Okay y’all, I messed up.
I made one of the BIGGEST rookie mistakes someone can make when riding Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios — not properly securing loose articles. Since I forgot about this IMPORTANT rule, I ended up losing my glasses. Losing something as important as your glasses can be scary, especially if it is something that you need to function as a human. Since I made this mistake, I wanted to share it with y’all and walk you through what to do if this ever happens to you.
We want you to learn from our mistakes. We don’t make them on purpose, but we want to share what we do with you when it happens. To begin, make sure you put any loose articles in a bag or securely hold onto them. This could be hats, ears, glasses, or anything else that has the potential to fly off into the distance.
If you do lose anything on ANY ride at Disney World, they have a lost and found system in place so that they can try to get your items back to you safely. I’m going to take you along with me to fill out this form so you know EXACTLY what to do if this ever happens to you.
To begin, you’re going to head to Disney World’s website and locate the guest services tab. From there, you’re going to scroll all the way down until you find “Lost and Found”. Everything is listed in alphabetical order, so it’ll take you a few seconds to get there. Once you find it, click on it and it will take you to a page with your next steps.
Disney World works with Chargerback to help track any lost and found items (at least we know they won’t end up at Trader Sam’s “Gift Shop” in the Jungle Cruise). The next steps are pretty simple. You’re going to fill out a short series of questions, check your email for your lost item claim number, and wait for updates, which you should get via email within 48 hours.
©Disney
This page will also contain the link to Chargerback’s website where you need to fill out some questions about the lost item. You’re going to start by letting them know WHERE you lost your item. In my case, it was Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The list of locations that they give you has pretty much every possible area guests can go on Disney property, so you should be able to find where you lost your item.
Next, you’re going to fill out the report on the lost item. This report will include what the item is — it will give you the opportunity to describe the item as well as attach a photo of it so they know EXACTLY what to look for. This form also includes the date of the loss, and where you lost it. When it comes to where you lost it, you can be specific here — this is where I listed that I lost my glasses on Tower of Terror.
After this, you’ll confirm your information and your address. They’ll ask you for your name, email, phone number as well as all of your address information. They collect address information so they can mail it to you if they find it.
Finally, you’ll click submit and a report ID will be generated for you. Once the report is processed, they’ll send you an email to confirm and then will update you via email about the progress of the report. It is important to note that it could take them up to 48 hours to process, so if you don’t get an email shortly after submitting your report, there is no need to worry.
There is no need to worry about getting your lost items back once they’re found — if it weighs less than 70 lbs, they’ll mail it right back to you.
We know that losing stuff at Disney World can be stressful, especially if it is something you need to function day to day… like your glasses (sigh). I have to say, it was totally worth it — it was one of the BEST drop sequences I’ve ever gotten.
Please take it from me and secure your lost articles before riding anything that goes fast or has a big drop. We’re coming at you with ALL of the Disney World tips, so keep checking in with us to see what tips we talk about next!
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Have you ever lost anything at Disney World? Let us know in the comments below!Â
A couple of years ago, I lost a hat at Disney’s California Adventure’s Grizzly River Run–their river rapids ride. I came off my head during the climactic drop. Everyone on the raft saw it splash into the flume. So, how do you get the hat back?
You don’t.
An attractions host explained to me that they cannot recover anything that ends up in the river. Safety laws preclude anyone, ever, stepping into the flume. Even if it’s after-hours and the flume is empty. My hat may still be down there.
Had the exact same thing happen to me a few years ago . Lost my prescription sunglasses on Splash Mountain. I went back to the ride once I realized what had happened. I was directed to Guest Services at the front of Magic Kingdom when they hadn’t located them.I filled out a card with my information and I got the email confirming my information. A day later I got an email saying the sunglasses had been found and I was directed to pick them up at the central lost and found (where all lost items were sent at that time- perhaps still are?) In Disney Springs and I picked them up there.
Great info!
I understand the mailing address as you can get your lost item back after you leave. But I’m curious about how you can potentially retrieve a lost item while still at WDW.
Many years ago, we successfully retrieved a lost autograph book at the central lost and found at the TTC. Is that still an option?