Silly question...How do you explain to your child WHY Mickey/Minnie, etc. can't talk? - The DIS Discussion Forums

oilergirl · 09-15-2009, 02:53 PM

I know all the "face characters" can talk (the princess, etc.)...but how do I explain to my young daughter why characters like Mickey/Minnie/Pooh/Baloo, etc. can't talk? She told me that's one of the things she's most excited about...seeing talking mice/bears., etc. Ummm....now what? Any ideas what I can say? Silly question, I know...but she WILL ask. I just know it.

Thanks!

sonnyjane · 09-15-2009, 03:00 PM

Wow! I can honestly say this never crossed my mind. When I was young and went to character breakfasts or saw them around the park, it never occurred to me! Kind of like how when we went to the mall and saw the "Easter Bunny", I never really wondered why he didn't talk, just got caught up in the moment I guess!

How old is your daughter?

oilergirl · 09-15-2009, 03:08 PM

She's 5 and still believes in the "Disney magic" of talking animals. She's young enough to still think they are "magical" animals but old enough that she'll notice that they don't talk...since she keeps talking about how cool it'll be to see talking animals. I was thinking of saying that they only talk in the actual movies...but then we are going to Fantasmic and she'll see Mickey talk there. So...not sure what to say.

sonnyjane · 09-15-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilergirl

She's 5 and still believes in the "Disney magic" of talking animals. She's young enough to still think they are "magical" animals but old enough that she'll notice that they don't talk...since she keeps talking about how cool it'll be to see talking animals. I was thinking of saying that they only talk in the actual movies...but then we are going to Fantasmic and she'll see Mickey talk there. So...not sure what to say.

I would say that they only talk in movies or during shows, because they have to conserve their voices!

oilergirl · 09-15-2009, 03:16 PM

Oh that's a good idea! Thanks!

Knowing my daughter, she'll likely try to coax them into saying something anyway!

Casken · 09-15-2009, 03:20 PM

Oilergirl, are you an Edmontonian? If so, so am I. Nice to see another Canadian on here.

I would tell her that they get sore throats from talking to all the kids all day and have to give their voice a rest for making their t.v. shows.

oilergirl · 09-15-2009, 03:24 PM

Sure am! Well just outside of Edmonton actually!

Thanks for the advice and enjoy your trip! 1 more day....how exciting!!!

bbangel · 09-15-2009, 05:09 PM

I'm from Edmonton originally and am still an Oilers fan at heart.

You could also say that they are a bit shy when meeting new people but then she may wonder why they will hug her...

3TinksAndAnEeyore · 09-15-2009, 05:16 PM

I've wondered why more kids have not asked this in the past (fully anticipating the question from my own DDs), but I think the characters appear so expressive in their movements that they leave the impression that they did speak aloud.

debdreamsofdis · 09-15-2009, 06:05 PM

I think when your daughter asks that question you should say "I don't know. Why do YOU think they don't talk?" and then agree with her answer. That technique has saved me many times!

disheadz · 09-15-2009, 08:25 PM

We told DS4 that they aren't real and that people are inside. Oddly, that didn't lessen his desire to see them at all. But that's just us...

PurpleSurfer · 09-15-2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disheadz

We told DS4 that they aren't real and that people are inside. Oddly, that didn't lessen his desire to see them at all. But that's just us...

Our 4 year old was apprehensive (and we had 4 charachter meals planned) so I did tell her that it was just a dude in a suit. I never thought of lying about that? Oops! They wern't any less real? somehow?

My 1.5 year old was just plain terrified and I would warn whoever in the suit that she was really upset when they touched her and they would nod that big head probably glad not to get reported for making the kids scream!

StageTek · 09-15-2009, 08:44 PM

A few of years ago I took my nieces (5 and 8) to Disneyland.
I was amazed when the next day they were both telling their
mom (my sister) about the conversation they had with Tigger
. He said this and he said that.

My sister even asked me later if the rules about the characters
talking had changed. The girls we so convinced they heard
Tigger talk.

sonnyjane · 09-15-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by debdreamsofdis

I think when your daughter asks that question you should say "I don't know. Why do YOU think they don't talk?" and then agree with her answer. That technique has saved me many times!

HAHAH! I don't have kids yet, but when I do, I am definitely going to use this tactic! Great!

