Character meals + Eye-rolling adolescent = Bad combination?

[avalon451]

Ok, here's the deal. I have not even considered doing a character meal when DD13 and I go in October. Several reasons.

1. She's 13. C'mon, you know whereof I speak. Two years ago she was bright, bubbly, laughing, excited about everything. Now her typical stance is a slouch, arms crossed, and her eyes rolling so far back in her head you can almost only see the whites. As in, "Oh, PUUULLEEEEEEZE!" "Mom, you're embarassing me!" The good news is, this alien who took over my daughter's body sometimes lets her back in, when she thinks nobody's looking, and she can still be a delight and a joy, very thoughtful and loving. Not often, but enough to let me know my sweet punkin is still in there, somewhere.

2. We're not Disney character fanatics. This is the child who refused to get anywhere near the mall Santa for pictures after age 1. None of my kids particularly wants to hang with characters, even the 6 y.o.

So I usually bypass all the references to character breakfasts, thinking, well, no way will she want to do that. Then I think, Hang on a minute, who's paying for this thing, anyway? What if I want to get my picture taken with Minnie? Or Stitch? Or Chip?

So what would be the upside to making her go to a character meal with me? If you can think of any, that is. And which one would she be least offended by?

 

[Disneylvrforever]

Hmmm...maybe Chip & Dale's breakfast? I'm trying to think if that one is the most mellowist. lol. I just know that you should'nt go to Goofy's if you're scared of your dd getting embarassed the whole time.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Tell her to go... Then tell her she can just be the photographer and take your picture... Then tell her you will buy her a brand new digital camera to use to take the pictures... Then tell her the digital camera is a 3g iPhone... I doubt she'll complain!

 

[Whidbey5]

Our 13 year old twins played along at Storyteller last week. It was interesting that the characters went right to our youngest son (who is 11) first. I guess they see teens and check for their reaction with a younger sib before they approach the older kids?

Our 13 year olds are pretty good about stuff like that, but they were not nearly as excited about the characters at Goofy's Kitchen. DD hit the buffet when Belle showed up because, "...she might try to talk to me Mom!" So I guess it's okay if the characters don't talk? 13 year old minds are a mystery.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

what about the princes one? would she be intrested in them at all? if not then storytellers probley is the most mellowist. I loved minnies and goffys(dinner)

 

[Queenbillabong]

I know EXACTLY what you mean with the whole alien child thing! That's why I was so excited in May when I got a picture of him on the Teacups (which he did NOT want to go on because it's a "baby ride"). This picture is childhood on film - just pure happiness. Haven't seen that peek out from the attitude in such a long time. Of course, I got that picture onto a mug to remind myself that my baby is still in there, somewhere - deep down for sure, but in there!!

I wasn't sure if my DS12 would be into the whole character meal thing either, but we did both Goofy's dinner and breakfast at Minnie's and he loved it. We took his picture with his faves and I have those in my DL photo album now.

And while we're planning our upcoming trips, he says that he just "has to go back to Goofy's and Minnie's!!". All right then - that's what we'll do

Goofy's is definitely louder than Minnie's because they have a crashing, banging parade around the buffet area with all the kids - but your daughter probably would not participate in that (I know my son would never do that, but he still had fun watching it!). At both places, the characters were great and did not do anything to embarass him at all. They kind of take the cue from the kid. With some kids they are totally interacting and having fun. Captain Hook was great with him (and because he's such a "manly" character, my son had no problems with him pretending to use his hook on his head ). Mary Poppins was great and reminded him to eat his veggies and drink lots of water while in the park!

I say go for it - I wasn't sure it would go over but it turned out to be great and something my son wants to do again!

 

[mariezp]

I took my DD to Storytellers and my teen son and his friend tagged along. Like CrazyDuck suggested, I recruited him to run the camera. (without the bribe to buy him a new one) When the characters came to the table it didn't take much for him to join in on the fun. At DL I think it's pretty hard to not let your guard down and join in on the fun! Especially when Chip (or was it dale?) sits in your lap! I do agree that Storytellers would be a good choice. The atmosphere is not quite so chaotic and they have a darn good banana stuffed french toast!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Gail, the way I see it, if you want to do a character breakfast, than choose one that sounds fun to you and have fun with it. In some ways I have more fun meeting the characters as an adult because I recognize how true the cast members are to their animated counterparts.

 

[splash5]

Remind them that they won't be seen by anyone who knows them! The magic of disney works wonders!

