If you have kids, when did they stop...

believing that Mickey and the gang are not "real".

My 5 year old thought it was a bit strange that Mickey and such could not talk at DL... but still seemed to think they were the "real thing". Meeting the princesses confirm her thoughts because they talked to her!

However, when my mother in law asked my 3 year old son what he thought about meeting Goofy and Pluto... he responded "I think they are just guys in costumes".

Just wondering what other out there children think

 

When mil asked ds(5) about Disneyland he told her "I liked the boys in the Mickey and Buzz costumes the best".

 

I've told my children (ages 10, 8 and 6) that the day they stop believing that the characters in DLR are real is the day we stop going to DLR.

Nuf said.

 

With my boys (7 & 9) it just sort of evolved... There wasn't one day where all of a sudden they announced that the characters weren't real.. However, yesterday we were at the hub when Prince Caspian was coming up Main St. before the parade.
We were waiting so I could get a picture. As the prince approached us, my oldest son whispers to me "Mom, you know he's not the real one right?".. I was kinda shocked at how casually he told me. He didn't say it out loud, just kind of whispered it to me. I asked him why he was soo quiet about it and he told me that he didn't want the little kids hear him tell me that it wasn't a real prince.. He didn't want to ruin it for them.. I was a little taken back by that one

 

Awww, what a great kid!

That's kind of funny, though, that he was making sure YOU knew... he didn't want to ruin it for you, either!

I just asked my DD5 about this. She immediately answered cheerfully, "Oh, I think they're people in costumes, cause, you know, the princesses' wigs look kinda weird... but they are great. Can we go to that breakfast with Chip n' Dale next time? They are funny!"

 

My kids are 10 and 7...but they haven't even brought that up. Actually they haven't even disputed Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy yet.

I kind of wonder if my 10 year old thinks the fun will stop if she brings up thinking they're not real. lol

 

So funny, my daughter (12) and I just talked about this last night. She said she clued in around age 5 that they were 'guys in suits', but at 3/4 she totally believed they were the real deal.
Actually - what is funny is the first time she ever saw characters in person was Disney on Ice at age 3, and she said she was convinced they were the real guys, and the ones at the parks were their 'helpers' like santa had helpers in the malls! LOL

 

I don't think that except when my girls went at 2 and 3 with my parents they actually believed the characters were real. I think maybe I explained afraid that they wouldn't be afraid. My son was six the first time he went to Disneyland and although he "knew" he was enthralled with Minnie Mouse.

Michele

 

My 4 year old told me the other day, "Mom. Those aren't really princesses. They're just people dressed up. I hope you're not sad that I told you."

 

I am honestly wondering if my 7 year old dd knows yet. She asked me recently if Pocohontas was a real story, or a made up one. I said it's a real story, but it happened a very long time ago. So she asked, "Then Pocohontas at Disneyland isn't the real Pocohontas?" I was stumped! LOL

Little things she says here and there make me think she still believes. But, she's pretty smart, so I'm not sure if she's putting me on or not.

 

I just asked DD5 (6 in Sept) about Cinderella...

Q1 - Is the story of Cinderella real. Answer No.
Q2 - Is Cinderella real? Answer - Yes, she lives at DL and shares a castle with Sleeping Beauty.

I didn't go any further with questions about Mickey, Buzz, et al.

 

What do you mean their not real???

 

My twins will be six next month, and so far they still completely believe. They also haven't questioned Santa, Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy. All these things are real in their mind without a doubt.

My four year old still believes, but already has some doubts. A few months ago we were looking at our pictures from our last trip to WDW, and he asked me if the characters were people dressed up. I responded with, "What do you think?", and then he said he thought they were real. He's also asked things about Santa, such as how they reindeer can fly all over the world in one night. I have a feeling by the time he's six he'll no longer believe.

 

When my brother was 3 (back in the 70's) He was sad when he realized that the characters were just people in costumes. I'm don't remember how he came to that realization. Well, then Snow White came over to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He looks at my mom with this big grin on his face and said, "Now SHE'S real!!!" He was in love.

I'm not sure what my son thinks. He was 3 the last time we went and he hid under the table everytime a character came over to us at Goofy's kitchen. One time the waitress brought us one less water because he was under the table.

We'll see what he thinks next month. He's 6 now.

 

Since my 2 older kids found out a few years back, they almost love the characters even more. I think they've gotten more 'playful' with them at the meet and greets, and realize that it's the CM's who are making it fun for them So my youngest will see them interact with the characters, and doesn't even think for a second that they're not real (and he's 6!)

 

My son was probably around 8 years old. I tried to keep it going for as long as possible. But then came the comments about mice not being that big, and that their fur seemed like clothes. LOL It's a bummer, but of course still fun, and yes I still make him take pictures. hehe

 

We first went to WDW when the boys were 4, almost 5 really. They knew that the characters were people in costumes but really wanted to believe they were real. They still love to meet the characters though since they are the live version of what they have seen.

 

My oldest intellectually knows that they aren't real but emotionally believes in the magic if that makes sense. My other two don't have a clue or at least haven't said anything. I think I have well engrained the magic of Disney.

 

That's me!!

Actually I think that's all of us here on the Dis, right?

 

HUH? What do you mean none of this is real, and that its all people in costumes? After all this time I really thought....