Is It A Magic Spoiler?

[luvthemouse71]

I wouldn't say it's weird but I didn't know that grownups got into the fantasy this much. I'm surprised but to each their own.

For some reason , this thread made me think of the Star Trek convention skit on SNL, when William Shatner was hosting...off to see if I can find it. Found it...http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x930vt_william-shatner-snl-skit-get-a-life_fun

 

[WDWprincessloyola]

I couldn't even tell you at what age I realized that they were costumed performers.

And as I've seen in previous DIS posts, at most times they are in character as soon as they hit the stage.

For me, even though I know that, they still represent Mickey, Alice in Wonderland, Marie, Genie, Goofy, princesses and all the rest. I'm not talking to Joe or Sally, I am talking to that character!

Santa, the easter bunny, tooth fairy....sure they aren't real but they still represent something to everyone (could be personal, commercial, or whatever)

I choose to focus on that, whether it is a childhood memory, laughter, happiness, history....or a man with dream which all started with a mouse.

 

[bytheblood]

I haven't taken this personally. After all I'm not the one who blurted it out.

I shushed DS but he tended to announce things loudly in those days. I don't know who heard him or who could help it.

Oh good. Then I misunderstood your post. I read to it like one of those "well, my mom is in a wheel chair when we go to Disney" kinda responses. I apologize for making an assumption.

 

[bytheblood]

I actually read somewhere (actual CM blogs) that many CM's get both surprised and disappointed when they hear parents saying things such as "is it hot in there?" to characters in costume right in front of a lot of kids. But I still stick with the "what costume?" mentality!

I learned from the KTTK Tour that for some CMs, when you are a friend of one of the characters, it is just as magical for them as it is for the people who get in line to meet them. I am sure they would like to keep the magic where is belongs, too.

 

[DisneyBill85]

I would never go out of my way to point out "Hey...look at that guy in constume!", but I'm also not going to be monitoring myself for everything I say while on vacation. If I'm having a disussion with my wife at normal conversation tones and somebody is close enough to overhear, I'm sorry. That's just how it is. Not to be a jerk about things, but that's why there is such a thing as freedom of speech.

 

[Tiger926]

We do watch what we say for the benefit of all around us at all times, regardless of whether we are @ WDW or not.

That being said, my children have known since like 2 years old that those are actors dressed up in costumes. They figured it out all on their own and asked the appropriate questions that we answered trutfully. Our kids are critical thinkers, so they just knew it. Has it changed or spoiled the magic? Nope! My kids are obsessed with Disney - the 3 year old asks to go the castle each and everyday.

Magic is what you make of it...as has been echoed on this thread. It doesn't make one difference to us whether we know there are people in the suits or not, but, we are cognizant of others around us who may not share our feelings.

Interesting replies on here, Tiger

 

[kakiegirl]

In my family me, dh and dd now 11 we just when people talk about costumes, we don't know what they are talking about. People who don't get the Disney magic just don't get it. When I get to Disneyworld I get just as excited as the kids when I see my favorite characters.

I think DD summed it up best 3 years ago she was 9 and we were on vacation with our best friends and their son. DD was talking about how she couldn't wait to go to AK the next day and see Stitch. I was walking behind them and her friend told her you know he is just someone in a costume, he's not real. Well DD is a drama queen and I was ready for her to start arguing, however, she just calmly looked at him, shrugged her shoulders and replied "he is real to me". That is a moment as a Disney Mom I think I will always remember I was so proud of her and thought that was a great answer. So in answer to the OP's question, we don't let it bother us because they are real to us, we are on vacation immersed in our magic and really don't care what others think. I do think Adults should use some common sense and not spoil it for little ones, which I think the majority of people do.

 

[staxia]

One more thing to add - I have been going to Disney since I was 3 years old. I am planning my 16th trip. Back in 2007 - DH and I had a MK photo shoot the day after our wedding. The photographer drove us to MK at 5:00 AM and drove behind splash mountain, POTC, etc. He drove his van up Main Street USA to the hub and let us out. When we got out there were night cast members working all around us............everytime I walk through the gates of MK - those things always flash in my mind. What the rides look like from behind, why the ground is always wet, even if it did not rain the night before, all teh landscaping.....I can't shake what I saw. And even though my pictures are priceless and being in MK while empty from guests was amazing......part of me wishes I never would have done that and never seen those things - it has not been the same sense. Which is why I will never do a backstage tour.

Mind you this was when I was 22. But I guess the Disney part of me was still the 5 year old clinging to Pluto because I knew he was real and I didn't want to leave him.

That's interesting... I've been backstage for a couple of different reason, Magic Music Days being one, and I've seen things too... But I've experienced the magic more than that... and the magic is what sticks.

I guess it's b/c, for me, Disney is much bigger than a bunch of plaster and metal and furry suits, it's about being a kid, living the magic, having an escape and really just getting to be a kid and having fun, while leaving the world behind Somewhere between I-4 and the Welcome sign it starts to fall away, and once I'm off the monorail or boat or bus, it's gone completely. Then the World takes over, and I'm good for a while.

 

[StacyLovesTheMouse]

I understand what you are saying. I would prefer people keep their comments like that to themselves...it can sound a little negative at times too.
I used to work with people who were constantly asking me why I even went to Disney and how annoying the place is. Maybe you have to be a certain type of person to really get into the "magic" there. I know I do!

