How to explain why characters don't talk.

[KimWDW]

Last year my 3yo was quite concerned about the characters not talking. I tried to wave it off and just say "they can't" but he was too smart for that. "Buzz talks in the movie, why can't he talk to me? Mickey talks on our MK DVD, why can't he talk now?"

We're going again in Oct. and I know the questions about the characters not talking will return. Does anyone have a good answer?

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We have said that if they talked to everyone their throats would get sore and they would have to stay in bed. So in order to see everyone, they decided not to talk.

 

[Joanna71985]

Also, there are so many different languages. They couldnt possibly know them all, and so they don't talk.

 

[Mecha Figment]

I did work once with a very cool Aladin who could speak english , spanish , french and japaneese.

 

[Joanna71985]

I did work once with a very cool Aladin who could speak english , spanish , french and japaneese.

That's really impressive. I wish I could speak more then one language. But I was talking about fur characters.

 

[bags6490]

Toons can't talk in the our world because the transition from the toon world to our world really tickles. So much so that if they try to talk all they will do is laugh until they get sick. It has been well documented in the Toonland Medical Journal over the years, they call it von Toon Transvarlaughter Symdrome (VTTS, pronounced "vits" with a german accent). I believe is was named after Professor von Duck who Walt assigened to study this issuse of toon transfer prior to the opening of Disneyland.
VTTS was discovered the first time Von Duck transfered between toon and real world. It was re-affirmed in von Duck's following one thousand and three transfers. Professor von Duck finally figured out that by keeping his mouth closed he could control the laughter and therefore not get sick...or as Von Duck said " By keeping mine mouth shut I vould not toss mine cookies" (1).

Roy, seening the mess that von Duck made at the Disney studios during the transfer experimentation phase, confronted Walt on the issue. Roy forced Walt to that toons are shall not be allowed to speak(2). Roy insisted that the rule be placed in the Disney Toon hand book because he was worried about a lot of guest lawsuits that could have ruined the new park's bottom line.

Walt had to sell this issue to the the tough American Toon Labor boss but in the end Goofy agreed to rule with out too many concessions. One of the most important aspects of the March 1955 ATL agreement was that all toons would be allowed to appear in public at twice their normal toon world size. Walt was worried about guest reaction to that size but with park opening looming he agreed.

Hope this helps


1. American Toon Medical Journal, May 1953, pg 15
2. The Walt Disney Company Toon Cast Member Handbook
7th edition, December 2004, pg 204

 

[ElleBelle]

Toons can't talk in the our world because the transition from the toon world to our world really tickles. So much so that if they try to talk all they will do is laugh until they get sick. It has been well documented in the Toonland Medical Journal over the years, they call it von Toon Transvarlaughter Symdrome (VTTS, pronounced "vits" with a german accent). I believe is was named after Professor von Duck who Walt assigened to study this issuse of toon transfer prior to the opening of Disneyland.
VTTS was discovered the first time Von Duck transfered between toon and real world. It was re-affirmed in von Duck's following one thousand and three transfers. Professor von Duck finally figured out that by keeping his mouth closed he could control the laughter and therefore not get sick...or as Von Duck said " By keeping mine mouth shut I vould not toss mine cookies" (1).

Roy, seening the mess that von Duck made at the Disney studios during the transfer experimentation phase, confronted Walt on the issue. Roy forced Walt to that toons are shall not be allowed to speak(2). Roy insisted that the rule be placed in the Disney Toon hand book because he was worried about a lot of guest lawsuits that could have ruined the new park's bottom line.

Walt had to sell this issue to the the tough American Toon Labor boss but in the end Goofy agreed to rule with out too many concessions. One of the most important aspects of the March 1955 ATL agreement was that all toons would be allowed to appear in public at twice their normal toon world size. Walt was worried about guest reaction to that size but with park opening looming he agreed.

Hope this helps


1. American Toon Medical Journal, May 1953, pg 15
2. The Walt Disney Company Toon Cast Member Handbook
7th edition, December 2004, pg 204

PRICELESS!!! I love it!

 

[Puffy2]

I'm probably in the minority, but I think when children ask questions like this they are trying to figure out their world/ decide what is real and what isn't - I've always thought it was better to just tell them the truth.

In this case, "why don't they talk?" They don't talk because different actors play the characters and the voices would always sound different.

