Encouraging Character Interactions?

[cgattis]

IMO, if you are paying for their trip, if you want them to try meeting characters, they should at least try it and be polite. I'd ask how they liked it, and if either of them doesn't love it, I'd let whichever one that doesn't get a snack or ride a nearby ride. But I would want MY kids to be grateful for someone spending THEIR vacation time and money on them, and to try to go along with what makes that person happy too. I have a friend who is also a special aunt like you, and it amazes me to see; I know they will figure that out at some age, even if not right now

 

[itbesjaime]

Thank you all for the wonderful responses.

I guess I should have been clearer. I'm fairly certain my niece (9) does believe that all the characters are real, however, I can't exactly ask her.
My nephew (12) isn't going to be forced to meet the characters, per say, but because we'll have the memory maker, I really feel like it's a missed opportunity if he isn't in the pictures (especially because his parents won't be there).

When I say "all the different characters", I simply mean the different kinds of characters. My mom and I always hopped in a line if we saw a character greet, but never scheduled them. It was sort of "in the right place at the right time" experience. We'd gauge the line, and if it wasn't too long, we'd jump in. I assume this is what we'll be doing, with a few must-meet characters, such as magician Mickey, Anna & Elsa, etc.

Of the two, my niece is actually the more adventurous one. There is legitimately not a ride she doesn't want to go on, even forcing me to go on to Tower of Terror for my first time. So there isn't actually anything he wants to do that she doesn't. I definitely don't want to split us up too much because whatever ride he might go one, she'll want to too. He's fairly understanding, as I don't think he's spoiled Santa for his sister.

It's going to be their first trip to Disney, and it will be myself (23) and my mother / their grandmother (59), as we'll both be AP holders.
I really just want to make meeting the characters as fun as possible for him, because I remember grinning it and bearing it for my mother as a child. I've been going since I was 8. In retrospect, I've gotten some of the best memories and photos from them.

I do think he'll enjoy character meets, just substantially less so, so I was wondering if you guys had any tricks to curb his apprehensiveness.

 

[JenLT]

You may want to come up with a schedule of when you are meeting the characters. Certain times like right at RD are much shorter waits. It's especially important for the very popular characters. Also if your nephew knows what characters he'll be meeting and in general when it will happen, it makes it easier. Kids are more accepting of things they know will happen. If you are on the way to a ride he wants to go on and see a character you may get some reluctance about waiting in line.

To make it more exciting, search these forums for some of the things people say to characters for a reaction. I don't remember them, but I know I've seen them. If your nephew can have a few lines to try out for a funny character reaction, that might make it more of a game. Also get him to think up some cool poses while you wait in line.

 

[JenLT]

Okay Kennythepirate.com had a bunch of character interaction tips/lines to say to the characters. Like asking Cip and Dale which one is Alvin and which is Simon. Or offering Snow White an apple. Having the green army men march with him or telling Buzz he is a toy. Talk to your nephew about them and he can try to come up with funny questions, too. I think a 12 year old could have a lot of fun trying to get big reactions from characters.

 

[Alesia]

I was wondering if you guys had any tricks to curb his apprehensiveness.

I assumed that he just thought it was lame, but if he's actually apprehensive, my advice is the same - leave him alone. If he doesn't want to approach the characters, don't try to talk him into it. Respect his feelings.

FWIW, very few 9-year-olds believe that the characters are real. It's not impossible, but most kids are well beyond that by that age.

 

[nilla]

Honestly, I'm with him. I can think of a million things I'd rather do than spend my day waiting to meet college kids dressed in costumes.

How is that relevant? We're not talking about college kids dressed in costumes. We're talking about actual, real, live Disney characters.

 

[Seeker615]

12 is a real tough age. I can't imagine any 12 year old boy wanting to meet a Disney Princess. Hopefully there is something nearby for him to do while your niece is meeting them. If you want some great photos maybe he would be interested in meeting some of the more fun characters like Pluto, Chip and Dale or a villain. That way you can get the photos you want.

Waiting in long lines for a character can be rough especially since you are in a wonderful theme park with so much to do. Last time we went we skipped meeting the characters. There were too any other fun things to do. It's not like the old days where the characters roamed freely and spontaneously and it was much easier to get an autograph and photo done.