Hi there, Elizabeth, and welcome to planDisney! I'm so happy that you've stopped by with this question today! There are few things more magical than bringing little ones to Walt Disney World Resort and experiencing it through their eyes. You must be getting so excited for your vacation - it will be here in just a few short months!
Elizabeth, it's awesome that you're considering ways to keep your little ones safe in the event you are separated during your visit. That has always been a concern of mine, whether we are traveling with our immediate family of five or our extended family of 20+ people. At this time, a
MagicBand isn't a reliable way to locate a lost child or quickly identify a parent's information. Happily, I have a few ideas that work well for my family, that might be helpful to you.
I was, in fact, briefly separated from my son during a recent visit. He knew we were headed to
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and he excitedly took off before we were all ready to start walking that way. When he realized he wasn't with our group, he went straight to a Cast Member, who stayed with him until we caught up. It was a a stressful couple of minutes, to say the least! Let me tell you what I do with my kiddos that gives me a bit of peace:
- My kids have had my phone number memorized from a very early age. I have friends who write their phone number inside of a MagicBand and instruct their children to show it to a Cast Member if they can't find Mom or Dad.
- We tell our children to look for Cast Members, who can be identified by their nametag, if they need any help. We know that lost children are taken to the Baby Care Center, so we are familiar with their location at each Disney Theme Park.
- We designate an "engine" and a "caboose" - someone to lead the way, and someone to keep a headcount in the back when we are moving from one location to another.
- We convince our kids to ride in a stroller whenever possible - we love rewarding them with fun bubble wands, DOLE Whip treats, lollipops - whatever it takes to keep them seated as we travel.
I hope you don't end up needing any of these tips, and that you have a perfectly seamless vacation! I mentioned Baby Care Centers earlier, and I highly recommend you check them out during your visit. They aren't just for babies! With your vacation being in August, you might enjoy visiting a Baby Care Center and getting out of the elements for a few minutes. They're air-conditioned and offer restrooms, changing tables, feeding areas, some essentials available for purchase (including children's medicine), and areas to relax whether you need a sensory break or a moment to freshen up.
Elizabeth, please stop back by planDisney with any other questions you have as you prepare for your vacation. Check out the resources that we've created for parents of little ones, including helpful
videos!
Happy planning!
Jennifer