Explaining 3D movies to a 3 year old

[stitchgal]

We are going to WDW in a week and I know my 3 year old daughter will love (I hope) Mickey's Philharmagic because she loves all the classic Disney characters. She will wear the glasses since she loves to wear sunglasses, but how do I explain to her what's going to happen with the 3D process? Or maybe she might be afraid of the 3D aspect? Have you tried explaining it to young children?

 

[TenThousandVolts]

I think I might just say that it is like a magic trick and you have to wear special glasses to see the trick. Keep it simple, ya know. Besides- that is all I really know about 3d movies!

 

[Robo]

Many children love 3D. Some don't.

 

[stitchgal]

I meant more prepare her for it, not explain, since I have no idea about the physics part either!

 

[Samandmom]

Just got back from Disney. MY DD is 3 also. We took her to Mickey's Philla and to Muppet's. She loved them both. She did jump a few times but then laughed about it. She took off her glasses and then put them back on and told me that the characters come to her when she has the glasses on. We did not take her to Tough to be a Bug or Honey I shrunk the audience because I knew she would be scared on those.

 

[BlindTyldak]

Here's a neat way to show her that her eyes are going to play tricks on her in a 3D movie:

Take an empty paper towel tube and have her look through it like a telescope with her left eye, while keeping her right eye open at the same time. Keeping both eyes open, tell her to hold her open hand against the paper tube, palm facing her. it will look like she has a hole in her hand!

This site has a little picture that shows how you should hold the tube and your hand:

http://lookmind.com/news.php?id=75

This is a good way of showing her that her eyes can play funny tricks on her, and Disney uses some of this eye magic to make her favorite characters look better than ever before!

 

[Toeknail]

In October 2004 we took my then 2 and a half year old DD to Disneyland. We went in to see the Muppets 3D show and she freaked out. The little guy who flys around REALLY scared her. I unfortunately had to learn from that... yes, you should absolutely explain the concept to your child in advance. We are heading to WDW in 2 weeks and I don't know if we'll try to take her to a 3D movie again (she is now 4). If I do, I'll be sure to try to explain the concept to her ahead of time.

 

[dancin Disney style]

If I had it to do over I would have explained what would happen to my then 6yo daughter. She was terrified.

I would explain that, when you wear the glasses you will see things flying around in front of you. You will feel wind and a sprinkle of water. You will also smell things. If it gets scary you can remove the glasses.

It also might be a good idea to start with the Muppets 4D at MGM. The technology is older so therefore it is not as realistic---but still really great.

 

[buffalogirl]

My daughter has Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus DVD. The DVD includes 4

pairs of 3D glasses for the special 3D scenes. The technology is obviously no

where near Disney standards but your daughter will have a chance to check

out what 3D is like.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Robo]

It also might be a good idea to start with the Muppets 4D at MGM. The technology is older so therefore it is not as realistic---but still really great.

There is no real difference in the 3D technology in any of the films.

That's why the glasses (other than SHAPE and color of the frames) are identical.

Philharmagic and ITtBaB films are both 100% computer-generated, and HISTA and Muppets are "live action" with computer-added effects.

 

[SFLTIGGER]

Just wanted to share this: We took my son to Philharmagic when he was 2-1/2 (among the others ). He was a little uncomfortable with it, but not really afraid. The big problem was we could not get him near Aladdin's Flying Carpets to save our lives!
Last year was better with the other 3-D's (we skipped Phil. and rode the Flying Carpets).

 

[MermaidMommy]

Philharmagic was DD3.5's first 3-D experience, and I'll never forget watching her try and catch the "jewels" that came flying at her. She was enthralled! I agree with presenting it to her as magic -- although I loved the paper-towel roll idea -- that way she won't be upset that something unusual is happening, but she'll still be pleasantly surprised by the experience. I also agree that HISTA and ITTBAB might be too intense, but Muppets should be fine. DD didn't enjoy Muppets as much as Philharmagic, but she wasn't really scared, and I think that your little one might do better starting at Philharmagic as well, since kids these days are usually more familiar with the Philharmagic characters. Definitely don't miss it!!

 

[BlindTyldak]

IMHO the biggest problem that small children seem to have with Phil is the very beginning is incredibly LOUD. Mix that with it being in the first ten seconds of things really coming at your face and I don't blame little ones for freaking out. My DD (4 at the time) was shaking until she saw Simba.

Muppets has a much better lead up to loud noises and the 3D effects, especially if you watch the entire pre-show (which is essential, simply because it is the funniest thing at any park). Unless Waldo creeps out your kid. But Waldo is just creepy anyway.

 

[tmarquez]

I never thought about trying to explain it ahead of time. We just went. DD (3.5 now) would take the glasses on and off...just figured it out herself...didn't require an explanation. I don't know what she thinks it is, but she does love it. If we are in a 3d show and something is frightening to her...she just removes the glasses.

 

[Robo]

I never thought about trying to explain it ahead of time. We just went. DD (3.5 now) would take the glasses on and off...just figured it out herself...didn't require an explanation. I don't know what she thinks it is, but she does love it. If we are in a 3d show and something is frightening to her...she just removes the glasses.

Warning to those who have NOT been...

SPOILERS - SPOILERS - SPOILERS - SPOILERS - SPOILERS - SPOILERS

In Its Tough to Be a Bug and HISTA, there are in-theater effects that do NOT go away if you remove the glasses.

ITtBaB has some HORRIFIC things, like a HUGE villainous "Hopper" who jumps into the room (on the Stage-Left (audience right) side), giant black-widow spiders dropping nearly to within arm's reach, and the theater is instantly filled with cold water-vapor "bug-spray" that engulfs all but the last few rows. And, possibly the worst, if the child iks sitting in his own seat... the WASP STINGERS to the back!!

HISTA has the "mice-in-the-theater" that you can FEEL and the "shaking" of the entire room during the time the audience is "shrunken".

Please, parents, HEED the WARNINGS they give before these attractions and save your child (and those sitting nearby) some unpleasant movie-moments.

 

[dancin Disney style]

There is no real difference in the 3D technology in any of the films.

That's why the glasses (other than SHAPE and color of the frames) are identical.

Philharmagic and ITtBaB films are both 100% computer-generated, and HISTA and Muppets are "live action" with computer-added effects.

The technology may be the same but Muppets and Philharmagic are worlds apart.

 

[Robo]

Some children like 3D, others are frightened.

 

[dancin Disney style]

 

[Robo]

Some children like 3D, others are frightened.