Ever "lost" a child at WDW?

[WishUponAStar]

This whole incident probably lasted only 15 -20 minutes. We have two children, one of which has her own speed and cannot help but "stop and smell the flowers" everywhere she goes. Knowing this we had thoroughly briefed her on what to do if she got seperated. She was 7 last summer on our most recent trip. It was mid June and extremely crowded especially in Fantasyland. We got off of Pooh and were heading in the direction of the Carousel on our way to the Haunted Mansion. Daughter stops to look at the souvenirs and I wait with her. Wife and other daughter go on. While waiting in the shop I look out to see if I can see my wife, call daughter to come on, she comes out, runs into the crowd and SHE IS GONE. So many people I cannot see her. After double checking in the shop I begin thinking she has gone on to HM as we had discussed. I look at the crowd and realize she cannot see where she is walking and would have very little idea how to get to HM by herself. I radio up ahead to wife, she stops and begins backtracking. I comb Fantasyland as much as possible. It may sound odd but we are not in a state of panic at this time. We feel farely safe at WDW and had already discussed what to do if seperated. As my wife backtracks she contacts a cast member and informs them of the situation. I continue to search and use the radios to keep in touch with my wife. Cast member contacts whatever place they contact, describes what she is wearing, name, etc and waits. Soon the CM tells us our daughter is at childcare or the baby center by the Crystal Palace and she is safe. We head directly over and she is fine until she sees us then she breaks down crying uncontrollably. While there she had a snack and watched some of a movie. Of course she had not been there long. Upon realizing she was seperated from us, she had calmly contacted CM telling that she was lost (just like we had planned) and was taken immediately to the baby center. It seems that when a missing child is reported a CM can call the center to find out if they are there and all lost children are taken there. Pretty good system. Learned several things. 1-no matter how careful you are your kids can get seperated especially on crowded days, 2-radios are a necessity and useful for many things, 3-plan with your kids what to do if they get lost.
Really did not want to tell this story because it makes us seem like bad parents but it can happen so quickly. Same child got lost at Universal on same trip, has had poison control called because of her on three occasions, on previous trips she fell on some steps at MGM busting her lip and off of a chain she sat on at Pirates of Caribbean hitting her head on the cement... It was just a matter of time. Despite all the mishaps, she is a real joy becasue she is so "full of life". Just needs constant supervision (or a leash).
Anyone else ever lost a child at WDW? Tell us your story.
Forgot to tell something in the story. We went back to the place where we lost her and ask daughter which CM she had talked to when she realized she was lost. Found the CM and thanked them for the job they had done. Their reply was of course, "Just doing my job- its all part of the magic".

 

[cart-mom]

Oh the perils of parenthood. I haven't lost any children at WDW yet but I did lose my 3yo DS at Target a few weeks ago. He was right around me running around with my DD-5. I told them to stop running around and my DD stopped and came over to me and DS was MIA. Called out to him - no answer. Looked around - not in sight. Panic time - I'm in the front of the store but it's not all that crowded. I start moving back in a straight line from where I was standing and still calling out - getting louder. He came running up to me telling me he knew where he was at and was okay. It lasted all of about 2-3 minutes but added quite a few grey hairs.
When we decided on when we would be at Disney this year I sat down with DS-7 & DD-5 and told them what they should do if they got seperated at the park and I go over it every few weeks to make sure they still know what to do and will make sure and go over it again at each park.
My DS-3 is like your daughter - he has his own pace (slow). I'm glad we'll have a stroller to hopefully keep control over him most of the time especially since he likes being close to DS-1. I agree that WDW has the best CM and plans in place just in case a child gets lost. It would be great if all amusement parks would follow their lead.

You are not a bad parent - you took your kids to WDW and you prepared your DD on what to do if she got seperated and she followed the steps. I'd say you're doing a fantastic job!

Keep up the great work.