 

[koalababy]

I would tell her that you would like to take her to at least one character meal and that she could choose it. That way, hopefully, she'll be happy. And it makes it sound like it's for her and not for you. If she doesn't want to choose, then you should pick the one that you would like the best and threaten no more trips if she doesn't cooperate.

 

[SeattleTink]

Boy, do I understand!

My dd was 13 our last trip. She walked around the first two days about 10 paces ahead of the family trying to act "cool" and tried to ignore me, her father, and younger brother. She loves Disneyland, but was hard for her to admit it.

I finally told her on the second day that it was actually OK to have fun.

Amazingly she did lighten up and for the most part and enjoyed herself. (Not to say we still didn't have our moments!)

We did do Goofy's Kitchen and she is the first one to say that she loved it. We are heading back to the parks in a few week and she (who is now 15, soon to be 16) is the one that really wants to go back to Goofy's. In fact she insisted we go again! Last time Pluto "licked" her and she want to "lick" him back!

Your daughter will love it...she may not admit it, but she will.

Plus, I think the food is excellent...and who wouldn't love Alice in Wonderland coming to eat with them?

Good luck,

Barbi

 

[JadeDarkstar]

my son is almost 6 and i dont think he will act like that but then again lol im probley gona be wrong

 

[Cali_Sparrow]

Haha don't worry, once she gets into the late teen years, she'll know it's okay to have fun and embarrass herself. Trust me, I am 18 and I grew out of that phase by like 16.

I have never done a character meal though, but either the furry characters will be less embarrassing because their faces are hidden, or they will be more embarrassing for her because they are more kiddie than the face characters.
You'll have to somehow find out which ones she is more likely to interact with if you want both of you to have a good time. C:

Best of luck!

 

[Tink6666]

As you can see I have two DD's one 14 and one 11, almost 12! I have been reading these out load to my DD14 and she also says NO to the Ariel's Groto and any princess ones. Last year we went to WDW for a week and I tried very hard to get her excited for the trip as I had planned it for months, I did a count down board (LAME MOM!!) . We did a secret day for both girls and that did the trick. The shot of my now DD14 swimming with the Dophins at WDW is precious. She let go after that and you could actually catch her smiling!!

I'm not sure what we can do this year to get them excited about the trip, I have tried, but no luck so far! I am just hoping for a few smiles while we are there! It sure would help if the Jonas Brothers could be there, then I would be the best Mom in the world!!!

 

[Pinkstarblm]

haha my brother a few years back acted totally unimpressed with Lilo & stich and Pluto came out and totally picked up on his mini tude and kept messing with him. Giving him nugies and just picking on him it was great!

 

[Jenn1116]

When I was 14, we ate Thanksgiving dinner at Goofy's and Dale fed me. It's one of my favorite DL memories.

 

[avalon451]

Thanks for all the great input and advice! I'm thinking about Storytellers or Minnie's, now. I think she might like the face characters better than the furs. When we stayed at GCH last time, we walked past Storytellers when Chip and Koda were wandering around in there, and both my older girls were like, "Oh, geez, how embarrassing!" and they weren't even IN there!

I've really enjoyed hearing your older kids' reactions!

 

[Sherry E]

Reading this thread amuses me because it reminds me of when I was a kid and budding teenager, and hated the idea of having to go with anyone resembling an adult to DL. I am grateful to the adults who did take me to DL as a young child because my childhood was better for it, but once I hit about 13, my only thoughts were about going back to DL with friends. We had a couple of weird years in between childhood and full teenager-ness, where one of our parents would have to drive the bunch of us to DL and go sit on a bench somewhere while we rode things so we wouldn't have to be seen with them. Then, we would arrange a meeting time later on in the day. Finally, when people in our group began to drive and get vehicles, we were on our own and could finally get to hang out at DL without any pesky adults! We could even bring dates!

Anyway, I have never brought a moody kid to Goofy's Kitchen, BUT I have eaten at Goofy's with some very moody, cynical adults who had already decided before they got in there that they would hate it. And they ended up having a great time, getting in pictures with characters, making several stops at the buffet tables and getting into the whole experience. I don't know one single person who has eaten at Goofy's and not had a good time.

So, as one of our previous posters said, it is hard to not let your guard down when you are at DL, or Goofy's, or anywhere on that property. It is part of the Disney magic - not only do we get bitten by the bug and the snowball effect takes hold, but even the most miserable of people turn into big, happy kids!

 

[Whidbey5]

Avalon, I just saw your location, so..."Howdy neighbor!" I'm in Mill Creek.

 

[avalon451]

I was just at Central Market and the library this afternoon! RaeRae'sMommy is just down the street from me by Silver Lake. We oughta have a Seattle area gather one of these days.