It finally happened...

[MycatlovesEeyore]

You mean the characters are not real? I am 35 today and I never knew that!

We go one to two times a year, and I forget everytime I interact with them that they are not "real" It will break my heart when one day my 2 yearold DD says those words to me, not to mention when my 1 monthold DD does. As I have told many people, these early are trips are for me to enjoy my girls with the characters. The later trips are for them.

 

[The Fallen Angel]

Sometimes I think that we kinda underrate our kids in their process of thinking. I work in WDW, and when I overhear a kid say something to that nature, I don't acknoledge it unless it it directed to me or at me. When it is, I pull them over to the side and tell them in full confidence, "OK, you may know the 'truth' about them, that's fine, but please, whatever you do, don't ruin it for everyone else." I also say that to people who are very loud at the fact they don't "believe" in it.

I have seen lots of 5 year olds and of the like who even pull me aside and tell me the characters aren't real. LOL I love to have conversations with those kids, the're fun.

 

[2nd childhood]

My DS will be turning 5 during our September trip and he is very inquisitive to say the least. When we were there last December he decided they were not real (I was so sad, a bit of disney awe had been lost), but fortunately he still believes the Princesses are real. He's had a super crush on Cinderella since our visit when he had just turned 3. We sometimes watch the vacation videos and he always mentions how she likes him much more than Prince Charming.

 

[cjb71870]

I may sound like an idiot. I don't have children for the main reason, my husband and I are frequent guests to the parks. Family and friends say that's why we have the perfect life for kids. But, we don't. Still in my heart I get excited seeing Mickey! I believe in Others also!! It's all in the heart!!! I was btought to the park when I was young. But, I still believe!!!

 

[Glendamax]

WAIT! The characters aren't real?!!! They are just people in suits?!!! Cinderella and Snow White are real though . . . right?

 

[LadyDulcinea1]

Not being a mother I'm sure I can't understand exactly how you feel, but I can sympathize.

I'm 21 and I still loved Disney, even though I know the "truth". Somehow when you're in the parks it doesn't matter, you just get caught up in the magic! Jus think, now you'll be able to start exploring a whole other side of the world! Maybe try a behind the scenes tour!

 

[ZIPBAGS]

It was tough for me when my oldest DD (10) wanted me to take down her Princess posters....She is a total tween now. So I go to her..."I guess since you don't want Disney posters or sheets. You don't want to go to DW?" She was like are you crazy??? She loves Disney and wants to go all of the time.

 

[WeLoveThePoly]

It's bittersweet when your little one grows up. My DD will be 8 this month and after our trip last October she sat me down and gently told me that the characters aren't real - they are just people in costumes. It was so cute because she was being so sweet about it - she didn't want to dissapoint ME by breaking the news that the characters weren't real.

She does, however, believe the face characters - like the princesses - are real. At least I still have that for now.

Debbie

 

[heatherfeather24]

The characters have never been real for me (even when I was little -- first trip at age 6), nor has finding them or seeing them ever been any interest of mine. That said, I DISNEY and can't wait to go back every single time.

Disney is different things for different people. So, even if your daughter is no longer interested in characters (maybe she will be, maybe she won't -- who knows, right? ), it doesn't mean that Disney won't still be a wonderful, magical place.