Character Call... FAIL

[majermom]

Okay parents, how many of you have had this experience. After our son (age 9) snuck up behind us and caught us booking our Thanksgiving Disneyland vacation, I wasn't going to be able to surprise him with it. But for the fun of it I decided to set up a character call with McQueen & Mater. The phone rings and after answering it I told him it was for him. He listens for about 10 seconds and hands the phone back to me before the message was even finished. He says "Mom, that was kinda lame." SERIOUSLY??? I told him "If we ever do anything Disney again, I'm gonna set up a character call for myself. I would love to get one!!!" He rolls his eyes. Yes, he's excited about our upcoming trip but getting too old for his own good.

 

[mrswh]

I think there is this in between age where one realizes that the characters aren't real - and therefore has to act like they are stupid because only babies would think they are real and get excited over them - but before one is old enough to appreciate them in all their fakeness. Give it a couple of years.

 

[GrandBob]

Our DGD is 9 now, and I recognize the symptoms. I think mrswh is spot on.

We took DGD to WDW when she was 5. Went to several character meals, met all the princesses at Cinderella's Royal Table, and waited in the lines for them at the parks. Had a wonderful and magical time.

We took her to DLR at age 6, and had a similar experience and a great time with the princesses.

So at age 7 we took her again to DLR. We were in Fantasyland, so I suggested that we go to Princess Fantasy Faire. "Nah," she said. "Those are just adults in Princess costumes."

I was cresfallen, similar to the way majermom is expressing. I guess we adults just have to learn to get over it!

-Bob

 

[ValpoCory]

Our DGD is 9 now, and I recognize the symptoms. I think mrswh is spot on.

We took DGD to WDW when she was 5. Went to several character meals, met all the princesses at Cinderella's Royal Table, and waited in the lines for them at the parks. Had a wonderful and magical time.

We took her to DLR at age 6, and had a similar experience and a great time with the princesses.

So at age 7 we took her again to DLR. We were in Fantasyland, so I suggested that we go to Princess Fantasy Faire. "Nah," she said. "Those are just adults in Princess costumes."

I was cresfallen, similar to the way majermom is expressing. I guess we adults just have to learn to get over it!

-Bob

Which is why it breaks my heart a little each time I hear a family refuse to take their young children to Disney because "they're too young ... they won't remember it". Those parents just don't get it. They are missing out on some of the most magical years. There are certain vacations that are geared towards older kids, but Disney is geared largely towards younger kids (and adults).

Ultimately, I think their statement is more based in jealousy or financial difficulties, which are acceptable emotions that should be validated and not covered up with some lame "won't remember it" excuse.

 

[larina]

Which is why it breaks my heart a little each time I hear a family refuse to take their young children to Disney because "they're too young ... they won't remember it". Those parents just don't get it. They are missing out on some of the most magical years. There are certain vacations that are geared towards older kids, but Disney is geared largely towards younger kids (and adults).

Ultimately, I think their statement is more based in jealousy or financial difficulties, which are acceptable emotions that should be validated and not covered up with some lame "won't remember it" excuse.

My son is 4 and he is still talking about our trips last May and December. My 18 1/2 year old still talks about the trip we made at Christmas when she was 5.

Disneyland is for kids of all ages, even the adult ones.

 

[Priory]

It's the age of not believing. Angela Lansbury warned us about this!

 

[RaceCar]

Disneyland is for kids of all ages, even the adult ones.

This is true, but not all adults have that "kid" inside of them. Generally speaking, those of us that went to DL as children who were young enough to believe in the magic are the ones that more easily carry that magic into adulthood.

 

[ktlm]

Well, if it makes you feel any better, I will tell you that my character loving, Disney crazy DD (6), even at age 2 and 3, thought the character calls were "lame" (although she didn't use that specific word), because it is just a pre-recorded recording that doesn't interact with the kids at all. Even when the characters and Disney magic were 100% real, she knew that wasn't a real character at the other end of the line the minute she said something and they didn't talk back.

 

[RaceCar]

When our daughter was almost 3 the character call made her so excited I'm still sad we didn't record it. When she was almost 5, the call was fine but nothing to write home about. Because of that, we're not going to do it this year (almost 6). We're glad, though, that we got one really good year out of it.

Similarly, at almost 3 she adored all the characters. Very excited and not at all scared. At almost 5 she was more reserved with the face costumes and wondered why their faces don't move. I told her that they were only costumes because I thought it would be better for her than being disturbed by their frozen appearance. But she still believes in the princess type characters, even today. In fact, for school we were learning about fiction and non-fiction. I came up with some fiction examples and included Cinderella. She said, "That's not fiction, I saw here at Disneyland." I was like a deer in headlights. I said, "Hmmm, you're right. You know, I don't really know now, but we did see her at Disneyland, didn't we."

