Adult only, no kiddies please. Please no kids.

[Ronda93]

so that means your the Easter bunny also." I smiled for her reply.

This is kinda how my epiphany went, too. I was looking for something in the upper kitchen cabinets and came across my teeth. The ones the tooth fairy had redeemed for quarters (it was a while ago). Why they'd been saved was never clear, but at that point I had bigger fish to fry...

I confronted my mother and she fessed up to the tooth fairy ploy. Over the next few hours I returned to inquire about Santa and the Easter Bunny. She told me the truth. I was around seven and my brother was an infant so there were still many Santa years left in our house.

 

[Sorcerer Figment]

"so that means your the Easter bunny also."

Hmm, come to think of it... I'd much rather have my parents bringing me gifts than some strange fairy breaking into my house... But seriously, it only deepens my appreciation for my parents.

 

[NYDisneyMom]

On one of our trips I heard my oldest son explaining to my youngest son that the characters at Disney are real because they were created with Disney Magic. I think the boys were 7 and 5 at the time. They are 10 1/2 and 8 1/2 now and I think they still believe they are real!

BUT..whenever we see other costumed characters outside of WDW they always make comments like 'it's just a guy in a costume!'

 

[ReninDetroit]

Here's what I did when DS asked that question.

Explain that the "magic" of WDW is in the passion of the guests, imagineers and CM's. It IS the most well-oiled machine in the world. Notice how EVERYTHING works at WDW. You order a buzz RC toy in a kiosk outside of SRS and *somehow* it ends up in your hotel. When you get to the top of Spaceship Earth and see the stars, you feel magical. At least in my case, I might as well be in outer space.

When the statues in Italy poke you or pull your hair, you know some CM LOVES their job. When you ride Peter Pan's flight or watch Philharmagic you know that some imagineer worked numerous hours to make you happy, and his/her reward is the smile on your face.

Nothing at WDW would be as magical as it is if it weren't for the passion of the "system". It works.

That worked for my DS. The last trip was a little "depressing" for him I guess but now he can't wait to go back.

 

[mommykds]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the wonderful responses. All your notes have made me feel alot better. I was so hesitant to post this but now I am glad I did. I am still bummed that he asked but if he asks again I will take your advice & be truthful but make sure he knows it's all about magic that you feel at Disney. Thanks again.

 

[tinkerbelle22]

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...

I totally agree. Actually, I'm a teen, and I just had a feeling at around that age that it was a suit. I think my parents caught on, and I cured their sadness by telling them that even if Mickey and Minnie and all of those guys aren't actually out there in the "real" world, they can still be in my heart. It took me a long time to tell my parents about this and Santa Claus, etc. I was actually afraid how they would take it. But take it from a girl who wasn't a child that long ago: Magic can be all around you. It doesn't have to be right in front of you. You know when it's there, and someday, your child will say, "Thanks Mom. Thanks for just being honest." I know that's how I felt. Just don't do what my Mom does every Easter:

Me: Mom, should I set up the presents after Daniel (little brother) goes to bed?
Mom: What presents? What are you talking about? The Easter Bunny does that! What's wrong with you!

 

[eeyore45]

Sorry for rambling.[\quote] by Melissa M

Your post brought a tear to my eye, definately NOT rambling!!

For me and my kids... I dont know when they "stopped" believing (DS 19, 17, and DD 8) I think they believe for me!! Because like many of you posted I also mention the magic, and the heart, and just like :Yes Virginia there is a Santa Clause story... I do believe, I do believe...

and also, I'll never forget the year DS now 19 stayed up after we went to bed, he wrote a letter to DD from Santa, he drank and ate the treat, and left the crumbs in the shape of a heart!! DD looks forward to Santa!!

Last year at Disney, Princess Storybook Breakfast, Snow White stopped at our table, and man, I was mesmerized by her speech, and mannerisms, I told dh, did you hear her? Did you see how she waved, I mean... and dd looks up at me "What do you expect mom, she IS Snow White!!"
And of course I've posted before about when I ran into Mary Poppins, I burst into tears!! (she's my favorite, the first movie I ever saw w/ my beloved Grandmother... ah memories... )



(is it October yet??)

