Disturbing incident in MK

[DISshopkeeper]

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[~Czarina~]

I didn't read all of these posts but if this helps my father became lost at Downtown Disney. I was with my mother and two brothers and we were shopping when we noticed my dad was missing. He is generally very good with directions but he ALWAYS gets turned around at Disney. It is kinda funny and frustrating at the same time but anyway, he was missing. My brother had to go to the bathroom so my mom had to leave the store. She said I was supposed to walk around the store until I found my father and she would take my brothers and take them to the bathroom and get them some ice cream or whatever. I walked around for about 45 minutes and then walked over to the lost children center in the store (we were at The World of Disney) and I asked if an employee could help me look or maybe had talked to him. They put me in the back and told me to wait until I had a parent come and get me. I was supposed to meet my mother and was looking for my father, who they thought was going to spring me I don't know! I was like, I am 15 years old, can't I walk outside and meet my mother. They said no. I was in the little center for about 20 minutes before my dad walked by and I ended up almost yelling to get my dad attn. so he would come and let me out. I took him to mom and all was well but I was more or less held hostage until I found my lost dad!

 

[DISshopkeeper]

LOL, Czarina!! Hostage!!!

 

[DisneyLisa]

Originally posted by crisi
Well, that's easy to understand. They have a darter, who isn't controlled by a hand on the head. Or they have more children than adults (even just for the short DH goes to the Peco's Bill counter) - which makes it harder to track them all. They stop in a store and remove your hand for the three seconds its going to take to check the pricetag on a shirt, and your darter is gone. Stop in the bathroom and while not in a position to immediately chase, your kid makes a break for it going underneath the stall door. Maybe it is wisest to put kids like this on a leash. Maybe its wisest not to take them to Disney at all. But those of us with kids like this do our best.

If you can't understand this, do two things. a) Pat yourself on the back for whatever parenting skills and genes helped create a child that doesn't wander and b) thank your God that your child is receptive to your parenting skills and has his temperment. They all aren't as tractable as yours.

I agree and they don't even have to be "darters".

I briefly "lost" DS once at WDW when he was 7 so I know how easily it can happen. DH had taken DS#2(6) to the washroom and DS#1, DD(3) and I were standing at the curb watching the afternoon parade. DS#1 was in front of the stroller (which had DD in it) and holding on to the stroller. I turned around for just a second as DH & DS#2 returned and in that time, DS#1 decided to sit down on the curb & some adults just cut right in between us. (yes there were those same pushy people even back then). I turned back around & he was gone. It took a few minutes of calling him before he heard us & stood up (the music was loud) and all I can say is that the panic I felt in those brief minutes was like no other I've ever experienced in my life. It happened so quickly.

We had those wristband harnesses with us on the trip but hadn't used them that day because someone had made a nasty comment to us the day before about treating our children like dogs (as if it was any of their business but I was younger then and let them make me feel like a terrible parent). Well let me tell you that immediately following that incident, all three children had them on (each DS "attached" to one of us & DD to the stroller). We never thought twice about using them ever again after that and the kids didn't mind them at all...they usually asked for us to attach them (just like they knew they had to be in a car seat in the car, they expected the wrist harnesses in public places...I think they felt safer with them on). BTW, our children, now 20, 19 & 16, are quite normal, well adjusted young adults despite being harnessed when they were little (contrary to what a lot of people say about harnesses).

 

[BAST]

I always have a current photo of my kids - someone even suggested that if you have a digital camera, that you should take a picture each day so you have a picutre with current clothing.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

I think it's totally obnoxious that people make comments to parents who put their childen in harnesses....like it is ANY of their business! I can think of a few foul names I'd be calling them if they spoke to me like that!

On the flip side, I often carry my little dogs (who are 4 and 6 pounds and tire of walking easily) in bags that you wear over both shoulders that hang down on your stomach. The dog's front and hind paws go through holes in the bag.... basically they look just like the bags mothers carry their newborns in, except they are for small dogs. (It also helps distribute their weight evenly and for someone with a back like mine, that's good).

Anyway, the glares and comments I get! Many people laugh, but I also get a few comment that I shouldn't be treating my dogs like children (these idiots actually think these bags are for kids even though they are specifically manufactured for pets). I just glare right back and tell them to shut up and mind their own business.

One day, though, I ran into a couple in a park who had triplets...each of them on a harness. I was carrying my yorkie in her bag and my brother's wife was wearing the other bag with my maltese in it....we all took one look at each other and started cracking up....the kids were on leashes and the dogs were in carrying bags. I wish I had snapped a picture!

