Lost Children

[KimberAnn]

Please be sure to take your child up to a cast member on the first day and show him/her the name tag. Explain that if they are ever lost that they should find a cast member immediately and tell them their name and that they are lost.

My DD (6) got lost in the MK on our last day. I went to get a stroller and DH went to the bathroom. She followed him when she was supposed to be with me. I was carrying my little one and turned to say something to her, and she was not there!

I ran around like a lunatic. A cast member stopped me and helped me look. Within minutes two more cast members joined the search. By this time I'm in tears and STILL carrying the baby (hadn't gotten the stroller yet).

Finally I see her father carrying her.

She had walked up to a cast member and said "I can't find my mommy and daddy" DH happened out of the bathroom and saw her. I am SOO glad I had told her what to do if she got lost.

She didn't cry until she finally saw me.

The castmembers that helped me look each let her pick a pin from their lanyards which turned a really horrifying experience into a happy memory.

Please teach your children what to do if they get lost!

 

[stacy6552]

how horrible for you! Glad it all ended well and relatively quickly. thanks for the PSA.

 

[mommytotwo]

That's a great tip. Glad you found her.

 

[Sazuburns]

You must have been terrified! I had a similar experience when we went to Legoland last summer. My elder ds wandered off when we were at the paddling pool and as I was watching my younger ds (and dh didn't seem to be watching anyone!) he just slipped off. I found him, but my heart skipped a few beats.

I tied a red bandana around his head after that, so I could spot him easily.

I've got ID wristbands for the children for our forthcoming trip, so that we can have some contact information on them, but I'll definitely show ds1 what a cast-member looks like! Ds2 will be strapped in the stroller or on the reins all the time as he is only 2.

Sarah

 

[Tigge50447]

I have a little booklet I got from a fair or something that I carry with me at all times in my purse. In the book it states my son's height , weight and other information. I also change the picture and keep a spare picture in the book. I think God for bid my son got lost in the mall or any other crowded area looking for a 3 year old year boy with brown hair would be difficult. Having a few pictures to hand out would help out. I will be telling him about the cast members too when we get there that is a fantastic idea. I always tell him if he needs help he can ask a policeman but in disney they might be hard to come by.

Thanks for the tip

 

[MOMO2DK]

In the past I've put bracelts w/ address and other info on their ankles, as I don't want someone to be able to obtain their names from their wrists. I've also told my daughter NEVER tell a stranger her name, and we discuss who not a stranger (police, teacher, etc...). We are heading down next month and I will definately intrduce her to the cast members.

 

[K & D Mickey]

going to disney 16 hrs. any help would be great

 

[PoohNPiglet]

I think it is a good idea to tell your children what to do if they can't find you! My question is -- is there a way to tell the difference between a REAL cast member badge and the ones you can order for yourself? I know I have seen posts were people buy these for themselves and other people think they work there. I would not want my little one telling the wrong person she is lost -- there are some really messed up people out there. I am hoping there is a way to tell the difference...

 

[babygarrettsmom]

The real CM badges are white. The ones you could get for yourself were always colored, that I saw. Although, I wouldn't worry about that too much. In all my trips, I don't think I have ever seen an adult wearing the GOH badges. Just introduce your child to a CM, and they will be happy to 'instruct' the child for you. It's really cute to see.

 

[peanutzmom]

I'm glad such a scary event turned out so well! I must say, I feel so much safer at WDW with my kids than other places becausetheir CM's really seem to be well trained in handling lost kids. We were at *another* Florida theme park (that will remain namless) earlier this year. I noticed a little boy wandering around crying for his mom. I went up & asked if he was lost, and when he said yes, I took him to the nearest park worker. I told her I found a lost child. She looked at him and said, "Since he's all wet, he probably came from the water area over there," and pointed in the general direction. I had to personally walk the child over there and help him find his mom!! Absolutely no help from the park attendant at all!! That freaked me out, and I kept a death grip on my own two kids for the rest of our visit.

 

[HollyJoy]

So sorry that you had to go through that experience, but glad that it all worked out. Also, thanks for the tip. I will be sure to do just what you suggested. I've seen alot of posts on how to put some sort of id's on your child as well. I think I'm going to do the pet tags on the shoelaces or on a necklace, with our cellphone number on it.