IBLarsen · 09-15-2009, 09:23 PM

My DD asked this question last year at age 3. I was so shocked, I didn't have a response. She came up with her own explanation and I went along with it. I honestly don't remember what she thought, but I was still trying to think of something in my head in case it kept going! You are smart to have a game plan ahead of time!

09-15-2009, 02:53 PM	#1
oilergirl Earning My Ears Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 65	Silly question...How do you explain to your child WHY Mickey/Minnie, etc. can't talk? I know all the "face characters" can talk (the princess, etc.)...but how do I explain to my young daughter why characters like Mickey/Minnie/Pooh/Baloo, etc. can't talk? She told me that's one of the things she's most excited about...seeing talking mice/bears., etc. Ummm....now what? Any ideas what I can say? Silly question, I know...but she WILL ask. I just know it. Thanks!

09-15-2009, 03:20 PM	#6
Casken Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 103	Oilergirl, are you an Edmontonian? If so, so am I. Nice to see another Canadian on here. I would tell her that they get sore throats from talking to all the kids all day and have to give their voice a rest for making their t.v. shows. __________________ DS DD Moi The hubby and can't forget the pets

09-15-2009, 05:09 PM	#8
bbangel My friends call me the font of useless knowledge Join Date: May 2006 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 1,660	I'm from Edmonton originally and am still an Oilers fan at heart. You could also say that they are a bit shy when meeting new people but then she may wonder why they will hug her... __________________

09-15-2009, 05:16 PM	#9
3TinksAndAnEeyore DIS Veteran Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 525	I've wondered why more kids have not asked this in the past (fully anticipating the question from my own DDs), but I think the characters appear so expressive in their movements that they leave the impression that they did speak aloud. __________________ Me DH DD7DD3 Upcoming: February Daytrip, June Trip. Completed: DLR December 2009 (DLH), DLR January 2008 (daytrip), DLR November 2007 (daytrip), DLR October 2007 (GCH), DLR June 2004 (DLH), WDW October 2000, Disneyland October 1996 (ES), my GradNight June 1988, DB's (now DH!) GradNight June 1987, Band Trip (played on Main Street with DrumLine!) Spring 1987, too many Daytrips to count starting in 1970

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09-15-2009, 03:00 PM	#2
sonnyjane DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 510	Wow! I can honestly say this never crossed my mind. When I was young and went to character breakfasts or saw them around the park, it never occurred to me! Kind of like how when we went to the mall and saw the "Easter Bunny", I never really wondered why he didn't talk, just got caught up in the moment I guess! How old is your daughter?

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09-15-2009, 03:08 PM	#3
oilergirl Earning My Ears Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 65	She's 5 and still believes in the "Disney magic" of talking animals. She's young enough to still think they are "magical" animals but old enough that she'll notice that they don't talk...since she keeps talking about how cool it'll be to see talking animals. I was thinking of saying that they only talk in the actual movies...but then we are going to Fantasmic and she'll see Mickey talk there. So...not sure what to say.

09-15-2009, 03:16 PM	#5
oilergirl Earning My Ears Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 65	Oh that's a good idea! Thanks! Knowing my daughter, she'll likely try to coax them into saying something anyway!

09-15-2009, 03:24 PM	#7
oilergirl Earning My Ears Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 65	Sure am! Well just outside of Edmonton actually! Thanks for the advice and enjoy your trip! 1 more day....how exciting!!!

09-15-2009, 06:05 PM	#10
debdreamsofdis Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 192	I think when your daughter asks that question you should say "I don't know. Why do YOU think they don't talk?" and then agree with her answer. That technique has saved me many times!

09-15-2009, 08:25 PM	#11
disheadz Mouseketeer Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PDX Posts: 89	We told DS4 that they aren't real and that people are inside. Oddly, that didn't lessen his desire to see them at all. But that's just us...

09-15-2009, 08:44 PM	#13
StageTek It's kind of fun to do the impossible. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 363	A few of years ago I took my nieces (5 and 8) to Disneyland. I was amazed when the next day they were both telling their mom (my sister) about the conversation they had with Tigger . He said this and he said that. My sister even asked me later if the rules about the characters talking had changed. The girls we so convinced they heard Tigger talk.

09-15-2009, 09:23 PM	#15
IBLarsen Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 215	My DD asked this question last year at age 3. I was so shocked, I didn't have a response. She came up with her own explanation and I went along with it. I honestly don't remember what she thought, but I was still trying to think of something in my head in case it kept going! You are smart to have a game plan ahead of time!

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