is it possible to plan/ schedule a "magical moment?"

[stacecakes]

My daughter, 6 1/2, has been taking violin lessons for a couple of years now. And she's in kind of a strange place with music- on the one hand, she's got all of the basics down and is moving into areas of more tricky technique, which is cool, but means that progress doesn't feel like it's coming as fast as it did before. So I've been working with her to find the smaller victories/ accomplishments to keep her feeling motivated. Recently, we watched Cinderella. When we got to the scene where the stepsisters are practicing their rendition of "sing sweet nightingale"- I said see- even the wicked stepmother makes the girls take lessons- you're not the only one! She replied that she could do a better job with the song on her violin than they did. (making songs sound "pretty" ad "polished" is a refinement we've been putting a lot of time into). And so, with a little bit of puzzling ( and many replays of the tune via youtube) she figured out how to play it on her violin.

And in her mother's mind a dream was born. She and I are going to WDW to run the Royal family 5k in february. I have a dinner scheduled at 1900 park fare with cinderella and the rest of the family. I would LOVE to have DD bring her violin and play for Lady Tremaine or Cinderella, or in a perfect world, have the stepsisters sing along ( I have had them break into song at a character interaction before- it remains one of my all time favorite WDW memories). DD is generally somewhat shy at character interactions. She'll smile, hand over an autograph book, go for a hug, but doesn't talk much, even to her favorites. This would be a great way for her to break the ice and would help boost her confidence in both the violin and in her shyness.

I'm wondering if it would be possible to contact 1900 park fare to somehow try to set this up a little in advance. I know it's a little out of the ordinary and I don't want to make excessive demands on characters in what must be a busy evening of tablehopping- trying to get around to everyone. Anyone have a suggestion on what I could do?

thanks!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

My daughter, 6 1/2, has been taking violin lessons for a couple of years now. And she's in kind of a strange place with music- on the one hand, she's got all of the basics down and is moving into areas of more tricky technique, which is cool, but means that progress doesn't feel like it's coming as fast as it did before. So I've been working with her to find the smaller victories/ accomplishments to keep her feeling motivated. Recently, we watched Cinderella. When we got to the scene where the stepsisters are practicing their rendition of "sing sweet nightingale"- I said see- even the wicked stepmother makes the girls take lessons- you're not the only one! She replied that she could do a better job with the song on her violin than they did. (making songs sound "pretty" ad "polished" is a refinement we've been putting a lot of time into). And so, with a little bit of puzzling ( and many replays of the tune via youtube) she figured out how to play it on her violin.

And in her mother's mind a dream was born. She and I are going to WDW to run the Royal family 5k in february. I have a dinner scheduled at 1900 park fare with cinderella and the rest of the family. I would LOVE to have DD bring her violin and play for Lady Tremaine or Cinderella, or in a perfect world, have the stepsisters sing along ( I have had them break into song at a character interaction before- it remains one of my all time favorite WDW memories). DD is generally somewhat shy at character interactions. She'll smile, hand over an autograph book, go for a hug, but doesn't talk much, even to her favorites. This would be a great way for her to break the ice and would help boost her confidence in both the violin and in her shyness.

I'm wondering if it would be possible to contact 1900 park fare to somehow try to set this up a little in advance. I know it's a little out of the ordinary and I don't want to make excessive demands on characters in what must be a busy evening of tablehopping- trying to get around to everyone. Anyone have a suggestion on what I could do?

thanks!

I suppose you could call ahead and ask if this could be done. I would just wonder if it would cause a lot of stress and anxiety for your DD? If she's on the shy side, would she be comfortable standing up and playing in front of a restaurant full of people? Would she sit anxiously through dinner, knowing that she would be getting up to play when the characters came over? You know her best and can better predict how she might react. If it would make her anxious during an event that should otherwise be fun and relaxing, then I think I would skip it.

 

[NotTheBatesMotel]

I suppose you could call ahead and ask if this could be done. I would just wonder if it would cause a lot of stress and anxiety for your DD? If she's on the shy side, would she be comfortable standing up and playing in front of a restaurant full of people? Would she sit anxiously through dinner, knowing that she would be getting up to play when the characters came over? You know her best and can better predict how she might react. If it would make her anxious during an event that should otherwise be fun and relaxing, then I think I would skip it.

This. I was extremely shy and in band from 3rd grade through my senior year of high school. This type of scenario (playing solo in a restaurant) would have made me incredibly anxious. That being said, she is your daughter and you know her best!

 

[stacecakes]

She's an odd one- it's not that she's nervous or scared, more like tongue tied. Not spontaneous at all, even when it comes to people we are somewhat familiar with (local librarians, grocer cashiers, etc). So for a normal character meet & greet we try to come up with a question to ask ahead of time, sometimes writing it down in the autograph book so she remembers it at the right moment. Performing generally isn't an issue because it's something she's practiced, so she'll slip into the groove easily. She's done a bunch of recitals and a couple children's theater things.So in the brief "wouldn't it be funny if" conversation we had the other night, she liked the idea that she would have a "plan" for when she met Tremaine/ stepsisters, who might otherwise be intimidating to her.

My hope is to somehow forewarn/ make contact with the character organizer for 1900 Park fare so that they aren't surprised and are better able to go along with a random kid with an instrument. That way they'd be more welcoming. Does that make sense? But who would I contact?

 

[Schmeck]

Disney has a policy about 'performance' on property, so don't be surprised if you get a big NO. It includes children as well as adults, so there's very little wiggle room.

Also, think of the many other families there - and be kind to how loud/long she plays, if she is allowed to play at all. Even considered the sound when practicing in the hotel room?

 

[Allison]

I really doubt it would be possible to set up anything ahead of time. I don't think Disney is going to get into having the characters have "set" things they need to do with individual guests at meals.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Mom, And what a horrible precent it coud set for Disney restaurants and characters

I think you need to let this one go

 

[Skywalker]

I don't see this as being a good idea. I know your daughter is special to you, and you would love to encourage her in violin, but, there are thousands of kids at Disney. I wouldn't think it would be feasible to set up "magical moments" like that...only in the TV commercials. lol

 

[Miumiu4me]

Disney has a policy about 'performance' on property, so don't be surprised if you get a big NO. It includes children as well as adults, so there's very little wiggle room.

Also, think of the many other families there - and be kind to how loud/long she plays, if she is allowed to play at all. Even considered the sound when practicing in the hotel room?

A kid playing an instrument in a crowded restaurant is probably going to annoy the other guests. Maybe she can plan to talk about her music with them instead?

 

[hsmamato2]

I think a better possibility would be for you to video her on your phone,then ask to show it to the character when they come to your table,and see what happens. and No, I don't think setup stuff is nearly as 'magical' as stuff that just sort of happens.