Kids don't get the magic

[disneyfanforever]

My DS (6) has always loved getting pictures and autographs with the characters. We were recently reading a book (a Junie B. Jones one which is very popular right now) where they state flat out that Mickey is just is costume, a fake. I skipped that part when we were reading it at home but then learned they were going to be reading it at school. Upset as I was, I asked my DS if he believed Mickey was real, he said yes. It broke my heart to tell him that it ws really a guy in a costume but I wanted him to hear it from me rather than have to hear it while at his desk at school. He tried to smile but I could tell he was so upset. I am just so sad. Why would someone write that in a children's book? It just doesn't make any sense. I wonder how much of the magic will be gone when we go back in March. Luckily, I think we are still good on the Santa, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy people so there is still some magic left.

 

[missypie]

My kids had their first Disney vacation at 12, 10 and 7. DS 12 had to bribed to take pictures with the characters but the girls loved them. We didn't give a thought to whether they were "real" or not - we just had a gerat time taking pictures and collecting autographs.

We started our trip with a character dinner ... the kids noticed right off that the face characters can talk and the masked characters can't - so they all had a ball "talking" to Minnie and the like in her own "language."

 

[charabby]

My 2 dds (7 & 5) know they are just people in costumes, but they are excited anyway, just like I am. My older dd just can't handle the idea that they might be 'real' (that scares her), but costumed characters she has no problems with. I have told them that other families like to pretend that they are real and that lots of kids believe they are, so they are not to say anything to spoil it for the other kids. We've encountered Tony the Tiger and they both acted like he's real even though they knew he wasn't. It didn't spoil the magic for them.

Actually, before I began visiting these boards I had no idea that parents were supposed to lead their kids to believe the characters are real so it never occured to me to do so . Anyway, they will enjoy it whether they know they're actors or not.

 

[staylor]

Sometimes I find with my DS -7 that he may be exciting deep down inside but he sure isn't going to show it to me. I'm only his mom after all, what do I know. He always acts so "cool" until we get there, then he's running around with a huge smile on his facing seeing the characters and getting autographs. Therefore deep down I know that he is excited, but probably not as much as me.

 

[missypie]

We're checking into the Disneyland Hotel in CA ... Goofy comes to the lobby ... my two girls' faces light up and they run to him ... DS (12) just stands where he is ... I ask him why he doesn't go to Goofy ... DS says "I don't know what I would say..."

 

[abitjaded]

After watching Beauty and the Beast show at MGM my 5 year old comments: "Oh, that's the show where they blow up all the people and they turn into birds."

Carla

 

[uncle al]

OhMickey, you have struck the nail directly in its center:

"Disney is a place where everyone is transported to a world of make believe. Where everyone is kind, happy, and excited to see you. Everyone cannot help getting caught up in the hoopla. Even skeptical 14 year olds (and I have one) can forget about the pressures of being cool and enjoy Disney for what it is... A tribute to human imagination."

For you Fresh Tressa, I would offer:

You must lead by example!! We have two kids DS 15 & DD 13. They both love WDW - at least I think they do - no, I know they do. They loved it at first because it was Mickey & Minnie & Tigger & Winnie & Chip & Dale, etc... Now they love it because I love it & they see how excited DW & I get about sharing it with them. They see how, when we are at WDW, the focus is on us as a family & just plain having fun with each other. They love it because they know we love it!

In short, you get excited - no get doubly excited & I just have to believe that when they lay those eyes on the Castle or see ToT or Spaceship Earth for the first time - they will understand the magic & they will get a little themselves.

Good luck & don't fret - you just gotta believe, that's all!

 

[AdventurerKat]

That breaks my heart. Kids grow up too fast these days.

My son is almost 4. I hope he believes Mickey and Buzz are real for a little while longer. He gets so excited when he sees them.

 

[sm4987]

My kids know they are not real (DS 7 & DD 4) but love to go to Disney World. They are so excited, and we don't go back for the next 8 months. They have a ball. They love the characters anyway because they think that the people in them are crazy! Our favorite moment was tigger signing their book on my husbands head! They tell everyone about it. They'll have the magic. Believe me.