Afraid of characters?

[MaidMarian]

Just curious as to what ages other peoples kids were afraid of the costumed characters. We took my daughter who was almost 1 in December and she loved seeing the characters from far away but didnt like them up close (who could blame her!) We're going again in October and just trying to decide whether or not to do character meals. I know it all depends on the individual child, but just curious of others experience.

 

[MoGabsMom]

I can't help ya there. Both of my kids love the characters (even as young as 7 months) I have friends who's kids are afraid of all kinds of characters (even santa), and it took years for them to be comfortable.

Personally, I think with kids that small, they read your response to the character. If you are comfortable and show no fear, then they might feel a little more at ease.

 

[Savsmommy]

We just went and my DS 22 months old was scared of the characters if we tried to put him down to get a picture with them. As long as me or DH was holding him he was fine with a character touching him or playing with him, he would laugh and wave at them. We tried a few times to get him to go with our DD to get a picture of the two of them with a character, but he wouldn't do it. So, in all our pictures it's either just our DD and the character or our DD, DS and me or my DH with the character. At the character meals he did fine though with a character coming up to him. Most of them just patted him on his head. We were celebrating DD's birthday during our trip so she got all the attention from the characters.

 

[mamaof2]

My DD was 28mths and terrified of the characters. My 4 yr old had no problems though.I was so upset that everytime I tried getting a pix of my little one w/ a character she had a fit. I ended up taking pix only of my 4 yr old w/ characters. It was so upsetting for me, just because it was my 1st visit to disney-ever--and I had the chance to share it with my girls. I guess thats why it was such a let down. I only have to say that ALL children react in different ways-to different things. Lots of luck. I am going on my 2nd trip soon, I think I need some luck and pixie dust.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

The first time we went dd was 8 months old and did not want any characters closer to her than 5 feet away! The next trip she was 1.5 and she loved them! I strongly reccommend the character meals because they give the kids time to warm up to them and they characters are so nice. Now my ds was never afraid and he is almost 4 now and still not afraid. We'll see what ds#2 thinks when we go next (he'll be 6 months old). I would try the character meals.

 

[java]

Well out of 4 children I have one that is not a fan of the characters- He is now 3(liked them as a baby..now not so much) When we show him pictures of himself with the characters as a baby- he says that it is not him. He doesn't like characters. (my one chance is if they do a toy story themed meal at MGM- he LOVES Buzz so there may be a character meal in our future)He actually was ok during the meals- just didn't want to be in any pictures at all with them(he started to talk to them at the end of the trip) so one tip if you are going to try maybe the end of the trip is a better time to schedule it. So she will have time to get used to them. Have fun

 

[Tissa]

On our first trip ds was 9 and really scared of them. Next trip he was better but still didn't want to see Capt Hook, which was strange because he pretends to be Capt Hook all the time.

 

[belle&beast]

We went in January with DD4 and DS turned 2 on our trip. We were sure that neither one would want to see the characters up close because they were deathly afraqid of Santa Claus just a few weeks before our trip. Boy were we wrong! We started our trip on a Saturday - arrived around 5:00 so we headed to Spectromagic and Wishes at MK. It was a great way to start our trip. On Sunday we went to Epcot and our first stop was the character Connection. Our DD was a little timid, but DS was so excited to see Mickey, that all was forgotten and they loved the characters. We had lunch at Akershus with the princesses and DS left with kisses all over his face! Just be ready for anything, but we were pleasantly surprised.

 

[JulieNMM]

My DS (now 6) loved Buzz Lightyear so for his 3rd bday, we had a party and hired "Buzz" to come to the party. DS was so excited and that's all he talked about for days before the party. On the day of the party, as soon as "Buzz" walked in the door, DS started screaming hysterically, hid behind a chair and told him to get out of his house! He was terrified! And so were all the other kids. The only picture we got of DS with Buzz was when he was blowing out the candles and Buzz was behind him and DS didn't know. UGH!

DS is no longer afraid of characters but DD4 is! She does not like Santa or Chuck E. Cheese either. She has no problems with characters who are real people with faces, like Ariel, Belle, Peter Pan, etc, but anyone in a costume better beware!

JULIE going to WDW 4/1-4/8/2006

 

[mamaof2]

I am right there with you. My dd 3yrs old--panicks. I can't understand why--I thought she would be excited...Good luck on your upcoming trip.

 

[JulieNMM]

Thanks MAMAof2! We're excited! Have fun on your cruise!!

JULIE

 

[pezheadval]

On our first trip ds was 9 and really scared of them. Next trip he was better but still didn't want to see Capt Hook, which was strange because he pretends to be Capt Hook all the time.

My dd has been the same way with Captain Hook. I think she plays Peter Pan/Captain Hook/Pirates just about every day but she will not go near Captain Hook. She just loves Tink and Peter Pan and she said Captain Hook is mean to them, so she won't talk to him. lol

When she was 1 she did like all of the characters that we saw except for Sully (from monsters inc...he is so big!) and Mickey and Minnie! Go figure!