It finally happened...

[princess aurora]

My daughter told me the characters at Disney are not "real". She said they are people dressed up in costumes. I was a little heart broken but kept my composure. I've read a few stories like this one on here before.

I just told her if that's what she wants to believe she can but I believe in the magic and pixie dust of Disney and to me they are real.

It's such a short time that they really are in awe! She does however still think the princesses are "real" b/c they are live people. After this next trip I think it'll be time to take a break from the Disney mania that has been surrrounding our house and perhaps time to plan a different sort of family vacation.

 

[minkydog]

Your little girl is growing up. It's gonna be okay, Mom.

 

[Martha7]

Just don't believe it when they say the same thing about Santa!

 

[traci]

Reading your post made me want to reach out and give you a hug

We are about to take our very first trip to Disney World. Our first of many with our children. Our son will be 22 months at the time and our daughter only 8 months. I can't wait to see my little boys eyes light up when he see's Mickey
Although they are young and will never remember this first trip, I will, and I can hardly wait. As they get older I am excited to watch them interact even more with the characters. I too will be a bit sad the day they come to me and tell me they are "not real."

Your post is just a simple reminder of how precious these years are. Enjoy all of the wonderful memories you have so far, and look forward to the ones you will have

 

[LisaBi]

There are times I love the fact that my DS12 has Down Syndrome. Right now he still loves all the characters and thinks they are real - but he also likes the "big kid" ridse like SM. But he told me "no eat with princess - they kiss me" for this upcoming trip. Last trip he was in awe of the kisses from Jasmine, Mary Poppins, and Sleeping Beauty at CRT - but this time seems to be to shy/embarrased to get kisses!

LisaB

 

[Micca]

Not to worry, the Disney magic will still work. About three years ago on one of our trips, one of my DDs decided she wanted to get her picture taken with as many characters as possible. Even though we had been to the parks many times, and she was 19 years old, it didn't matter. She believed.

 

[cascarlet]

WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE CHARACTERS AREN'T REAL??

It is still as magical as ever for me and I'm 37 and I know there are "people" in the costumes.

Don't worry mom..the magic will still be there

Marianne

 

[rosiejo]

I was about 9 the first time I went to DisneyLand - and I knew the characters weren't real, but that didn't stop us going on holiday there... don't change your holiday destination, she's just getting old enough to appreciate the real Disney magic :0)

 

[melanie03ok]

I'm sorry but if it makes you feel any better, we had to tell our 5yo dd that the characters were people in costume. Otherwise, there was no way she would go near them and would try to climb up either me or her dad whenever she saw one within 100 feet of her (kind of comical to have a 5yo trying to get as high up as possible and many times I've had her sitting propped agains my chest while clutching my head).

 

[Thinktinknpixiedust]

My kids are always trying to tell me Tinker belle isn't real, their only proof is that stupid wire that comes out of the castle window... I just keep saying that it is a very long clothes line that the characters use after it closes... sometimes I almost think that they are starting to believe me!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Our first trip was in January of this year. DS was 8 (has turned 9 now) and he knew the characters weren't, well, quite what they appeared to be!

But he didn't care when we got there! He was just as caught up in the characters as younger kids. He had a blast. And when we got home he said "You know, I sort of forgot they weren't real."

It can still work out!

 

[agnes!]

I always try to tell the characters that I think that they are angels. Every single one one of them seems to appreciate the thought.

agnes!

 

[*Sooner Girl*]

I'm 24 years old and still love the characters. Here's a tip for the older kids too, I remember watching something on TV once about the characters at Disney and the people who play them. There are tons of characters and each one of them has to learn how to sign their name the same, talk the same, etc to try and keep the magic alive. Kuddos to these people who keep us "big kids" guessing...

 

[Angelgirl13202]

What do you mean the Characters arnt real? No it cant be True!

THe wire is to guide tinkerbelle so she wont get lost
and Prince Charming wanted Cable tv so He could watch ESPN!

 

[Wishes]

Princess Aurora - Don't give up going to Disney just because your kids have figured out the characters aren't "real"! We started going to WDW when my kids were 5 and 9. They're 14 and 18 now and we swear that every time we go it just keeps getting better and better! Of course they no longer believe the characters are "real" but that doesn't stop them from getting autographs and pictures with them (well, the 18 year old doesn't actually do the autograph book anymore but we still get a picture with him and some of the characters each trip!). I think the magic of the characters has grown as my kids have gotten older.

 

[plutolovr]

Here, here! My kids now 19, (20 in Aug.), and 17 yo twins, still love DW. Took my 19yo and her college friends to DL in March, and she still gets giddy around characters. My son still gets embarrassed when Cindy or some other princess gives him a kiss. It's great fun.

I think if they're brought up on Disney they will keep the magic alive. We are planning another full family trip (we haven't been there altogether since 2000, but have been in various groupings 5 or 6 times since) in October. The kids love to plan, they are trying to decide on costumes for MNNSHP and insisted we do HDDR.

Keep taking your kids to DW, they will learn to appreciate the other things about the world and will carry the magic through to their adulthood and pass it on to their kids.

 

[princess aurora]

You know what you're all right!!!! It is the magic of the place that I love ...I'm a little older than my daughter and I still get so excited to see characters and just love the interactions as well a all the "hidden secrets" you can discover around the World. This last time it was finding hidden Mickey's both DDs 6 & 3 just loved it and found them everywhere. Now with them maturing to the ripe old ages of 7 & 4 I think I'll look for another "extra magic" type of activity. Any suggestions?

Thank you DIS friends !

 

[AngieBelle]

Just because a child knows the truth doesn't mean they don't believe in the magic! When you go see a play, don't you believe in the characters? Aren't you rooting for the hero to win and the villian to lose? And yet, you know these are characters being performed by actors- you can read all about them in the program! Heck, when we see animated films, we are feeling emotions for drawings on paper, and we know it, but we don't care! Disney characters in the parks are the same way. The performers are actors. Our job is to make the experience seem totally believable and real no matter what the actual circimstances!

Tell your child that the spirits of the characters are very real, and even if that's not really them in body, the spirits of the characters take over the performers and turn them into the real thing. Maybe the Mickey standing before you is not physically the real Mickey, but emotionally and spiritual he is.

I'm 23, and I still love meeting the characters! I didn't even start doing it until I was 15. I don't do it so much at WDW anymore since I work with them and many of them know me personally, so it's not quite the same experience. However, if I ever get to return to Disneyland on the other coast, you know I'll be having pictures taken with them again!

 

[dpuck1998]

I know its been said 10 times already. But I agree with them all My 6 year old now realizes they are just people in costumes, but he still loves them just the same. We talk about what is real and what is (as he calls it) "Hollywood". He loves to play star wars etc but gets that its all pretend. He loves Disney the same way and now enjoys the big rides as much as seeing the characters. There is so much magic at Disney beyond the characters that no matter how old I think its still as magical as an adult.

Sidenote, after several Disney vacations I spent last week in Hawaii. While it was a blast and we had fun I couldn't help but think how much more fun we have at Disney!!

 

[princess aurora]

AngieBelle you are so weet! It makes total sense and while I was a little disappointed at her "discovery" I know she will love to see all the characters once we get there again.

I love Disney and dpuck1998 you're right another vacation is nice but you just can't help thinnking disney is the ultimate! I'm so excited to be going back!

Hey get this... my 2 DDs are playing Disney right now. Minnie Mouse and the Princesses are playing some sort of game.