Character meals with a toddler?

[DisGirl819]

DD is 3 and loves characters, she hugs them and thinks they are totally awesome. DS is another story. He's scared of a lot of things (including elevators, heights and is claustrophobic). He will be nearly 2 on our trip this year. Last weekend we took him to the Disney store opening here and met Mickey. He was so excited to see Mickey when he came out, but when we got up there to say hi, DD ran up and gave him a hug, DS froze. He wouldn't move. And so I picked him up and carried him closer, then his face just fell apart and he was ready to wail. I took him away before that could happen. So I guess my question is, should I skip character meals this time around since DS seems kind of afraid of the characters? Or should I schedule one late in the trip in the hopes that he gets used to the characters after a few meet and greets?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Your ticker says 6 months until your trip? A lot can change between now and then. DS at 12-18 months HATED characters, but all my kids at around 2 were okay with them. The characters are really good about standing back if the kids are hesitant, and let DS decide if he wants to approach them or not. I wouldn't start with a character meal, but definitely don't avoid them.

 

[smiths02]

I don't know how long your trip is, but I would choose a few character meals.

I would just be prepared that one of you might have to take turns leaving with DS while the other gets pictures of DD with the characters.

I would do maybe Tusker House/Cape May breakfast (to get Mickey), 1900 Park Fare breakfast (to get a mix a "face" and Pooh characters) and then a princess meal for DD that is just face characters.

 

[3pletprincesses]

I too would make a few dining reservations. My DDs were terrified of pooh and company atthe age of 1 but loves Mickey and Minnie. Maybe it will be the same with your son. It's true htat the characters know how to deal with hesitant children. Stitch played peek a boo with one of my DD.

 

[TheTurners]

Go for it--if they see the little one isn't digging them they will stay away from him and just go to your daughter. All kids are different but the character meals are fun (and a little chaotic) so don't worry about making a scene.

 

[MagicMe]

One of our best experiences was at a character breakfast with my little nephew (okay he's 19 now). Minnie was there and the first time she made her rounds she could tell he was reluctant so she skirted around him and just waved and giggled. The next time she came around she got a little closer but again just waved and giggled. The third time she came close to him and just let him make the move. He put out his little hand and touched her hand. Minnie acted all thrilled and he shyly smiled. She then went off. The fourth time she came around she again let him make the move and he reached over and pulled her closer and gave her a kiss on the nose. After that, he was never afraid of a character again.

We were so pleased at how carefully Minnie was with him and how gently she got him to realize that she was harmless. It as a great experience and we are so grateful to her for taking that time with him.

So much easier than trying to introduce him to characters in a long hot line!

 

[aripantaloon]

I would still schedule them. When we first went with the kids, my middle DD was 16 months old and was terrified of the characters. If they got too close, she would scramble to the other side of the parent who was holding her and execute a death grip like nobody's business. She wasn't traumatized much since they learn pretty quickly from body language if a child is afraid. She stayed in her high chair for all of our meals and didn't have any issues with the characters then (since they basically avoided her). We do have some very sweet pictures of her with Aurora at Akershus, though. Aurora spoke very softly to her and got down on her level and just took things slowly.

You never know; he could warm to the characters. My oldest had the same reaction when meeting Elmo at Sesame Place. Total excitement and glee; waited in line; couldn't be coaxed closer than 10 feet from Elmo. This was when she was about 2.5. I don't know when she warmed to characters.

 

[Ramsfan28]

DD is 3 and loves characters, she hugs them and thinks they are totally awesome. DS is another story. He's scared of a lot of things (including elevators, heights and is claustrophobic). He will be nearly 2 on our trip this year. Last weekend we took him to the Disney store opening here and met Mickey. He was so excited to see Mickey when he came out, but when we got up there to say hi, DD ran up and gave him a hug, DS froze. He wouldn't move. And so I picked him up and carried him closer, then his face just fell apart and he was ready to wail. I took him away before that could happen. So I guess my question is, should I skip character meals this time around since DS seems kind of afraid of the characters? Or should I schedule one late in the trip in the hopes that he gets used to the characters after a few meet and greets?

Every kid is different so it would be impossible to pretend to know how your DS will react at the character meals.

If you are seeking an opinion, I would go for it - kids that age as you probably know can change their minds rather quickly. You can always cancel at the last minute if the 1st meal doens't go very well.

 

[disneymommy78]

I'd go for it!

Both my DDs have grown up at the parks. DD 1 was ten months on her first trip, and DD 2 was 8 months on her first trip (at that time, DD 1 was 4.5). DD1 has loved the characters since her second trip at about 18 months, but DD2 was hesitant of them until about 3.5. Each kid is different, but the characters know how to treat the shy/scared kiddos.

 

[DisneyCher]

I'll be the dissenter and say I'd err on the side of caution and not book a character meal. I'd rather be pleasantly surprised that the younger one now likes characters than send him into a meltdown or crying fit at a character meal and ruin the day for all of us. YMMV, of course.

 

[ellone]

I'd say book them for later in your trip and see how he reacts the first few days to characters. I took my DD to Disney when she was 13 months - she loved the costumed characters, but hated the 'face' characters. Go figure.

 

[luvmy2babies]

We met most of them at meals because I was advised it was less of a pressure situation than standing in line and at least you are getting something done. You have to eat. Of course we went during a very busy time and standing in line for 40 minutes only to have him have a fit, would have ruined it for dd because I was traveling by myself with them.

My son loved the characters at 10 months and even liked the mascot at my alma mater and he is a ram, not the cutest thing. But when we did Dine with Elmo and Friends, when he was 15 months, he wouldn't give the characters the time of day outside of Elmo. He'd seen a few Elmo videos but not any Sesame Street. So he sat in Elmo's lap for a picture, but started to whine when he met Ernie. But I just gave him a chicken tender while I took pictures of dd with the rest of the characters.

At meals he could sit in his high chair and ignore them if he wanted. I have this funny picture I took at Chef Mickey's of Minnie trying to get his attention and he is completely ignoring her because he'd just gotten his bottle. He did eventually turn and look at her, she got all excited, then he went back to his bottle.

 

[DisneyMacAddict]

You should go for it. Book them early and often! It sounded like he was ok viewing Mickey from a distance. I wouldn't force him to hug or take pictures. Maybe try the autograph book approach and see if he is willing to hand the book to the characters. If not just let him watch from a distance. I still remember loving to see Santa Clause from a distance but I hated sitting on his lap!