Adult only, no kiddies please. Please no kids.

[mommykds]

Ok, my 5 year old DS just asked "Who is in the Mickey Suit"? Gulp, Even my 9 year old has never asked this...I told him that WDW is magical, but he's just looking at me. now what do I say?

I am heartbroken.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Why are you heartbroken? You have an intelligent and inquisitive child...The sign of good things, IMO.

We've never lied about this stuff to our kids and when they've asked we've told them the truth. We include the aspects of personal belief and desires to believe in things we know can't really be true but still add to our enjoment of life.

My youngest DD is now nearly 12 and she USED to question all of these things. She got her answers, understands them deep down but still looks forward to Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, going trick or treating and (especially) visiting Mickey Mouse...She'll be in middle school next year and peer pressures will start weighing heavy, but my point is that giving the right knowledge does not mean your kids won't continue to be kids...

 

[lmhall2000]

I agree don't be hearbroken...but I understand how you feel...we want so much to see the "belief" behind their eyes and imagine what it must be like to think there's a world with huge mice walking around that will hug you...but life continues and we can take many routes on explaining it.

For me, this is how I handle it....I look at them with that Wendy stare when she used to tell the stories of Peter Pan's travels (ya know when Michael or John must have questioned if Captain Hook really had a hook for a hand)..and I say, "Oooohhh...ds of mine..Mickey would be oh so surprised at you if you asked him that question! He might ask 'who's walking around in that little five year old costume!'" Now did I tell a lie? Nooo...Mickey would be shocked if he asked him that question...

Now, this is where I go into my shpiel about READING READING READING as much as you can to your children. In my childhood, I probably had 3 whole books read to me (ya know the long chapter kinds 100 pages +) My mother and grandmother would read all those Little Golden Books to us...and in school I probably got through (even honors level) reading about 20 books and probably 10 clifts notes....my senior paper was on Bleak House by Charles Dickens and I received the only A+ in the honors class without having read 10 pages of it. Who did I fool? Myself!!! I hate thinking of all the experiences I robbed myself of.

My oldest is 9 years old and my other two are 6 & 7...I have probably read over 300 books to them over half chapter books...Chronicles of Narnia, Adam of the Road, A Single Shard, Little House on the Prairie Series, King Arthur, The Hobbit, Charles and the Chocolate Factory, Charlotte's Web...on and on and on! The reason I'm going into this much depth is that my children don't ask who is in the suit....partly because their imaginations have been inspired and awakened by these wonderful stories. Sure, they know there is someone in them, but they wouldn't want to mess up a good imagination. So, if they ask...I simply respond by citing one of the wonderful stories..."What do you think would have happened if Peter Pan didn't believe Captain Hook had a hook...he'd be Sliced!" And I wickedly take my imaginary hook and tickle them in the belly. That's what Disney is all about for us...finding a place for our imagination to take hold and to soar.

Thanks for indulging me in this soapbox!

Tara

 

[IloveWINNIEthePOOH]

She'll be in middle school next year and peer pressures will start weighing heavy, but my point is that giving the right knowledge does not mean your kids won't continue to be kids...

Peer pressure is weighing in heavy for me in HS but I still GLADLY wear my Disney shirts and put pictures in my locker of the Mouse and I!!

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

I feel your pain. My 6 Y.O. told me the night before Easter that she knew there was no Easter Bunny. I do think she has known about the Disney characters for awhile now.

My older daughter didn't realize things till she was almost 9, or at least never said anything. She knew about the Disney characters, and knew Santa in the mall wasn't the "real" Santa.

Different kids - I keep telling DH that we're in trouble with teh 6 Y.O. too smart, and sometimes too smart butted for her own good.

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> who is that in the Mickey suit?

Reply: Are you sure it's not Mickey himself?

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/dispass.htm

I had my doubts about Santa Claus back when I was five or so. Our home did not have a chimney and I remember asking my mom how Santa could bring the presents. She said that Santa left the presents outside the front door. This was in the inner city although not in the high crime areas, so I did not think of asking what kept the bad little boys and girls, who got coal in their stockings, from stealing my presents.

