Child ID methods ??? About This Page:

[emilyandlogansmom]

Alright...so I've been coming up with ideas for how to "label" my children at WDW, just in case. A tag or clothing label of some kind that gives basic contact information.

Does anyone else do this? Any suggestions? My husband thinks I'm nuts...but I just like to be prepared.

[OhToodles!]

I made a wristband (one of those silicone type ones - like all the awareness bracelets) from wristbandsnow.com (pretty sure that's the website). Anyway, I put "Lost Boy" and then my cell phone #. I've heard that it needs to be something that's visible as the CM aren't supposed to go looking for a tag (like if it's on the inside of a shirt). I've also heard about the temporary tattoos and people using the pet id's to make a necklace, braclet, put on shoe, etc. I say it never hurts to be prepared.

[theschuhows]

I personally do not have children, so I don't have to worry about this but I understand the reasoning behind it. I don't think you're crazy. What I have heard of and seen in local amusement parks is the wristbands. Almost like the hospital bands, they don't come off in the shower and sleeping and things like that. You could also have them color appropriate for the whole family.

[WillCAD]

Don't worry about labeling your kids.

If you and your kid get separated, both of you will know it.

You, controlling your panic and thinking rationally, will approach the nearest CM and tell them you have lost a kid, last seen near XXX attraction, and give a description of the kid and his clothing. This CM will immediately get on a radio and alert the WDW security folks that there is a lost kid in XXX park, last seen near XXX attraction, and include your description.

Meanwhile, your kid will either have approached a CM or been delivered to a CM or been found by a CM wandering the park alone. That CM will immediately get on a radio and inform WDW security that they have found a lost kid in XXX park, near XXX attraction, and give a description of the kid and his clothing.

WDW security, knowing that they have a parent who lost a kid and a kid who lost a parent, will use the radio to guide THIS CM to THAT CM, thus reuniting you with your kid.

Being that it's your kid, you'll recognize him immediately, no ID tags needed.

Basic tips:

1) Many kids don't know their own parents' names. When asked, "What's your mommy's name?", they will reply, "Mommy." Teach your kids your actual name - first and last - from the time they are able to talk.

2) If your kid is old enough, have him memorize your cell phone number; this will reduce the time it takes for the CM who finds him wandering the park alone to contact you.

3) Don't just teach your kids, "Find someone who works here." Teach them to enter a store and speak to the person behind the counter. This is much easier to remember than trying to teach a 3-year old how to tell the difference between a CM badge and a Ghest of Honor badge; heck, I stopped wearing my GOH badges years ago because ADULTS were asking me directions and scheduling questions as if I were a CM!

4) DON'T PANIC!!!! WDW has the best lost-child system in the world. But the worst thing you can do if your child is lost is to panic. The CMs will ask you a bunch of questions, like what does your child look like, what is he wearing, where did you last see him, etc. Answering these questions clearly and calmly is the best, fastest way to find your child. Screaming, "WHY ARE YOU ASKING ME THIS STUFF! MY CHILD IS MISSING! GO FIND HIM!" at the CM is the worst, slowest way to get your child back.

[disney]

here are some links this one i serch past posts and found this one for the shoes
whos shoes id,whose shoes,shoe id tag,child id,personal child id,emergency id,disney,vacation,hurricane preparedness - Who\'s Shoes ID
here is what we used on my 3yo and my dd when they were young too but some people do not like this too here is the link
All Products - Baby Gear, Baby Care, Glamourmom, Breast Pump Bra SuperMomz All Products

[shellybelly72]

Great tips... Thank you!

[disney]

here is another one i dug up safety tattoo.
Child Safety Temporary Tattoos to prevent lost kids :: SafetyTat

[Ruth Andre]

Not Crazy at all!! From past experience of when my oldest son was about 6, he was getting off a ride, followed the crowd & got lost. Meanwhile his father was still at the entrance. Luckily he had the sense to go to a CM at a different ride...Happy Ending.

Since then we have always used pet tags that you can make at pet stores, some hardware stores, etc. (They have more options of tags than just bones) Put your info on there and attach to shoes.

[Buffalogirl18]

Thanks for posting this! I immediately just stopped and quizzed my DS7 to see if he remembered everything we went over before last year's trip - my name, DH's name, what to do if we get separated, my cell#......I am very proud to say that he passed with flying colors!

We will review this again the week before we leave, and again every morning before we leave the hotel room, he gets a little tired of hearing it, but at least I know it's sunk in!

I am also thinking of having him wear his KTTW card on a lanyard so that if he gets separated from us and he panicks, at least that gives info on it and a CM will be able to track us that way?

[Disney 4ever]

I think it is a wise thing to prepare for this. The first time I took my youngest DS, he was 8. We got one of those canisters that people wear to the beach, it hangs around the neck. I put our resort info, cell phone numbers, etc. in it. He has it on in all the pictures. I didn't think about it until we got there and the concierge gave us the canister. A shoe tag would have been better.

[emilyandlogansmom]

Great ideas, everyone! Thank you!! And an extra big thank you to WillCAD...very thorough answer!

Unfortunately, my largest concern lies with leaving the kids with my in-laws. Apparently I have some control issues, but they just don't watch them like I do. I don't think they'll take kindly to my briefing them on what to do if there's an emergency (or pay attention)...but oh my they make me nervous...

[Nebraska Disney freak]

We got seperated from dd at DLR whenshe was 5. The security CM told us to right on them with marker. She said we should put our cell numbers on each child. Instead we got dog tags on a chain. we put their first name only and both of our cell #'s. the kids didn't leave the room without them. They wore them down their shirt so that if they needed them they had them, bot others didn't see them.

[DopeyGirl]

We've used Who's Shoes ID for a few years' worth of trips.

[korki-rad]

We made a dog tag for 5yo DD with our name and cell phone number, then we attached it to a little bracelet...it was heart shaped, so it looked like a little Tiffany bracelet. Well, it was too big for her and kept falling off, so we ended up hooking it to her belt loops each day. Worked great and super cheap! (We made ours at a kiosk at Walmart and I think it cost $4 or something like that.)

I also used the WDW shows on the Travel Channel as teaching moments. The CMs on those shows all wear their nametags, but the non-Disney travel experts don't. So we would play "Find the Cast Member" while watching those, and talked about how if she ever got lost at WDW that she should find someone with that kind of nametag.

Needless to say, once we got there, she was so overwhelmed by the magnitude of it all, she never left our side and we had no problems.

You might find these post helpful:
child security?
Losing kids in a crowd

And, BTW, I wouldn't consider you nuts at all for worrying about this!! WDW is a very big place!!

[Jajajuna]

Great ideas! Thanks so much. I usually don't think to worry about this until a few days before the trip. Last year, I went by a local hospital and asked for an admission bracelet (I can't get those suckers off). I put my son's info in it and bingo--although a little planning would have yielded more attractive results. He looked like a participant in the Make-A-Wish program with that thing on.

One more question though... what info do you put on the IDs (whatever form you choose). Last time, I put his name, and my cell number, but is that too much info? What do you all do?