Fear of Characters

[bub]

Does anyone have a child who is afraid of the Disney (costumed) characters? We enjoy the character breakfasts but my DD (14!) is uncomfortable around all of the characters (yes, even Mickey and Winnie the Pooh). On our last visit we requested that the characters not come to our table, but that seemed to have the opposite effect...the characters kept coming over very tentatively and trying to be extra nice. I finally had to ask Winnie to go away(!) and the poor thing put his head down and left the dining room. I know there are non-character buffets, but the ones with characters seem to have the best selection of food.

Has anyone experienced this, or do you have any ideas for a strategy to keep the characters away? It seems like a crazy problem, since most people are complaining that the characters did not spend enough time with their kids.

 

[JenLynn]

I would really try the non-character meals then. It would be easier for you and your DD and you wouldn't have to stress over the interaction.

Is your DD better with "face" characters (like the princesses and Mary Poppins?) if so, then perhaps you could try one of those buffets.

 

[MadamMim]

I'm with your daughter! I'm not a fan of characters either. The idea of having to converse with a large stuffed animal just weirds me out. But like you, I also enjoy the food at some of the locations. (Crystal Palace is a major fav of mine.) Usually I try to sit with my back to the wall (or CP has that banquette thingie in the middle of the right-hand dining room, so I sit against that) which tends to prevent any 'surprise attacks' which I especially hate. I also do my best to ignore the characters and hope they get the idea. Some of them get that evil glint in their eye and annoy, er sorry, interact with me more, but most will drift off if they see you're not having it. I've never thought of asking at the podium to be left alone, but asking one of the character greeters might work too since they work directly with the characters. Best of luck!

 

[Joanna71985]

Unfortunately, asking the attendant at dining probably won't help much as the restaurants are so big and there is only 1-2 of them. The best bet is to have her sit on the inside of the table (away from the character), and when the character is approaching to wave them away.

 

[lilyv]

I would skip the character meals. It's asking a lot to try to arrange your seating, character interaction and so on in a crowded restaurant.

 

[Ohio Disney Girl]

We traveled with another family last year and between us we had 4 kids ages 2,3,4, and 5! The oldest three LOVED the characters- the "baby", not so much so! He was terrified. We were always seated a big, long table and we would put the little guy at one end between two adults. When the waitress first came, we told her about the sitaution, and she would "head off" the characters to wait at the opposite end of our long table. That way, the older ones got to say hello and get pictures and the younger one learned quickly that the characters weren't coming any closer! We did this at H&V, Chef Mickey's, Donald's AK Breakfast, and Akerhaus (though Princesses went over better-no masks!)

It worked out great as everyone got their "character fix" and the little one could "manage" his fear wihout it being overwhelming!

 

[DizzDoll]

Have you tried mace? Just being silly. Most characters will try and come over. Maybe you can get a table in the back and have your daughter face the wall, with her back to the restaurant. Her view will really suck but that way you or your husband will be seeing whose coming and you can shake your head "no" and the characters won't approach the table? The OPs are correct when they said that the character buffets have the better food. I'd hate to see you miss out when creativity could save the day. Good luck.

 

[DizOz]

Our eldest DD had a real phobia about characters it didn't who they were. Two years ago we went to Warner Bros Movie World on Gold Coast in Australia and she hated the characters and would ahve nothing to do with them. If we tried to push her the tears started, so we backed off and let her go at her own pace.

We then sat her down and told her how they were just people dressed up as characters and slowly introduced to her characters that appeared at the local shoppping centres etc.

Slowly she came around. When we went to WDW last December she was great, had her photo taken with all the characters and got autographs. The knowledge they were people dressed up didn't stop the magic. To her they were still Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh etc. She had a ball.

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

U had me laughing out of my chair

 

[BlondeAlligator]

My DD is in love with all of the "masked" characters (like Mickey & Pooh)...but she HATES the ones that are just regular people in costume (like Cinderella, princesses, prince charming, etc.) She has autism & is afraid when the characters talk...the masked ones never do. We just avoid all things princess, which is nice 'cuz I never have to stress over the CRT ressie!

 

[bub]

Thanks for the responses. My daughter appreciated that there are others out there who don't like characters. She does know that it's irrational, and she can even laugh about it, but they do bother her. (On the other hand, she likes the freaky clown-faced pool slide at the Boardwalk!)

This time I think we won't mention anything to the staff, and hopefully if we just redirect the characters, it will be fine. Certainly there are always tons of kids waiting for their turn.

 

[MadamMim]

She likes the clown?!

I'm glad my own issues with the characters could help. It's all about solidarity. When she gets older and decides to tackle the weirdness of characters head on, I suggest doing what my friends and I do... go to the Princess Tent in ToonTown and tell each Princess that the others have been talking trash about her behind her back. Watching them attempt to react in character to this information is just brilliant.

 

[BlondeAlligator]

She likes the clown?!

I'm glad my own issues with the characters could help. It's all about solidarity. When she gets older and decides to tackle the weirdness of characters head on, I suggest doing what my friends and I do... go to the Princess Tent in ToonTown and tell each Princess that the others have been talking trash about her behind her back. Watching them attempt to react in character to this information is just brilliant.

 

[Harambe]

There are plenty of other restaurants with no characters that have great food! Wouldn't it just be simpler to find a few (isn't Spoodles supposed to be good, and Fresh over at the Dolphin?) then you can enjoy your meal without doing "character-repelling watch", and you DD can enjoy her meal without the threat of the characters.

I would imagine it would be easier on the characters as well. I practically cried when I read about poor Winnie leaving the buffet!!!