 

[blueferral]

Our 4 year old was mad because Goofy wouldn't answer his questions on the call. Our 6 year old told him, "that's fake"

Our eldest figured out they were fakes when he was 4. Sheesh, he is a handful. He now understands if he doesn't play along, he is going to stay with Grandma back home. He now explains to his little brother, "they're real, seriously, THEY ARE REAL!"

 

[chrissiecutie]

I work really hard to keep the magic of Disney alive for DS, who is 7.

He's definately beginning to question it a bit more. But I tell him that Mickey is magical (just like Santa) & when you stop believing, you'll never find it again.

Mickey doesn't talk because he had a sore throat or he's playing a "no talking game". Mickey lives at DLR in his house in Toontown but sometimes he has to take a nap so we can't always visit him. Mickey likes to send DS gifts or a postcard after our trip & Mickey just invited DS to his Halloween party this year.

That Mickey is made of Magic & with magic, all things are possible!

 

[pixiewings71]

psht, my kids are 12 and 16 and they still want to talk to the Princesses and other characters. It's Disney, they know they are adults in costume but that doesn't change the fact that they love it! lol Now they try to learn mannerisms because DD16 says "when I move to So Cal and work at DL I want to be the best Tink ever". lol

 

[Misskitty3]

My son is 4 and he is still talking about our trips last May and December. My 18 1/2 year old still talks about the trip we made at Christmas when she was 5.

Disneyland is for kids of all ages, even the adult ones.

 

[krispin41]

This is true, but not all adults have that "kid" inside of them. Generally speaking, those of us that went to DL as children who were young enough to believe in the magic are the ones that more easily carry that magic into adulthood.

Yep. I'm a CA girl and my first trip was when I was 3, my DH grew up in Philly, and his first trip was last year. We went again in July. To him, its just a themepark. He has a good time, and knows that I love it, but he told me our next trip together will be when we have kids.

 

[chrissiecutie]

Yep. I'm a CA girl and my first trip was when I was 3, my DH grew up in Philly, and his first trip was last year. We went again in July. To him, its just a themepark. He has a good time, and knows that I love it, but he told me our next trip together will be when we have kids.

Yep- my DH doesn't really get it either. He tolerates it- gah!

For me growing up, Disney was so magical, special & all about family. My Mother still insists that Mickey is real (and Santa too for that matter) & it's from her that I got my love for the Land. I do my best to carry this on with DS.

I think the way you feel about Disney as an older kid & an adult has everything to do with your childhood experiences with it. KWIM?

 

[CamoMama]

Our DGD is 9 now, and I recognize the symptoms. I think mrswh is spot on.

We took DGD to WDW when she was 5. Went to several character meals, met all the princesses at Cinderella's Royal Table, and waited in the lines for them at the parks. Had a wonderful and magical time.

We took her to DLR at age 6, and had a similar experience and a great time with the princesses.

So at age 7 we took her again to DLR. We were in Fantasyland, so I suggested that we go to Princess Fantasy Faire. "Nah," she said. "Those are just adults in Princess costumes."

I was cresfallen, similar to the way majermom is expressing. I guess we adults just have to learn to get over it!

-Bob

Just be patient, she'll probably love them again one day. I took my 15 year old in July and one of our favorite parts of the trip was having our picture taken with Merida. She's not really down with the other Princesses now, but that's because of the message she thinks that they send rather than lack of interest in characters. She loves the self-sufficient princesses who don't need to be saved by a handsome prince.

 

[dmband]

Where does one go to set up one of these calls?
Tia

 

[laurasvwee]

Disneycharactercalls.com

 

[lalasmama]

psht, my kids are 12 and 16 and they still want to talk to the Princesses and other characters. It's Disney, they know they are adults in costume but that doesn't change the fact that they love it! lol Now they try to learn mannerisms because DD16 says "when I move to So Cal and work at DL I want to be the best Tink ever". lol

My DD was barely 8yo when we went, but already knew they were people dressed up in costumes, just like the Santa at the mall... That being said, she still got sooo into it, and can't wait to meet all the princesses this next trip. She knows they aren't real, but totally appreciates the magic behind it, and, like her mama, "believes" even when she knows the truth. Nothing better than seeing her face light up seeing Mickey, Tiana, or even Chip and Dale.

.... I'm so thankful that she's a "magic belief" kinda kid. She accepts hearing, "We do it because it makes people happy, and we love to pretend it's all real" and embraces it. (She's like this at Christmas too. "Santa" has given me her school-craft gift every year, hee hee hee.)

I hope her belief in "magic" never leaves, or at least, that her "lame!" stage is a short one, which I imagine it will be!

 

[tanyaewa]

OP - sorry about that. What a bummer. So disappointing. But I'm sure it will be a super fun trip anyway.

Sorry but I have to acknowledge this random blanket statement....

Ultimately, I think their statement is more based in jealousy or financial difficulties, which are acceptable emotions that should be validated and not covered up with some lame "won't remember it" excuse.

Ummmmm...... Not always.