Keeping Track of your Children

[RobInBigKC]

(I apologize if this thread is already present on this board somewhere. I tried to locate one through searches but couldn't.)

OK, this will be my fourth trip to Disney with my DS's (first time with 2, second time with 3, third and fourth times with 4) but I'm always looking for wisdom/tips from others.

What do you do to help keep track of your children while they're at WDW (in the parks and out)? Obviously, keeping an eagle eye on them is best but most of us have had that two-second moment when we weren't sure where at least one of our kids was.

Here are the ideas I have so far:
1. Keeping an eagle eye on the kids.
2. Wearing matching shirts with bright colors being the easiest to pick out of the crowd.
3. Wrist straps / harnesses (don't want to start a debate by listing this -- we won't do it but it is an option).
4. Taking a digital picture of each child each morning wearing that day's outfit.
5. Having the child carry a picture of their family in their pocket to show WDW CM's if us parents get lost (not sure how well this will hold up after water rides or playing in fountains).
6. Have the child carry the hotel name and room number (and address if staying off-site) in their pocket.
7. Have the child carry our cell phone numbers in their pocket (of course, this means we'll have to carry our cell phones which I would rather not do while on vacation but if it makes our DS's safer...).

Any other ideas/tips/suggestions out there?

Thanks. -- Rob

 

[pedro2112]

When we first took the kids to WDW, the youngest was 3 and our oldest was 5. We rented a stroller for our DD3 and our DD5 was old enough to follow instructions (stay by daddy or mommy's side). We did by the wrist leashes, but never ended up using them.

The last time we went (last March) our DDs were 6&5, so we didn't have the "keep track of them" issues.

 

[Annette_VA]

Instead of a piece of paper which can get wet, fall out of a pocket, etc, use a dog tag. Put child's name, mom's cell # & dad's cell # on it.

 

[DizChick05]

I took wristbands with a clear label and wrote the childrens names, a contact # and the hotel and room # and then drilled the kids by saying "Now what if you come off of Splash Mountain and you don't see Mommy or dad?" then if they get lost they can walk up to a CM and show them their wristband.

Or, if it's like 12,13 Year olds then you can make a good investment 4 wdw and home,and get them one of those Firefly or Migo pay-as-you go phones and let them be even more independent.

 

[fanofdisney]

Instead of a piece of paper which can get wet, fall out of a pocket, etc, use a dog tag. Put child's name, mom's cell # & dad's cell # on it.

That's a great idea. They're fairly cheap in the do-it-yourself machines inside the pet stores. I would also point out to them what the cm look like and what they're wearing when you arrive, and explain to them that's who to go to if they can't find you.

 

[Danaans]

(I apologize if this thread is already present on this board somewhere. I tried to locate one through searches but couldn't.)

OK, this will be my fourth trip to Disney with my DS's (first time with 2, second time with 3, third and fourth times with 4) but I'm always looking for wisdom/tips from others.

What do you do to help keep track of your children while they're at WDW (in the parks and out)? Obviously, keeping an eagle eye on them is best but most of us have had that two-second moment when we weren't sure where at least one of our kids was.

Here are the ideas I have so far:
1. Keeping an eagle eye on the kids.
2. Wearing matching shirts with bright colors being the easiest to pick out of the crowd.
3. Wrist straps / harnesses (don't want to start a debate by listing this -- we won't do it but it is an option).
4. Taking a digital picture of each child each morning wearing that day's outfit.
5. Having the child carry a picture of their family in their pocket to show WDW CM's if us parents get lost (not sure how well this will hold up after water rides or playing in fountains).
6. Have the child carry the hotel name and room number (and address if staying off-site) in their pocket.
7. Have the child carry our cell phone numbers in their pocket (of course, this means we'll have to carry our cell phones which I would rather not do while on vacation but if it makes our DS's safer...).

Any other ideas/tips/suggestions out there?

Thanks. -- Rob

Rob, I made Id's for my Grandchildren....


(Current Picture of Child)
home address
parents cell phone number
DOB
Haircolor eyecolor
where we were staying
reservation number
hotel phone number

I made them up on 5x7 cards on my computer and laminated them. I punched a hole in the corner and got the spiral cord keyrings and attached them, so that the kids could wear them on their wrists. My grandson who is one-year wore his on his leg. I made them big enough (5x7) so that a person (if they found them wandering would see the tag immediately. ) I also scanned Mickey mouse on it and called it a Mouseteer Tag.

My daughter said I should sell them -- they turned out really cute.

Hope this helps you.

~Linda