How to handle wandering children in WDW

[KRD1969]

My kids (3 1/2 & 5) are not generally wanderers, and we definitely keep a close eye on them at alll times. But, how does WDW deal with lost kids? Lost parents? I was thinking of placing a card in each of their pockets every day with our names, cell phone numbers, resort location, etc.
Any other thoughts or ideas?

 

[snowy76]

Welcome!!!

If you scroll through the threads on this board you'll probably find many suggestions. One great tip I picked up was to take a digital photo of your children each day so that CMs will know exactly what your child looks like. Some folks have their kids point out the CMs to them so that they know who to look for when they get lost, or they tell their kids to find a mommy. I remember a poster who dressed her kids alike every day - same idea as taking the photo. Quite a few parents buy the harnesses or wrist straps to keep their kids within arm's length. That's all I can think of at the moment!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I make a laminated card for them with their names, our names, our cell #, our resort name and #, and tape it inside their fanny packs. We always make sure when we are walking through crowded places, especially at night that we each have ahold of one child!
We do point out the cast members and tell them to find one or go into a store or restaurant and find one if they are lost. I have also heard of people telling their children to find another mommy. Someone with little kids or pushing a stroller.
Luckily we haven't been through the experience of a lost child, but I'm sure that Disney has this happen quite often and knows just what to do.

 

[bartleby1]

My kids (3 1/2 & 5) are not generally wanderers, and we definitely keep a close eye on them at alll times. But, how does WDW deal with lost kids? Lost parents? I was thinking of placing a card in each of their pockets every day with our names, cell phone numbers, resort location, etc.
Any other thoughts or ideas?

One year I bought shoe ID tags that velcroed around my kids shoelaces. It said "shoe ID tag" or something like that on the outside, but on the inside you could write your contact info/cell phone, whatever. I ordered them on the internet but I don't know the site anymore. I'm sure you could find them by doing a search.

 

[dbarker]

I make a "button" for DS to wear. I get the kit at Wal-Mart. I use some Disney Clip Art for a picture of a character. I put his name (first initial, last name), age, our names, where we are staying and our cell #.

The reason I put his name on it is b/c I have seen him clam up around strangers and not say anything at all. I'm not sure how he would react we got lost from him. I want the CMs to have all the info they need.

I also have taught him to find a CM. I point out their "uniforms" and ID tags.

 

[DawnM]

I have lost a child at Disney.

My now 7 year old was about 3.5 or so. He didn't talk much and people didn't understand him when he said his name (Christian).

He was missing for about 30 minutes. I was panicing.

I found out later that a CM had found him and asked him his name and he said, "My bwutha's name is Taylor." When they found me the CM said, "Do you have another son named Taylor?"

The CM had been holding his hand for the whole time and walking him around looking for me.

I will most definitely keep a tag on my youngest from now on.

BTW: You can get tags on Main Street for free in the customer service area (I forgot the name of it now, but it is the place where you can get Disney Dollars.)

Dawn

 

[MommaPooh217]

Hi KRD,

What I did was go to the mouse for less website and print out some ID cards this is the web address : http://www.themouseforless.com/downloads/kids/id.shtml


filled in all the info- name, age, hotel we were staying at, my husbands and my cell phone numbers, and our names, then attached recent pictures of both DD's to the ID tags and placed them in some old Disney luggage tags I had which I attached to each child's belt loop and stuck the tag in their pocket each day so if they got lost all they had to do was show the CM their card. It worked very well. Hope this helps. Have a great time.

Blessed Be,
Tina