Character Interaction

[chipnwendy]

We will be taking our 2 1/2 year old girls to WDW in May, and I'm a bit concerned about how they will respond to some of the characters that they will interact with at some of the character meals (Crystal Palace, PSB, CRT, Garden Grill...).

Can anyone offer their kid's first experiences with the characters, or offer any tips?

 

[llp479]

Our girls were about the same age for their first trip. They loved the characters! The were a tad afraid of the ones that could talk, like the princesses, but other than that were great.

They'll be 10 on 3/27, the day we arrive this year, and they still love the characters!

 

[Stimpy]

It really depends on the kids. We had the opposite happen from llp479. DS was 13 months his first trip and was a little leary of the non-speaking characters but loved the "talking" ones because they were more like "regular" people. He quickly learned to love ALL the characters.

But this is the same kid that goes running up to Santa and jumps on his lap faster than a bullet. I don't know if your family goes to visit Santa or the Easter Bunny, but if you do, how do they react?

I would get them autograph books for the characters to sign. They may not "get it" but it is a distraction for them if they get nervous around any characters. I noticed quite a few kids who were scared of the characters at first went running to see them once they had the books in hand. Kind of like a little security blanket for them. They can get close enough to hand over the book but don't have to get any closer if they don't want.

The characters are also very good at knowing how to handle different types of children. They usually know when it's ok to hug and cuddle them and when they may need to keep a little distance.

The biggest piece of advice is DON'T force them if they are scared. It's not worth the aggrevation and tears. Good Luck!

 

[acenet]

We just got back and my DD, 3 1/2, was afraid of some of the costumed characters like tigger, pooh etc. She did great with the princesses. On our first day we had a character lunch planned at Crystal Palace and when she saw how big they were through the window she was afraid to go in so we didn't. We decided to cancel our night at Chef Mickey too because Pluto and Goofy scared her. As the trip went on, she warmed up most (not all) of the characters and decided she wanted to go up for an autograph and picture. My advice is just to see how it goes and be flexible. You might have to cancel a few reservations or avoid a few characters....or they might just be fine with all of it. Have fun!!

 

[frannn]

and took pics with lots of characters in the parks. DD1 loved them all. Some she loved better than others, like Minnie, Mickey, and the mice from Snow White. She loved the princesses also, but paid more attention to the food at those meals. We showed her a lot of WDW videos before we went, though, and took her to Chuckie Cheese's to see if she would be scared. She wasn't. I am concerned if this will change next visit, which should be just prior to her 2nd birthday. She wasn't scared of any of the rides at 1 either. That may change also. We'll let her decide when we get there.

 

[andijean]

We just got back with 1.5 & 3.5 yr old boys. My 3.5 was not afraid at all, but he is very friendly and never been afraid of Santa. My 1.5 is more hesitant with strangers and does not like Santa at all. I was not sure about him. We watched the videos a lot b/f we left and rented a lot of the Disney movies. This helped both of them so much. They recognized all the characters and really enjoyed them. My 1.5 was not afraid of them at all. We did the breakfast at Ohana our 1st day and this was a great experience. They got to watch the characters circle the room and by the time they got to our table they were so excited. I did not force them and let them approach at their own pace. My 1.5 by the end of the week could not get enough of the characters. Have fun!

 

[deb305]

It is unpredictable. Took DD when she was 3 to WDW. She practically jumped all over them, talked their ear off. Took her again at 4.5 yrs, and she was shy at first. After a week of my making her stand next to everyone for a picture, she had it. When she saw Miss Piggy on the last day she ran from her. We also had the characters sign her book and it has been a great keepsake, she still pulls it out and looks at it. A lot of the characters have distinctive signatures especially Jafar, Genie, and Mary Poppins. At the breakfasts the Princess would also write a small message or her name in the book. DS 1yr thought it was all so silly and would not have anything to do with them except for Jasmine (can you say bare midriff) and Ariel at the grotto. Its starts way too young.
On the last trip we did 3 Princess meals, by the third one she was tired of them, and couldn't understand why they could not remember her name.

 

[babygarrettsmom]

I'd say it just depends. My DS3(barely) has always done great with the characters unless he's really tired. Then he gets shy and just wants Mommy.

One piece of advice for everyone. I know they crowd you in the long lines, but keep your kids a little ways back from those in front of you. We were waiting in a loooooooong line for Baloo (DS's fav - calls him "Junga Book"). We made it to second in line, and he was standing too close to the lady in front. When she went to take her picture, her purse *whacked* my ds right in the face. The lady had no idea (wasn't her fault or anything), but ds started crying and would have nothing to do with Baloo. So, keep your kids away from those flying objects!!

