Talk ahead of time about what to do if you get separated at Disney or another theme park. Not all of the steps below will work for everyone or in every situation. Decide on your plan and make sure the kids know what they are to do. Point out what a staff member (with a badge) or cast member (Disney) looks like. Tell the child to go to one of them and ask for help.
Most importantly, hold hands. Of course older children resist this idea, but it works for the younger ones. Theme park crowds make it hard to spot a child once you are separated.
Get everyone in the family into the same color of shirts. It's a lot easier to spot Junior in the crowd if his shirt is an eye-catching color.
For adventuresome preschoolers, try the cute backpack with a leash. These are sold in shops at the theme park or try Walmart.
Arrange to meet at a landmark spot in the theme park if you get separated. For Epcot, you could meet under the silver sphere. At the Magic Kingdom, meet in front of Cinderella's Castle.
Equip everyone with a cell phone and make sure they work for the area where the theme park is. Be sure everyone has each other's numbers programmed into the phone and that they know how to use them.
When riding the trams through the parking lot, put the child between two adults. Don't let children sit on the outside where they might slide off. This goes for any moving, open ride in a park.
You can rent a GPS device just for this kind of situation. See the link below for more information on the daily rental fee for a child locator. For a few dollars, you're prepared in case you are separated from your child in the crowd. You have to order the device at least ten days in advance.
