Left Alone in the Magic Kingdom.

by Eric
(Mesa, AZ)

I had the great pleasure of going to Disneyland several times as a young child. One particular time, age 9, upon entering the park my Mother and Father pointed out the security station at the end of Main St and said, "If you get lost, go to this station." They left out a few important details, but I will get to that later.

A short time later, the family and I were trying to get into the 'Bear Jamboree', but since I was eating an ice cream cone, I had to wait outside. Well, I got turned around and missed my family exiting the event, and didn't know what to do. I searched for them for a bit, then decided that I had better go back to the security station, per earlier instructions.

I went to the 'little station' and sat outside of it for about an hour waiting for my parents to come get me. I visited with another Mother who had lost her child. I remember feeling bad for her that she hadn't told her child about the 'rendezvous' point like my parents had done. I started to get hungry, but didn't want to leave the station... so I ran to the shop next door and quickly purchased some licorice. Well, it took longer that I had hoped to buy the licorice, but I made it back to the security house and waited another hour or so. At this point in time, I began to get very upset. I never felt scared or concern about being separated from my parents and siblings, but I was beginning to feel a panic that by the time my family did find me - I wouldn't have time to go on all the rides!

After being separated for about 3 hours, my parents finally showed up at the security station. There were overwhelmed with joy, then upset that I hadn't followed their instructions... apparently I was supposed to tell the security officials that I was lost. That hadn't even occurred to me, the whole park was looking for me and I was sitting on the 'porch' eating licorice waiting for my parents to come get me.

Now that I am a father, I can understand the panic that a parent would have in that situation. But for me, I was at Disneyland, the Magical Kingdom. Nothing bad could happen here, right?

BTW, I have since taken my kids to Disneyland (and am planning another trip this year) and show them the same station... but I give better instructions.