How do you explain silent characters to your kids

[Anater]

I did a search but couldn't find anything - I hope this question isn't redundant. I'm wondering what everyone tells their kids when they ask why Mickey or Donald won't talk to them at Disneyland? I know that the characters are really animated, but I'm just wondering how to handle the inevitable question from my very curious and persistent four year old during our visit! Do you let them know ahead of time or do you wait until they ask? Thanks in advance!

 

[DangerMouse]

I have three kids who have all gone to DL several times, and honestly, not a single one of them has ever asked. I think they are too awe struck and busy just hugging them and getting their autographs to notice they don't speak.

 

[vanillasoftserve]

I remember seeing a thread about this somewhere, and the post that sticks clearly in mind is that Donald/Mickey is so excited to see the kids that they're speechless!

 

[Chumpson]

I have three kids who have all gone to DL several times, and honestly, not a single one of them has ever asked. I think they are too awe struck and busy just hugging them and getting their autographs to notice they don't speak.

This was my experience too. But that was with two boys, in October we are taking the daughter, so it might just come up.

 

[saxmangeoff]

Never came up with my kids, either. Frankly, I think the characters manage to be so expressive without talking, that even I don't notice too much!

 

[EMAW]

I actually posted about this before our trip in April and got seriously flamed for it- so I'm happy to see that no one has done that to you!

My dd DID ask why they didn't talk, and she asked several times. She is 5. I would answer her question with "I don't know for sure- what do you think?". She came up with things like maybe they are shy, or maybe that's the magic. I would just nod and say something along the lines of "makes sense to me" or "I bet you could be right".

Yeah they are animated, and excellent at what they do for sure. But kids are not stupid and they are very observant and whether they ask about it or not I can't imagine any of them really don't notice that the characters don't say a word!

Oh mine also asked why the face characters can talk when the other characters can't. I think she settled on the 'shy' theory, but I handled it the same way and let her come to her own conclusions.

Either way the kids love them and I myself forgot that Ariel wasn't the real deal! Have fun!

Em

 

[Anater]

I actually posted about this before our trip in April and got seriously flamed for it- so I'm happy to see that no one has done that to you! Em

Flamed? Oh wow - everyone seems so nice and has been so helpful on this board that I am really sad to hear that.

Thanks to everyone for all of your great suggestions! Hopefully my son will be so excited and amazed by them that he won't ask. However, being that someone mentioned that there might have been a post somewhere I did another search using different terms and located a few threads. So in case anyone else in interested - Two frequent answers seemed to be that 1) The characters save their voices for parades and crowd greetings so that they don't get hoarse and 2) If they were to talk to one child they would have to talk to them all and they want to try and meet as many children as possible. So just in case, it looks like I'll be prepared. Thanks again!

 

[godalejunior]

DS (5) wanted to know about this as well. We told them that there are so many children to see and talk to them that they have to "save their voices" so they can do the Disney Clubhouse show and their movies. Worked like a charm.

 

[Adi12982]

I read once that somone told their child that since children visit from all over the world the characters do not know all their languages, so just to be fair they didn't talk at all. . .

 

[Albort]

just say the characters are shy.

they get really really really really shy when kids are around him/her.

 

[kuusimo]

My 4-year old has asked me this question many times. I have asked him what he thinks. He replied he did not know and that is why he asked me.

I finally got so tired of the question I told him to ask Mickey Mouse why he does not talk next time we see him. I have not heard that question since!

 

[charlie]

My girls have asked this question since they were about 3 yrs old. They saw Dora and Boots at a local festival and that is when it started. Now they are 5 and we just took them to DL for the first time, they brought up the subject again.

I just told them that I wasn't sure, but I think that they were saving their voices for the movies and for TV. And that it was magical (which DL is, of course!) But they were VERY happy when Alice in Wonderland spoke to them! (though one of my twins said that her hair was dry)

 

[Anater]

After reading through the responses I think we'll use a combination of answers if need be. Being shy and saving their voices seem to be favorites. What a great group - thanks again for the suggestions.

 

[Albort]

you know, you should ask the character host and see what he/she say.

or you can tell your kids that you dont know... when you finds out, let mommy/daddy know!

 

[XTinabell]

My girls have asked this question since they were about 3 yrs old. They saw Dora and Boots at a local festival and that is when it started. Now they are 5 and we just took them to DL for the first time, they brought up the subject again.

I just told them that I wasn't sure, but I think that they were saving their voices for the movies and for TV. And that it was magical (which DL is, of course!) But they were VERY happy when Alice in Wonderland spoke to them! (though one of my twins said that her hair was dry)

lol, did he/she say that to Alice? Or just you afterwards, that is so funny. Those wigs have to be itchy.

you know, you should ask the character host and see what he/she say.

or you can tell your kids that you dont know... when you finds out, let mommy/daddy know!

The first time we went to Disneyland my sister asked Mickey Mouse's host why Mickey and his friends couldn't talk and she had said it was because they were saving their voices for the movies. I'm not sure she believed it but it kept her quiet.

 

[NVDisMom]

They've never asked. They are well aware they are in costumes and seem perfectly okay with the status quo.