How do I explain?

[#1 Pocahontas]

On this one we tell her that Mickey, Donald, etc can only talk in the movies. They aren't allowed to talk to each person because there are so many people they would lose their voices...they're not as strong as people are! She bought it.

I told my daughter almost the same thing. I just said that they have so many kids to talk to that they would loose their voice and they needed to save it for the show.

Then she questioned me on why they don't move their mouths or blink. Well, Disney had just started using the moving masks for their stage show. So I pulled up Youtube and showed her the show with the moving masks. That bought us a least a few more years of believing!!

 

[Tiger926]

I guess I am in the minority here, but my DD5.5 years old, has known for years that they are characters in costume, or, actors playing characters. She knew from quite an early age that this is how it is and we are glad about that. She knows not to talk about it with other kids though as many kids don't understand the whole costume or actor thing.

Not sure how knowing that they are in costume would make it less real? My DD has had 7 trips to Disney and is a Disney freak, just like us! Knowing how it all works doesn't lessen the magic for her, I can assure you of that.

Good luck, Tiger

 

[PeterPanLover06]

I agree with pretty much what everyone here is saying. I don't have any kids, but if my 4 year old asked me that, I would be crushed! I agree with talking to them and asking "Didn't they feel real? What did you think when you met them?" and etc. I can see kids accepting princesses and other people easier than others like Goofy and Mickey as they get older.

And, maybe it's just me being silly, but I think it is a GREAT thing to remind them that WDW is a magical place and magic things happen there. I'll be 22 this year, and I am so excited for my trip this summer. My graduation trip was a week long WDW vacation, and I will always love it. WDW is a magical place, and I still want my picture taken with Cinderella and Mickey and Peter Pan. It's an amazingly fun magical place where anything is possible.

I will still wait in line to have my picture taken with Mickey Mouse, and I will for SURE wait in line for however long it takes to have my picture taken with Peter Pan!!!

 

[ilandrazdsw]

They are just like Santa. Santa is SOOO busy working that he has his friends and cousins greet on his behalf, but they always report back to him hellos and requests. Mickey and his friends are SOOO busy too making movies that they have to have friends and cousins meet all their fans...but just like a sheriff gives his deputies his "powers" Mickey gives all his firends the Disney pixie dust. That's how it works...isn't it???

 

[ilandrazdsw]

I am totally laughing out loud reading this -- kids say the greatest things! Here's another question - when we went to WDW last time, my DD then 3 1/2 kept wondering why the characters would talk during the parade and shows (and on tv, for that matter), but not when you met them, but the princesses would. I totally flubbed some type of answer I can't even remember. But, she'll be turning 5 next week for our next trip (it's a total surprise to her - we're telling her on Friday night ) -- not sure she'll ask again as I think she thinks the characters are in costume now, but anyone have any advice on what to say for that one if she does?

We say that they have to save their voices for their shows and movies.