Characters and a 3 year old

[Hunnybee]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to prepare a 3 year old for the Disney Characters (Up Close and Personal)? My DS will be turning 3 at WDW during our Nov. 2002 trip. As of right now, he is scared to death of characters -- for instance, we went to Kellogg's Cereal City and they had someone dressed up as Tony the Tiger. He was so scared he shook and wouldn't let go of his dad for at least 5 minutes after Tony disappeared. I'm nervous that he will be that way when we go to Disney. Any suggestions? He loves them on TV and video but ...

 

[poohlover]

You might want to try seeing the characters from a distance, like a parade or peeking in a rest. window, before taking him up close and personal. All the characters are good about backing off if the kids seem frightened. Even characters in meals won't come too close once they see that a child is afraid.

Holding you son in your arms will rase him up so the caracters won't appear sooo tall and bg either. And if all fails, DON'T make him visit the characters.

I have seen many people who just HAVE to get a pic of the kid with Mickey or someone else nad the kid is crying away...what kind of memory is that??? There can always be another visit.

 

[Sandi]

I agree with Poohlover. Allowing younger children to observe for awhile gives them comfort that there is nothing to worry about.

Another idea is to try to meet the "face" characters first. For example, Alice is often at the tea cups and (according to my DD) she's a "real" girl. You could also do a character meal that has faces (Cinderella's breakfast) or both kinds of characters (1900 Park Fare).

Let your child be your guide. You'll go again!

 

[Planogirl]

Is he familiar with Chuck E Cheese? You might want to tell him that they are big like Chuck E Cheese.

Also, take it real slow. Some of the characters themselves helped our son get past his fear.

 

[kidzmom3]

I agree with the suggestion about the face characters. I also would not book a character meal on your first day. let your child get used to seeing them around. You can even look into a resteraunt (like the Crystal Palace) and see them interacting with the diners. They are large and they don't talk which seems to take kids aback. Good luck. When she was 2 all our pictures were of me holding her and I got all her autographs. This year at 3 she was in the thick of things the whole trip. Except one day, I don't know why, but she wanted me to hold her that day. Have fun

 

[AKASnowWhite]

If your DS does decide that the characters are OK to approach, I'd still be wary of the villians! They can be quite intimidating to the boldest of kids (and adults as well sometimes!) They really do carry the nasty attitudes that fit the fixed expressions on their "faces"! It may be best to avoid them, or simply take a picture of the character alone, without your child.

My feeling overall, is that a picture of a terrified or crying child with a character is not "cute" or amusing. Skip it if he balks....or take YOUR picture with the characters and YOU get the autograph for him.

 

[JenB]

My dd will be 2.4 and freaked out over a jester at our Renescance (sp?) festival. That started me worrying because she has never really been exposed to a dressed up character.
I bought the Disney Sing Along video called "Disneyland Fun". It's a real video instead of a cartoon and she can see the characters in proportion with the kids in the video. We are having dinner at Chef Mickey's the first night, so that should be a good first test
Good luck!

 

[ppony]

In CASE you're in the area or anyone else is and hadn't thought of it.... Our Mall fo America's Camp Snoopy has characters. We plan on bringing our son there several times starting a few months before we go to try to get him used to the idea or at least know what we're in for.

I thought the Chuck E. Cheese was a great idea.

Good luck!

 

[Hunnybee]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! We'll have to take him out for pizza soon! I also have the "Disneyland Fun" video on order at the library -- we'll try that out too. I appreciate everyone taking the time to post. If you think of anything else, please add it. Thanks again!

 

[ABCMom]

There are a couple more videos, if you happen to come across them. There is a Campout at WDW and Beach part and WDW. My DD who is 2 watched these over and over and over and OVER (nearly drove us crazy!!!) In fact she wore out the Disneyland Fun one and we had to find a new one (look on ebay.) By the time she got to WDW, she walked right up to the characters and gave them big hugs - without blinking an eye.

On the other hand my DS who is 4, is still a bit leery of them at times. It all depends on the kid and their temperment. So I would agree with the advise of taking your little one to a place close to home and seeing how they react to "characters" first. This way you will be prepared for which ever way they go at WDW have fun!!

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

A thought: Go to a Disney store and have your child look at or play with one of the very large stuffed characters. I've seen 4-foot tall Mickey Mouse dolls at the Disney stores around here.

Our 2-year-old DD loves characters. She has a 2-foot tall Pooh and a 2-foot tall Piglet that are her favorite stuffed toys. She calls them "big Pooh Bear" and "big Piglet." The characters then are just "really big Pooh Bear" and "really big Piglet."

 

[LeahA]

When my ds was almost 2 he cried at every single charachter, when he was almost 3, he was a little shy, but did not cry, when he was almost 4, he wanted every single charachter to sign his autograph book, even the one's I had no clue who they were!

I guess my advice is not to push it and after waiting in line 45 minutes if he changes his mind, remain calm!!

Have fun!