I killed the Magic for my son ....

[tia_michelle]

I am beside myself, I just can't believe what I did tonight
My older boy 8 asked why Mickey mouse and friends don't talk at disneyland.
as we were at the dinner table with my younger son 3 I told him I would tell him later. So after dinner when alone he asked me again. I told him that the people inside can't make mickeys voice so they just don't talk. I look to see tears welling up in his eyes...... OMG he did not know. he's 8 and could have had one more trip where he thought that they were real and I KILLED IT !!!! aaaaahhhhhhh totally crying myself now

I wish I could take it back, it would have been ultra cool to have 2 believers in Disney in January.
How can I fix this ??

 

[Mugglemama]

Hmmmm...ok, here's my completely underhanded suggestion...

Matter-of-factly explain that you think your son might have misunderstood what you meant... that there's only ONE real character, and they get tired and have to rest at times, so they have people who fill in for them. So, then make a game out of finding the "real" ones. After seeing one, act all excited as you walk away and tell your son in a low voice, "I'm pretty sure that was the REAL (mickey, goofy, buzz, whatever).

 

[skiingfast]

I'd be a grateful that at 8 he still believed.

 

[Curiouser&Curiouser]

Mugglemama LOVE IT!!! HAHA... I'll remember to use this someday!

 

[merrrydeath]

Hmmmm...ok, here's my completely underhanded suggestion...

Matter-of-factly explain that you think your son might have misunderstood what you meant... that there's only ONE real character, and they get tired and have to rest at times, so they have people who fill in for them. So, then make a game out of finding the "real" ones. After seeing one, act all excited as you walk away and tell your son in a low voice, "I'm pretty sure that was the REAL (mickey, goofy, buzz, whatever).

I really like this idea. Although just like you are surprised that at 8 he still believed, I might be surprised if at 8 he fell for this.

 

[lapdwife]

Hmmm, he had to have known. My 5 year old has told us it's just people inside the costumes whenever we say something about a character.

 

[tia_michelle]

mugglemama: that is the best darn idea ever!! so going to use it ! you just put a big smile on my face, this never even crossed my mind.

I was totally surprised that he still believed, I mean, really he's 8 and attends public school . but he also still believes in santa, I LOVE that he still believes it keeps him from growing up too fast. He has always been very emotional, so maybe he knew but actually hearing it was hard. still going to try mugglemama's idea though!

thank you so much everyone!

 

[SplashMo]

In my heart I still believe

 

[kylieh]

DD8 knows about Mickey, Buzz, etc, but Princesses are the real deal. Same with the fairies, and Santa.

I think it's beautiful that she believes but I don't know for how much longer.

 

[GoofyDadude]

kylieh: "but Princesses are the real deal"

Well of course they are, I have a 8 month old granddaughter that is one ;-)

Tia Michelle: You are an evil person. How could you do that????.... JK

Smile, you deserve it. This too shall pass.......

I love mugglemama's idea. That is such a great idea. But also explain that there is still "magic" all over Disneyland, not just in the characters.

 

[wdi2b]

What Mickey Isn't real?!? na jk haha

ummm... from a teenagers point of view... stick to face characters

but do not tell him that the real mickey needs a rest... that will back up the fact that their actors.

just gonna say this, what me and my mom talk about all the time.

we wonder do the mickey actors go to micke mouse college and practice his signature. one kid has probably gotten his autograph every trip then he realized " hey, these signatures aren't the same."

idk it makes me smile every now and then

 

[tink2dw]

I am a 57 year old Lady Who Absolutely BELIEVES in Every Character!! Every trip the magic just wraps around me and it is a thrilling trip.

My then 14 yr, old in 2001 watched me converse with Chip and Dale about their Rescue Rangers show. As they moved away She said Well, Mom I guess you can be any age and still believe and have Disney magic!

Tell your son that the Costume characters don't talk because they would frighten the really little children and disney wants everyone to feel the magic!!

 

[captsparrowslady]

Mugglemama had a really good idea. My idea was to tell him that when they put on the character costume, that they become the character they're dressed as and it's a part of the Disney Magic.

