We missed the tree lighting...it was a scary day for us PARENTS PLEASE READ

[mandymommy4]

I missed the tree lighting but we had a scary situation at DHS and I wanted to share it with all the parents. This is long but please read.

My kids were playing on the Honey I Shrunk the Kids play ground and my DD3 went in one of those little cave like things with my older two kids that only children can fit in and did not come out with them. We don't know what happened but my husband and sister started looking for her immediately and calling her name. We think she got scared and stayed in it then came out while they were looking for her.

I was at the bath room with my DD2 while this was happening and as i was walking back towards the playground I noticed a child's scream that reached a pitch and intensity i could not ignore, and I recognized the voice. It was my DD3 screaming "mommy, daddy, mommy, daddy" in a mans arms and she was reaching with both arms towards the playground. I had no idea she was missing but adrenaline kicked in becasue I knew this was not right and I ran like I never have. He was already outside and LEAVING the playground area and walking towards the Streets of America through the archway. I started screaming her name and ran to him. I don't remember much beside he had on a hat and sunglasses and he said "she was lost" then he was gone, and not back into the playground either, it all happened so fast it is a blur.......another mother got a CM because I was hysterical as was DD3.

The CM that we talked to did not seem to think that it was a big deal and kept saying "ma'm he gave her too you". We went to guest services immediately and reported what we could to security, but honestly there was not much I could tell them because it was a big blur and i don't remember anything but glasses and hat....... the same thing most of the men wear at Disney. I also know he was light skinned and did not have a foreign accent. I can't tell you if he was even wearing clothes.

I believe this man was not trying to find help because he walked past several CM and was leaving with her. He did not return to the playground and did not stick around, he vanished.

WE will NEVER go in that play area again. We have never cared for it because it is so crowded and hard to keep up with your kids. We have ALWAYS stayed right with our kids while in this playground. We had 3 adults watching 4 kids and this happened. I don't understand how a man could walk out with a little girl screaming "mommy, daddy" and reaching out like she was and no CM stopped him.

My husband has always been edgy at WDW and I thought he was being silly. NOT now! Unfortunately we are thinking about not getting passes next year, it has affected us to that point.

I was so worked up I got sick (bless the people in first aid) from what happened that we went back to the hotel, we had FP for TSM and gave them away.

I could not go to the tree lighting meet.

I could not be around crowds anymore, even if they were DIS crowds.

I did not sleep at all and could not get the image of my baby girl screaming out of my mind.

This morning we went to Epcot but by 10 I could not handle it because i was so jumpy in the crowds and we left and came home.

I am thankful tonight that I was able to kiss my baby and say prayers with her.

I know this is kinda a down post and not the up beat, light hearted post that normally are on this board but out story needs to be shared.

PLEASE! WATCH YOUR CHILDREN, DON'T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN AT DISNEY!

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I have chills, that scares me beyond words. My guard is never down and sometimes I think I should be more relaxed but then I hear something like this and I just worry about my DDs so much. Hug her tight (I am sure you are). Hopefully this person was scared off, but for how long? Thanks for the reminder to be careful and safe. I think we need to be most careful at places like Disney, where there are children there are evil people unfortunatly. I can't imagine how you must feel, so sorry for you but so glad she is ok...

 

[mejkjj97]

Oh my is all I can say. I am shaking reading this. I also have a 3 year old and I like you, am not a fan of this play area.
It is sad that something like this could happen in Disney but you just never know. It's just a remider you can never be too careful.
thank god she is ok.

 

[jessily]

How scary! I'm so glad to hear that your daughter is safe. I worked at the Studios for a few months (never within the playground, but around that area). The last thing we would ever do with a lost child was remove them from the area. We would stay exactly where we found the child and more than 9 times out of 10 the parents would find us quickly (yes there were many experiences with lost children). This is a good reminder that while Disney can be the happiest place on earth, you never know who else is there. I hope you're feeling better soon!

 

[micheleq]

I'm glad your DD is ok. We just got back from the world with DD3 and DD1 and I lost DD3 for about two minutes in the Boneyard. She ran up the stairs and I thought she was coming down the slide. Nope. She went into the "dig" but I ran like crazy to find her. The next day I saw two parents frantically looking for children in Toontown, an easy place for kids to wander off because it all looks like a playground to them. Not one CM in Toontown came to their assistance (and they were screaming for their kids), other parents did.

Thank you for sharing your story -- it's important to share so others can be safe.