 

[Rose DiVerona]

I'm an eighteen year old college freshman, and maintaining the magic is essential to me. My family doesn't often pose with characters anymore, but it really bothered me when a friend once commented how weird it would be to take a picture with "some old guy inside a suit." I don't think about the person inside, just the character. If I want to take a picture with Mickey Mouse, then yes, I'm going to, and YES, he is the real mouse! Every time.

And to all the posters talking about the fact that many kids already know--well, of course! But pretending is part of the fun. Everyone uses their imagination and keeps up the charade for everyone else. Did you ever think that maybe parents aren't just upholding the magic for their kids? They're doing it for themselves, too!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I actually read somewhere (actual CM blogs) that many CM's get both surprised and disappointed when they hear parents saying things such as "is it hot in there?" to characters in costume right in front of a lot of kids. But I still stick with the "what costume?" mentality!

Well a CM can be terminated for saying something like that or even agreeing with a guest who says that so it does make them nervous!

I just don't understand why anyone would need to say something like that? Would you go to the mall and pull off Santa's beard?

 

[2Tiggies]

I just don't understand why anyone would need to say something like that? Would you go to the mall and pull off Santa's beard?

Exactly. My daughter is 8. She had just turned 7 on our last trip and even though she 'knows some things' about characters, she would never make a mention out in public - even in hushed tones. Why? She doesn't want to ruin someone else's experience. So if a kid gets it, I can't see why adults dont.

 

[katemarcail]

I just about live for behind-the-scenes stuff and love figuring out how they do all those little tricks and such ... and would NEVER dream of saying any of it aloud, especially if there's anyone around to overhear, no matter what their age. What's the point? To prove you know that 6' intelligent mice aren't a valid species? Really, if you're an adult and that's your sole way to prove your intelligence ... that's really sad. I find it far, far more fun to play along with it all. After all, we all KNOW that you know that that's not the real Snow White* - so what's the gain in spoiling the fun?

*As we all know, the REAL Snow White lives in Anaheim along with Sleeping Beauty. The real Cinderella is, of course, at the Magic Kingdom since that's where her castle is, though she probably takes summer trips elsewhere to escape the heat. And the real Belle is in Paris. Duh.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I think the term "ruin" is a little strong. But then, some people here think their trip is ruined if they don't get a towel animal or an upgrade, or a free dessert.


I don't recall seeing anyone here saying that they would intentionally "ruin" a kid's trip( I wouldn't even do that to an adult..although I think some need to get a grip) only that they aren't going to be policing every little word out of their mouths.

Whatever...I'm off to kick some puppies. After that, I'm going to hunt down a guy in a Santa suit and pull his beard off..

 

[Suellen]

A little different.... but my 5 year old keeps asking me if things are real.

I don't want to lie to the kid and try to whisper to her.... but I am sure others overhear. It makes me sad she questions it.... but honestly it is in her nature.

 

[wmah]

I was shocked a few years ago when, at the end of the evening, we (along with thousands of other guests) were directed to the "service road" BEHIND the Main Street shops to get the crowds to the exit more quickly. And you can now take a tour of those areas that used to be strictly forbidden to guests. So apparently those rules have been relaxed considerably.

Well since you and me or anyone else can go on to msn.com maps and see a birds eye view of the area behind the magic is it really that shocking?

 

[Planogirl]

I think the term "ruin" is a little strong. But then, some people here think their trip is ruined if they don't get a towel animal or an upgrade, or a free dessert.


I don't recall seeing anyone here saying that they would intentionally "ruin" a kid's trip( I wouldn't even do that to an adult..although I think some need to get a grip) only that they aren't going to be policing every little word out of their mouths.

Whatever...I'm off to kick some puppies. After that, I'm going to hunt down a guy in a Santa suit and pull his beard off..

Be careful. One of the local guys that plays Santa has a real beard. That could hurt!

 

[pookersmom]

I think the real issue is the negativity of the people who persist in making loud, sarcastic comments about how fake it all is -- I'm certainly not going to get offended by people who are just having a conversation that I happened to overhear. But there are those people who are at Disney seemingly against their will who just have to complain, and part of the complaining is the noisy making of negative comments about the characters and other costumed players.

You know, I took my son to WDW for the first time when he was 5, and he's a really smart kid, but I'm not sure he DID realize that the characters were just people in costume. He for sure thought the princesses were real; he didn't even notice when he met two different Snow Whites in two days -- he just saw "Snow White." And then we were having a character dinner at Crystal Palace and he kept petting all the characters like he would have if they were actual animals. I'm sure he realizes it now that he's 9, but he would never say anything about it -- he'll just play along.

 

[KellyNY]

It does not bother us, but we are adults. What bothers me is when people talk on a phone during parades, OK, maybe you are bored, but I am not.

 

[We-R-A-Partyof 5]

Our first trip to DW was with my cousin and her husband who both worked there at the time. My wife asked one of those questions when our daughter was not around and my cousin looked at us and with a sly grin. " What do you mean, another character/person?"

After that we just let the majic flow, and had a care free trip. Just blow off those insufferable know-it-alls....well you could pity them a little.