Totally paranoid - ID bracelet or harness for 2 yr old?

[TheyCallMeStacey]

Other posts have covered a lot! You could print your own temporary tattoos - doing this for my 4 year old and 20 mo old. They'll love them! Very interested in the ID tag on the shoe idea. Depending on how far you want to go...Verizon has a device called MyGizmoPal - basically a GPS for your kids with an app for your phone...can call 2 numbers (maybe a bit robust for your lil one - but I've been dreaming of that GPS function for my littles). The other great tip I saw at another amusement park is right before you go in, take a picture of your little one on your phone - then you have exactly what they look like on that day readily available should anything happen...which it likely won't - but I'm a worrier - so we're totally doing this.

 

[Lsyves]

I have an active boy who is so fast, so I worry about him getting separated from us as well. He is six and could probably tell a CM my phone number but he'd also probably be bawling if he realized he was lost so any extra security I can give him is worth it. I've used tags you can thread through their laces - the ones I use are called "Who's Shoes ID Kit," and you can get them on amazon. If I remember right, you write their name and your phone number on them. I liked them because they fold over (extremely secure) onto their shoe lace so no one can see their name or phone number (I'm a bit paranoid about strangers knowing my kids' names). I also take pictures of my kids each morning while waiting for the bus or in line at breakfast etc. so I can show a pic to a CM and remember what they are wearing that day. Haven't lost any yet

 

[cjbcam]

Write your name and number on their arm with pen seal it with liquid bandaid. Then it won't wash off.
Sorry about your loss.

 

[smiths02]

We ordered safety tats. But we forgot to use them, so our kids had no identifying information. Anyhow, we went to Disney with 3 kids, two of them being two year olds, and 2 adults and we didn't lose one!
1) 2 year olds are in the stroller a lot or being held, no opportunity to lose him there...although DH did park the stroller for the Safari at AK and come back to the line...the twins were in the stroller LOL (we never lost visual on them-it was literally seconds that they were "alone")
2) Is your 2 year old a runner? Our first son, being the overprotected only child of an only child, was not a runner. You could not lose him if you tried. Our twins are more adventurous, but at Disney, they instinctively kept close
3) A harness might not work anyhow. We tried with our twins, there is no way they would walk in those things, so we just don't do it. (I think PP have mentioned the hold my hand or go in stroller rule)

 

[ghtx]

No need for the ID or the harness (leash). Your kid will be safe. WDW is one of the safest places he/she could possibly be at.

 

[unrequited23]

I would consider bringing a stroller to use during more crowded, hectic times in the park. I plan on bringing my sit and stand for my 2.5 and 5.5 yr old boys and have explained to them that Mommy worries less when she can see both of them in front of her. Another idea I'm considering is having a pet tag made with our cell phone number on it and putting it across their shoelaces just in case.

 

[PurpleKomodo]

I was worried about losing DS (2.5) at WDW this past summer, but really, once we got there, those fears were unfounded. We also use the hold a hand or ride rule which worked pretty well. But, if there was an open enough space, we would let him walk ahead a bit. The only time I was ever worried while we were there was during the Incredibles Dance Party in MK. He was so excited to dance with the characters that he just slipped through the crowd to be near them. However, between DH and I we were able to keep an eye on him and he was just fine. He even did well with sitting with the kids at turtle talk and the other performers at Enchanted Tales. Disney CMs really do a great job with little kids, regardless of their language skills. Even if he would get lost, the CMs are well versed in how to handle it. So try to relax and have fun. Remember, kids feed off your anxiety.

As far as IDs, we just trusted the Magic band. DS was thrilled with wearing it and wouldn't even take it off to sleep at night (lol). So, if he had gotten lost, a CM would have been able to scan that band and at least get his name. I am not 100 percent sure what all is stored on 3 and under bands as far as reservation or adults contact info, but I am betting that if they really couldn't find you, they would be able to get what they needed through the band. Also, familiarize yourself with CM procedures for lost children. They are trained to look in the area for a short time and then take the child to the baby care center in the park until a parent can be found. If you have been looking for longer than a few minutes, have a CM radio to baby care and see if your child is there. I truly believe no one knows how to handle lost little kids better than Disney. They will take care of you and your family. But also know, with 2 adults and 1 kiddo, the chances of getting separated at all are pretty slim, especially if it isn't usually an issue anywhere else (grocery store, mall, zoo, etc.)

 

[wilkeliza]

Edit: Please do not rely on MB. I checked since the system is bigger than I was there and the default is still not to scan a MB. Also the other thing they can access from a child's page is the information section. Smaller children go to baby care (under 7 if I remember right) so they may not even have a scanner there. If they go to GR it is a last resort that they will scan the band and look if a parent put a cell phone number in the information section. If there is no number they don't go digging through the account looking for other information.

