[Disney4ALL]

The 'At What Age?' thread got me thinking,

We'd all like to think it could never happen but we've been on Main Street after the fireworks, or after the parade passes or that Epcot 'funnel' after Illuminations. The crowds can be huge. I've heard of kids getting separated from parents exiting an attraction or after meeting a character or using a different bathroom exit.

I'd rather prepare my 6 yeard old with a 'plan' (after the always stay close pep talk) than assume it's impossible.

I have a couple of ideas and I want your opinions:

"We will do everything we can to keep you with us and..."

"...People who work at Disney World wear white oval* name tags. When we get there I will show you what they look like. If you ever get separated from us tell a person in a white oval name tag you are lost. They know what to do to help you find us."

"...if you get lost there will be many families close by. You will see mommies with a baby in a stroller or holding the hand of a child your age. Tell her you're lost and ask her to help." (the stranger less likely be dangerous)

I believe reasonably preparing a child isn't unnecessarily frightening them.

Your thoughts?

*yes, she knows what an oval is...

[alicefan]

I tell my DS4 to look for the CM's with the oval pins as well. I also pin a amall peice of paper to the inside of his shorts. He knows about it and it has all of our information on it including where we are staying at WDW and DH and my cell phone numbers...DS's name, age, etc. Every morning before we leave for the parks we go over the info with him and tell him to look for a CM or go into a store or kiosk to find a CM.....it makes me sad to think about it but I would rather be prepared and maybe discussing it will give the child a little bit of a level head about it....not just hysteria because they have no clue what to do if they get lost.

[karliebug]

This is a good idea. I've taught my kids to look for the disney cm tag or instruct them to go to someone working behind a cash register or at a ride line,etc. One time we did get separated and my 6 year old went right to an employee and she was back with us within 10 minutes. The cm's are always on the lookout for kids who are lost.

[sandanv1]

Because a child may be too frightened to remember the info having yourcell#, resort, etc with your child is a great idea. This can be a laminated ID card on a lanyard, zipper clip, or key chain. Find a cast member in a shop, restaurant, behind a cash register is a great idea. I would be wary of telling them to "find a mommy type" only because it is teaching them to seek a stranger for help.

How about simple 2 ways for the family? Even a young child can use them. Teach the child that if lost, use the 2 way and describe where they are.
Practice at home.

[Disney4ALL]

Thanks, I particularly like the info INSIDE the shorts thing.

[jk8]

All good ideas. I have said look for the Disney staff as well. One other thing I always add -once they realize they are lost and get no response from calling out mom is to go to one place and stay there -don't wander looking for me.

[Disney4ALL]

I meant to imply my 'mommie type' was plan B.

I've read that while WDW does not use a public address system they can spread a lost child alert to CMs very quickly and efficiently.

[KittieKChick]

Besides putting the info inside the shorts and teaching the kids how to find a CM, I say teach the kids to work a walkie talkie. If they can talk, teach them to use one. And as someone said before, practice at home with them describing what's around them.

Maybe even if they can't use a walkie talkie, put one in their bag or pocket. Attach a note that says "Please call my mommy if I am lost" That way a CM would definitely be able to get in touch with you.

Also, take a picture of your child each day before you head out...or at least write down what they are wearing each day. And always carry a current picture of your child.

All this info I have, you'd think I have kids... but I don't

[camptraveler]

When you go to the MK, first go into City Hall. I think there they have special ID tags for the kids. That way if the parents get lost, the kids are waiting for them at City Hall. I'm not quite sure what it is they have but I have heard that when the parents get lost, the kids will be waiting for them at City Hall

[Amethyst]

I like the CM idea best. I'd be a little cautious with teaching them to go up to other Moms just because you never know. You can go two steps further:

1.) Tell them if they are lost and for some reason they can't find a white oval tag on Main Street go into any store, go to the register and tell the CMs there that they lost Mommy.

2.) Get them a lanyard with the plastic credit card looking thingy attached on the bottom. Before you leave home, print out shipping labels with
your name and cell phone number(s) on them. Attach to the back of the lanyard card. This way the little one doesn't have to struggle with remembering your name and whoever they approach can get in contact with you pronto even other Moms. I worked security for a theme park years ago and the most common problem we had with missing children was that they'd come up to us but when we asked for the parents' names they'd tell us "Mommy"

I don't believe preparing a child for the worst is harmful. If anything it should be reassuring to them that even if they do lose you, they're not lost forever. Hope this helps.

[Amelia's Man]

Great info Disney4ALL!

I especially like the suggestion about making sure that the child (or children!!) know exactly how to spot a cast member! This can't be stressed enough! I'm sure part of their jobs is to help lost children and parents find each other! Again, great info!

[MissMichelle]

I agree with you Greg. I have said time and time again..It can happen. We have prepared our children not just for Disney but shopping malls, carnivals, grocery store etc etc. We stress, go right to a worker (they can usually spot them) or immediately to a mom with baby/small child.

My 6 year old also learned that in his karate class. He also knows that they aren't to touch him. He is to tell them politely that he doesn't want to hold their hand *showing comfort and hand holding with a stranger, even employee, can set you up for danger as they then have the upper hand and your trust* but they can lead them to a public phone (the kids know my cell #).

[Val32]

I got separated from my DD and DM our first year at WDW and at the MK around 5, 6:00 and it was such a scare to me.
The only way we found each other is that my DD remember we had dinner reservations at the CP and she went there with my DM and my DM convinced a CM there at the CP to call my cell phone.

So my question is, can you get here one of those firefly phones and keep in it a very small little sack for you DD to carry w/her?
Last year my neighbor made me viewfinders that I hooked on to my DD's belt strap on her shorts and in the viewfinder she put my name, cell phone # and what resort we were staying at in case she were to get lost.
Some people use walkie talkies but I think she might be too young to learn how to work it, and it might be bulky but I think the firefly phone is a good option, if she were to get lost, she can just press the "mommy" button and call you. Another good thing I read is to take a picture of her each day so you can show someone what she is wearing that day, etc...

When we got lost that year, I went to city hall to report that we got separated from each other but all they do is document it, they dont do any kind of paging or anything.

Hope some of that helps you but it also looks like you got the right idea.
Another thing is to tell her to STAY PUT!

You can't find each other if your both running around looking like we were doing! We had NO Kind of plan and no meeting spot.

[millermouse]

I agree with trying to find a CM, but there may be one more step. Try to also teach your child not to let the person they apporach for help touch or hold them in anyway. The child becomes in a much more vulnerable situation if their hand, wrist, or any other part of their body is being help. Let's all remember adults outweight and outsize our children. An idea may be to tell your child to stay an arms length away. Secondly, tell your child not to go into a back area...stay in public. Without going into too much detail I have worked for a large amusement park before...not disney...and have had the state authorities come in to arrest people we never knew had had horrible criminal pasts. Just be safe.

[NokeyNose]

I understand the reasoning for telling your children not to let the CM or anyone else touch their hand, but I think I have a problem with it. Staying an arms length away seems like you could be making that child a little nerotic. If you tell them to go to a CM or "someone behind a cash register" or "someone with an oval tag", then you are telling them that these are people that will help them to get back to their mom or dad. But to tell them to "keep at an arms length" seems like you are sending mixed signals. I think my 3 year old can comprehend who I am telling her to go to if she and I were to be separeated, but to add the rest, I think makes her a litlle weery of what I am asking her to do!