Lost in the park!

[fljelad]

How amenable are the CMs to doing a "dry run" with parents and an almost seven year old in the event that we are separated. Our DS is still pretty much a "cling-on" when we are out in crowds but I want to be prepared. We want him to be able to show us that he can indentify the CMs and it would be nice if we could "target" a CM to have him approach.

Does this make sense? What do you all think?

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

This makes no sense to me???

 

[fljelad]

Okay.

We go to MK with our son. It is crowded. We approach a CM and say, "Hi! We'd like to introduce our son! In the event that we are separated we want him to know that he can speak with YOU or anyone with this type of name tag!"

Will that be met with enthusiasm by the CM or will be be looked at as freaks.

Maybe nobody else worries about his sort of thing.

 

[AJKMOM]

I think they would be very agreeable to that. Disney wants all "lost" customers reunited as soon as possible. You could show him the badges they wear, and explain that all the costumes won't be the same.

 

[safetymom]

I think that is a little much. What if the cast member goes to lunch or ends their shift? I say to put some ID on your son like on a chain or they have shoe tags that can hold ID.

All CM's are trained what to do if they see a lost child. I don't think you have to single out a CM for your child to approach.

It is good to be careful but don't worry so much and enjoy WDW.

 

[Tinkbellfan]

I think any kind of preparation you do to make your DS more comfortable is a good thing. My DD has been numerous times to the World and is familiar with the CM's, but anytime we take a child that has not been before, we always go up to a CM have the child talk to them and show them their badge. The CM's have always been more than willing to help. Have a great time!

 

[AJKMOM]

The op said "you or anyone with this type of name tag". They don't want one particular CM to watch out for their son, just want him familiar with what CM's look like. He's only 7 and it can be scary in a big place like WDW if you get lost.

 

[cindy_k]

I don't know about a dry run, but I would make sure that your son knows what a CM looks like. I would use their Name Badge as the Identifing mark. You might even introduce him to a CM when you get to a park, so he is not afraid to speak to them.
Disney recommends this on their website:
"Introduce your child to a Disney Cast Member and specifically point out the Cast Member's unique name tag. If your child should get lost, any Cast Member can help him or her find you."
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/experience/expTips?id=PreschoolersExperienceTipsPage

Also I would make sure that he knows your names (First and Last), the Hotel you are staying at, and your cell phone number. If your son has a fanny pack you could have all the info on a card in the pack. This will help the CM's find you. Disney is reported to be very good with lost children.

Have a good trip!
Cindy in NY

 

[WDSearcher]

Something else you'll want to do as a parent is have a CURRENT photo of your child with you, and KNOW WHAT HE'S WEARING!

You'd be surprised how many parents come running up to CMs saying, "I lost my daughter!" and then have no idea what she's wearing. Do you know how hard it is to find a lost kid when the only info you can get out of the parent is, "She's ... um .... six .... and ... um ... I think ... blonde hair ... maybe kind of brownish ...." Then you ask for a photo and they show you a picture of a 6-month-old in grandma's arms.

Take a digital or poloroid of your child each day so that you have something to show Security or CMs if your child is lost. Or at least have the current year's school photo in your wallet or purse and an idea of what your child is wearing. And for goodness sake, stay calm. I know it's hard when a child is missing, but it's impossible for a CM to help you if you're screaming or crying hysterically and unable to answer questions.

 

[safetymom]

I understood what the OP asked. Not to make it more complicated but the guest of honor badges look like a CM name tag. Adults and CM's have mistaken my name tag for being a cast member so I think a young child could do that also.

I agree about having a current photo to show in case the child gets lost.

 

[fljelad]

The op said "you or anyone with this type of name tag". They don't want one particular CM to watch out for their son, just want him familiar with what CM's look like. He's only 7 and it can be scary in a big place like WDW if you get lost.

Thank you.

 

[vettechick99]

We approach a CM and say, "Hi! We'd like to introduce our son! In the event that we are separated we want him to know that he can speak with YOU or anyone with this type of name tag!"

I think that sounds great and is a good idea. I can't imagine any response will be negative.

Sadly, do this at Wal-mart and you're likely to get from employees.

 

[FrostyFriend80]

When we went a couple of years ago I made the tag for my then 4 year old son's shoe. It listed last name only, parents names, our hotel and his grandparents phone number (as a last resort). I had gotten that tip from this board at the time. Thankfully we were never separated but it put my mind at ease. We also have two older children that we would locate a landmark at the entrance to the park and told them if we were seperated they should find a cm and go to this spot. Again never had to use but was a peace of mind. We are leaving in 2 days for another trip they are all old enough for the later but even at 16, 13, & 9 I still worry we will get lost from each other.

 

[bjscheel]

I got bracelets with DH's cell phone number in beads made by a lady on eBay. They fasten with a clasp and are snug enough DDs can't take them off by themselves. One is pink and purple, one is rainbow colored. Very pretty and functional!

Great reminder about the recent photo- need to add that to the packing list!

 

[jjan]

Another thing to do to help your son is to make sure that he knows what YOU are wearing so a CM can help him look for you. Most kids at Disney don't have this info so they actually will ask them what the parents shoes look like (they tend to know that) and they will scan the crowds for them... just a thought. I think that doing a dry run is a great idea. We also did the name tag/dog tag necklace @ Wal-Mart with our DD name and both or cell phone numbers and it made us all feel better.

 

[dizluvr71]

I think it is a great idea. I got lost at DL when I was 6 and was scared out of my mind, but my Grandma had pointed out the CM's to me when we arrived and when one approached me and asked if I was lost I knew it was OK to talk to them. It took all of about 5 minutes and I was reunited with my family.

When we went to DL last year that was the first thing I did with my DS6 and the CM was very nice to him. Luckily we were never separated, however I had a bit of peace of mind knowing he at least knew who to go to if something should happen. I also always remind him no matter where we go that if he is separated from me to look for a Mom with kids.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

I made up business cards on my home computer for each of my boys they had my name,my cell ,my wifes name and cell ,our hotel and room number(wrote it in when we got there)laminated them and put them on their lanyards.

we also thought of getting these on our next trip

http://www.child-identification-products.com/child-id-shoe-tags.html

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

FYI - children don't get lost at WDW, its the 'parents' who are 'lost'......

 

[kikipug]

Better yet... if you are using a digital camera, make sure that the first photo of the day is of your kids- in the outfits that they are wearing for the day. Keep it stored in the camera all day. You can always delete it the next AM and replace it with a new pic of the 'outfit of the day'.

 

[jlaspoq]

We always make sure our kids can point out workers when we are in large crowded areas - and definitely the name badge is the key because the uniforms differ. "If you couldn't find us right now what would you do?" They look around and point out a CM or show us where they would go. We also encourage going to one of the vendors selling something or manning a ride (as opposed to just walking in the park) - more obviously a worker and not just someone who looks like one. We don't ever actually go up to the worker in question though, just make sure the kids can identify where to go.