Preparing a toddler for disney

[HPotter]

How do you ease the anxiety of a toddler for meeting the characters? Are there any good live videos to help prep them to meet the characters?

 

[Drizzo67]

The first year we went I ordered the planning video offered on the WDW website. It showed lots of interesting information and kids interacted with characters at meals and in parks. Eased my DD right into it. She couldn't wait to meet Minnie, Mickey and Goofy. After that it was easy. Hope this helps.

 

[mjkaferle5]

My 4 year old twins are very afraid of any type of mascot!!

 

[Minnie824]

check in the area if there are any places characters may be prior to your trip. We went in Feb to Chicago, Radio Disney sponsored something and they were there. Our 3.5 yr old is more shy than the 1 yr old, but both did great, and got hugs and pictures, so I think we'll be set for trip. We've also taken the older one (and prior to the trip we'll all go) to Disney on Ice where they'll see the characters too.

 

[Mr Poohbrain]

Get the Disneyland Sing Along Video (sometimes it's called "Disneyland, It's a Small World").

Anyway, it's circa 1989-90 and only available on VHS, but it has the "live" characters (as opposed to cartoon drawings) singing songs all over Magic Kingdom.

We got a copy from our local library, then DS loved it so much that I went out on e-bay and bought our own copy.

DS was 2 last year when he made his 1st visit, and I think that the tape really helped him with the live characters. He was shy at first, but really warmed up after the first 10 minutes in the park.

Mrs. PB

 

[disneymom225]

We've been watching the planning video and when we see a character-I remind DD that they are as big as mommy & daddy. I don't think she understands that (only 17 months) but we try! I also have soem character breakfasts planned so she can look before she decides if she wants to go see them.
I also like the person who said to find some mascots in your area. I may do that too!

 

[Goofy4]

Get the Disneyland Sing Along Video (sometimes it's called "Disneyland, It's a Small World").

Anyway, it's circa 1989-90 and only available on VHS, but it has the "live" characters (as opposed to cartoon drawings) singing songs all over Magic Kingdom.

We did this as well. Worked Great. Except on one of the videos we always had to fast foreward through any villians. We knew to stay away from those on the trip.

Also, we made the mistake of going on the Pirates of Carribean. (We had forgotten what is was like) Our 3 year old was terrified. We rushed him on to Dumbo as soon as we were done. It erased any bad memories. (He is now 9 and doesn't remember the bad experience)

Good Luck!

 

[HappyMommy2]

I played the planning video for our then-toddlers and talked a lot to them about how the characters would look, act, etc. Also, at local sporting events we would point out the mascots and say that was sort of like what some of the characters at WDW would be like.

Just remember, kids don't have to meet characters at WDW if they don't want to. It is very easy to avoid the characters--in fact, you have to seek them out if you DO want to meet them. As long as you don't go to a character meal, the characters aren't going to be coming right up to your kids out of the blue (unlike at Chuck E Cheese, where yesterday I saw a mom perpetually moving her timid toddler around the restaurant to avoid being "met" by the wandering Chuck E!

If your kids turn out to not be ready to meet the characters, don't worry--there are plenty of other opportunities for fun at WDW!

 

[rchristiansen]

Every kid is different I have found. Last year my DD (2 at the time) ran right up to the characters. I'm sure she will again this year. However one year she was afraid of the Easter Bunny and freaked out at Santa Claus.

I think because the characters are familiar to them then it's a little less scary. Also, start with the "Face" characters -- They are the characters wihtout masks on -- the ones like Cinderella, Snow White, etc.

 

[MagicLovinMama]

Last summer when my son was 3, we took him to Chuck E Cheese a couple of times to get him accustomed to the idea of costumed characters. That was all it took for him to have the courage to go right up to Mickey and give him five when he saw him.

 

[dismom9761]

I am going to try to get that video and see if it helps.My youngest will 18 mths old.We went in April and she was terrified of all the characters except Mickey .

 

[pbharris4]

If he/she sees you hugs them or an older sibling it may show them that they aren't harmful. My older DD was terrified of ANY life size characters and watched DIsney all the time. She was like that at 2. She's 9 now. My 2 yo sees them on TV and we go on Playhouse Disney on the web as well. Last year she was scared )she was 13 months) this year she LOVED them! She wouldn't run up to them, but when they came to us my older DD would hug them and they would extend a hand to my 2 yo and she would smile from ear to hear and shake hands and blow kisses. I was surprised. We didn't plan it that way it just happened. I would suggest that because when they see it's ok for you to hug then they will too.

 

[SuzieQMomof3]

We took my then 14 month-old last September. Her first interaction with a character was at 1900 Park Fair, by Pooh himself (her favorite). She was clearly unsure about it and looked scared, like she was about to cry. I started quietly singing the Winnie the Pooh song, then the whole table sang it while Pooh danced. The smile on her face was priceless! That was the end of her apprehension regarding the characters.

My point is, that most kids (but not all) take their cues from the parents.

That brought up a great memory for me. Thanks!

 

[Mr Poohbrain]

However one year she was afraid of the Easter Bunny and freaked out at Santa Claus.

Ohhhhhhh..............DS(3) HATES Santa and the EB. The only pictures we have of him where he's not crying/screaming with either of them is when he was an infant (3-6mos).

Now, Disney charecters on the other hand................hasn't met one he didn't like (though we haven't made a point of meeting any of the villians).

We "started out" with Pooh and the gang (softer and cuddlier) and then worked up to Mickey, Goofy, Duck, etc. He doesn't have much interest in the face characters - maybe they're to "real" and therefore, not interesting??


Mrs. PB

 

[KarenW]

We also love the sing-along Disneyland video. I sometimes have to convince my son to watch it so I can get my Disney fix!! One thing we neglected to do was explain to ds3 that the animatronics were not real. He was pirate obsessed at the time, so we thought he would love POC. He was terrified. It was not till after that we realized why - he asked us why they were shooting at us. The poor thing thought he was going to die!! This year I checked out an Epcot book from the library that shows some of the animatronics being created. Some might say this is ruining the magic, but if it keeps him from being scared that's all I care about. And I know they are not real and it doesn't ruin the magic for me!

 

[rt2dz]

I think in reality, there really isn't anything you can do to prepare them. Except for taking them to see Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny, etc. I just think if you have a child who ends up being afraid of them, just walk away. Don't try and push it. Maybe offer them another chance later on. Eventually they'll come around. I think the more you push, the longer it may take.

My neice was terrified of any of the characters from the time shortly before turning 2 until the age of 7; she only liked them from a distance. One of my DS's started the trip terrified of all characters and at the end of the week loved the costumed characters, never did warm up to the face characters. My other DS was always in love with all characters.