How to answer character questions for a curious 5 yo

[Spartan]

For parents out there who have had children reach the age when they realize it's no longer a real character, I'm curious in how you told them the "truth", and how old were they when you did so?

My son caught me off-guard a few days ago when a Disney commercial came on and I said "Hey look, Mickey's on TV", and he said "Is that just a man inside of there?". Being the quick-wit that I am, and being caught off-guard, the only thing I came up with was "what do you think?"

He got distracted by his toys, and I dropped the subject - but I know it'll come up on our next trip again. He seems so young still (just turned 5) - I thought I would have another couple of years!

 

[cancilla]

My son caught me off-guard a few days ago when a Disney commercial came on and I said "Hey look, Mickey's on TV", and he said "Is that just a man inside of there?". Being the quick-wit that I am, and being caught off-guard, the only thing I came up with was "what do you think?"

Every parent handles this their own way, and I don't think there is necessarily a right answer. When my son (who was four at the time) asked me whether a character was someone in a suit, I just said, "Yep." He was actually kind of relieved.

--Dominick

 

[F1Julie]

I think my DD5 always kind of knew that the characters are just people dressed up. Her first trip she was 3.5. We went again when she was 4 and she recognized that we had a different Cinderella than the last time and that the Alice she saw at the tea party one day was different than the Alice we saw at breakfast the next day. She loves seeing the characters, but she knows they aren't the real deal.

 

[All Aboard]

Our daughter figured it out when she was 5. I don't think it changed her interest in characters at all. When she asked, I felt compelled not to lie about it. Now, at 7, she's certain there's no Santa Claus. We're dodging that one, but we'll likely have to fess up soon.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

It definitely depends on the child but one thing to keep in mind is that, even if they know the truth, it can still be magical.

Our DD (5) has known since she was 3 that the characters aren't real and, even, that there is no Santa Claus. We don't know exactly how she knew that, she just declared it one day (she is very logical).

Anyways, it doesn't make Christmas or Disney any less magical. She still loves to get their autographs, pictures, hugs them, talks to them, etc. because it's something she enjoys doing. So, Disney is as magical for a child as a parent lets it be. To me, the magic isn't in whether or not the characters are real. The magic is in the fun of interaction and the fantasy of our own imagination (cue the Figment song).....

 

[minnieandmickeymouse]

Last November was my daughters first time at WDW and she was 6. She also asked if there were people in there. I said, nope, they are real! Don't know if she believed me or not, BUT since it was her first time, I wanted her to believe they were all real. If she asks again, I don't know what I will say. Maybe just ask her what she thinks, and leave it at that.

They are real for me anyway

 

[JJsmama]

My children 6 and 4 also know it is a man in a suit. Since their Aunt was Cinderella for a few years, they figured the other characters were real people too. It was really a relief to them to know Mickey wasn't really a giant rodent. Somehow knowing the truth has never diminished their excitement.

 

[philaround]

The best answer to the question of wether the caracters are just people in suits is "No, they are not JUST people. They are very special people who love to meet all sorts of people and make them happy."

 

[Rpsemont]

While I can never remember DD specifically asking (she's 10 now) my treatment of Disney Characters is the same as my treatment of Santa Clause - If you "believe" they're real then they are. If she ever did ask me, I probably said of course they are, I believe it, don't you? I've also told her that when she doesn't believe in Santa Clause, he stops bringing gifts.LOL!

The characters to me are part of the magic! But there's only magic if you believe!

For me, so much of who we are, our happiness, our health, our attitude is all framed by what we believe. Never underestimate that power!

 

[AngelEyes]

Wait a sec! You mean to tell me the characters AREN'T real?!?!

 

[grimley1968]

Wait a sec! You mean to tell me the characters AREN'T real?!?!

Exactly my thinking. This thread is full of Disney blasphemers!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Yes, Virginia, there IS a Mickey Mouse. He exists as certainly as goodness and generosity and devotion exist . . . .

 

[keishashadow]

We used the same answer we gave when our kids asked how Santa Claus could be in all of the stores during the Xmas season: most of them are his helpers, but the "real" one comes every now & then when he's not busy, so you have to keep an eye out for him. As there seemed to be quite a few shabby looking Santas out there, this covered all the bases. FYI, if you're lucky enough to see Donald, he's the real deal.

 

[Spartan]

To AngelEyes & grimley1968 - very sorry about that, I should have put "Spoiler" in the title before you opened up the thread

 

[grimley1968]

To AngelEyes & grimley1968 - very sorry about that, I should have put "Spoiler" in the title before you opened up the thread

That's ok. But someone else has now come along and talked about Santa in a rather disconcerting way. You all are shattering my belief system.

 

[AngelEyes]

As long as no one starts in on the tooth fairy or the Easter bunny, I'll be okay.