What if...lost kids

[girltwinz]

Dh and I are getting ready to take our 5yo girls to Disney 10/20-10/24. Although I don't think it would happen.... what if one did get lost among the crowds? We will certainly be keeping an eye on them but the thought keeps running through my mind. My question is any suggestions about placing contact info on them?

[Vacation Dad]

I don't think you need to add contact info unless it makes you feel better. Do they know your cell phone number?

Just talk to your kids about what if. What if you turn around and don't see mommy, what do you do?

After one of those scary moments when my son was five, we had a plan that we both felt confident in.

I just told him, first if we are seperated, stay where you are, I'll find you. Don't go off looking for me.

Show them what a cast member looks like, If after a few minutes you still don't see me, go into a store and tell a cast member that your Daddy got lost.

As a parent, you just need to get word to a CM if you don't spot them right away.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

I taught my daughter (now 7) to "Hug-A-Tree" if she got lost. The idea being, that if she stayed in one place, I would be able to back track fairly quickly and find her.

I've never lost her at WDW, but we were at a festival one year (she had just turned 6) and all of a sudden I turned around and she wasn't there! As the panic started to set-in, I re-traced my steps and looked for her.

I found her not too far away, holding a lightpost calling for me. She wasn't upset, but was really proud that she'd "hugged a pole". A couple of people working at a nearby souvenier stand were with her, calling my name as well.

At WDW, I would also teach her what a CM's badge looks like...and tell her that they are always ready to help her.

I've heard of people taping their cell phone #'s ,etc to the inside of the kids clothes, but I've never tried it myself.

Have a great trip! :mickey:

[Meggiemouse1980]

I have to agree with vacationdad on this. As a former cast member, the best advice I can offer is to have your kids either stay put or find a CM. In all honesty through, I wouldn't worry too much about it. During the time I worked there, I only came across one little boy who's parents got lost. Luckily, his mom was maybe 15 feet from where we came across him, just looking the other way. One thing I will suggest is to have something distinctive on, like a bright colored t-shirt or hat that your child will remember and be able to spot quickly. I'd suggest red, but nearly every group of three or more thinks of all wearing red for that very reason. Good luck! I hope you and your kids have fun! :mickey:

[mamacatnv]

I agree to tell the kids to not move, that you will find them. I have a 7 yr. old daughter and I put really brite hair bows/ties in her hair (usually on top of her head with a small pony) and I have found that this works better than clothing as it stands out and catches my eye.
When my 16 yr old son was that age we used to tell him that if he couldn't see us it was "Red Light" and like the game he wouldn't move. :cat: :paw: :cat:

[Googlie Bear]

The weeks leading up to your trip are a good opportunity to start reviewing safety procedures with your kids. That way they are not overwhelmed or scared with a lot of new information & instructions. Try to reinforce general ideas about strangers and getting lost, rules that will always be applicable, rather than new things that are specific to WDW.

That reminds me of a funny story: We had a secret family code word in case of emergency. We never used ours until one day when I was about 10, and this lady came to pick me up from school unexpectedly and said, "Supercalafragalisticexpialadocius!" I looked at her like she was nuts, then remembered that conversation with mom back when I was very, very little!!!

[jkjs]

We always did the hug a post and stay put. My kids are grown now but they came up with calling for us by our first and middle name. We were in a discount store when my oldest was 4 or 5. I was tending to his sister and next thing I knew he wasn't next to me anymore. When he realized I wasn't there he started calling "mommy". I guess about the same time another child started calling "mommy" as well. My son had heard his grandma call me by my first and middle name the day before and thought it was funny how quick I answered. Well it worked he started calling and sure enough I knew it was him. There are thousands of mom and dad people at WDW. But if you hear a little voice calling two names that belong to you you'll know who's calling it. ;)
As the kids got older walkie/talkies got smaller and easier to use. We always used them untill they got old enough to get their own cells.
If you plan to have the pin trading lanyards the plastic sleeves would be a good place to have your cell # as well as the cell # of someone back home like a grandparent.
I love the hair ribbon idea for girls. For boys if they will wear a hat bring one from home with something local on it not a WDW hat as many kids will have that.
You are really thinking of everything(everything important that is). Have a great time with your little ones and make lots of memories. :mickey:

[Disneygirl2290]

I tell my nieces to first stay put, see if a CM is nearby ( I show them what they look like0, if they can't find a CM look for someone who looks like Grandma.

[Beast_fanatic]

If you have a digital camera, take a picture of your kid each time you leave your room. This will aid in identifying just what they are wearing in the event that you are separated.

[LoriR]

We put an index card with our names and cell phone numbers in my 5v year old's pocket each day. Never needed it, though! The other advice here is great.

[ccchild]

If you have a digital camera, take a picture of your kid each time you leave your room. This will aid in identifying just what they are wearing in the event that you are separated.

I completely agree with this. Oftentimes, the best thing we can do are the things we do before they get lost, like teaching them to "Hug-a-Tree" (love that!) or identify a Cast Member. The kids'll be fine: what I love about the digital photo idea is that the parents might be too frazzled to remember what their kids were wearing that day. I get frazzled enough when I lose my keys; I'm sure I wouldn't be able to remember my own name if I lost a kid!

Also remember, kids don't get lost at WDW; parents do! ;)

[WDWdriver]

Kids get separated from parents nearly every day at AK. Usually a Cast Member will get involved very quickly and will take charge of the situation. The CM will remain with the child for 10 to 15 minutes while a radio call goes out to Security and other CMs across the park. If the child is not reunited with the parents after about 15 minutes, then a CM will escort the child to the Lost Children center. There is one of these at each park. Kids are cared for in air conditioned comfort until the parents are found.

I know it is terrifying to lose a child in a crowded place. But if it happens at Disney you should be comforted by the fact that every CM in the park is looking for you while the child is being cared for and protected.