Silly question...How do you explain to your child WHY Mickey/Minnie, etc. can't talk?

[oilergirl]

I know all the "face characters" can talk (the princess, etc.)...but how do I explain to my young daughter why characters like Mickey/Minnie/Pooh/Baloo, etc. can't talk? She told me that's one of the things she's most excited about...seeing talking mice/bears., etc. Ummm....now what? Any ideas what I can say? Silly question, I know...but she WILL ask. I just know it.

Thanks!

 

[sonnyjane]

Wow! I can honestly say this never crossed my mind. When I was young and went to character breakfasts or saw them around the park, it never occurred to me! Kind of like how when we went to the mall and saw the "Easter Bunny", I never really wondered why he didn't talk, just got caught up in the moment I guess!

How old is your daughter?

 

[oilergirl]

She's 5 and still believes in the "Disney magic" of talking animals. She's young enough to still think they are "magical" animals but old enough that she'll notice that they don't talk...since she keeps talking about how cool it'll be to see talking animals. I was thinking of saying that they only talk in the actual movies...but then we are going to Fantasmic and she'll see Mickey talk there. So...not sure what to say.

 

[sonnyjane]

She's 5 and still believes in the "Disney magic" of talking animals. She's young enough to still think they are "magical" animals but old enough that she'll notice that they don't talk...since she keeps talking about how cool it'll be to see talking animals. I was thinking of saying that they only talk in the actual movies...but then we are going to Fantasmic and she'll see Mickey talk there. So...not sure what to say.

I would say that they only talk in movies or during shows, because they have to conserve their voices!

 

[oilergirl]

Oh that's a good idea! Thanks!

Knowing my daughter, she'll likely try to coax them into saying something anyway!

 

[Casken]

Oilergirl, are you an Edmontonian? If so, so am I. Nice to see another Canadian on here.

I would tell her that they get sore throats from talking to all the kids all day and have to give their voice a rest for making their t.v. shows.

 

[oilergirl]

Sure am! Well just outside of Edmonton actually!

Thanks for the advice and enjoy your trip! 1 more day....how exciting!!!

 

[bbangel]

I'm from Edmonton originally and am still an Oilers fan at heart.

You could also say that they are a bit shy when meeting new people but then she may wonder why they will hug her...

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I've wondered why more kids have not asked this in the past (fully anticipating the question from my own DDs), but I think the characters appear so expressive in their movements that they leave the impression that they did speak aloud.

 

[debdreamsofdis]

I think when your daughter asks that question you should say "I don't know. Why do YOU think they don't talk?" and then agree with her answer. That technique has saved me many times!

 

[disheadz]

We told DS4 that they aren't real and that people are inside. Oddly, that didn't lessen his desire to see them at all. But that's just us...

 

[PurpleSurfer]

We told DS4 that they aren't real and that people are inside. Oddly, that didn't lessen his desire to see them at all. But that's just us...

Our 4 year old was apprehensive (and we had 4 charachter meals planned) so I did tell her that it was just a dude in a suit. I never thought of lying about that? Oops! They wern't any less real? somehow?

My 1.5 year old was just plain terrified and I would warn whoever in the suit that she was really upset when they touched her and they would nod that big head probably glad not to get reported for making the kids scream!

 

[StageTek]

A few of years ago I took my nieces (5 and 8) to Disneyland.
I was amazed when the next day they were both telling their
mom (my sister) about the conversation they had with Tigger
. He said this and he said that.

My sister even asked me later if the rules about the characters
talking had changed. The girls we so convinced they heard
Tigger talk.

 

[sonnyjane]

I think when your daughter asks that question you should say "I don't know. Why do YOU think they don't talk?" and then agree with her answer. That technique has saved me many times!

HAHAH! I don't have kids yet, but when I do, I am definitely going to use this tactic! Great!

 

[IBLarsen]

My DD asked this question last year at age 3. I was so shocked, I didn't have a response. She came up with her own explanation and I went along with it. I honestly don't remember what she thought, but I was still trying to think of something in my head in case it kept going! You are smart to have a game plan ahead of time!

 

[lattemomof3]

We went on a Disney cruise in Jan., and dd3 enjoyed the characters very much, but never asked me why they didn't speak. While watching Mickey Mouse clubhouse on tv this week, she turned to me and said "see mom, I KNEW they could talk!" I might have some explaining to do in a few months @ disneyland!

 

[Anater]

I put this question to the forum before our last trip, just in case our four year old asked. We got some great answers, my favorite was that they need to save their voices. My son did ask, and we explained that they needed their voices for the TV shows, movies and parades. He actually responded, "Well, I don't think that they're real". Ummmm, ok. This year we will be there for his 6th birthday so I'm pretty sure any doubts he had, are definitely gone by now. Looking back, I wish we had asked him what he thought, and taken his lead. I had visions of grandeur that he would be mesmerized by the characters, but he really couldn't have cared less. He just wanted to ride the Matterhorn and Space Mtn

 

[kylieh]

My DD was just 6 last year and we she thought they were all real before our trip but changed her mind while we there there. Nothing too shocking for her, but we were going to ask "what do you think" and go from there. Face characters are different though. She is turning 7 tomorrow and believes they are the real deal - and Aurora lends out bedrooms to the other Princesses so they can stay for "work."

 

[Sparkleshine]

I think my DS (turned 4 the next week) was just so in shock of their size that he didn't even realize that they didn't talk!

 

[MyMonkies]

At this point nobody has asked!