*Sniff* Characters Question... parents help!

[magicmato]

This will be our first time staying on property with our kids. I was hoping to do a character meal at least once during our stay, since DD will be 4 and our other will be almost 2.

Today, DD4 came to me and told me how she was hoping to see characters... then proceeded to explain to me how they are just pretend and they are just people in costumes! WHAT?

I asked her how she knew that and she just shrugged and said she just knew.

So my question: Is it still worth attending a meal or should we just try and catch the characters in the parks? Also, is there a meal that is better for someone who is savvy and knows what the deal is? And finally, is there a meal that would be better for DD2? She is fairly calm and patient, but has a limit, lol.

I know, it is all up to me in the end, but the meals are so darn expensive and I want to find out how other people who have actually BEEN to them would handle it.

Thanks,

Margaret

 

[Maureenmouse]

My 5 yo DD told me the same thing. I was a bit upset, but when we got to Disney, she really enjoyed all of the characters. I have a almost 3 YO who believed in all the magic. We told our 5 yo that everything is magical in Disney World, and she seemed to agree. Her favorite character meal was the Princess dinner in Norway. We went to Chef Mickeys, 1900 Park Fare and Crystal Palace as well all for dinner. (we had the dining plan.) My 2 yo loved Pooh and friends at the Crystal Palace. If she's doubting characters in costume, then she'll probably like the princesses most as they can talk and look REAL.

 

[monymony3471]

Just because she's putting it together doesn't mean she won't feel the magic once it's in front of her. My 8 and 6 year old thought going to Crystal palace for their sister was going to be boring. Who was there to get autographs and pose with their sister for pictures? Of course, the boys.

I think you might regret it if you don't.

 

[kitn]

You should go to a charactor meal. I would go to either the Crystal Palace breakfast or Crt. I dont think you will regret going. The charactor meals are nice because you get individual time with the charactors. If you only see the charactors in the parks you may have a long line to stand in and they may rush you. Go to the resturant board to get ideas of what meal would be best for you.

 

[oogieboogie]

my 7yr old son said the same thing the first time we went to WDW 2 years ago but you know what... he still gets totally excited when he sees Mickey, Chip & Dale or Goofy. Some he really didn't care for, but the ones he did, he still goes and hugs them, or gives them high fives.

 

[crisi]

Congrats on having a smart kid. I've known intellectually Mickey is "just a guy (probably a girl actually) in costume" for years and it doesn't seem to make a bit of difference to my heart when I see him.

Our kids have always known, because we told them. My son was scared of characters at 3, and knowing they were people playing dress up at least got him into the picture (even if he still never got too close). Despite this, they are thrilled to see characters in the parks.

 

[LovnMickey]

We went in April and my DD (age 5) knew that the big characters were just people dressed up. She still had a blast with them getting their autographs and pictures. Now the princesses are something else...DD says they are the real thing and are actually princesses and not just regular people. With that said...she loved eating breakfast at CRT with "the real things"!!! HA HA!!!

I would still attend the character breakfast b/c I think they're enjoyable for everyone....even adults

 

[minkydog]

My kids never went through a phase of "believing" in the characters. However, it doesn't detract from the magic at all. We have done one character breakfast(Chef Mickeys) and it was a blast! We got way more character interaction there than we would have in the park.

We have run into several princesses at CRT and that is always gratifying, because they can talk. One year we met Snow White and my DD,then8, fell in love with her. Later at the night parade we saw Snow White and she came over to us, kissed DD on the head and said,"Oh, there you are! I've been looking for you!" It totally made her whole trip!

 

[WINTER]

Absolutely you should go. They are a lot of fun. I know they are people and I enjoyed it. I have a fantastic picture of Chip feeding my 9 mo old and it is priceless.

 

[Jacksmom99]

My DS6 just told me that he knows the characters aren't real because they're robots! I loved that one. He really gets that the Disney magic extends to technology! I definitely think you should go to the character meal, the kids will have fun regardless and so will you! I get caught up in the magic when I see the characters!

 

[disneyfreak74]

I am 30ish and I STILL get giddy when Tigger comes up to me at Crystal Palace!!! So does my 14 year old sister!!! Disney just gives you magic and a reason to believe!!!!

Sending some PIXIE DUST your way!!! Do the character dining!!!

 

[maxaroni]

Go! I know it's crushing as a parent to hear those words from our child(ren) but once there, it is wonderful. You wont't be disappointed. My ds12 still wants to go to Chef Mickey's!

 

[magicmato]

OMG, you guys are awesome!

I was thinking: boy, she will really not enjoy herself knowing the truth, but I guess you are right, imagination can make up for the knowing what is behind the mask.

What are people's ideas on the differences between PSB and CRT? I was thinking a late breakfast or an early lunch, since my (will be) 2 year old is a very early riser. (Can you say: up every day by 6am, whether I want to be or not? lol)

I also was always tempted by the restaurant in the Land (hubby and my favorite ride in epcot - have not been back since the changes We never tried it before, as we always just grabbed counter service when we went before the kids.

Has anyone tried this character lunch before? What were your thoughts?

CP is out, as DD has decided she does NOT like Pooh anymore.

Thanks!

Margaret

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

My DD did the same thing at 5 before our first trip - she has always been really logical about things and she just figured it out on her own about the people being in costumes - that said she LOVED the character meals we went to - she loves to get pics and autographs and hugs from all the characters. We just came back from our 3rd trip , she is 8 now and is still enjoying all the character meals and stuff.

 

[magicmato]

Funny you mentioned your daughter being logical. DD is SO logical it makes us shake our heads. We will hold up a stuffed animal or doll and make a funny voice, or ask if her dolly wants something and she will look at us like we have grown a second head and say: Mooom, she is just pretend! She is not real!

Lol.

She has just never really been a fanciful kid. She loves to discover how things work and what everything is all about. We joke that she will be a scientist some day.

 

[Brina]

my boys know the characters are actors or people in costumes, but they still enjoy getting autographs and character meals.

 

[rt2dz]

Do the character meal. Do the character meal! DO THE CHARACTER MEAL!!

DH and I love them, and we certainly know the truth. We have done most all the character meals, and DH favorite is Liberty Tree Tavern, My favorite is 1900 Park Fair (breakfast), DS4 favorite is Liberty Tree Tavern, and DS17 months doesn't really have an opinion although he enjoyed Chef Mickey's and 1900 Park Fair quite a bit.

I would HIGHLYsuggest going over to the restruant board and doing a search for threads that have reviews on the meals you are considering. And post a thread for questions that you may have after reading all the reviews. And don't forget you can get menus and other basic info at allearsnet.com, mouseplanet.com, and even some info at Disney's sight and guidebooks such as The Unofficial Guide.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

Do the meal. It's still fun for you, and you know, right? It'll still be fun for your dd.

I must be a real anomaly. I actually told my dd that the characters were just people in costumes when she was about 4, because she was so scared of them. She started enjoying them a lot more once she knew.

 

[PixieDust32]

Yep! They know! But right there is where the magic is!

 

[Sharon Esch]

My kids (DD 6, DS 4) thought they were the "real deal" because we were at Disney World. Chef Mickey's is a great place! We only had 1 Character Meal planned and we wished we had more.