Character dining for a 5 month old?

[tripletsmama]

Any thoughts on character dining for a little one this young? Our new addition will be 5 months at the time of our next trip. I know my older daughters love character dining, but I'm a little worried that the baby is going to be terrified if big furry characters come anywhere near him/her. Thoughts?

 

[TinkerbelleMom]

It probably depends on the child, but my youngest had her first character experience at 8.5 months, and loved them. I have the most awesome pics of her kissing Dale's nose, and getting excited over Minnie. The characters ate it up too, and I think the word got out that she wasn't scared because we got lots of attention. By the time she was about 15 months, the romance was over, lol.

 

[MSSANDRA]

At 5 mo, I would expect very little reaction. She may like the bright colors on the costumes but I would not expect enough understanding to produce any anxiety or fear. I don't think characters are allowed to hold a baby so you would be holding her for any picture taking.

 

[SaraMc]

My son's first trip was when he was 5 months old. We did crystal palace, they have high chairs that are more like car seats than Hugh chairs perfect for him at that time to eat and chill out while we had breakfast.
He totally loved the characters and reacted great with them, he first met Eeyore and the look on his face was priceless, no fear more of " what the heck?".
The loved all the face characters he met and the others. Great memories ( he's about to turn 6)

 

[laughinplace199]

My kids were fine with characters when they were babies. However, they were scared as toddlers, then loved them by the time they were 3.

 

[Princesspyc]

My daughter's first trip was at 7 months-she LOVED everyone except Lilo at 'Ohana...I think it was b/c Lilo stood behind her and held her face. Freaked her out a bit!!

Last year at 1.5, she still loved all the characters...except the princesses! I found it so odd b/c I have never seen a little kid afraid of a princess. I think this year we will good to go with all the characters!

 

[tripletsmama]

It's hard for me to remember the 5 month stage accurately with my girls. We still had one in the NICU at that point and the rest is kind of hazy! It's going to be a brand new experience with this baby! I don't want to not book character dining because my girls absolutely adore it, but I also don't want an over stimulated 5 month old. I'm sure the characters will play off the baby's reaction and leave him/her alone if it doesn't seem to be going well!
Thanks everyone for the input.