Tips to Keep Your Child from Getting Lost at Disney World

There's nothing like the panic a parent feels when a child disappears -- even for a millisecond-- in a crowded public space. Disney theme parks, while very safe, are also places with a dizzying amount of attractions and distractions that may draw a child away from parents. The theme parks can also be very crowded, especially during parades, fireworks displays, and at the entrances to and exits from live shows. Below are tips to keep children safely with parents, and also advice on what to do if a separation does happen.

Preparation

• Put your cell phones to good use: cell phones are a godsend if anyone gets lost or separated, and often a quick call can sort things out in seconds. Make sure every family member who has a cell phone remembers to take it and has the right contact numbers stored. As an extra precaution, store an ICE (In Case of Emergency) number, which is a good practice in general.
• For kids too young to have cell phones, make sure they have their parents' cell phone numbers physically secured on them in a way that can't be lost: tucked into a shoe, attached to a belt loop, on a label attached to clothing...
• Consider using temporary Safetytats.
• Take a photo of your child every morning when you go to the theme parks, so you'll have a picture of what they're wearing that day.
• Wear bright clothing so your child can easily spot you, and dress your child in bright clothes so you can easily spot him or her. Some families opt to all wear the same bright shirts.

In the Theme Parks

Some of these tips make sense only for older kids, some suit younger ones.

• When entering the park, introduce your child to a Cast Member (i.e. a Disney World employee.) Undoubtedly this Cast Member will give your child a warm greeting. Tell your child to go to the nearest Cast Member if he or she becomes separated. (Some parents prefer to tell their child to just stay still and not to approach any one.) Cast members can easily be found at every snack place, shop, restaurant, kiosk, attraction line-up, etc. Likewise, parents should immediately inform a Cast Member if a child is missing.

• If kids are old enough, choose a "go to place", i.e. a landmark, or maybe a special favorite spot, where you will meet up if separated. Actually go together to the place! Don't just say "Cinderella's Castle": the circumference around the castle is a very large area. And note that there are now two Dumbo the Flying Elephant attractions at Disney World.

• If your child is old enough to go to the restroom by him/herself, pay attention to whether that restroom has multiple exits.

• Don't get distracted during parades and fireworks, and either keep small children in strollers during these spectacles, or hold hands.

• Also be especially vigilant when you're part of crowds entering or exiting one of the live shows in the Disney theme parks.