 

[Pop-up-family]

My 3rd son that is about to turn 12 is the one we lost. It was so frightening. At that time he was 3 and we had him in the stroller. We live just 40 minutes away from Disney and went quite a bit then. While we were standing in a crowd watching the Thunder Railroad ride going around, he climbed out of the stroller without us noticing and was immediately lost into the crowd. We looked for him for about 5 minutes (but seemed like eternity to me)...I was getting in a real panic and the place was wall to wall people, you couldn't even walk around among them it was so packed.
I stood on a bench so I could see above the crowd and saw him by a lake looking at the ducks. I ran knocking into people and pushing them out of my way (kind of like the bionic woman) until I got to him.
After that I fully understood why people put kids on a leash

We never went to DW when it was that crowded again.

 

[BevS97]

No, but I lost my husband and daughter once, and that was pretty scary (I guess I was the one that was lost...). We were at Disneyland Paris, and the Main Street Electric Parade was on - we were late, and we ran down these paths they have behind the shops on main street, to try and get to the top circle (just like MK, in front of the castle), so that we could see the start of the parade. My dh was pushing dd in a stroller and they ran faster than me, when I came out of the path, it was just wall to wall people and no sign of dh or dd. I wasn't too worried since I knew they were together, but I had no idea how I would find them again.

I ended up standing on a picnic table looking for them, and still couldn't see them, after the parade finished (which I missed as I was so busy looking for them), everyone went out into the street to watch the fireworks and it was a bit less crowded, so I was able to spot them. I have never felt such relief. It's silly really, as we are both grown-ups, and I suppose worse case scenario, we would have both gone back to the hotel room and met up there, but it was still a pretty distressing experience, and I can't imagine how much worse it would have been to lose a child.

we are also big fans of reins/harnesses/leashes - whatever you choose to call them, but my dd will be 6 in December and I'm not sure I will be able to use one on a 6 year old (she didn't mind too much last time at 4 1/2).

Bev

 

[AspiringCindy]

I lost(or should I say MY DH lost) our two DDs age 8 & 9 last summer at WL. They went down to the pool for a swim, but stopped at Roaring Forks 1st. The girls knew to come back to the room where I was napping with baby. It just so happened(minutes before) we were discussing what floor we are on and how to locate the room if anything should happen! I know my DD's are a little older, but they are never too old to not worry about!

 

[zakatak]

We lost our youngest dd at AKL when she was 19 months old. It was the absolute WORSE 20 minutes in my life, worse than when my Mother died! Here is what happened...

We (me, dh, babysitter (13), ds (5), dd (3) and dd (19 months) were all sitting around the cartoon section in AKL lobby watching tv. Since it was Valentines Day, the store had a word find puzzle to complete for a prize. So, there we are, dh, me and sitter all completing the puzzle while watching the kids watch cartoons. Everything is fine. I am looking once every 30 seconds or so (and they are only about 2 feet from me).

I look up the final time and no dd (19 months). Hmmm... Where's Abby, I say. We look around the tv, nothing. Then I get up starting to panic and look around the lobby. The other two are still doing their puzzles (figuring she is standing behind a couch or something)... NOTHING. I turn around to face the expansive AKL lobby... scan... nothing. I head toward a CM and tell her my dd is missing, 19 months old, yellow Minnie shirt, and walk away still looking. I yell at my dh that she is NOT AROUND! He jumps up and starts running around the lobby looking. I head back to the big window, turn around and the CM and a manager approach me. My legs go OUT from underneath me and I hit the floor... this CAN'T be happening! They pick me up and ask me if I want to sit down, I said no. They said they have it on their system and have everyone looking for her. Then the CM says to the manager, "I will go check the bus-stop". OMG... Someone could have her on a bus to MK already!! OMG!! So, now the tears start and I am walking around and around AKL lobby looking for her... Dh is running up and down the wings, then back... then it hits him... the WATERFALL! He jumps over the couches and onto the rocks... no baby in the water. whew...

Now our thoughts... Me: I will never touch her again. Someone could be hurting her in a room at this very second and I CAN'T HELP HER!! This happens to OTHER people, not me!! DH: How can we go back to NY with only two kids... how could we ever leave here without her.