 

[skiwee1]

My 6 y/o has known for years that there is just a person in those costumes. She figured it out when she was almost 4! Does it ruin the magic for her? Not at all! She is the first to run up and hug them and want pics and autographs. She is always so excited to see Minnie and Mickey and all her friends. Same with me. While I might know what is really going on. it doesn't matter. It's all magic to me!

 

[MouseClubMom]

My answer is always "well what do you think?" (said in a sweet Mommy voice not a sarcastic one!) and then listen to her answer and answer any further questions.

 

[DMRick]

In the suit? What do you mean who's in the suit. OMG, I'm crushed..are you sure it's a "suit"? Oh no, well, I can't handle this..I'm off to soak in the tub..no one disturb me.

That would be my answer (and avoidance).

 

[kareneast]

My answer is always "well what do you think?" (said in a sweet Mommy voice not a sarcastic one!) and then listen to her answer and answer any further questions.

I said the same thing to DS when he asked. After listening to his answer, I told him that even though he didn't believe that Santa, Easter Bunny, Character, etc. are real, the magic that they represent is real. It is that special magical feeling inside that you get.

 

[maxaroni]

I understand fully. I think it's crushing to realize our children know the truth at times. However, it doesn't mean the magic has to end. My ds is knew about the characters 'in suits' but when we he was 8, he was full of excitement and wonder, he wanted the autographs and all. One evening, he started crying because he didn't get an autograph that he wanted but saw the character in a restaurant (forget where) and he wanted that autograph. I explained it was by reservation only and we couldn't just walk in. He carried on and on...am sure that he was over tired as well. Anyway, we surprised him by making a ps for that restaurant the following nite. He said...you didn't have to do this, mom, it's only a guy in a suit. My heart sank. Anyway, he did have a ball and still wanted the autograph.

My neighbor and I said that it was the worst feeling knowing your child(ren) know the truth about the Easter Bunny and Santa but our kids still want everything just the way it always was....still makes it wonderful. My ds, still doesn't want my parents knowing that he knows.

 

[maxaroni]

I said the same thing to DS when he asked. After listening to his answer, I told him that even though he didn't believe that Santa, Easter Bunny, Character, etc. are real, the magic that they represent is real. It is that special magical feeling inside that you get.

We did the same thing......

 

[irish dancer]

LOL, this post brings back a memory for me. DH and I took DD now 8 to DL for her 4th birthday. We were all so excited and having a wonderful time. We came upon a line of people waiting for Snow White, we asked DD if she wanted to wait in line for pics (we've never done the autograph thing). Her reply was, "that is not really Snow White it is just a lady in a costume and wig"!! My heart sank, how could she have lost that innocence so early? Well, it ended up I needn't have worried, even now at 8 she is still excited to see all the characters, santa, etc. I think she understands that those are just people in costumes but that there are real characters and santa that do exist.

 

[Melissa M]

My daughter is 13 years old and is having a lot of pressure from her peers. Before our Disney trip, she was moody, irritable, and not a fun person to be around. She was stressed about her friends, her looks, boys, etc...

Once we got to WDW, you could see and feel all of her stress and pressure lift off of her shoulders. She was able to be in a place where it doesn't matter how silly you look. It is perfectly OK to be a kid in WDW. I think we adults enjoy that same feeling. It's evidenced by the popularity of these message boards.

My daughter didn't care how old she was. She wanted to meet the characters anyway. She waited in line with the other little kids to do so. Although she knows it is just "someone in a suit", she doesn't care. It's what the suit represents--innocence and magic.

This trip saved our relationship. She came back a new person. We are closer than we've ever been. It was like a baptism.

We are planning our next trip with just the two of us. We are getting annual passes and will take a third trip and bring one of her friends along. She wants to share the magic.

Sorry for rambling.

 

[icebrat001]

5 years old, wow that's really young.