Just know if a CM sees an alone crying 2 year old (really alone crying any age) they are going to stop and ask questions. If he can shake his head yes and no a CM will understand them. If your 2 year old I good at following directions look up photos of the CMs ID tag. Tell him if he gets lost to go to someone with one of those. They'll know what to do. If he is not going to do a harness or backpack pal perhaps a hand holder? They are little straps you can attach to your belt loop or wrist and then your little one holds onto that. At 2 with the nephew we just used the harness as a threat. He hated the idea of it so we simply told him in he ran off he had to wear it. He never ran off after he was told that.

OP your fears are logical and okay. I can't imagine the loss of a child. Just breath and do what is best for you and DH to have a good vacation with your son.

 

[AbbyDoesFL]

I think the harness is sort of dangerous. The kids can get ahead of you or behind and there are SO many people that I have seen them get trampled or knocked down. WDW has a lost child center as my back up always but I do ID and a firm hand holding policy. If not my hand my belt loop my daughter is either in my eye sight or touching me. You are not paranoid. It is a huge place and kids are just little people. You have every right to be nervous. Or for a 2 year old a stroller? My daughter is 7 but when we went when she was younger she was in a stroller.

 

[Maxpowers]

Last time I was there I brought my DD (1.5) and my DS (3), we placed our phone number inside their magic bands worrying about being separated. it was very very crowded when we were there and we had no problems at all. When in a place that was too crowded we would pick them up and hold them or strap them into a stroller.

 

[ruthies12]

I also recommend the safety tats. Just google it, they have all kinds of cute designs that the kids love and print two cell phone numbers so you can put you and dh on there.

 

[mzsarah10]

for both kids, we bought ID tags at Walmart and put them on their shoes. We also took pictures of them with our phones each morning so we had a current picture.

 

[wasnotafan]

We used a harness for DS when he was about 18 months without problems. DD did better in the stroller. Try everything and stick with what works. Sorry for your loss.

 

[Melissa Sheridan]

I ordered these when we did Disneyland a few years ago and they worked like a dream!
http://www.tottoos.org/
They are personalized tattoos that stay on really, really well and can be customized with your phone number, or whatever other info you'd like.

I am so sorry for your loss <3

 

[lazytown10]

I wouldn't worry too much. We have eight kids, and we started taking most of them at about 14 months old. It isn't hard to keep up with them, even when we take all eight! A stroller is a must. Most of our kids have been so amazed at the sights and sounds of Disney that they were happy to ride in the stroller. We have tried to use a leash, but it didn't work to well. There is so much foot traffic that it makes it hard for a little one to walk. I would not recommend the magic bands as an emergency i.d. Our little ones loved them some days and hated them others. Safety tats are a great option. Good luck! Yall will have a great time!

 

[superchime]

My boys have Road ID bands they wear anytime we're going anywhere crowded. Before that, I'd just write on their upper arm/shoulder area in sharpie. Not glamorous, but it worked.

 

[kiramay]

Our first trip my youngest was 2. I wasn't prepared and on our Epcot day I grabbed a marker from a Kidcot station and wrote my cell phone number down his forearm.

Second trip I bought ID bracelets online for all three kids.

He'll be 5.5 on the next trip and I'm still bringing the stroller. Easier than holding his hand and walking at a snails pace.

 

[Gracie09]

We've used safety tats for a few trips. Worked very well. Also take a quick photo of your kid every morning. If you do get separated you can show the cm what he looks like including clothing

 

[scrappingbuckeye]

Personally if you are worried I would just put a sticker on my child with their name and my name and phone number on it. My kids are older now but when began taking them when they were young. We were always just able to keep an eye on them, nothing bad ever happened. I am a paranoid mom as well so I get it. I am personally against the harnesses unless you know your child is a runner.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

We used a harness when we took our 13-month old. At that point she didn't get the "if you don't hold my hand you get in the stroller" discussion. She had discovered walking and wanted to walk. I figured the same people who would judge me for using a harness would judge me for not protecting her if something happened so I just ignored the disparaging looks. Funny thing, she quickly realized the point of the harness and stated hating it, so she started wanting to hold our hand or hold on to the stroller instead. When it was her choice to hold hands it was ok. If the harness makes you feel better, try it. People are going to judge you regardless of what you do. Ignore it, you will never see those people again after your vacation is over.

The tags and safety tattoos are great ideas if your son does get lost. But it made me feel better to do as much as I could to prevent separation.