 

[dalepool]

I know how you are feeling. I had the same happen but with Santa. Daughter was in 4th grade and was told by one of the other 4th graders that -- well you know. I asked her what she thought and she said "There is no Santa is there?" I in turn said "What do you think?" She again replied "No Santa and I suppose that means there is no Easter Bunny either" I had to tell her the truth at that point. I also reminded her how fun it had been to BELIEVE and with that let her know how this is only time Parents can fib to their kids. I also explained how much fun it is to keep the secret alive and to make wonderful memories for the younger ones.

The best aftermath from our conversation is that she has lived the spirit of the holidays keeping the secret alive for little children. Last year with economy the was it was/is Daughter found out Homeless Shelter needed gifts from Santa. She bought each person staying at the shelter (not just the kids) a coat and a personal gift ( toys and such).

This was one of the times I knew I got it right as a parent.

My Husband and I are taking Daughter, son-in-law. and both kids to Disneyland in Spring. I am going to explain the characters ( should it come up) is that they are helpers as each character is not able to be every where so they get helpers much like the Santa elfs.

Happy Christmas,

Patty

 

[jtown]

I went along with the Santa thing long after I knew the guy at the mall was just some dude in a suit. In 4th or 5th grade, I got a bit of flack because some kids from school saw me sitting on Santa's lap during xmas break. "I got everything I asked for. Did you get everything you wanted?" Yeah, who's dumb now? I worked that system until I was 12. Be good, tell Santa what you want, and he's contractually obligated to deliver. Just don't get too greedy.

 

[Corpsebride]

I went along with the Santa thing long after I knew the guy at the mall was just some dude in a suit. In 4th or 5th grade, I got a bit of flack because some kids from school saw me sitting on Santa's lap during xmas break. "I got everything I asked for. Did you get everything you wanted?" Yeah, who's dumb now? I worked that system until I was 12. Be good, tell Santa what you want, and he's contractually obligated to deliver. Just don't get too greedy.

Brilliant!!!

 

[jetskigrl]

I went along with the Santa thing long after I knew the guy at the mall was just some dude in a suit. In 4th or 5th grade, I got a bit of flack because some kids from school saw me sitting on Santa's lap during xmas break. "I got everything I asked for. Did you get everything you wanted?" Yeah, who's dumb now? I worked that system until I was 12. Be good, tell Santa what you want, and he's contractually obligated to deliver. Just don't get too greedy.

LOL - at our house the rule is that Santa only leaves presents for those who believe. I tell my kids (in all honesty) that I do believe in Santa. That is because I believe in the spirit of Santa (so it isn't really a lie and I will explain this to them when they are older).

My DD is 12 and still won't say that she doesn't believe in Santa (I'm sure because she doesn't want the "Santa" gifts to stop, LOL). Even my 15 and 17 year old nephews won't admit that they don't believe

We are having difficulty with DS right now though since there is another boy at school telling him that Santa isn't real and that the parents leave all the presents under the tree. He said that he knows the ones in the malls are just Santa's helpers but he is really struggling to maintain the belief in the big man himself.

And then he brought up Mickey Mouse and told me the other day that he is just some guy in a costume. I played as if I was shocked and said that it is real to me. I hate to see all the magic gone for him at such a young age. So I refuse to confirm any of it

 

[Funball]

..yeah i like mugglemama's idea also! .. i on the other hand have to agree with skiingfast at 8 you'd still be surprised if they even believe the "that really is mickey mouse" line...

 

[MinnieMama09]

I went along with the Santa thing long after I knew the guy at the mall was just some dude in a suit. In 4th or 5th grade, I got a bit of flack because some kids from school saw me sitting on Santa's lap during xmas break. "I got everything I asked for. Did you get everything you wanted?" Yeah, who's dumb now? I worked that system until I was 12. Be good, tell Santa what you want, and he's contractually obligated to deliver. Just don't get too greedy.

Love it!

 

[nemofans]

I am sort of going thru this w/my 5.5 yr old. During our last WDW trip, he said that the characters are just people in costumes. I acted shocked & told him I don't believe him. He has continued to say that, so I told him not to tell his little brother.
Now he still believes in Santa, but a few days ago, he told me he thinks the santas we see at different places are decoys for the real santa. The real santa has to stay at the North Pole to make sure the elves get all their work done. I told him I don't know for sure but what he says makes sense. I am hoping a friend at school or a cousin won't tell him that santa isn't real.
When I found out about santa, my mom let me stay up later & help her be "santa" as long as I didn't tell my little brother. I loved being in on the secret. I plan on doing this w/my son once he knows.