Help! How to Deal With Your Party Getting Separated at Disney
Walt Disney World can be an exciting and overwhelming place. It's a magical place where it seems like nothing bad ever happens, so losing track of your child might not be the first thing on your mind.
But Walt Disney World also has the "perfect" recipe for your party getting separated. First, it's crowded. Think "Black Friday" crowded sometimes. Sometimes the wall of people is so intense, the "littles" can't even see where they are or where they are going.
Second, it's full of interesting things that attract the attention of the "littles", and (ahem) their adults, which cause you to lose track of each other while you inspect this other cool thing.
Finally, sometimes during intense crowds, Cast Members are there directing you to certain areas or to avoid certain crosses. While following instructions and getting herded, you can lose sight of the rest of your party.
Of course, I don't say all of this to scare you. Disney Cast Members are trained on how to deal with this situation and should you become separated from your child at Disney, you can be certain that a series of well-choreographed events will take place. Still, it's an alarming experience.
But first, let's inspect how it can happen and what you can do to help prevent it.
How Do People Get Separated?
Imagine your family walking through the theme park. Imagine that in the space between you, there is an imaginary invisible line that holds you together. This is your awareness of each other and what keeps you moving together through the park in the same direction, in sync with each other.
That awareness can be eclipsed. For little kids who aren't close to your height at all, this can happen because they lose a line of sight with you. Remember, they are likely seeing thighs at eye-level. If sight is the only thing keeping you together, it doesn't take much to break that invisible string.
That awareness of each other can also be eclipsed by something else that draws your attention or your child's attention. There are a lot of cool things all around you and, yes, you should look around. But when you do, remember to look back at your family before they can take 2 steps.
One of the most common places parties get separated is ride exits. If you think about it, the queue to get on the ride is quite organized, but the exit, in a lot of cases, not so much. Maybe the excitement of the ride is still top of mind. Or maybe it's one of those rides with an area of interactive exhibits at the end and your kid just HAS to touch something. Maybe everyone is exiting at once and it's a big crowd pushing each individual along like the herd scene in Lion King. Or perhaps it's Kali River Rapids, where the temptation to use the squirt guns on the bridge near the exit often surpasses the temptation to actually exit the crowded exit area. Whatever it might be, be extra aware during ride exits.
What Can You Do to Prevent Getting Separated?
I've got a few tips that may or may not apply well depending on the age and level of tolerance of people in your group.
Tip one: You will hear this on Disney transportation as well, but it can't be said enough - have a plan.
Formulate a plan before you enter the park about where your party will meet if you become separated. Make it a specific and unambiguous spot. On a recent trip, I learned "the big fountain in front of the Geosphere" is not specific enough at EPCOT as there is a fountain between the Geosphere and the entrance, and another between the Geosphere and World Showcase.
Similarly, "Cinderella's Castle" is not specific enough. That thing is huge and has many sides and a tunnel going through the middle. So where?
Better suggestions might be "Under the seagulls that say 'mine, mine, mine' in front of the Sea Pavilion" or "under the sign at the entrance to Gaston's Tavern".
It's also a really good idea to make sure that everyone in your party knows what and where your meeting spot is. I called the "big fountain" at EPCOT by its name, the Fountain of Nations, but not everyone in our party knew which one was the Fountain of Nations, so that was a fail.
Obviously, this tip works better for parties with people aged 10 and up.
Tip two: Teach your children how to recognize a cast member and to go to them if they get separated from you.
Cast members wear a distinctive name tag. Your child should be able to recognize this name tag and know to ask for help. Similarly, you should know to go to a cast member first thing if your child is lost.
Tip three: If your child is a runner, you might consider taking two additional precautions. First, take a picture of your child each morning before entering the park. That way, you can accurately convey what they are wearing to cast members that might help you look for them.
Second, consider a temporary tattoo with your cell phone number to apply to your children. There are resources online that can help you make and order them. You will need to apply a new one every 2-3 days.
Tip four: If your young child will tolerate it, consider a toddler backpack leash. They make really cute ones and they have the added bonus of being a little place you can stash fruit snacks and wipes for any snack or mess related emergencies.
When my daughter was 4 years old on her first trip to Disney, this backpack leash was our best friend. She had a place to stash her fruit snacks, and I had a "tail" I could hang onto and always be secure in knowing where she was.
What To Do If Your Party is Separated
If you follow the tips above, it will be less likely your party gets separated for long, but it can still happen. If it does, here's what to do.
First, don't panic. As I said, Disney cast members are well trained on how to handle this situation and they will do everything they can to make sure it is not as traumatic for your kid as it probably is for you.
This is what the procedure looks like:
Cast members are trained to greet children who seem to be wandering without supervision. They'll say hello and ask how it's going... that sort of thing. If they discover the child is separated, they will never ever use the phrase "lost child". They will always use the phrase "lost parents". This goes a long way in alleviating the child's fear.
They will also immediately do one of two things. If they are in a role where they can leave their area, they will walk the child to Guest Services. If they can't leave their area (for example, they are the only person at a food cart or retail location), they will keep the child with them. Either way, they will radio this to their supervisor who then shares this with other area leads across the park.
So what you, as the parent, need to do is talk to the nearest cast member. If that cast member does not already have information about where your child is, they will also direct you to Guest Services, where all information will flow.
Once reunited, I have one last personal request as a former cast member. Please don't yell at your kid. I know it's hard not to because of that adrenaline rush, but consider that your job is to watch your child and keep that invisible line of awareness active on your part. More often than not, your child did not deliberately disobey you to become lost, but more likely someone in your party got distracted. That might even have been you. So you can tell them you were worried and vent in that way a little, but don't put the responsibility of awareness entirely on your kiddos, OK parents? Go, get a cocktail, get your kid an ice cream, and remember that the most important thing is you are together.
Did you ever experience "Lost at Disney" or have tips on how to prevent it? Leave a message in the comments.
