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

[annie1995]

Wow, how scary!! I am so glad your daughter is safe and sound. Thank you for posting this, it just goes to show that no where is totally safe

 

[DVCsince02]

First, I am gald everyone is safe and home.

Second, I would have slapped the CM so fast their tongue would have come out their face. How dare they say he was handing you your child. HE WAS CARRYING YOUR CHILD! It's one thing for a stranger to help your child up if they fall or guide them to you, but it's totally another for them to be holding or carrying them.

I am glad you reported this to guest services, but what about the police? Even if it's just to report the incident, it's on file.

Again, I'm glad everyone is home and safe. I hope this won't keep you from your happy place.

 

[magicalfoursome]

Mandy, I am so sorry you had that terrifying experience but thank God you have your precious child safe and sound. It is chilling to think that the timing had to be within seconds for you to hear and see your daughter with that man. I really hope he just had bad judgement and is not a threat to anyone. I know how scary the experience must have been for you -- as a Mom, something happening to one of my children is something I don't even want to think about. I know we all have to hold our children closer and watch over them constantly in this crazy world we live in but don't let this experience make you scared to enjoy going places with your family. The vast majority of people at WDW are good people. Think of all the times in WDW and in your own community when a stranger has helped you. Don't let this man rob you of enjoying family vacations. Take care and God bless!!!

 

[homeschoolmomof4]

I'm so sorry you went through this. Thank God you got your little one back safe and sound.

I really appreciate you posting your story. We're going again in a few weeks and your terrifying experience made me realize that we really needed to go over safety measures with our kids again before we get there, especially with our youngest. Thanks for the reminder. You're in my prayers.

 

[Annette_VA]

OMG, Mandy! What an awful, awful thing to experience! Thank God your child went unharmed.

 

[SamSam]

Mandy, Angels were definitely watching your family. Thank goodness for such a nice outcome, but still very scary and stressful for you and your family.

As others have said, please seek help if you need to so you won't live in fear, or your children live in fear, of something like this happening again.

Take care.

 

[aGoofyMom]

OMG - I am so glad everyone is alright.

I agree with everything here. I would also like to suggest checking into any services offered to help you and your kids with all of this. Usually there is a victim services connected with police forces. If they can offer something to keep yourself and your kids educated on handling these things that might be something to look at. If you see signs that any of you need more confidence in crowds I am sure you could find something like that.

 

[tinkbutt]

OMG I am so Sorry this happened to you!!! I am so glad you whole family is together!!! wow I am so sorry!

 

[warrenite]

WOW - Thank God you all ended up together.

I can't even imagine loosing my daughter even for a short time.

Thank you so much for posting the warning! I realize that words don't help much right now; but you are all safe and better prepared to prevent this in the future for your family.

Because of your courage you have warned many families of the danger and possibly saved other children from the experience.

Again - thank you! and God Bless.

John

 

[MODisFan]

As I sit here reading this thread I can't get the sick feeling out of my stomach. I got teary-eyed reading Mandy's original post. As a mother of a 2yo DD, I can understand the emotions you are feeling. How frustrating that the CM was trying to smooth over the situation. I totallly agree with DVC02 - I would have been all over that CM like white on rice. A mother's intuition is not something to be doubted. Good for you for reporting the incident to guest relations - hopefully, you reported the CM as well. We've been to this playground only once and after your story I have absolutely no desire to go back. Thank you for sharing your story. May God continue to bless your family! ~Elizabeth

 

[Kristina]

Thank you for posting this, I am sure it will help some child somewhere through the re telling of your story causing parents who are already very careful to be even more so . I know I'll not forget what you've described and I'm so sorry that you and your family had to experience this!

 

[cathie1327]

I honestly got sick to my stomach reading this and really teary-eyed, and I don't even have kids. This is something you hear about on the news, but never really expect to happen to you or anyone you know. I try to stay away from religion in a public forum, but you said that the two of you prayed so I can honestly say that God put you in the right place at the right time to find your daughter. It really seems like he took care of you and your daughter as well. I cannot imagine the feeling of coming face to face with someone in a situation like that, and understand how terrified you would be and angry, and a million other emotions.