 

[sanapunk]

This story had me in tears! What a scary and sad situation to have happen on a family vacation. nowhere is safe these days!

but I'm so glad your DD is alright and hope this man doesn't try this again with someone elses child.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

That must have been so frightening. Thank goodness you heard your daughter when you did and were able to spring into action so quickly. It just makes me sick to my stomach to think about what might have happened if things had been different. There is always the chance that the man was trying to help and used poor judgement in picking up a small child, but I tend to agree with you that it certainly seems as though that might not have been the case. Thank you for sharing this as there are a lot of parents that tend to let their guard down while visiting WDW. Vigilance is a must -- even at the happiest place on earth! Give your baby a hug from me too.

 

[arielrocks]

Thank God you were where you were!!!!!

So glad you got her back from that Man!!!

So Scary and sad that this happens

 

[disneyholic family]

how terrifying!!! I'm glad that your daugther is safe and sound!

thank you for sharing this....it's good for all of us to remember to be vigilant as Lisa said.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Mandy - whatever you do, don't let the fear from this incident turn into a post-traumatic stress syndrome for you - getting sick from the stress and wanting to leave because of the crowd is how it starts. I've developed one of those PTSS cases and am in the process of trying to conquer it. You need to not let the fear of what could have happened rule your life. If it does, then kidnappers all over the world win.

Keep in mind that divine intervention meant you were supposed to find your child - that nothing bad was to come to you and everything was supposed to be okay in the end. I know your husband must feel extremely upset that it happened on his watch - how awful for both of you to be in that position where you convince yourself that it was your fault, even though it wasn't truly.

May you come to have peace with the situation and a growth of renewed love for your family in this holiday season. You were all meant to enjoy it together. Do so.

 

[disneyholic family]

Mandy - whatever you do, don't let the fear from this incident turn into a post-traumatic stress syndrome for you - getting sick from the stress and wanting to leave because of the crowd is how it starts. I've developed one of those PTSS cases and am in the process of trying to conquer it. You need to not let the fear of what could have happened rule your life. If it does, then kidnappers all over the world win.

Keep in mind that divine intervention meant you were supposed to find your child - that nothing bad was to come to you and everything was supposed to be okay in the end. I know your husband must feel extremely upset that it happened on his watch - how awful for both of you to be in that position where you convince yourself that it was your fault, even though it wasn't truly.

May you come to have peace with the situation and a growth of renewed love for your family in this holiday season. You were all meant to enjoy it together. Do so.

Mandy, Nancy makes an excellent point! and it's important not just for you, but also for your children......if you become an emotional wreck from this, it will have a very detrimental affect on your children as well...

there are professionals who can help you and your children conquer any lasting emotional impact from the incident...

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

She's right - the best thing you need to do is to work with them on not being afraid.

It's hard and somewhat embarrasing to share, but I want you to see how it happens and spins out of control. Mine PTSS is also travel related (keep in mind I used to be a weekly corporate business traveller with no issues) - I got food poisioning on a road trip with my 3.5 yr old when she was 3 weeks old and I was nursing. Ended up in some small regional hospital ER. That was the start. Then, I got sick travelling when I didn't know I was pregnant with #2, and then got constantly sick when travelling again in my 6th month, and you see the cycle starting. It grew into the fear of getting sick and not being able to take care of the kids when I was away from home. It got so bad this year (after 3 years) that I lost over 10 pounds from 2 travel weekends within a month. I hated spending all that time away from home sick, so much so we cancelled a vacation to WDW with friends - they are staying in our 2 BR at OKW without us!

See where I'm headed. I want to be able to travel again like a normal person, but I've let the fear get to me. If i can keep that from happening to someone else, then I've not gone through this in vain.

Hang in there!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

OMG Mandy I am so glad that you were able to get your DD back. That is so, so frightening. You made me open my eyes. I've always been pretty trusting, and I need to be a little more careful with the girls. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I wish you all the best in getting over your trauma.

 

[disneyholic family]

She's right - the best thing you need to do is to work with them on not being afraid.

It's hard and somewhat embarrasing to share, but I want you to see how it happens and spins out of control. Mine PTSS is also travel related (keep in mind I used to be a weekly corporate business traveller with no issues) - I got food poisioning on a road trip with my 3.5 yr old when she was 3 weeks old and I was nursing. Ended up in some small regional hospital ER. That was the start. Then, I got sick travelling when I didn't know I was pregnant with #2, and then got constantly sick when travelling again in my 6th month, and you see the cycle starting. It grew into the fear of getting sick and not being able to take care of the kids when I was away from home. It got so bad this year (after 3 years) that I lost over 10 pounds from 2 travel weekends within a month. I hated spending all that time away from home sick, so much so we cancelled a vacation to WDW with friends - they are staying in our 2 BR at OKW without us!

