and stated she was lost. In the meantime I am talking with a CM who is getting a description of my dd. I also take a before we leave the room picture of her which I showed the CM on my camera. Not 2 minutes later my cell phone rang and it was the cast member whom my dd walked over to. I like this system as my dd isn't showing any information on her person. She is learning delayed and did fine with this. I sure hope I can teach her how to use a phone by the next time we go to WDW. She will be 10 then and if she can operate a cell phone, I will get her a trac phone.