My neighbor just ruined the magic...

[Benihana]

My 8 year old neighbor just told my 5 year old DD that the princesses we met in Disney were not real. They were just the people that worked there dressed up in costumes. What would you do??? I do not want to lie to her when flat out asked if they are real...but I am not ready to give up the magic yet this soon. We just got back from such a magical trip!

 

[alicat8]

I'd tell her whatever you feel comfortable with. If you "lie" she'll be figuring it out soon enough anyway. I wouldn't feel guilty about what you say either way. 5 year olds are pretty resilient and move onto new things to think about pretty quickly.

 

[1000HappyWishes]

Honestly just explain it in a five year old way. Lying at this point won't really help the situation. The eight year can easily continually tell the five year old if she try to cover it up. She'd fight out at somepoint, anyway.

 

[Benihana]

DD is my oldest. I thought we might have another year or two before we faced this.. I wasnt prepared to have to crush her dreams 3 weeks after our last trip. This with older children, what age did you tell them the truth? How did you go about it?

 

[albarellic]

We explained it the same way we explained mall Santas... one of them is real and you never know if you're going to see the real one or not. Sometimes the princesses get tired and need to take a break, so they have helpers.

 

[luvmy3]

I just want to say that my kids never believed the characters were real, and they have always had a magical time.
I don't know what I would do on that situation because it wasn't something I ever had to go through, just wanted to share that even if she knows the truth her dreams won't be crushed

 

[alicat8]

I just want to say that my kids never believed the characters were real, and they have always had a magical time.
I don't know what I would do on that situation because it wasn't something I ever had to go through, just wanted to share that even if she knows the truth her dreams won't be crushed

This is true. My first trip to Disney was when I was 6, and I never thought any characters were real. It's still magic to me, and I still get my pictures taken with them every trip! (I'm 32)

 

[rebeccam31]

Yes, my 11-year-old most certainly knows the characters aren't real, and she's still delighted to wait in line and meet them. As for what to say, I tend to turn things like this around. ("Oh, that's what 8 yr old neighbor said? Well what do YOU think?") Kids will oftentimes come up with creative explanations and ways to make sense of it themselves.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I'm sorry but I just don't get these types of posts most of the time. Is there a forum that you go on when your kid finds out santa isn't real? What did people do before there was a message board like this?

 

[wilma-bride]

I'm sorry but I just don't get these types of posts most of the time. Is there a forum that you go on when your kid finds out santa isn't real? What did people do before there was a message board like this?

I once posted on the UK Community board here about Santa not being real and got my wrists slapped in case I ruined it for any children who might be reading

 

[dreamcatcherkwe]

I just want to say that my kids never believed the characters were real, and they have always had a magical time.
I don't know what I would do on that situation because it wasn't something I ever had to go through, just wanted to share that even if she knows the truth her dreams won't be crushed

I agree. My 3, 6, and 8 year old all know that it's just pretend. We don't pretend Santa is real either. It's still super fun for all of us. Disney is a magical place anyway.

 

[Capo]

Wait... What do you mean the characters aren't real???

 

[tuesdayswife]

Wait... What do you mean the characters aren't real???

HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!! This is what I was going to say!!!!!!

 

[GoldieLocks5]

my son was 6 on our trip in May and he told me, when his little brothers couldn't hear, that he thought the characters weren't real who had big heads - but the princesses were real bc they can talk. I didn't confirm or deny- I just said "don't say that around your brothers"....

when we were at Disney he never mentioned it and he acted like they were ALL real - I think he forgot what he had "figured out" and the magic took over and he loved meeting characters as if they were truly real.

if he flat out asked me I would tell him that as long as you have magic in your heart they are real.... and sicne he is totally into Disney magic, I think he'll continue to believe for a while.

 

[foxxxy83]

Awww, I REALLY feel for both of you!! I wouldn't have a CLUE what to say! My 6 yr old has figured it out on his own. He was looking at the fancy dress costumes in the catalogue the other day and said "Mummy.. Mickey Mouse is WAY too big to be a REAL mouse! I think it's somebody called Michael pretending to be a mouse. I want to dress up as Superman because I'M SUPER!" Heeheehee! He wasn't asking the question but I just said, "Well honey, I believe Mickey Mouse is a real mouse and I bet he's REALLY nice" and left it at that. He hasn't mentioned it since so I'm not sure what he thinks. Probably that his mum is a looney! Heeheehee!

 

[Moodyzblu]

I agree. My 3, 6, and 8 year old all know that it's just pretend. We don't pretend Santa is real either. It's still super fun for all of us. Disney is a magical place anyway.

Yeah, that's us too.

I know kids believe in Santa .. but I never knew they thought the Disney characters were real. I guess it might come to a shock to them when they find out they've been bamboozled after all this time ! Glad I never had to go through this .. honesty really IS the best policy.

 

[bumbershoot]

I agree. My 3, 6, and 8 year old all know that it's just pretend. We don't pretend Santa is real either. It's still super fun for all of us. Disney is a magical place anyway.

Yep. It's how I grew up (though the reason was mainly my fears and not philosophy) and its how we have raised DS and he has continued to love the characters just as much as the other kids around us.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

My 8 year old neighbor just told my 5 year old DD that the princesses we met in Disney were not real. They were just the people that worked there dressed up in costumes. What would you do??? I do not want to lie to her when flat out asked if they are real...but I am not ready to give up the magic yet this soon. We just got back from such a magical trip!

My now 5 year old figured that out herself around age 3-4. She asked me about it and I just tried to play it off and not outright lie. She continued to ask repeatedly if there are people in the costumes, so finally I just said yes. She still loves Disney and the princesses though and it didn't seem to cause any loss of magic

 

[hffrn]

That's horrible

 

[Megkel]

My daughter was terrified of the characters and wouldn't go up to them. I'm not sure when exactly she figured it out but once she realized they were just people she was a lot more comfortable. She now loves going and getting her picture taken and autographs. She acts as if she doesn't know they are only people in costume. It might not ruin it for her at all. Just let it blow over and see how she is on your next trip. When she is standing in front of her favorite character she won't even think it's someone in a costume.