But I definitely think others on here are right. While it's natural and certainly to be expected, this is a serious trauma that could affect your entire family. I think talking to someone would be SUPER beneficial for all of you.

I am so so so so SO sorry that this happened to you, because even though it is over, I understand that the emotions from it won't be going away any time soon. But thank you SO much for sharing. People tend to let their gaurd down at Disney, and I think it's important that they know. Bad people are EVERYWHERE.

Hang in there, I will definitely keep you, your daughter, as well as your entire family in my prayers.

 

[lttlmc3]

I'm really disturbed by the fact that this man is still out there waiting to do this again! I hope Disney will be on the lookout especially in this area. He obviously watches it and knows how easy it is for children to get seperated here. Scary.

 

[NDM#1]

Oh my lard, Mandy! My heart stopped for a brief second as I read your story, and I am fighting back tears at the moment. That is so upsetting!

When my daughter was 4, we briefly lost her near the Haunted Mansion at night. I thought that DH had her. He didn't realize that he was supposed to "have her" and therefore wasn't paying attention to the toddler following him. When we realized she was missing, I nearly lost my mind. There were thick swarms of people everywhere (making it nearly impossible to see persons low to the ground); it was dark; no CMs in sight. I was SCREAMING her name at the top of my lungs. We located her within 3 minutes, but they were the longest 3 minutes of my life. If I had found a suspicious man carrying her off . . . I surely would have had a nervous breakdown.

Everyone else has good advice about trying to not let this rule your life, but having experienced a more mild version of your nightmare, I can understand why your vacation ended and why you may need a break from WDW. I may be neurotic about my love for Disney, but it is nothing compared with how neurotic I am about my love and protection of my family. Please give your precious daughter an extra hug and kiss from me. I am so glad that she is safely with you. And I do hope that you find you are able to eventually return to WDW.

 

[LilGMom]

Oh my goodness!!! I am sooooo glad that you got back to the playground when you did. I am not a fan of playgrounds like that because the entrance/exits are usually not very monitored.

to you and your family.

 

[spaddy]

That playground is just plain scary. My husband went in there one time with my son when I was not around. When I finally caught up with him he was a nervous wreck. I don't understand why they can't have hand stamps or something like that there. There is absolutely no way to keep up with your child. I can't believe a CM or any other person in the park would let your child out of the playground screaming like that. I am so happy that you were right there. And I am glad you are all ok.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

How frightening. We just had our 3 year old get lost at MK. His Aunt said he was in the stroller, went to get him, he is not in the stroller. I also started screaming his name. The mother next to me at the parade said he climbed in their stroller. Longest 2 minutes of my life. I can not even imagine a creepy man carrying my kid off. I am still not over it but like everyone has said you were meant to be in that place at that time. I am so glad you reported this so maybe they can have an extra CM there keeping an eye out for this type of thing. I also hate that play area. After my incident I wouldnt allow my son in a rental stroller because they all look alike. It put a damper on the rest of my trip too but my husband booked us another trip since the last one was sort of tainted from the beginning with this incident. Big HUG to you. I know how scary it is.

 

[AnnetteF]

I am so sorry this happened to you and your family. My DD is 4 1/2 and I can just imagine how you felt. When she was still a baby, I remember reading a thread about these playgrounds. It was titled something like "Playgrounds that eat children" and was all about how hard it can be to keep track of your children in them, even without some nut possibly trying to walk away with them. After reading that, we have never gone near any of these playgrounds. When we see them, we walk by very fast and try to keep her attention on something else. Honestly, I wish they would get rid of them!

 

[bcvdreamer]

Mandy, I'm glad you're all ok. I got chills reading your post. Thank you for sharing your story with the rest of us. I never liked that playground either. The CM's response is just sickening.

 

[berlymama2]

It's one thing for a stranger to help your child up if they fall or guide them to you, but it's totally another for them to be holding or carrying them.

Yes I agree- something about this is not right! Why was he carrying her and why was this grown man in a child play area alone, with no child????