15 minutes later, me balling all around AKL passing the CM posted at the front door... the Bell hop calls over to me, "What was she wearing?" I answer for the fiftieth time, "A yellow minnie shirt"... THEY HAVE HER, she answers!! OMG, I didn't think I could cry any harder, but I did... hysterically! We all met at the wing (a housekeeper found her WAY down one of the wings) and I took her, smelled her, kissed her... DH couldn't rip her out of my arms... I took her back to the room (still crying - me not her)... and just looked and looked at her.

With so many rooms at AKL and easy access to busses that lead to huge parking lots... we freaked out! She wasn't old enough to WANT to wander off (like to the store)... she was just a baby. It was the longest 20 minutes in my life... I thought I would never breath again. Needless to say, the kids got pretty much WHATEVER they wanted that day!!

That is my story... I have never taken my eyes off of them again.

Karen

 

[princess kerri]

Still a teen myself I don't remember any terrible stories of getting lost at Disney the times I've been there. There was an occasional panic moment last year at Epcot though when my parents didn't turn up at the time they said they'd meet me - however that was caused by the ride in Norway breaking down I believe and it took them a little bit longer to get out. I think you all have the correct idea though of telling your children to go to the nearest CM! I did it once in Magic Kingdom, and I was reunited in a matter of minutes..it was just the crowds keeping me and my family apart. But the CM kept me cheerful and found me a balloon from somewhere too!


WishUponAStar - how awful for you! To lose a child in the parks would be scary enough and my heart goes out to anyone who's had that experience.. but I can imagine the thoughts of babies/toddlers just getting on a bus or into a lift or something at one of the resorts! Thank goodness she was safe

 

[mylilnikita]

I "misplaced" my daughter who was 2 and a half at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va. We were in Land of the Dragons, a small child play area. My daughter was going down a slide, did that a couple times, then I was waiting for her to go down again.
She followed some kids instead of going down the slide. Well there were 2 paths to take, but they end up at the same place-I found out after the fact. My friend was with me and I told her I couldn't find my daughter. I have never felt such terror. I was visualizing what she had on and her face was painted like Blue's Clues. I told an employee and we seperated and each took a path, my friend yells that she has my daughter. I had to collect myself so I wouldn't upset my daughter. Ever since then and a few theme parks later, I haven;t misplaced her. She is now old enough to say her name and knows my real name, besides Mommy. I also plan to put a bracelet with info in case something happens as well as show her to go to a cast member.

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Oh My Lord - the memories. Several years ago my son (then age 7) and I were visiting Epcot. The Tapestry of Nations Parade was starting so we waited on one side of the bridge separating The United Kingdom and France (or whatever country is represented across from France).

I told my son that when the parade ended we would simply walk to the other side of the bridge to watch Illuminations as the view from that vantage point was terrific. "Buckaroo" said, "Ok Daddy." As Tapestry of Nations reached its finale, a CM walked past winding the nylon rope used to keep the crowds from edging into the parade itself. The crowd had grown during the course of the parade. The bridge itself had become quite crowded. Dusk was changing quickly to dark. I had my hand atop my son's head and we walked from one side of the bridge to the other - a mere 10 steps or so. I then looked down at my son. Of course, he wasn't there. My hand was resting on another child's head. I must have jumped a full 3 feet in the air with surprise and when I landed - just like zakatak - I don't think I was breathing anymore.

I ran to other side of the bridge. He wasn't there. I ran to the France end of the bridge. he wasn't there. I pushed past the entire crowd to get to the other side of the bridge in some sort of Olympic-trial record time. But he wasn't anywhere to be seen. I saw a CM on the bridge. I rushed over to her, and tried to tell her what had happened but nothing came out of my mouth. She said to take a few breaths and then let her know what was going on. I explained. She radioed for assistance.

Then panic set in. I started screaming out my son's name and running from one side of the bridge to the other. I looked along the shore under the bridge. The same CM came up to me with another CM. I gave a full description of my son. They were particularly interested in what type/style shoes he was wearing. I starting shaking. The CM told me not to worry, every child leaving through the exits with or without an adult was being checked. Somehow this didn't reassure me.

I then remember that my son and I had pre-arranged a meeting place if we happened to get separated. I told the CM. They radioed others to check the spot and asked if I wanted to walk over there. I told the CM, quite honestly, that I couldn't move at all. Fear frozen, I guess. Heck, we were only crossing the bridge and I even had had my hand on his head!