I believed in Santa until I was 13 years old. I guess I was a little naive as I was homeschooled and my entire life revolved around figure skating and education.

I remember how old I was before I figured out the mouse, I don't think I ever thought ab out it.

Nonetheless, I don't think figuring it out at 5 or 10 has any indication as to how smart one is. I'm on my way to medical school now even though I believed in Santa at 13 and even then I was afraid to confess it to my mother because I didn't want to break her heart.

I don't think lying to your child is a good idea, but I don't see anything wrong with avoiding the question or trying to get them to believe Disney is a magical place....


Good luck

 

[Sorcerer Figment]

"I’m too old to believe all these childish stories.
There is no such thing as faith and trust and pixie dust.

I try, but its to hard to believe.
I try, but I can't see what you see.
I try. I try. I try.

I can finally see it.
Now I have to believe all those precious stories.
The whole world is made of faith and trust and pixie dust.

So I’ll try because I finally believe.
I’ll try because I can see what you see.
I’ll try, I’ll try, I’ll try to fly."

This thread reminded me of lyrics from the song "I'll Try" from Return to Neverland. But here's my 2¢.

Unlike most costumed characters at other theme parks, the Disney characters don't come across as obnoxious mascots, but as lifelong friends that make even the most cynical person's face just light up. Mickey is clearly a cartoon thought up and voiced by Walt, appears as a life size statue at 3 feet tall, and as a costumed character who is 5 feet tall with a fixed expression and can't talk. Yet, for a brief moment magic makes seems to make him real. But of course, he can't be, right? But what is real? Mickey is the most recognizable face on earth, has starred in countless movies and shorts, graces all kinds of merchandise, and has greeted guests since at least the Snow White premiere in 1937. He has a well defined personality, voice, and set of movements. This is certainly more than I've ever done, so why am I "real" and Mickey is not?

To paraphrase Francis Pharcellus Church, who replied to a certain letter about Santa's exsistence (See source at Newseum):

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Mickey Mouse. He exists certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Mickey Mouse! It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Mickey Mouse! Thank GOD! He lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

So while it may be 'just a person in a suit', to me it is still completely magical. I hope others can feel this way too.

 

[Puffy2]

You tell him "a man or woman who works for Disney" . Because I think when our children ask us honest questions we should answer them honestly as well. It won't take away the magic.

 

[lbgraves]

When DH gave my Christmas present of a 7 day Disney Cruise back in 2002, DS was very upset because he was afraid of Mickey Mouse. He was 4 then. Trying to comfort him I told him that he didn't need to be afraid of him and it was just a daddy who wouldn't hurt him. He stopped talking about it & I didn't know how they would act. Well, 11 months later we all met Mickey for the very first time & both kids loved him...and everyone else, well DD didn't care for Hook. We went on our second trip last December. After we got home I guess that one of the kids in DS's kindergarten class said something to him about it being a costume & not real so one night when I put him to bed he asked me if Mickey was a costume. I just sat with him & asked what he thought. He shrugged his shoulders but looked like he was going to cry. I asked him what costumes he has, what he has seen at Halloween, and if he could see the person wearing it then. Well, of course. If Mickey was a costume, wouldn't he see the face? Guess that was good enough reasoning for him because he gave me a big smile & hug and nothing else has been said about it.

 

[Micca]

Someone selected by Disney because the cartoon Mickey can't be there.

 

[fran99999]

I am honest with my kids no matter how much it hurts ME. That being said whe n my DD16 now asked me if Santa was real. She was 9-10, she had heard in school he wasn't. I told her the truth. About 1/2 hour later she came out and looked at me and said "so that means your the Easter bunny also." I smiled for her reply. I was laughing histerically at her with no reply when she "hands on her hips, 'Please dont tell me your the birthday fairy and the tooth fairy also" birthday fairy= new comforter/bed ensemble for her b'day each year.
This was more upsetting to her than Santa or the Easter bunny. She still to this day says these were crushing blows to her.