What To Do If You Get Separated From Your Child at Disney Parks

It’s something no parent wants to think about but everyone should be prepared for. What should you do if you get separated from your child at Disneyland or Walt Disney World? The parks are so crowded, especially during and after events, that a small child can disappear in seconds.

It’s so easy to get separated from your child at Disney Parks

So easy, in fact, that it happened to us when we visited Walt Disney World for the first time. While watching the Frozen themed transformation of the Cinderella castle on our very first evening my then 7 year old daughter took off into the crowd for a better view.

Even with 3 adults looking after 3 kids it still happened.

Luckily we found her relatively quickly and entirely unharmed. She had managed to wiggle her way to to the front of the crowd. Now, at 11, she’s painfully shy. Go figures.

What do you do if your child goes missing at Disneyland or Walt Disney World:

1. The first step is “don’t panic” which is much easier said than done. Just like any situation, though, you’ll be smarter and more able to find your child if you remain calm.
2. Alert all the nearby cast members you can find. This is especially important if you were in a store. Ask those near exits if they’ve seen your child.
3. Ask others for help. You might not want to advertise your child is missing but most other parents and families will be willing to help.
4. Don’t leave your location to go looking for your child. If you do, make sure someone knows where you’ve gone. Have one adult from your party remain, if possible.
5. If your child is found by another cast member and they’re old enough to communicate, they will likely help the child look around for their parents. If not, they are taken to the baby care station inside the park.

My daughter who ran into the crowd was found by a cast member and brought back to our location. The cast member was very kind and no one made a big deal about the situation.

Tips for Keeping Your Kids Safe at Disneyland and Walt Disney World

• Warn kids ahead of time to stay close. If your kids aren’t used to large crowds they may not recognize the danger of running off until it’s too late.
• Create a game plan for kids to follow if you get separated. This can include having a dedicated meeting place or telling kids to stay put and wait for you to find them.
• For younger kids, use tools to keep them close by. There’s no shame in those leash backpacks or wrist straps, especially when you’re not able to keep hold of your child’s hand all the time.
• Babies and toddlers can also be contained inside of a stroller instead.
• If your kid doesn’t know your phone cell number, include it somewhere on the child so you can be contacted.
• Use family bathrooms so you can accompany children into the washroom.

Disneyland and Walt Disney world are relatively safe places

In fact, there hasn’t been a single documented kidnapping in either of the parks. Missing children generally end up with happy endings, thankfully. Still, it’s important that parents stay vigilant and use preventative measures to keep kids safe.