 

[Mickmse2002]

We've never lost a kid at WDW. Lord knows we've tried but they always seem to find the wife and I, usually around feeding times or when they have run out os spending moola. But seriously now. As a police officer with a little experience in this area, I cannot think of a better location to misplace ones offspring. Disney works very hard at attracting families from all over the world and spend more on family advertising then the budget of many smaller countries. It just wouldn't do to have hordes of kids lost, stolen, eaten, folded, spindled, stapled, etc. It would be bad on the bottom line. How would advertise that? "Nine out of ten families visitng WDW successfully retain possession of their kids while visiting" This slogan just doesn't work.

Now havind said all that, I have seen some seriously stupid behavior on the part of parents and am amazed that more kids don't turn up missing.

 

[DisneyLisa]

Originally posted by theSurlyMermaid
One day, though, I ran into a couple in a park who had triplets...each of them on a harness. I was carrying my yorkie in her bag and my brother's wife was wearing the other bag with my maltese in it....we all took one look at each other and started cracking up....the kids were on leashes and the dogs were in carrying bags. I wish I had snapped a picture!

 

[deltachi8]

I think the best advice here is to have the child carry ID of some sort - I make an ID card for him and I keep a copy as well, with his photo, where we are staying, my name and my cell phone number as well as a relative's phone number.

I go over each day a couple times what to do if your lost (At WDW- find a CM). I ask him what my name is, his phone number and address.

He gets tired of it, but it makes me rest easier, no matter where we go.

 

[karemore]

When we were in EPCOT this April I watched a family walk off and leave their 5 or 6 year old girl sitting in the middle of the walkway aroung the WS.

From my spot I could see her, and see them turn around a bend of out sight...

I'm sure she was a brat, and I'm sure they were getting tired of dealing with her.....but it was extremely foolish of them to deliberately walk off and leave a child that young.

Within minutes, two CMs were approaching the girl. She immediately ran to rejoin her family, and they did look embarassed to have the CMs become involved.

I just couldn't believe those parents were that careless....and I was impressed with the CMs who noticed so quickly that something wasn't right.

There are enough unavoidable separations that can occur at WDW...it seems stupid to create your own.

I saw another couple completely ignore their infant in her carriage.

The mother was talking on her cell phone turned away from the family and the father was dancing with another child.

I thought the baby was going to fall out of her carriage, she was crying and twisting her body around....I was poised ready to catch her when she fell out.

I could have as easily been poised ready to grab her if I was a physcho.

Geez, it feels good to vent....lol

Seeing people taking risks with their kids takes some of the pleasure out of the Disney experience. Like seeing parents slapping their kids, berating them, or failing to provide them with protection against the sun and fatigue.

Karen

 

[SeaShelley]

Originally posted by Crazy4mandms
Just thought I'd post another good tip that I taught my kids, now 8 and 12....if someone ever grabs them and tries to take them tell the kids to scream "THIS IS NOT MY FATHER (or mother)! THIS IS A STRANGER!". If a kid just simply starts yelling and crying then people around may think that he's just throwing a tantrum for mom or dad. Thank God they've never had to use this, but its good to know and will get more attention from bystanders who will hopefully check into it rather than ignoring it as a whiny, spoiled child.

While I'm leaning toward not believing all of the original post....a CM who would tell a family to go enjoy the fireworks while they looked for their child??!!....I do have a story about the above tip. My DH's cousin was in the grocery store with his daughter who had also been taught the "THIS IS NOT MY FATHER THIS IS A STRANGER" line. While shopping, she was being denied several of the sugary treats she kept asking for and as they approached the check out she planted her little 4 year old bottom on the floor and wouldn't move. Father then took her by the arm and started pulling her up to carry her out, which made her mad and she started to yell....."YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER...YOU ARE A STRANGER" Poor guy was sooo embarrassed. Since we are a small community and this was just a local grocery store most everyone knew him and his "precious" little girl....except one "out of towner" who proceeded to follow him out of the store, copy down his plate number and call the cops! The cops in turn followed them home and had to explain to "precious" the seriousness of her actions!!!!

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

Originally posted by NotUrsula

Calypso, I hate to disagree with what seems like sensible caution, but Valentine is right about ID. If you are going to put ID on your child in case he gets lost, you *do* need to put it in a visible place. CM's are NOT allowed to undress children to look for hidden identification. While you shouldn't make it readable from a distance by passerby; you should make it obviously accessible to a CM who is attempting to identify a child. You don't need the child's name; information identifying parents and giving contact info is sufficient.

Yes, a strnager should not be able to read a child's name wile approaching a child (large print on ashirt, etc.). Rather, the ID tag should be visible -- , a tag on a shoe, a wrist band, etc. Then a CM could easily see that ID info is available and shcekc it for names and phone numbers without searching, or making the child uncomfortable, etc.

 

[dijid]

My 2 1/2yo is a flight risk, aka darter. We've had a few scares with him. Until you have a child like this, you can not fully understand how it is only 5-10 sec until they are gone. He can take off the wrist harness, and screams "You're hurting me!" repeatedly if we put a chest harness on him. On our last Disney trip, we realized what works best --

WEAR BRIGHT MATCHING CLOTHES.

