Kid Id's

[jpd3]

My DW and I are a little paranoid about losing one of our DD's while at Disney. I know they have a really great security program there, but I am wondering if anyone has any strategies on identifying your kids. Just in case, we always take a digital photo of the kids everyday before going to the parks. But I'd like something with their name and address on it too. Something that they could carry or have attached to them instead of writing their infor on their upper arms like we did last time. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

On our first trip DH took current pics of the kids and made 2 ID's for each of our kids - The id had their pic, name , our names, our cell number, and our hotel info. They each keep the id on them - either in their pockets or in their shoe. We also had our copy of their ID so that we could show it if necessary should they become lost. Thank goodness they never had to use it but we will do the same for our next trip in June.

 

[julie_yet]

When I took my niece and nephew 2 years ago I made them each a card with their name, my name and my cell phone number (didn't think about a picture) and had them keep them in their pockets. I made them on the computer, printed them out and laminated them.

 

[AZKathy]

Here is what our friends did when we vacationed together last summer. He took pictures of all the kids and took pictures of the parents.<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_1_111.gif' border=0></a> Then he downloaded the pics and put a pic of the child on the front with name, cell phone number, parents' names, etc. on the front. On the back there was the picture of the parents and it said that this is my parents. He made this the size of a credit card and then laminated it.

Now, either you can put one in the child's fanny pack, or you can hole punch it and put it on a long chain and the child could wear it around his/her neck under the clothing.<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_10_6.gif' border=0></a>

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

Here's two different things I've purchased and used that you might want to check out.

www.escopes.com

They sell a little tiny viewer that has a piece of microfilm inside with whatever info you want. (Info looks bigger when you look into the viewer). Can be worn on a chain or on a shoe (shoe was great when my DD was 18 months).

www.childwristband.com

They sell a nylon and velcro writsband/bracelet that has a little pocket. You write info on a water-proof piece of plastic and slip it into the pocket. I liked that you could write a new slip whenever you want - so you could include your name & hotel, etc. The velcor is very strong - we didn't have trouble with little ones taking the wristbands off. They wore them on their wrists and sometimes on their ankles.

Hope that helps. Maybe one of these methods will be good for you and your family.

 

[dzneelvr]

My question is: what type of ID is valid for getting an AP if DD is 14 and doesn't have a driver's license? She has a school photo Id....is that enough or do I need to take along a copy of a birth certificate?

DS is 16 and has a driver's license....this is the first trip I've thought to ask.

thanks.

 

[jpd3]

Thanks for the website SnoWhiteRabbit. I like the idea of the wristband. It shouldn't be too hard to sell it to my daughters as a pretty bracelet! Thanks for the tip!

 

[Mainebound]

We used the "ID Inside" child wristbands last year, but I did not like them, for two reasons: first, they are itchy and uncomfortable (and they shed!), and second, no one in the world would know that if you wrestle the thing off (velcro is like crazy glue on these things), and flip it over and dig out the white strip, you actually get info on the kid.

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

I wondered the same thing as Mainbound, but still liked the wristbands. Most of the time we just put it on, not loosely, but definitely not too tight, around the ankle over my children's socks. They never complained about the comfort.

I explained what it was to two of my kids (ages 2 and 4) and that if they were lost they should show the bracelet to an adult. As for the 10 month old, I just hoped it would help if necessary. I would assume Disney Cast Members are super-trained in helping reunite lost children with their parents, and are made aware of the common methods of child ID's - especially ones available commercially.

The same for the tag on the shoe.... My DD wore this when she was 18 months old. I hope if she did get lost Cast Members would know to look for a form of ID.

No matter what you use, there are pitfalls, and as a parent it scares the heebie jeebies out of me to think about losing my child, no matter what kind of ID she has!!!

Depending on the ages of the children, more importantly than ID is teaching them basic safety -

What to do if lost --
Stay in one spot, where you last saw your mom or dad

Who the safe adults are and how to find one --
- In Disney point out the Cast Member name tags with WHITE backgrounds
- In a store, a person behind a counter or cash resgister
- The Center for Missing and Exploited Children recommends asking for help from: a mom with children; a pregnant woman; someone who reminds the child of grandma; someone behind a cash register/counter

Good luck in what you choose. And may you never need to put an ID to use!