 

[DebbieB]

Some kids are too logical for their own good. My nephew was 4 when he said to his dad on Christmas "come on, how can one man go all around the world in one night?" and rolled his eyes. He's 10 now and last Christmas they had a hard time keeping him from telling his 9 year old step sister who totally believes (on Easter, we also had to keep up the Easter Bunny story for her).

 

[sk!mom]

Rejoice that you have an intelligent child.

I would have actually been worried if my children at 5 had thought that Mickey was a giant mouse rather than someone in a suit. That being said, we all get excited about giving Mickey a hug and celebrate the magic of Disney, Santa, the Easter Bunny and so on. My DS20 would say that he absolutely believes- after all non-believers don't receive gifts and dampen the magical spirit for those around them.

 

[pouncingpluto]

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.

I didn't tell my mother I didn't believe in Santa until I was 13 (though I hadn't believed in years, and in fact I don't remember a time when I wasn't skeptical about the concept). Even then, she cried!

So I understand why the originating poster is heartbroken about his young child already not believing.

 

[Steffy]

Disney World is my magical place.

When my DGD had a birthday party at Chucky Cheese, one of the little girls was so frightened, that Chucky took her backstage and removed his hood and told her to not be afraid.

So we go to DisneyWorld and my DGD told me the characters aren't real. Just like Chucky. And I am crestfallen. Because when I'm in DisneyWorld, the characters ARE real! They are. It's magic.

So I had to explain it like this. When Hillary Duff is walking down the street in LA, she's Hillary Duff. But when she takes the stage as Lizzie McGuire, she IS Lizzie. She's on stage. She becomes the character.

When I see my beloved Mickey in Disney World, he is Mickey. He is on stage and WDW is his world and that's all there is to it. It broke my heart that my DGD was trying to convince me that Cinderella wasn't Cinderella, just a lady in a dress! I would have none of it!!

See I'm one the adults waiting in line for the characters autographs. When I come to Disney World, reality gets checked as soon as I travel under the sign that's says Walt Disney World. I am in another universe.

So for me, the characters are real. WDW is a magical place and pixie dust rules.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[tjevans]

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.

Uhh. . . what are you saying about Santa?


As a parent, I'd be a little worried about any child older than about three or four who couldn't figure out that a four to five foot tall mouse with a plastic face that doesn't move isn't really a mouse.

 

[rmontgo892]

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.

We believe in this home. Every family handles this different so go with what your heart tells you! I respect some tell their kids their version of the "real deal."

I also work with some kids that during Xmas time floored the other kids in class with the an attitude almost delighting in being "in the know" that Santa is just some white guy in a suit that has nothing to do with any of their beliefs or culture.::::thud:::: I certainly respect we have different ways of handling our kids so I said that I believe cause it's about the "spirit" of giving and remembering those less fortunate and left it at THAT with a gentle reminder that we are all entitled to believe what we believe. You should have seen the kids faces. Some with a secretive knowing and obviously told by their parents NOT to ruin it for others, some SHOCKED, and some confused looking up at me ever hopeful. I for one do not think intelligence had anything to do with THAT outburst.

I too am from the club that my heart sank/sinks but I think it's because I was heart sick for a bit when I found out the reality when I was a child. Mom used the giving analogy with me and we used to deliver gifts for years from Santa to the children's ward in the hospital I was in over Xmas one time.

That being said, I use the analogy of FAITH with my now 9yr old son. I say there are some that don't believe in God and that I do believe in God. I say some believe in some form of a higher power or nature...some believe when we die, we die...that's it. All kids are inquisitive in my book.

How I handled the Santa question is with a slow discovery process around 7yrs old...There is a specific family that we help out especially around Xmas. I told my son we are playing Santa. We left grocery store gift cards and gifts from Santa. I told them if you give, you give and no one needs to know *whom* it came from. My son loved/loves the idea!

Funny story about different beliefs...My Aunt celebrates Hanukkah so we always wrap in "Hanukkah" paper and even found a Hannukkah bear in WDW one year! Anyway, my son asks one day if we are Jewish...this from a kid who goes to Catholic Sunday school! He liked the idea of presents for eight days...

Kids...gotta love em and help them along with these *reality discoveries* with understanding, truth and a gentle hand, imho!

