WFTV gets behind-the-scenes look at Disney's lost and found

ORLANDO, Fla. — With the holidays and big games at the Citrus Bowl, it is a busy time for central Florida.

Many visitors are also packing the theme parks, including Walt Disney World.

Channel 9's Janai Norman got a behind-the-scenes look at the extensive lost and found operation at Disney.

"One of our iconic attractions inside the park advises guests to hang onto their hats and glasses, and if they fail to do so, well, they end up here," said Disney guest relations director Keith Gossett.

Each lost item is meticulously organized.

"They are color-coded with dots which identify which park it was found in and that day. Also, we incorporate the date on the glasses, and then we sort them here, and wait for the calls from our guests to locate them," said Gossett. "Glasses, hats, visors, those are some of our most popular item."

Gossett said the dozen or so employees in lost and found keep a good track record.

"They are quite often very amazed that we'll go to such great lengths to connect them back with their stuff," said Gossett.

Stephen Quinn, who is visiting from Scotland, said he lost a lens cover to his camera while on a ride.

"You just saw it rolling past you, so I thought I'd lost it forever," Quinn said. "They sent it back here. It was great."

But Gossett said Disney's lost and found said there are hundreds of thousands of items that go unclaimed.

"We have probably over 250,000 that go beyond our 90-day claim period and are then offered up to charitable organizations," he said.

One of those organizations is New Beginnings, which is aimed at helping the homeless with the help of Disney.

"The idea is we're able to take items Disney supports us with, whether it be strollers, whether it be blankets or toys, and we try to make a better future for the people we serve," said Steve Smith, executive director of New Beginnings Central Florida.

Smith said they're also able to take some of the unclaimed items and sell them to help go toward more services aimed at helping central Florida's homeless.

WFTV