Fear of Characters?

[amreli]

My older daughter turned 4 in September and has only just gotten to the point where she will go up to a character. She met Elsa in October and for the first time, sat in Santa's lap this year. My 2 year old however is still terrified of them.

 

[Crystal824]

DD was 10 months on our first trip and was afraid of characters. She was 21 months on our next trip and loved them. Depends on the kid.

 

[Maggie at the Fort]

My daughter was terrified at 19 months and fine when we went back at 3 and a half. My son was fine at 1 and talks now at 2 about how he is going to give them hugs! It was tricky at 19 months because she wanted to meet them and was excited every time we waited in line and then scared as soon as we got to them. We have lots of awkward pictures of her grabbing on to me and me trying to smile. Good luck!

 

[Tattylou]

Both of my kids seemed to be the most freaked out by Santa when they were 18months. Every year after that they were fine with him. We didn't go to WDW until my younger DS was turning 4 and he loved the characters. He was so amazed by meeting Mickey - like in total awe and so happy. It was the most adorable thing I have ever seen. I will cherish that memory forever. I do think every kid is different. Hopefully it works out for you and your little one this trip, but if not then that's an excuse to go back in the future and try again!!

 

[fofinia]

On one trip my daughter was one. She loved the characters. So much she would bury her face in their fur. Let Curious George (at Universal) hold her and wouldn't let him put her down. LOVED them. Next trip- 3 months later. (yes we were spoiled that year) Petrified. Had a character meal, saw Minnie coming a couple tables away and freaked. I had her sitting where the characters could get to her easy cuz she had loved them sooooo much 3 months earlier. Nope. But she was over it by our next trip when she was 3.

My son who is 4 is very picky about which characters he will talk to. We lucked into a meet and greet outside of tower of terror with no lines and 8 characters. The only person he would talk to was Maleficient. ???? Who knows

 

[BecBennett]

I'm still scared of them...

 

[staceychev]

DD1 was just five--on our first Disney trip--when she got over the fear. She wanted to see Alice, but had to get past the White Rabbit to do it!

 

[myrtleturtle]

At 10 months, my kids loved the characters. Last month, at age 2, we went to Chick Fil A and they were afraid of the cow. They are also afraid of Santa. So I've been showing them the characters on Youtube to get them used to them. I hope that in October (a week before they turn 3) they will love them. I plan to schedule Chef Mickey breakfast for the first day, if they don't like them then we can easily avoid them the rest of the trip.