A family trip to Walt Disney World can be a dream come true for many families. It is fun to think about all the magical experiences that everyone will be able to do together while visiting Disney World. From seeing Mickey Mouse for the first time to riding Dumbo, there is so much that even the little ones can do (see our post HERE about all that little ones can do in Walt Disney World).
One item we don’t want to think about is how to keep our little ones safe in the Walt Disney World Resort. Even though the Disney Parks and Disney Resorts are extremely safe and have outstanding procedures in place to keep everything that way, there are some tips we as Guests can take to make sure our little ones stay safe during our Walt Disney World vacation.
We hope this helps you take some small steps to help ensure your kids will be safe while on a Disney World vacation, but also help you feel calmer about heading to Walt Disney World knowing you have planned ahead.
Names Are Important
This might seem silly, but it is extremely important that your little ones know your actual name and not just mom, dad, papa, nana that they call you at home.
It is important that they are able to communicate with other adults the names of family members. You can practice going over this before heading to Walt Disney World.
If you do get split up, it can really help Cast Members immensely if you are to get separated while in the Disney Parks or Disney Resorts.
Take Pictures Each Day
Another security tip that is easy to do is taking pictures of your little ones each morning before you head out in the Disney Parks.
By having these current pictures, you are easily able to help Cast Members locate your little one. In the moment, you might not be able to communicate what they are wearing or even remember so having a picture can really help.
Know Who the Cast Members Are
Another key item to go over with little ones before heading to the parks is who are Cast Members. Make sure they know if they need something or can’t find you, they should look for an adult that has the Cast Member name tag.
Telling them to head to a store or to a dining location can also help them ensure they can find a Cast Member nearby. You can show them pictures of cast members online and then once you arrive at Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom etc, take a moment to discuss this as well.
Having this conversation beforehand is a great step so kids know what to do if something were to happen and they get separated or can’t find you.
ID Tags
If you have little ones that aren’t able to communicate their names or other important information, consider getting an ID tag of some sort that could carry this important information for them.
Some families look at tattoos that have important information such as cell phone numbers and names. Another option would be ID tags that you can make at places like Walmart with important information.
These can be worn or even attached to a shoe if they don’t like wearing necklaces or bracelets. This is a great option for those that are super young. Stickers could also be used to place on the inside of clothing, but you would want to make sure that they can withstand the elements just as heat and rain.
There are all sorts of different ways to have this important information with your kids at all times. If they can wear a MagicBand, this also will help Cast Members as they are able to pull information from these as well.
Meeting Place
For kids that are a little older, take time as you enter the Disney Park each day to set a meeting point. This can be helpful if you get split up during parades, when getting snacks or even coming out of a ride.
Pick a place that won’t be super busy instead of choosing the castle or Spaceship Earth. By picking a place to meet up, this can help not only with little ones that get separated but also those big kids/adults that might split from the group to do their own thing.
Don’t rely on cell phones but be proactive and discuss this prior to starting the day.
Nighttime Plan
Part of the magic is enjoying the nighttime shows. The issue becomes that it is super dark, super crowded and can be very overwhelming.
To help with these conditions, consider bringing some of the fun glow bracelets/necklaces for your little ones. This is fun for them and allows grown ups to keep track of them.
If they struggle with noise, think about bringing noise canceling headphones as well so they don’t panic during the show. Having little ones in the stroller after the show is probably the smartest way to ensure everyone sticks together in the crowd.
Also, this is where having a meet up plan is important for everyone as well. Make sure everyone knows who is in charge of the kids so there isn’t any confusion and mistakes.
No one wants to think about their little ones getting lost or separated while in Walt Disney World, but reality is that it does happen daily.
Walt Disney World and the amazing Cast Members have a well organized system to help find missing parents (how they phrase it), but if you take these tips you can help set yourself and your little ones up for safety once in Walt Disney World.
We want to make sure everyone has a magical trip and we hope knowing these tips will help you do just that! Do you have any other tips to share? If you are looking for ideas for your toddler, check out our blog here.
