CMs will scan lost kids Magic Bands and call the phone number listed

[linzbear]

I know, because I lost a kid (the 3 year old) and they called me! We were in AK getting Wilderness Explorer badges up at the entrance to the Pangini trail and he freaked out and ran when a CM offered a band-aid because he scraped his knee (he hates band-aids). Went to find daddy but took the wrong path. In any case, I'm familiar with how Disney does the lost parent thing so I just notified the CM and hung out in the same spot while my DH ran around looking for him. In any case, I got a call and he had made it all the way down to the Rafiki train!

This is the first I've heard that they scan and call, and I know it's a frequent question, so I wanted to confirm that they do locate lost parents this way.

 

[Boo Bear]

Thanks! I've seen questions about this. I'm glad your situation got resolved easily. I'll be traveling by myself with DS so hopefully he won't take off like that but you just never know!

 

[Meriweather]

Yes, I wondered why they didn't do this since most of the threads mentioning say they don't. Glad they do if needed.

 

[bumbershoot]

I wonder what sort of CM found him that was carrying a scanner? I mean, that's the issue, isn't it? That the CMs have to have access to a scanner AND the permissions (speaking in computer admin sort of terms) to get that info (other than an ADR or a FP+). Until all CMs have them and the correct permissions, I bet it's still not going to be policy. If I were in your shoes I would assume that your son got lucky in the CM he found or was noticed by, but still expect the old ways of doing things in the future.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I consider it a fluke and glad it worked out for you. I wouldn't say people should rely on this information though. I know many CMs, most in Security, and this is NOT the protocol. Totally agree with what bumbershoot said about both the scanner and the computer access for different level CMs.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I consider it a fluke and glad it worked out for you. I wouldn't say people should rely on this information though. I know many CMs, most in Security, and this is NOT the protocol. Totally agree with what bumbershoot said about both the scanner and the computer access for different level CMs.

Yeah, I definitely don't think this is normal...most of the time our bands were scanned, the only information that popped up was a first name. It would definitely depend on what kind of scanner is scanning the MB.

 

[lisahoo]

I was wondering about that too. I've been reading these boards and got the idea to have those little silicone bracelets made with my cell phone number on the inside (they've memorized their home number, but not my cell number yet).

I've seen some other comments to write the cell number on the inside of the MBs, which is what I think I'll do. Wish they allowed more characters when you customize so I could have it printed in by Disney.

Haven't seen the MB's in person yet, but I can't imagine that would be too difficult to do at some point.

 

[JZCubed]

Technology can be, as they say, ' a double-edged sword' that can both provide public service benefits and a feeling of personal intrusion.

So while the OP had a truly beneficial experience from the use of technology, should Cast Members have access to our phone numbers?

Personally, I'm OK with it, but plenty of people will be bothered by 'Big Brother'.

 

[Amanda999]

I wouldn't rely on this, but glad it worked for OP. In August 2014 I lost DS at epcot. Several CMs helped, took probably 15 minutes. (Felt like an hour.)

No one mentioned scanning his MB, but he keeps a calm demeanor, so likely didn't look like a lost child. Meaning, no one will scan the band of a child who looks content - would just seem his parent is nearby.

 

[disnut8]

I have a cell phone number associated with My Experience but only because if my room isn't ready, I want to be able to get a text with the number when it is. I only give out my cell phone number to immediate family with this being an exception.

Glad to hear things worked out for the OP but not sure I like the results for others.

 

[ArielRae]

Here is a link to the thread I started showing the If Found tattoo I put on DS's Magicband.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3311504&highlight=autistic+magicband

 

[Luvchefmic]

Here is a link to the thread I started showing the If Found tattoo I put on DS's Magicband.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3311504&highlight=autistic+magicband

Thank you a million times for posting this. I remember seeing your MB idea and was very impressed with it. In fact I was searching for the thread just now. I couldn't remember the word " tattoo".

PLEASE people something like this is the way to go, NOT numbers on the inside of a MB because a CM is not going to touch your child searching for hidden info, and as I said before it is NOT protocol to scan the band.

Ariel your solution is perfect

 

[lisahoo]

For our family, having the number on the inside of the MB will work because my girls are old enough and aware enough to take their bands off and show a CM -- then lobby me to just get them their own phones!!

I know they can't search a child for ID, and children all have differing social skills, so that tattoo idea is GOLDEN, especially for a child who is younger, less verbal or panicked.

 

[chartle]

One other thing to point out is that there has to be a phone available that can call an outside line. Even if you see a manager with a cell phone it may not have this function.

Glad it works out.

 

[cattywampus]

We were coming out of Enchanted Tales with Belle after dark Thursday night and came across a young custodial CM holding the hand of a 2-3 year old lost boy who was crying. CM was incredible with him, but boy was inconsolable.

We stopped because we thought DS7 might make him feel better. We were there probably 10 minutes and we all did a good job of distracting him, including making glow necklace and playing with Walmart light up toys I all had in my bag (I was dubbed a less cheerful Mary Poppins by my family because I kept pulling stuff out of my bag). Another sweeper came by and we all hung out until frantic parents showed up.

Although I saw CM on radio, no scanning or other measures were taken and it was the parents search that created the reunion. He may not have had a magic band or have been too young to require admission (which are the scariest to lose).

Had the parents not returned in that ten mins, I'm sure he would have been turned over to security and but just the ten minutes was really upsetting to him and again, CM was well trained and was a perfect calming and safe haven for the child. Moral of the story: look for your lost kid. Don't wait for scanning.

 

[linzbear]

I know it's not protocol, and in fact I said that we were following protocol. We let a CM know and I stayed in the same spot while my husband looked for him. It just happens that someone with scanning abilities and a phone scanned his band. I've only ever heard that CMs are never able to do this, so I wanted to note that it's not never.

As another note, he's verbal, but still 3, so hard to understand, and he has an overactive imagination - he didn't even know he was lost, a CM would have had to be looking for him or otherwise notice that there was a 3 year old with no parents!

 

[Luvchefmic]

linzbear, No disrespect intended and I believe you when you say what happened. I am very happy for you and your family.

I would still throw this is the "never" category for one reason and one reason only: The title of the thread CMs will scan lost kids Magic Bands and call the phone number listed makes it sound like this is now protocol if someone didn't bother to actually open and read the posts. Then that " truthful/fact" gets told from one person to another, you know how people are.

Like I said I know many CMs in security, this is NOT what they would want a guest to believe or rely on.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I use to work in the bank I had access to thousands of people's persobal information guess what...no ones cares, no one wants your cell phone number and no one cares where you live for anyone ever concerned about privacy.

Some people think wayyyy too much about security,and their privacy.