The Disney World Lost and Found process is well-organized, making it easier to recover your belongings. They understand that losing an item can be stressful, especially in such a large and busy place. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do if you lose something at the Most Magical Place on Earth.
If You’re Still At the Walt Disney World Resort
Act Quickly
As soon as you realize something is missing, retrace your steps. Many lost items are found quickly by simply going back to where you last saw them. That may be an attraction, restaurant, theater, or retail shop. Cast Members will usually hold lost items for a very short time at the location they were found.
Visit the Designated Lost and Found Location
Sometimes you don’t know where you lost an item or the location it was lost at doesn’t have it. In this case, you’ll need to visit a central location for the park or resort to inquire about it:
- Theme parks and water parks: go to Guest Relations, located at the front of each park.
- Disney Springs: the Welcome Center is home to Disney Springs Guest Relations and also handles lost and found.
- Resort hotels: check with the front desk at the resort where the item was lost.
- ESPN Wide World of Sports: visit the Box Office, adjacent to the ESPN Clubhouse Shop.
- Disney Transportation, including buses, monorails, watercraft and Disney Skyliner gondolas: transportation doesn’t have their own dedicated lost and found, so check with any of the locations listed above to start the search.
Cast Members can check the most recent Lost and Found reports and may have your item on hand if it’s been turned in at that location. Maps with all of these lost and found locations can be found here on the Disney World website.
If You’ve Left the Walt Disney World Resort
Disney World Lost and Found Online System
Walt Disney World has an online Lost and Found system, making it easier to report and track lost items. The system is managed by a third-party provider called Chargerback. Visit their official website here and fill out a form detailing your lost item. You’ll need to provide information such as the date and location where you lost the item, a detailed description, and your contact details. Once submitted, the system will search for your item and notify you if it’s found.
Time Frame and Processing
The Lost and Found process can take a few days. Items found on Disney transportation, in hotels, or in the parks are collected and sent to a central processing center, where they are logged into the system. The online system updates regularly, so don’t lose hope if you don’t hear back immediately.
Disney World Lost and Found Follow Up
After submitting your report, keep an eye on your email. If your item is located, you’ll receive instructions on how to retrieve it. Should you be near Disney World in the near future, you can pick it up at the Lost and Found facility at Disney Springs. However, if you can’t retrieve your item in person, Disney offers shipping services for a fee.
What to Expect
While many items are recovered, some are more likely to be found than others. Common items like sunglasses, hats, and toys are often turned in. However, smaller or more valuable items might be harder to locate. It’s always a good idea to label personal belongings with your name and contact information, which can increase the chances of a lost item being returned.
Eventually, if items go unclaimed, Disney donates them to local charities. The charities then sell the items, with 100% of the proceeds staying in that charitable organization.
Losing something at Walt Disney World is never fun, but the resort’s Lost and Found process is designed to help guests as much as possible. With a little patience and the right steps, you have a good chance of being reunited with your lost items, ensuring your vacation remains magical from start to finish.
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