As for Santa...if they asked, I always told my kids to ask me the "Is santa real question" again in April - July and I'd tell them my answer if they really wanted to know.

 

[bags6490]

I'm probably in the minority, but I think when children ask questions like this they are trying to figure out their world/ decide what is real and what isn't - I've always thought it was better to just tell them the truth.

In this case, "why don't they talk?" They don't talk because different actors play the characters and the voices would always sound different.

As for Santa...if they asked, I always told my kids to ask me the "Is santa real question" again in April - July and I'd tell them my answer if they really wanted to know.

to each his own....but Disney is about believing the unbelievable so that what I try to do for my 1, 2, and 6 yo DDs. I figure they will grow up soon enough and storys like this help develope their Imagination...which without we would not have anything Disney to talk about because Walt would have become a Insurance Saleman or ditch digger.

 

[AJKMOM]

If you are taking a survey, I am not creative, but I love the idea of saying that they don't talk because there are sooooo many people in the Magic Kingdom, and if they did talk, they would lose their voices.

 

[tink2]

I used the sore throat explaination with dd- who was 4 at the time. Then she said, but the princesses talk and Mickey talks in the parade- SADCT. So, being as she believes she IS a princess- I told her you had to be really special to see the princesses- not everyone got to see them and they don't see as many people as Mickey, etc. So, they were able to talk to people who see them- and if their throats get sore, they have to go back to rest- hence why she almost didn't get to meet Jasmine that year and we got a quick picture as she was leaving the meet and greet. I told her that Mickey and others talk in the parade b/c that is their chance to talk to everyone at one time since they can't talk when they are getting their pictures taken. That way, Mickey can talk to everyone at the parade and his throat doesn't hurt. So far, that has worked. She is now 7- but still gullable. It has worked for her and ds5. I know the day will come when they figure it out- but until then, I want to keep the magic in them as long as I could. Heck, at my house growing up, if you didn't believe in Santa- he didn't come. My parents didn't admit there was no Santa until I was an adult- I knew, but just didn't talk about it. And every year, I felt like a little kid again. We will do the same at my house. No sense in making them grow up too soon. JMO

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

I've decided that I don't want my kids to think there's a Santa Claus, instead they'll believe in Santa Goofy and they can visit him at Disneyland. Santa Claus will just be an elf-like helper to Santa Goofy.

 

[Mme. Leota]

Toons can't talk in the our world because the transition from the toon world to our world really tickles. So much so that if they try to talk all they will do is laugh until they get sick. It has been well documented in the Toonland Medical Journal over the years, they call it von Toon Transvarlaughter Symdrome (VTTS, pronounced "vits" with a german accent). I believe is was named after Professor von Duck who Walt assigened to study this issuse of toon transfer prior to the opening of Disneyland.
VTTS was discovered the first time Von Duck transfered between toon and real world. It was re-affirmed in von Duck's following one thousand and three transfers. Professor von Duck finally figured out that by keeping his mouth closed he could control the laughter and therefore not get sick...or as Von Duck said " By keeping mine mouth shut I vould not toss mine cookies" (1).

Roy, seening the mess that von Duck made at the Disney studios during the transfer experimentation phase, confronted Walt on the issue. Roy forced Walt to that toons are shall not be allowed to speak(2). Roy insisted that the rule be placed in the Disney Toon hand book because he was worried about a lot of guest lawsuits that could have ruined the new park's bottom line.

Walt had to sell this issue to the the tough American Toon Labor boss but in the end Goofy agreed to rule with out too many concessions. One of the most important aspects of the March 1955 ATL agreement was that all toons would be allowed to appear in public at twice their normal toon world size. Walt was worried about guest reaction to that size but with park opening looming he agreed.

Hope this helps


1. American Toon Medical Journal, May 1953, pg 15
2. The Walt Disney Company Toon Cast Member Handbook
7th edition, December 2004, pg 204

I don't have kids yet, but I hope I am that creative, or at least remember your creative answer when faced with the "tough" questions from my kids. Thanks for a good laugh.

 

[DebIreland]

bags6490

That was fabulous!!! I love it!