The CMs walkie-talkie beeped. My son was found. I ran over to The United Kingdom pavilion where he was standing amidst a sea of CMs and other security people. I say "other security people" because the individuals involved were not just regular "CMs." These were the security we don't usually see. Suit-and-tie professionals. I was impressed. I was thankful. I was overjoyed.

My son had thought I told him to walk "back" ACROSS the bridge where we came from rather than simply to the other side. He got caught in the crowd and thought I was next to him. When he realized Daddy was lost, he went directly to a CM (like we had discussed) and identified himself.

An individual who appeared to be in charge of the security force came up to me wearing a smile. He said, "The next time you get separated, tell your son to talk to the CMs about Disney. While we were waiting for you all he talked about was your adventures the other day at Universal Studios"...

 

[phamton]

I've never lost a child but I have found children 2 different times at WDW, once at Disneyland, and once at Universal Studios.

Being an elementary school teacher, it's just part of my MO to notice children who looked lost or scared. The first times, I saw a 3 year old boy standing alone while crowds were walking by. He wasn't crying but I went to him and he told me he lost his parents and was afraid they would get on the airplane and go home without him. Poor little guy. He pointed to the store they were in and so we looked around the store together. No luck, so I took him to a CM who took him to the lost parents site. I stayed with him until his parents got there because he didn't want me to leave even though Snow White was trying to entertain him. It took 30 minutes for his parents to get there as they thought he had gone with grandma.

The other 2 times I have found lost kids, they have actually found me. Both came up to me to tell me they were lost. I am not a CM and I don't dress like one. I guess kids just see me as a safe adult. Both of those kids were reunited before we made it to the CM.

Bev

 

[Sinclare]

Man NOTHING sends chills down my spine like these kinds of stories. Fortunately, due to these boards I'm prepared for this to some extent. I went to Walmart and used one of those "pet tag" engraving machines. They had a nice "dog tag" that looked like an american flag so I engraved his name, our cell phone number, my name (and identified myself as "dad"), our home phone number, and home address. He put it around his neck like he is wearing army "dog tags". I plan on covering exactly what to do if he gets lost on the way down tomorrow. In addition, I got the both of us matching shirts to wear to MK so if he gets lost it will be much easier to explain what he is wearing.

So thanks to everyone on these boards for these tips; I hope it doesn't happen but there is some piece of mind just in case it does.


PS. Buckarroo - That last line was priceless, I'll have to remember to tell my son that

 

[princess kerri]

An individual who appeared to be in charge of the security force came up to me wearing a smile. He said, "The next time you get separated, tell your son to talk to the CMs about Disney. While we were waiting for you all he talked about was your adventures the other day at Universal Studios"...

I'm sorry but that just cracks me up!! (very good that your son was found though and had been taken care of)

 

[dvcmember]

Last year we were looking at pins in MGM and my 6 yr old daughter disappeared -she decided to go shopping. Luckily we found her quickly. She has been taught to go to a CM if she loses us but she did not think she was lost...Barb

 

[BlessedMomOfTwo]

The reason they were interested in what shoes your missing child was wearing, was that in most cases someone who would take a child may duck into a bathroom or other area with them and change their clothing into something they have brought along. Rarely will they change their shoes, so they will focus on looking at shoes at the exits, etc instead of just clothing as that is often switched.

Not shared to scare anyone. I think it is great the CMs are so knowledgable & well-trained as to focus on that.

I am so sorry that you all had to go thru those terrifying experiences. I have been there myself, though not at Disney.

Carol

 

[Nik's Mom]

I am interested in that Wal Mart dog tag thing or anything else like it. My son is 4 years old, but has a speech problem and does not communicate well, especially with strangers. He can say his name, but he will not remember our cell phone # or hotel. Any tips on tags or wrist bands would be much appreciated. I am worried about this very thing happening. Even though we have never lost him before, it's easy to do in a big place. My Mom still gets teary eyed just talking about how they lost my sister for 1/2 hour at the County Faire 35 years ago. The woman still won't go back to the faire!