Hope that helps,

 

[dreamalittledream]

I also am concerned about "loosing" my dd. She is very good but who knows in a new situation and what will happen when we get there.
I made an ID tag, yes it came from Walmart's dog tag machine. But I picked a red heart and put her name on it and DH's cell phone#. I plan to attach it to her shoelace and teach her to show it if she is lost. She is 2 1/2 but know her name, phone number, where she lives and our names but who knows if she will be able to articulate the info if she can't find Mommy or Daddy.
I am now having second thoughts about putting her last name on the tag, but they could track us down thru the resort.
Does anyone have any thoughts about it that I may not have come up with?

 

[sdamico71]

I lost my child (should say my husband did) at a local amusement park 4 years ago.
Long story short, I left my three kids with husband when I went to the bathroom. My daughter was 2 1/2 at the time, and unlocked her stoller and "followed" me into the bathroom. I had no idea, and since she didn't see me, she walked back out. However, she went out the side my husband was not on. Needless to say, I was in a total panic, but park security were excellent. Daughter was found in less than 5 mins, but they were the longest 5 minutes of my life! The "taking a daily pic with my digital camera" is an excellent idea. Especially if you have a printer and can print a picture before you leave for the parks. Be extra careful to take a picture if you are doing a waterpark that day! (take the picture in the bathing suit)
In the midst of panic, it is really hard to remember every little thing your child is wearing. The daily picture will assist in a stressful time. I had never thought of losing a child before this happened, so I never gave thought to putting ID on my child, but now I do!



BTW, during the above chaos, another man was next to my husband and says "are you looking for your little one with the white sandals. She went that way." HELLO!!!! Any sane adult would alert you that your child is walking away beforehand.

 

[jcandtjsmommy]

we do "Ident-A-Kid" every year through my children's school. So we, the parents, have our children's picture, height, weight, etc... on us at all times. I love all the ideas for the id's for the children to carry.

 

[sk8ingmom]

Before our trip last June, I realized that DS (4) knew our HOME phone number, but that wouldn't help much on vacation! I found small beads with letters and numbers on them at a craft store & strung the kids first & last names and our cell phone numer onto a necklace with some colored beads in between. They both knew what the necklaces said & would be able to point it out ot a CM. The boys loved them & couldn't wait to put the "Disney necklaces" on each morning.

 

[MsLefty]

Quick funny story... we had pics of our kids with us, they had their id info in their pockets and had heard the "stay in one spot" lecture numerous times. Well, coming off the Kilimanjaro Safari at AK, I heard my youngest ask which way to go and I just said follow me as I veered right. I turn around and my HUSBAND is missing! I asked what happened to daddy and they say he went the other way. This happened in a matter of seconds. We head back and look up the other path, but no DH. We went back and walked in our original direction, knowing that both paths eventually ended up in the same spot, with me fuming! He should have told me if he wanted to take a different route!

We waited about 10 minutes where he should have come out. Annoyed at all the time we were wasting (we DO have a touring plan you know) I finally called him on his cell phone. He answers and I blurt out angrily "where ARE you!?!" He sheepishly replies "I'm staying in one spot, like I'm supposed too". I nearly fell over laughing. I should have known that rule applies to everybody!

 

[jpd3]

We made "Disney necklaces" last night. Cell Phone Numbers, Names, and Resort name. My girls loved them!

 

[MrsToad]

We took my 8-yr old neice and 11-yr old nephew two years ago. Thinking we might need official ID since their mother wasn't traveling with us, she took the kids to the local office of the state motor vehicle department and had official picture IDs made. She had to provide birth certificates and one other ID. These ID cards are supposed to be as official as drivers licenses. I carried the ID cards with me but I made a photocopy of the IDs on a sheet of paper that also contained our itinerary including resort, priority seatings, emergency contact information, etc. The kids each kept a copy in their waist pack.