What to Do If Your Child is Lost at Walt Disney World

Every day, children at Walt Disney World go missing. A toddler or a child can easily get lost during a parade or a firework display, caught in a large crowd of people shuffling around. An older child or tween can get separated from parents or decide to go off on their own to ride a ride or get a snack that Mom and Dad have said "no" to.

Before heading to Walt Disney World, make sure that you talk to your child about what to do if they do get lost. For a toddler or young child this may involve learning Mom's cell phone number, or for an older child picking a designated spot to meet if lost.

Walt Disney World realizes that children go missing, no matter how many precautions a parent can sometimes take, and has a system that is in place for just this situation.

What to do before you leave home in case your child gets lost at Walt Disney World:

Child Harness: using a safety harness on your toddler, young child or someone that has special needs with no concept of danger, allows your loved one to have more freedom but with less stress on stress. Many safety harness companies have created cute and child-friendly safety harnesses, such as monkey backpacks.

Tag Your Child: make sure that you have your phone number and an alternative phone number written down and placed somewhere on your child. Some great ideas are to go to PetSmart and have a tag (animal tag) made to place on your child's shoelaces or necklaces, make a lanyard with a tag on the bottom, use tags on the inside of shirts, tattoos (from Safety Tattoo), identification in their shoes (YourSafeChild) and child identification bracelets (Child-Identification-bracelets). On each of the tags place your cell phone number, an alternative phone number (in case something happens to you, or your cell phone is dead) and any allergies your child may have. Most parents feel that writing a child name on the tag could be dangerous.

Phone Number: if your child is old enough, teach your child your phone number for your cell phone

What can you do while at Walt Disney to help your child if they become lost:

Designated Spot to Meet: If you have an older child, make sure to find a place for everyone to meet if someone does become separated or lost. Hand your child and everyone else a map with the spot marked, and make sure that you visit the spot to ensure everyone knows where it is.

Cast Members: When you enter the park each day, make sure to point out a cast member (Disney employee) and tell your child that if they get lost to find a Cast Member and tell them they have been separated from Parents.

Go to City Hall/Guest Relations/Child Care facility at the Walt Disney World theme park and have a tag made for your child that will attach to their belt loop. Kids love these tags as they have Mickey or Minnie printed on them.

What to do if you have lost your child while at Walt Disney World:

Find a Disney Cast Member: When a Disney Cast Member finds a child that is lost, the Cast Member contacts Lost Children and registers any information that they have, including name, age, location and a parent/guardian name. The Cast Member will work on calming down the child and will spend a few minutes retracing the child steps and seeing if there is a meeting spot where the child is suppose to meet with the parents.

Next the child will be taken to Lost Children Center, which in Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom is located next to the baby care center and first aid station on Main Street. The Lost Children center is a comfortable room that is furnished and has a LEGO table and Disney videos to entertain the child until the parents are found.

Parents and Children are reconnected by description and names, so it is vital to make sure that your child has knowledge of your name, phone number, etc., and it is always a good idea to carry a wallet size picture of your child with you, or to take a photo of your child each morning with your digital camera.

If you are looking at planning a vacation to Walt Disney World, visit Magical Dream Tours, for a free no-obligation quote.