character dining- scared preschooler?

[vbilello]

So, just returned from Sesame Place with DD2. She was in HYSTERICS at the Elmo character breakfast because Bert came up from behind her while she was in my arms (obviously overwhelmed and tired from lack of sleep), tapped her on the shoulder, and completely scared her.

SO, we head to WDW in February (she will be just over 2.5 then) and I had already secured ressies for both Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's. Should I keep them and assume that since she will be a little older it might be better? Are the characters at WDW better about leaving OBVIOUSLY nervous little ones alone? I really think that she was on her way to adjusting to the characters and the interaction with Bert sent her over the edge before she had time to adjust to the characters. Anyone out there have any advice? DD is usually not shy, so this whole experience really surprised me. We had even prepared for "Big Elmo". I would hate to cancel the ressies and find out she is fine, but also don't want another meal disaster where she ends of in tears! ANy advice??? Also, we made CHef Mickey's for 5 pm and Crystal Palace at 10:30- are these good times? I think part of the problem was the crazy and loud atmosphere.

 

[erinch]

It will be certainly crazy and loud, particularly at Chef Mickeys. The characters are all trained and sensitive not to "invade the space" of reluctant or scared small beings.

Can you get your hands on any of the sing along videos, or other footage showing small children with the characters? And can you practice on some of the "outdoors" ones before going in?

 

[alan01]

I would still go.....I would tell the characters that she is scared of them. The characters are really good with children who are frightened. She may warm up to them.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

I can't tell you how impressed I was with the way the Disney characters read my child and responded appropraitely. My 2 yo son was very timid/scared of the characters. I would say he was interested but reluctant. They would stop at a far distance from him and then get down to his level and wave. And then they would look for a cue from him as to how to proceed. If he burried his face or looked scared they wouldn't push it, but if he looked interested they would approach in a very non-threatening way. Chip and Dale showed my son how it is ok to touch them on the arm- using my older son as a model- (basically motioning out- "see you can pet us, we are soft, it is ok"...) and it worked. Now he really likes the characters.
I would go unless you think she will totally freak out just being in the same room w/characters. If you think it is the up close experience that will cause a problem I would not worry- the characters will give her the space she needs.

 

[LAL77]

Hi. Last year we took our daughter's (aged 2.5 and 1.5 at the time) to DW. My oldest needed a day at the park getting used to seeing the characters before she warmed up. My youngest took a few days. Both absolutely loved Chef Mickeys. Crystal Palace was absolute mayhem the night we were there so they were very overwhelmed by everything but still loved seeing Pooh and Tigger etc.

My youngest needed to be held during all of the character interactions at CP but not at Chef Mickeys. My oldest was fairly fearless.

I think it's really hard to predict how they are going to react. I hope the meals go great for you though!

Good luck,
Lesley

 

[BuzzBelleMom]

Crossing my fingers for you! DD was scared of everything and everybody until she was close to 4. Santa was the worst.

We had CP when DS was 3 1/2. He wouldn't leave Piglet alone. He must have hugged Piglet about 12 times.

In other words, each situation and child is different. Maybe the face characters will be better for her.

 

[Cinderella_68]

I would keep the ADR's, but be prepared that your little one may not let you enter the restaurant. Have a backup plan.
If entering the restaurant is okay with DD, ask to sit at a table against a wall, if possible. Place DD near the wall, so that the table is between her and the characters We did this with DD when she was 1 and deathly afraid of the characters. They were okay as long as they stayed on their side of the table! And even then, she showed a timidity that was so unlike her!
Something happened during her second year and by her second birthday she was running up to the characters, hugging them, and even gave Pooh a kiss on the nose! (I know, euuuuwwww....do you know where his nose has been?!)
Just know, that this, too, shall pass...

 

[ReneeLMT]

Maybe you could try bringing her more places where characters might be, such as a local museum that has a mascot or something, or keep bringing her to Sesame Place to show her the characters arent scary. With my niece, my sister brought her to six flags to interact with the characters and see how she would do at WDW. She was a little timid at first but warmed up to them. Then, about 2 weeks ago, she saw winnie the pooh at a local museum and ran up to him and hugged him! Just give her time, she will come around.

 

[skuttle]

We went to WDW for the first time with DS last December. He was 2.5 at the time and this was his first Character experience. He was terrified of the easter bunny the easter before our trip and not too thrilled with Chuck E Cheese at the b-day party we went to the May before the trip!

Our first day, I planned to do Crystal Palace for breakfast. As we saw our first character, Eeyore, approaching, DS started to get nervous. I stood up and met Eeyore right before he got to our table to show DS that he was not scarey, etc. This helped a lot and DS did fine the rest of the meal...even posed for pictures. For the first couple of days of the trip, he did really well. He was only scared of Buzz and Hook. By the end of the trip, he wanted to wait in line to see every single character, even if he had just met them a few minutes earlier!

 

[SnoweyWhite]

I would keep them for the time being. Are those reservations far enough into your vacation so that you could see how your daughter reacts to the characters in the parks? If she is fine in the parks she should be fine at the meal, if she doesn't like them in the parks you could make your decision then as to whether to keep them or not.

 

[Hope73]

My dd 6 first grade is still terrified of clowns and anytihg in a full suit we were at a parade this summer and she just bolted behind us all of a sudden. Funny thin is we go to disney every year and she says it is safe and loves the characters.

Frist time when she was 3 at crystal palace she was a bit scared adn piglet gently touched her then put his arms out like a hug she went to him and hugged him adn kissed him.

Stitch was like this as well my husband was holding her and I told the helper she was scared and they are very good about it.