 

[Kimberly815]

Toons can't talk in the our world because the transition from the toon world to our world really tickles. So much so that if they try to talk all they will do is laugh until they get sick. It has been well documented in the Toonland Medical Journal over the years, they call it von Toon Transvarlaughter Symdrome (VTTS, pronounced "vits" with a german accent). I believe is was named after Professor von Duck who Walt assigened to study this issuse of toon transfer prior to the opening of Disneyland.
VTTS was discovered the first time Von Duck transfered between toon and real world. It was re-affirmed in von Duck's following one thousand and three transfers. Professor von Duck finally figured out that by keeping his mouth closed he could control the laughter and therefore not get sick...or as Von Duck said " By keeping mine mouth shut I vould not toss mine cookies" (1).

Roy, seening the mess that von Duck made at the Disney studios during the transfer experimentation phase, confronted Walt on the issue. Roy forced Walt to that toons are shall not be allowed to speak(2). Roy insisted that the rule be placed in the Disney Toon hand book because he was worried about a lot of guest lawsuits that could have ruined the new park's bottom line.

Walt had to sell this issue to the the tough American Toon Labor boss but in the end Goofy agreed to rule with out too many concessions. One of the most important aspects of the March 1955 ATL agreement was that all toons would be allowed to appear in public at twice their normal toon world size. Walt was worried about guest reaction to that size but with park opening looming he agreed.

Hope this helps


1. American Toon Medical Journal, May 1953, pg 15
2. The Walt Disney Company Toon Cast Member Handbook
7th edition, December 2004, pg 204

The references make all the difference in the world!

 

[TikiGoddess]

Originally Posted by bags6490

I love that! That is classic

My oldest son asked me at breakfast at CP why Tigger and Pooh had lines down their backs. I told him that's where their fur grows together. Yes, I lied and I don't feel one bit guilty about it. I wish I didn't know that the characters have people in them and I'm certainly not gonna rob them of that. I think bags6490 has come up w/something that I plan to completely plagarize should the need arise. However, I think when I get to the second paragraph my kids will have stopped listening...fine with me, it certainly wouldn't be the first time they quit listening while I was still speaking

On a side note, I still believe in Santa and consequently he delivers great surprises to me yearly. Don't think I'll stop believing any time soon.

 

[Bill From PA]

When our kids were young and talkative themselves we were asked this question. I told them that when the Disney characters were children they talked too much, so their parents had their vocal chords removed. This usually quieted the kids down for a while.

Bill From PA

 

[akalittleeva]

I love that! That is classic

My oldest son asked me at breakfast at CP why Tigger and Pooh had lines down their backs. I told him that's where their fur grows together. Yes, I lied and I don't feel one bit guilty about it. I wish I didn't know that the characters have people in them and I'm certainly not gonna rob them of that. I think bags6490 has come up w/something that I plan to completely plagarize should the need arise. However, I think when I get to the second paragraph my kids will have stopped listening...fine with me, it certainly wouldn't be the first time they quit listening while I was still speaking

On a side note, I still believe in Santa and consequently he delivers great surprises to me yearly. Don't think I'll stop believing any time soon.

When my oldest asked me 2 weeks ago if the characters were real - he's 10 BTW - I just told him that when I hugged Mickey Mouse (for the first time when I was 32 - DS was 5) there was no question in my mind that it wasn't Mickey - and I was being honest. That was good enough for him. I told him that when it comes to Disney magic, seeing is believing, feeling is believing, no matter how old you are...I don't know if he still believes, but I at least want him to believe in the magic of Disney.

 

[bags6490]

Just glad that I can help explain the un-explainable!!!

 

[PKS44]

To each his own-

Personally we actually, most of all, want our children to believe in US...that we are trustworthy - that we won't lie to them-ever. We might avoid answering and let them use their imagination to come up with an answer to a question like this. But when our children ask us an honest question--and they clearly are seeking to understand reality and the real truth. we actually tell them as much truth as they are ready to handle. We don't lie. We want them to believe in the importance of honesty. And we are consistent about this. Kids are sponges and they soak up all sorts of messages from their earth guides (parents)...

We will have to see if this pays off with better relationships with our children than others sometimes have -or if squashes imagination as some others have implied...so far we are happy with this approach.

Careful the things you say
Children will listen
Careful the things you do
Children will see and learn
Children may not obey, but children will listen
Children will look to you for which way to turn
To learn what to be
Careful before you say "Listen to me"
Children will listen

----
Careful the spell you cast
Not just on children
Sometimes the spell may last
Past what you can see
And turn against you
Careful the tale you tell
That is the spell
Children will listen

Into the Woods- by Steven Sondheim