Do Kids Wonder Why Characters Don't Talk?

[Steph5324]

We're going in May for my son's fifth birthday, it is his first trip there. Do kids that age ask why Pooh and Mickey and the gang don't talk? Because of course they hear them talk in the movies. Anyone have a good answer for that one if he asks? (One for kids of course, I know the real answer!)

 

[debster812]

DS never questioned it, but I read here about a year ago, that someone told their little one that the characters meet SO many boys and girls, that if they talked to all of them, they would lose their voices. So, as to not hurt anyone's feelings, they don't speak to anyone, and save their voices for shows and movies.

 

[liveforthemagic]

Yep--we rode with Mickey and his CM on the way to open MK and that was the first thing she told us--he has to save his voice for the shows. My DD (5) at the time did not question.

 

[Princess Wannabe]

I have also heard that:

1. they don't want to offend the children who may not speak English

2. they left their voices in "Cartoonland", where they come from...they can't take their voices out of the TV or movies....!

 

[merfsko]

The first time we went, I was 8 and my sister was 6 and neither of us noticed, cared or questioned. We were having too much fun and we were just amazed by the "huge" characters. The younger your child is, and if this is your first time, you may not have to worry. If he does ask this- use the "they have to save their voices for shows" excuse. But remember: Characters that don't wear masks do talk, so you may have to come w/another excuse about why some do and soem don't.
Hope I was of some help and have fun!

 

[kcbean]

My kids think the characters are shy.

It works and they don't spend too much time worrying about it.

 

[kdtwiss]

I guess I just don't know if my children consider these characters real or not? I have been skirting the issue as long as possible,but when my dd or ds asks - is that the real Cinderella - or the real Mickey what do i say? Do you all tell your children yes? We have never been before - so our character experience thusfar has been at Chuck E. Cheese, where my children were so terrified i told them it was just a person in a costume. I do not want to open a can of worms if they catch on somehow that the characters in Disney are just costumes also. GOD FORBID we end up with children doubting Santa, the tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny because I blew it with the characters at Disney - what's a mom to do?

 

[experiment626mom]

I have all ways told the kids that it's the real Mickey or Cinderella and it's the truth. My kids have never questioned why they didn't speak. Of course they may be so excited about seeing characters that it won't even come to mind. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[liveforthemagic]

My DD has ALWAYS been freaked out by Chuckie Cheese--so you can imagine how nervous I was to take her the first time to MK to see another big mouse. But for some reason she was not frightened at all--I think a large part of it is atmosphere. They generally see Mickey outside, not an enclosed, loud space, the music they might hear is familiar to them, and they know all about Mickey from cartoons and books--all they know about chuckie is that he is loud and jumps around alot. I tell my kids that Disney World is a magical place, like the North Pole, and that anything wonderful is possible there. Its really not a hard statement to pull off given that the atmosphere truly is magical--plus if you're like me, you tear up when you get there and the kids see how happy you are and they go right along. Never fear--its not one thing like the dreaded "pizza mouse"!

 

[beattyfamily]

Yes, my oldest has asked why Mickey and friends do not talk. I said what others have suggested, and luckily she hasn't asked well, then why does Cinderella talk? I have a feeling deep down she knows the truth but doesn't say anything to me to keep it magical.

I also have gotten the "how can Mickey be in the parade and at the meal and at the Toontown tent?". I have told them there is onlly one real Mickey and the rest are his helpers or that he uses his magic to get from one place to the other so fast.

I want to keep it going as long as possible and I'll probably be in denial that my girls don't believe anymore till they are getting married if not longer! It will probably end up being a taboo topic when they are adults!! Of course they are real, what do you mean? Same with Santa and the Easter bunny.