One guest’s sunglasses, another guest’s thrift store score? Here’s how Disney turns lost items into charitable gold — and what it means if you left your ears behind.
By now, we all know the pain of leaving something behind after a long day in the parks. Maybe it was a water bottle left in a ride vehicle, or maybe your brand-new Minnie ears vanished somewhere between popcorn and parade time. But what happens to those thousands of items misplaced daily at Walt Disney World and Disneyland?
Turns out, after three months, they don’t just vanish — they’re donated. And in some cases, they may end up for sale at a nearby thrift store… or in a stranger’s TikTok haul.
Disney’s Lost & Found Has an Expiration Date
Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort each operate a cloud-based Lost and Found system. Guests can file a claim for misplaced items directly through Disney’s official website, and within 48 hours, Cast Members will provide an update. Disney gives guests a full 90-day window to claim their belongings — whether it’s a misplaced plush, prescription glasses, or limited-edition merch.
But after those 90 days? It’s out of your hands — and off to a good cause.
At Walt Disney World, unclaimed items are boxed up and driven 40 miles north to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida Thrift Store, where they’re sold to the public for a fraction of their original price. Brand-new merchandise — often complete with tags still attached — is regularly found, including high-end items like Oakley sunglasses, backpacks, Loungefly bags, and Disney-exclusive collectibles.
Proceeds from those sales help fund educational and after-school programs for nearly 12,000 local children, according to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida.
Disneyland Does It Too — And The Lines Get Long
Over at Disneyland Resort, the process is a bit different, but the concept remains the same: give unclaimed items a second life and raise money for a good cause. Disneyland’s lost-and-found merchandise ends up at Goodwill of Orange County, just 15 minutes from the parks.
Each year, the store holds a highly anticipated Disney Lost & Found Sale, where items are priced between $3 and $5— often 90% off their in-park cost. The event is so popular that the parking lot reportedly fills up before the store even opens, and Disneyland Cast Members are given early access before the public shops the selection.
TikTok Brings Lost Items to Light — and Sparks Some Awkward Encounters
While the charitable donations are a win for local communities, not everyone is thrilled to see their personal items on resale racks — and thanks to TikTok, some of these stories are going viral.
One creator, @beerfoodieandcutie, recently posted a haul from her visit to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida thrift store, showing off a stylish pair of pink mirrored Ray-Bans she scored for cheap. But in the comments, a viewer had a very specific question:
“Not my pink mirrored Ray-Bans that I literally think you have on,” the user wrote. “I lost them last September and filled out a lost and found report. Is there a small scratch across the middle of one of the lenses?”
To which the TikToker simply replied: “Yes.”
@beercutieandfoodie This is where you can buy the LOST & FOUND items from Disneyworld! 🛍️ Make sure to follow @beercutieandfoodie & @beercutieandparks for more outside of the theme park secrets. The way I wanted to gatekeep this but I had to put you on if you haven’t already been here! When I tell you I took home so many shades because theres no way, I’m finding them for the low low at $40 for name brands, like that ever again and I got a pair of pricey rare Mickey ears for $9.99 🥹 Have you been here yet ? Share this with someone that needs to go here ! #fyp #shoppingtips #discountshopping #thingstodoinorlando #moneysavingtips #discountshopping #orlandoshopping #clearanceshopping #clearancefinds
The viral exchange prompted laughs, sympathy, and even a few suggestions that the two arrange a “buyback,” joking that they should host their own swap meet. It’s a humorous — and slightly painful — reminder that once that 90-day clock runs out, your item may end up in someone else’s bag.
The Magic Behind the Mission
Despite a few awkward reunions via TikTok, Disney’s donation efforts offer a silver lining for both guests and the communities they serve. According to Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida Vice President of Marketing, Betsy Owens, Disney’s contributions are “just a small fraction of their overall support,” which also includes donations of office supplies, fabrics, and tech equipment to local schools and nonprofits.
“It’s no surprise that the Disney items are some of the most popular at the thrift store,” added CEO Jamie Merrill. “I cannot overstate the impact this has on our organization.”
What You Should Do If You’ve Lost Something at Disney
Before you start scanning TikTok for your missing sunglasses or MagicBand, make sure you’ve done your due diligence:
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File a Lost Item Report within 48 hours of losing it at Disney’s Lost and Found Portal.
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Include details like brand, color, location, and distinguishing marks (scratches, engravings, etc.).
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Watch your email for status updates from Disney Cast Members.
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Act fast — you have 90 days.
After that? Well, your favorite park souvenir might just end up helping someone else — or starring in someone’s thrift store TikTok haul.