 

[magicalprincess3]

My sister was 1 and the first time she saw a charater she was scared but by the end of the vacation she got used to the characters. But i t does depend on your child

i hope i helped

 

[Jaime]

We took our 21 month old in January. We were concern because she was afraid of Santa in Cristmas. She was a little shy with the characters at first but really warmed up to them. Unfortuantly when you wait in line you don't get much time to interact. For our first character meal we decided to go to the ice cream social in EPCOT. We thought it would be a great way to see how she would react for half the price of a regular character meal. It wasn't very busy and the characters were great with her, they gave her time to warm up to them. We loved it and would recommend it to any one with small children.

 

[K & D Mickey]

LAST YR HE LOVED ALL CHARACTERS MEALS.
THIS YR HATED THEM, WE DID Contemporary, Chef Mickey's 'Ohana Character Breakfast Polynesian.
HE WAS OK AS LONG AS THEY KEPT THERE DISTANCE ALL CHARACTERS WAS VERY GOOD ABOUT THIS.........

 

[DisFam95]

Our 18mo was frightened to death of Santa 2 months before our trip. I was worried how he would act. He's normally not shy around "people". We took him to holiday events that had costumed characters to get him used to it. You might go to Chuck E cheese's or someplace like that to see big animals. We scheduled our character meal for the 3rd day to give him some time to get used to everything. BY then he was waving at Pooh and giving them hugs.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

My boys were 21 months and 3½ for their first trip over New Years. We were not sure how they would handle it but they did fantastic! My 21 month old literally ran into Pooh's arms and collapsed on him (his favorite character) and the 3½ year old (who is shy and very easily scared) followed suit. We showed them lots of the sing-a-long videos w/ the characters and kids in them so they could see how big the characters were before we went. Even with that I had conversations w/ my 3 year old about it. I'd say "did you know that Pooh is as big as Daddy?!" and he'd say "no, Pooh is little. Christopher Robin is a children and Pooh is littler than him. He is little." Now that we've been there he is convinced that Christopher Robin is a giant!

I agree that the characters are great with the kids and at judging how to approach them.

 

[trstno1]

I just replied to a very similar question on a different thread.

I really think it helps to talk with your kids and otherwise try to give them some idea about what will happen. I think the Disneyland Friends Sing-a-long video is good to show your kids how big the characters are and how they act.

I think most young children love Pooh and friends. Talk to your child about going to see Pooh where he lives, giving Pooh a big hug, or shaking hands, or whatever your child seems into.

Then, try to find an easy place to see Pooh. I think that the Animal Kingdom has an easy place to meet Pooh and friends. It's kind of hidden, and it's not in the same place as the other characters. It's not as busy as the Magic Kingdom, especially if you go to see them early (while everyone else is in Africa).

 

[KerriMc]

We just got back this week and had our almost 3 yr old DD and our 7 mos old DD. Our 3 yr old was enthralled with the characters. We started talking about them a while back and saying how Mickey Mouse is even bigger than Daddy, etc. She found this quite funny and kept talking about it and when we met the costumed characters she was very friendly and outgoing (her usual self). We did the Cinderella dinner at the GF and she was absolutely enthralled with Cinderella and Prince Charming. It was pure magic to see her little face as she watched her come into the room and finally to our table. I'd have paid anything to see her like that. Just take their lead. They'll let you know. Julia is a big Barney fan and we saw him in concert a few months before we went, so I kind of had a feel for how she would be. I liked how they had you meet characters in Toon Town as well. As much as lining up seems silly, it doesn't take long to get through, and they keep the numbers down when you go into the little rooms to meet the characters. This doesn't seem as overwhelming to the little ones as it can when tons of people mob them in the park.
Have fun ... wish I was still there. We had a sick baby with RSV for four of the days, so it wasn't a total holiday for me!! Oh well ... we are going back next year for sure!!
Kerri

 

[KimR]

My kids loved the characters! One thing I did, though, was really talk it up ahead of time. I'd tell them how much Mickey loves little children, ask them what they are going to do when they meet Pooh, etc. My youngest DD (just turned 2) was so cute at Crystal Palace. When it was her turn to meet Pooh she ran right up and gave him the biggest hug and did not leg go! I think she would've gone home with him if she could. We had gotten her an autograph book and at first she had no clue what it was. She thought it was just something for her to draw in. But then when she saw her sister give it to Pooh, you could just see the understanding dawn on her face and she ran back to our table to get her book and pen and with a huge smile on her face, came running back to Pooh for an autograph. I think that was one of my favorite memories of the entire trip!