Losing an item at Disney World, no matter how big or small it may be, can always be a scary, stress inducing experience. Luckily, the Cast Members at Disney are there to help you in any way that they can! Here are the steps you need to take if you lose an item on Walt Disney World Property.
1. Check your Surroundings
I know this may seem like common sense but often when someone loses something, they panic and can’t focus on their surroundings. Once you notice that your item has gone missing, look around where you are and retrace your steps.
2. Go to the Location Where You Lost the Item
Whether you lost the item on a ride, a restaurant, a resort or anywhere in the parks, it is always a good idea to revisit the location. Once you get to that location, talk to a Cast Member and try to describe the missing item as best as you can. If someone turned in the item, a Cast Member would know right away and return your item. If your item is not there, they will direct you to Guest Services.
3. Visit Guest Services
When you aren’t able to find your item at the exact location where you lost it, the next step is to go to Guest Services. Sometimes you can get lucky and find your item here. All lost items are turned in to the Guest Services at the front of each park. Rounds are made about every two hours and Cast Members collect lost items from every location, and they are transported to the front of the park to Guest Services. Here, you will also have to describe your item to the best of your ability to a Cast Member. They can go to the place where they keep lost items in the back to check for you. If your item still isn’t located, they will hand you a card to report your item as lost on their website.
4. Fill Out the Online Form
In the event that your item cannot be located at the parks, you will be given a card with the Disney Lost & Found page with instructions on how to report it. From there, you will click on a link that will bring you to a form that you will have to fill out. You must answer a short series of questions about your item. The online form is for items lost at the theme parks, the water parks, Disney resorts, Disney Springs, ESPN Wide World of Sports, or Disney Transportation. The better description you give of your item and the location of where you lost it, the easier it is for Cast Members to locate it.
Once you’ve submitted the form, Disney will send you an email with your Lost Item claim number. Usually, they will provide you with an update within 48 hours. If your item is located, Disney will contact you immediately and take the next steps to reunite you with your lost item. Disney will also usually give you a few updates within a few days but if the item has not been located within the week, they will notify you via email that they have concluded their search.
5. If all else fails…
If a week has passed and Disney was unable to locate your item, don’t give up hope yet! There are plenty of Disney accounts on social media that you can post your item on and maybe someone will see it and return it! I have heard of many success stories from reaching out to Disney Lost & Found Pages on social media!
Lost Items at Disney Resorts
If you lose an item at a Disney Resort, before filling out an online form, go directly to the Lobby Concierge. Lobby Concierge have their own lost and found and the item may have made its way down there. If it’s not at the Lobby Concierge, a Cast Member can then contact Mousekeeping (housekeeping) and have them search the room for the item. If the item is still not located at this point, then it is a good idea to fill out the online form.
Items Lost on Mears in route to Disney Resort
In the event that you misplace an item on the transportation service provided by Mears in route to a Disney Resort, there is a different procedure to follow. If your item has been lost for 30 minutes of less, you must call (866) 599-0951. If your item has been lost for longer than 30 minutes, then you must call (407) 423-5566.
How Long are Items Held at Lost & Found?
According to Disney’s website, items that are of higher value such as cameras, phones, jewelry, etc., are held for 90 days. Items that are of lesser value, such as sunglasses, toys, shirts, etc., are held for 30 days. For a better chance of finding your item, please report it as soon as possible.
Lost & Found Facts
According to the Disney website, “Walt Disney World Lost & Found is one busy place. Every day, an average of 210 pairs of sunglasses are turned in and, since 1971, an estimated 1.65 million pairs of glasses have found their way into the “lost” bin. On an annual basis, Lost and Found Cast Members collect more than 6,000 cell phones, 3,500 digital camera, 18,000 hats and 7,500 autograph books.” That is a ton of lost items!
Overall
Now that you know what to do in the event that you lose an item, don’t panic! This guide was made to help take the stress and panic out of the situation. More often than not, items will be found and returned if these steps are followed. Hopefully you won’t ever have to experience losing an item at the parks but if you do, we’ve got the answer! Have you ever lost an item at the park? What was your experience like?
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