As dorky as it seems, the two times DS darted off he was immediately returned to us by other guests. They recognized right away that he was wandering away from our family. Once was when he got tired of waiting in line and darted off (I had a 4yo and 8mo with me and it's extremely hard to keep an eye on all 3) and the other was when he ran ahead, got mixed in with the crowd and got in a monorail car before us. All 3 kids had on bright matching hats and someone grabbed DS and pulled him off the monorail about the same time we were yelling to the CM that our DS was missing. We were often referred to as the "yellow family" the "flag family" or whatever our shirts were that day, but it works. We will dress in our matching clothes when we go to outdoor street festivals this summer or any other place where DS is a flight risk. Dorky or not, it is the best protection we've found.

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
That must have been so scary. Of all the places you don't want to lose a child at WDW, TSI is probably #1.

Yikes! Water all around - heart attack city!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

Originally posted by OneMoreTry
I don't believe all this. A reason not to trust what you hear on NPR.

Funny, it's not NPR that I don't trust....NPR is abit more reliable than misc. unknown posters LOL

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

Originally posted by crisi
In repsonse to the poster who can't understand how parents lose their kids....
Well, that's easy to understand.
If you can't understand this, do two things. a) Pat yourself on the back for whatever parenting skills and genes helped create a child that doesn't wander and b) thank your God that your child is receptive to your parenting skills and has his temperment. They all aren't as tractable as yours.

LOL Great repsonse.

Sure some parents are lazy, careless, irresposible, etc...But this can certainly happen to very cautious, caring, loving repsonsible parents, too!! We are human. As Atticus tells Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird, don't judge someone until you walk a mile in their skin.

 

[welovedisneyx4]

I just want to stress to all parents to make your kids aware of what to do anywhere if they get lost from you. When we went to Disney last year, we made sure to tell both kids about getting lost from us. However, we realized we had never actually came out and explained about getting lost somewhere else. Just this weekend DS4 ended up all the way across a local department store b/c he took off running and DH couldn't see where he went b/c being only 4, he is shorter than all the clothes rack. DD came in the dressing room to tell me they couldn't find DS and of course, I was in the middle of changing and couldn't exactly run out that second. I was grabbed the closest thing I could find and dressed enough to go out. Just then they made an announcement that a little boy was looking for his mother in the men's dept. and at the same time DH was walking back w/ DS. All DS told the sales girl was that he was here w/ his Mommy. Needless to say we made sure he knew what to say if this (God forbid) ever happens again. I also want to say that DH wasn't being lazy!!!

On our 2000 trip DD thought she was following her Papa out of the AK bird show when it was actually someone else. We all thought she was w/ someone else and when we got out of the show, we realized she wasn't. DFIL stood right outside the show entrence, DH, DMIL, and myself each went for a quick look in 3 differents ways and DMIL found her shortly. She was getting ready to ask an older couple for help. All that trip and even the next time we went DD did not stray far from us at all.

I know some parents don't watch their kids well enough, but kids can disappear anytime!!! Just be sure to tell your kids what to do as soon as they could even possibly understand.

 

[tjmw2727]

In addition to explaining to our dd's what to do and what not to in an emergency we also practice. Sort of like you would a fire drill or 911 preparation.

In the mall I will just suddenly ask what would you do right here and now if we got lost/separated and we play it as a game. We do it at the park, carnival and even out and about in the grocery etc. Our hope is that by having them think about it once in a while, look around for good choices and practice making decisions they won't be as likely to panic. Whatever your prefrence is ie, ask a mommy for help, ask a CM for help etc have them identify who they would turn to right now for help. We also have them stay in or near the same place if possible and promise we will always return to the last place we were together. I have both girls carry their room id and my cellphone number and I do carry the cellphone at WDW. I don't keep it on but if we get separated I will turn it on and use it.

My scariest moment was when youngest dd was a baby and I had a hard time getting the stroller onto the elevator. Older dd darted on and I almost didn't make it on with her. I was flustered to say the least.

FWIW - after filling out about as much paperwork to get a bandaid at WDW as I did to get a mortgage I seriously doubt "at least the part" about the sedative!!

TJ

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

I read this post last night and wasn't going to respond at all because the OP talked of security giving this poor hysterical mother a sedative . . .That would never happen . . .Maybe the OP saw the woman take something of her own (if the story is true, which I doubt), but no way did security give a sedative. Then the ridiculous remark about security telling her and her family to go watch the fireworks . . .ohh please . . . Just how close was the OP to this hysterical woman to hear and see what security passed off and said to her?

Just for the record, this is the first troll I've ever seen on the DIS.

 

[djm99]

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