 

[Cinderella37]

I think that the wonder of childhood is precious and intelligence has nothing to do with kids believing. When I'm a parent, I'll try and keep the belief alive for as long as possible - if I have to "lie," so be it. It's no different than the other "editing" one does to protect children from the harsh realities of our culture and daily life.

As a first grade teacher, I see the excitement on my kids' faces when the tooth fairy leaves them a treat undereneath the big tooth. It's priceless. With all of the ugliness and loss of faith in this world today, I see nothing wrong with "lying" to children about the man behind the mask. Let them be kids for as long as possible. Childhood is so fleeting - kids will have plenty of time in their adult lives to face the (often times harsh and unpleasant) realities that exist. Allowing them to believe in the magic and suspend disbelief keeps them wondrous. This may be unpopular in the times of full disclosure with children, but it seems that every so often the window in which a child has to be a child shrinks. I believed in Santa until I was 13 - this certainly had no ill intellectual effect on me and as an adult, I'm thrilled that my parents kept this magic alive for me.

 

[AngieBelle]

I'm a character performer at WDW, and I *still* see the characters as real! I can be right there watching them put on the costume, but the moment they add that last piece, they become those characters! My favorite character interactions were all after age 15, but they are still some of my favorite memories!

I have mixed feelings on the whole integrity issue though. I hate the idea of outright lying....and the guilt of it when the child learns the truth The only fantasy I remember truly believing in as a child was the toothfairy. I remember asking mom if she saw her and what she looked like, though I don't remember what she said. I stopped believing shortly after that first time but I don't remember why. I'm Jewish so never had a reason to believe in Santa or the Easter bunny.

However, I would never spoil a kid's fantasy on purpose. When I am hanging out with a family with a young child, I always check with the parents on how much the child understands before I talk about what I do. If I ever have children, I will allow them to believe, but if they ever want an honest answer, I will give it to them. Besides, I don't think it has to mean the end of magic. Children are wonderful pretenders! If they understand it's one big make-believe game, it would almost make everything real anyway. Personally, I think it makes the transition much easier if the children understand from the beginning that it's a wonderful, magical game.

I think I'd tell them that the spirits of the characters are real, so that when someone puts on a costume, the spirit takes over. Therefore, you really are meeting Mickey.


That pretty much is what happens after all! None of us is "just a person in a suit." Anyone who is just that is not doing his or her job! We are performers. Our job is to make those characters come to life! Otherwise, you may as well have your picture taken with a stuffed animal.

When I put on that Pooh costume, I'm no longer Angela, I'm Pooh. I even find myself wanting honey with my lunch! Seriously! When I'm a chipmunk, I feel just as mischeivious as Chip or Dale...I do things that I as myself would never do!

Once I was in the Crystal Palace elevator as Pooh on my way to my breakroom with a server from the resturant. The server was so excited to see Pooh that I did not have the heart to take off the head in front of her.

However, I also believe there should be times when it is ok to drop the character integrity. I love sharing the details on what I do because most people are curious and know very little about our world. But I frequently get people who shush me and say don't ruin the magic. It can be very frustrating. I don't like to be secretive and anonymous about my job all the time.

Before I got a job in WDW entertainment, I met a character perfomer online and was chatting on IM. I was genuinely interested in learning what it was like because it was something I wanted to do myself, but the guy would not drop the act of it all being real and wouldn't talk straight. It made me very mad. We were in a private chat, not out in the park, and I wasn't being some smart alec trying to get a CM to admit they were just costumes. (It drives me crazy when parents ask me if it's hot in there right in front of their kids!)


Then again, I'm someone who thinks knowing the secrets behind things can actually enhance your appreciation for the magic. I find it fascinating. I even like knowing how magic tricks and special effects are done...I'm a magician's nightmare.

Ok, I'll get off my box now...
I hope I didn't upset anyone...

 

[tink22]

Hey Angela-
I just wanted to say that I am 100% like you. I am also a character at Disney and I still get so excited to see Mickey or Donald or my favorites..Chip and Dale. And I think it's for the same reasons you said. When you see the characters, you know deep down that they are not 'real' so to speak but you are excited to see them because of what they represent. And when you have talented people to bring them to life, it makes it even more magical.
When I put the Cindy dress on and the wig, I look at myself and can't believe it's actually me. It's just so special to become that character and make them real for so many people. And when I am standing next to the other princesses or any other character, I still stare because it's still so magical to see them right there in front of me.
I don't think kids should be lied to, but I do think it's okay to explain more about what is going on than it's just 'some guy or girl in a suit'. Tell them the truth but tell them why there is someone in the suit. That they are helping to create magic for everyone that they meet, whether they know the truth or not.