See where I'm headed. I want to be able to travel again like a normal person, but I've let the fear get to me. If i can keep that from happening to someone else, then I've not gone through this in vain.

Hang in there!

you hang in there too Nancy! i hope you're able to lick this thing!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

She's right - the best thing you need to do is to work with them on not being afraid.

It's hard and somewhat embarrasing to share, but I want you to see how it happens and spins out of control. Mine PTSS is also travel related (keep in mind I used to be a weekly corporate business traveller with no issues) - I got food poisioning on a road trip with my 3.5 yr old when she was 3 weeks old and I was nursing. Ended up in some small regional hospital ER. That was the start. Then, I got sick travelling when I didn't know I was pregnant with #2, and then got constantly sick when travelling again in my 6th month, and you see the cycle starting. It grew into the fear of getting sick and not being able to take care of the kids when I was away from home. It got so bad this year (after 3 years) that I lost over 10 pounds from 2 travel weekends within a month. I hated spending all that time away from home sick, so much so we cancelled a vacation to WDW with friends - they are staying in our 2 BR at OKW without us!

See where I'm headed. I want to be able to travel again like a normal person, but I've let the fear get to me. If i can keep that from happening to someone else, then I've not gone through this in vain.

Hang in there!

You take care of yourself too Nancy. Get better.

 

[mandymommy4]

Mandy - whatever you do, don't let the fear from this incident turn into a post-traumatic stress syndrome for you - getting sick from the stress and wanting to leave because of the crowd is how it starts. I've developed one of those PTSS cases and am in the process of trying to conquer it. You need to not let the fear of what could have happened rule your life. If it does, then kidnappers all over the world win.

Keep in mind that divine intervention meant you were supposed to find your child - that nothing bad was to come to you and everything was supposed to be okay in the end. I know your husband must feel extremely upset that it happened on his watch - how awful for both of you to be in that position where you convince yourself that it was your fault, even though it wasn't truly.

May you come to have peace with the situation and a growth of renewed love for your family in this holiday season. You were all meant to enjoy it together. Do so.

Thank you for you kind words I hope you get better and back to WDW!

I am sure we will be back to WDW sooner than later, we are local pass holders and I love it! We will have a new outlook on how we do the parks and what we do. I can tell you we will NEVER go back to that play area, we hated it before for this very reason.

I guess in my post I did not mention how amazing it is that I was at the right place at the right time. I believe in divine interventions and believe it was more than being in the right place at the right time. My DD2 had just gone potty 30 min before but had to go again. I was annoyed because we had just gone through the whole ordeal that she turns a trip to the potty into, she is in the " I do it myself" stage and that is not fun in a bath room. When we got to the bathrooms there was a little line and the woman in front of me noticed her doing the pee pee dance and said to the other women let this little girl go first. Then in stall my daughter let me do everything and we were in and out in a quarter of the time it normally takes. Then on our way we paused for about a min to look at the little booth outside those bath rooms that you can take pictures in.

Had we waited at the bathrooms or DD had been a stinker as normal then we would not have literally been at the right place at the right time. You cant tell me that is coincidence. I believe God had the whole situation under control and want to give Him the glory for it.

Thanks!

 

[ms*mountaineer]

What a horrible situation! That is very scary!

We "lost track" of my 7 yr old at Epcot last week - she was supposed to be with her uncle, but he didn't pay close enough attention to her (and will never be in charge of the kids again!). She was away from us and the uncle for quite a while (my guess is 20 minutes!). We found her right where he lost track of her - by stroller parking outside of Spaceship Earth. She just waited. I was a mess! She says no one (CM or otherwise) came to talk to her while she was alone. I think it's odd that after that much time a CM wouldn't notice a child by themselves.

I am sick everytime I think of what COULD have happened. We are so very fortunate. And so are you! You had angels watching that day!

 

[earthfaries]

That is awful!!! I am so glad that you got your baby back, that could have been so close!

It just proves what I've always known, you're kids are not safe anywhere, even at WDW. It seems crime is starting to happen more and more there in these times so we all need to be extra careful and keep our eyes and ears open!

I'm so glad she's ok ~ I understand about you being traumatized. What an awful thing to happen!

 

[burberryplaid]

I am beyond words, but wanted to say I am so glad you are with your girl and all are safe and sound. I do hope you will be okay in time. Take care

 

[tacbets]

I felt sick to my stomach reading this and I'm sure it must have been a terrible, traumatic experience for you and your family. I am so sorry you all went through this. It sounds as though the attitude of the CM only made things worse. Just wanted to say that you should get whatever support you think would benefit you- whether from friends or a professional, informal or formal, religious or secular- do not let attitudes such as that of the CM make you feel that you are not entitled to support.