Planning Dec trip-how do explain the different Santas?

[lovesdumbo]

Planning a Dec trip with my DS(5). I really looking forward to seeing all the Christmas decorations, Osborne lights and Santas from around the world at Epcot. We've always told the kids that Santa visits all the kids around the world. How do I explain the different Santas?

I know I'm probably worrying about this too much. I should probably just let him "expain" it to himself but I'd like to have some sort of response to his questions.

Thanks for all advice.

 

[F1Julie]

DD6 has always believed that you never really meet the real Santa because he is too busy at the North Pole. She thinks that all the different mall Santas are stand-in's for the real Santa.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Thanks! I was thinking more that the Santas from around the world at Epcot would look different but I should have done more research before I started to worry. Only the German St Nicholas looks anything like a "Santa". I think DS will enjoy hearing about the different traditions and I don't think it will generate too many questions.

 

[kirstiebird]

Last year, my children were 3 & 4 and never even questioned the varying "Santas" -- Disney is quite adept in keeping it low key -- they don't even claim to be "Santa Claus." Quite frankly, I think my children thought those fellas were simply ethnic uber elfs! You'll be fine and your children will have a blast and I would second the post about stand-in mall santas...

 

[twinz]

If they ask tell them due to different weather climates, or fashion trends around the world that's why "santa" dresses the way he does, it is still the same person, he just changes clothes.

 

[rgribik]

We have always gone with the Santa is very busy, so he needs special helpers to get your lists, ideas, ect.. and you will never know if the one you are talking to is "the Santa" or one of his helpers. So my kids are always taking bets on the Santas that they see... "I think he was the ONE!" or "no, that was just a helper." It's fun to watch them looking at the Santas like they have something to hide!

 

[ch261]

We were there last December, and had so much fun with this! Two of my sons were 2 and 6, and neither one questioned the Santas at all. They do look different from our traditional Santa, and they even call themselves different names, like Pere Noel and Father Christmas. My favorite was the Canadian one, who they didn't even realize was Santa until the end of his show, after he added all his garb! Many countries didn't have a Santa, but another type of storyteller, like a woman in Japan talking about their New Year celebration and the three kings in Mexico. Very cool. Have fun!

 

[LuvOrlando]

We have always gone with the Santa is very busy, so he needs special helpers to get your lists, ideas, ect.. and you will never know if the one you are talking to is "the Santa" or one of his helpers. So my kids are always taking bets on the Santas that they see... "I think he was the ONE!" or "no, that was just a helper." It's fun to watch them looking at the Santas like they have something to hide!

This has worked for me too.

Thank goodness we talked about the helper situation before something happened or it could have ruined the magic. When DSwas 5 & DD was 4 we went to DH's co X-mas party and 'Santa' must have gotten very hot because he tugged at his beard in front of all the kids and some saw it was fake. Thankfully my 2 kids had an 'all knowing' glint in their eyes after the event. They calmly explained to me & DH that this Santa's helper wasn't very good and would probably be in trouble with the elves for his mistake. They think he is now just making the toys with the rest of Santa's elves

 

[fws]

Everyone knows the real Santa is magical, so our family have never seen the real one, but there have to be loads of helpers from all over the world to take the children's messages back to the North Pole.