 

[jenelope]

I think that the wonder of childhood is precious and intelligence has nothing to do with kids believing.

Thank you for saying this! I consider myself to be a fairly intelligent person. I'm definitely full of curiosity and an eagerness to learn. I'd say as much so at 34 as I was as a child. Now, I certainly don't believe that the Mickey I meet at Disney World is anything more than an overheated, underpaid employee doing his or her best to appear happy in a very heavy suit, but I would like to believe in the possibility of a magical place where Mickey, Minnie and Pluto rub shoulders with us ordinary folk.

I don't think that the ability to imagine that Mickey is real is anything to worry about in a child or an adult.

I had to edit this post after really taking the time to read AngieBelle and Tink22's posts. It's nice to know that those overheated, underpaid employees I mentioned are doing so much more than just appearing to be happy.

 

[Spoisal]

My kids never thought these characters were real.......I mean, it is obvious that they are not. I would have to question the intelligence of my child if they thought an oversized stuffed animal that doesn't talk is real I think they believe the princesses are real, but the "human" characters are a different story. They still believe in Santa & the Easter Bunny, but they know that Disney Characters are just characters - and they still LOVE every minute of it! They still want to get silly autographs & do character dining....the characters are still magical - even though it is some guy in a suit....

 

[Lives4Disney]

I think kids need the magic in their lives. I go out of my way to wrap Santa's gifts for the kids in different wrapping paper and tags than I use on our own. I use a fancy script for his signature. I go nuts at Easter getting the Bunny's things hidden and set up for the kids. But just the other day, my 8 yr old asked me - totally out of the blue - if Mulan at WDW was real!! I was distracted, making dinner, watching the news, and said "No".......I could have shot myself in the foot when I saw her face just crumble. It was the first time I can remember ever really wanting to go back in time - just a minute. It was awful. She just cried and cried. It seemed like she really wanted the truth at the time, but I was distracted.......

Augh. We LOVE Mulan. When we saw her the last time at WDW, she asked the girls if they bring honor to their family. I just about cried myself as I have the GREATEST girls. They fill our house with honor. My oldest - the 8 yr old - is losing her eyesight due to a retinal disease and learining to walk with a white cane and read braille. She has such a happy spirit and such courage.

I just felt so hollow and didn't know really how to fix the situation. I told her that she (the Mulan girl) is a Chinese girl and probably grew up with stories of Mulan, maybe is related to Mulan (??) and is representing Mulan. I explained that Mulan was a human and couldn't live forever. Lame, I know, but the best I could think of when I was ready to start to fall to pieces.

I just think in this tough world we live in, it is so important for kids to have some special magic in their lives. They are expected to grow up so fast. Now I know to really try and keep that character magic alive a bit longer, too. I guess they need as much as they can get!

Lives4Disney

 

[EthansMom]

On both our trip to DL and WDW in the past, we have waited in line to see Winnie the Pooh or Micke Mouse with a very excited DS (18 mos. and then 2 yrs.). Of course, we get to the front of the line after a very long wait and he starts screaming and running the other direction.

This year, I have explained to my DS3 that Mickey Mouse is pretend and that when he sees Mickey at WDW it is really just a person dressed up in a costume like at Halloween. He knows that it's all "dress up" and seems to be excited about seeing Mickey (course he was excited for the last trips too until the actual time came, so we'll see...). I don't think I'm ruining the experience for him because he never enjoyed the characters to begin with. Plus, knowing that Mickey or any of the other characters were costumed people has never made me want to hug and love them less! (I also told DS that some kids think Mickey is real, so don't tell them that Mickey is a person in a costume.)

Also, to aleviate DS3's tension regarding meeting the characters, we have just gotten PS's for 2 character meals and will skip the meet and greets in the park altogether. If DS3 has problems with the characters at dinner, we'll just ask Mickey to keep his distance and we'll at least get a meal and have no wait in line.