 

[twinmomplus2]

There are wristbands, Manufactured by a company called Aqua Blast. That you put on the children in the same fashion as you would a watch.They are very functional. You have a little blue bracelet that attachs with velcro, And it comes with several little ID cards that you slip in under the band.They were fairly cheap as well. I am sorry I can not remember but, I seem to recall being less than $10 dollars each? It would give you some sanity, The above poster, It would be perfect for your son.

 

[welovemickey]

I lost my middle DS when he was 2 at the beach. He was playing by the water with other children who were there with us and started walking back toward the blanket. I took my eyes off him for a minute. Well, when I looked back up, he was gone. I freaked out. My friend ran one way on the beach and I ran the other yelling for him. I was so panicked! I started scanning the water line screaming for him. No one had seen him. I finally reached the lifeguard station and the girl was so nonchalant about the whole thing that I started yelling at her. Luckily for me, a woman behind the lifeguard stand heard me and said she had just seen my DS walking further down the beach. I never ran so fast in my life. I finally caught up with him. I grabbed both my kids and have never returned to the beach since (this was 8 years ago). We put a built in pool in and they can play in the sandbox.

 

[MELSMICE]

My daughter was about 9 or 10 when we were in MK a few years ago. We were in Fantasyland & going from the Carousel to Small World. It was very crowded & we were with a large group, so everyone was keeping an eye on all the kids (my 3 DD's).

Before we left the Carousel I did the head count & when we got to Small World I did the head count but only counted 2. I asked "who has Kelsey". No one answered. Again "who has Kelsey" louder this time. Well, no one had Kelsey. I didn't want to get into a full blown panic, but my heart was racing. I looked around for what seemed forever, but was really only about 60 seconds probably.

Well, all of a sudden I turn around & she is heading for us with this panicked look on her face. She walked right over to me & so as not to scare her I just said "Honey, what happened? Did you forget to join the group?". She said, "Yeah & I got really scared when I couldn't see you." Luckily, she knew we were heading to Small World.

Just for that short minute I thought I was going to lose all control, so I can't even imagine a 15 or 20 minute ordeal. Needless to say, she remained very close as did our other 2 DD's that were 6 or 7 at the time.

She still talks about "getting lost at WDW" to this day & she is now 13 1/2!!

 

[Belle1962]

phamton--I can relate!!! it's a joke in my family that I am a lost child magnet. No matter where we are a lost child can find me--even among a sea of people!!!! I've "found" lost children at the mall, at Universal (never at Disney though) and most recently at a TDS. (I was looking at the Mickey 4th of July t-shirts and a little girl kept staring at me so I said Hi and she said "I can't find my mom"). I tell my DH it's a blessing---at least I know I am a good person with no evil intent towards children and if they find their way to me they're safe.

 

[phamton]

Originally posted by Belle1962
phamton--I can relate!!! it's a joke in my family that I am a lost child magnet. No matter where we are a lost child can find me--even among a sea of people!!!! I've "found" lost children at the mall, at Universal (never at Disney though) and most recently at a TDS. (I was looking at the Mickey 4th of July t-shirts and a little girl kept staring at me so I said Hi and she said "I can't find my mom"). I tell my DH it's a blessing---at least I know I am a good person with no evil intent towards children and if they find their way to me they're safe.

Yep, I find them at Sears, Walmart, Lowes, and the Mall. They just seem to find me most of the time but I can also spot that "I'm lost" look on a child's face. None have ever been afraid of me and many insist that I stay with them rather than the "strange" store employee or CM.

We went to WDW for the first time in 1997. Found a lost child the first day. Then the next day we went to Universal, found another one that day. Then the next year 1998 we went to Disneyland, found a lost child that day. Then two years later 2000 we were back at WDW and found a child the second day there. (This was the child who wanted to stay with me even though Snow White was entertaining him.)

Our last trip to WDW was in 2002 and I didn't find a single child. My husband and kids teased me about that but I think it is because my sons are teens now and they might look scary to a child. (I know they scare me!)

We are moving to Orlando in 3 weeks and plan on getting a FL PAP, so I'll be at the parks a lot. I suspect that my lost child rescue quota may be going up.

Bev