Tween boys vs Character Breakfasts

[JiminyCrkt]

I would like advice from anyone who's had experience with bringing reluctant participants to the character breakfasts. Good idea-they'll enjoy it or bad idea-waste of money (as DH puts it) ? DS 10 has an issue with anything he thinks is too "baby" and call Winnie "Winnie the (unkind name)". Tried to tell him during this trip he needs to play along and have fun .
Looking for peoples experience and advice along this line.

 

[ShawnaF]

Well, in February we took my 2 year old and our niece and nephews. We did character meals every night and for breakfast as well. The 7 year old (was 8 a month later) whined a LOT about baby rides, etc. So much so that I told him to walk beside his parents and stay away from me and that if he talked about it anymore he would be better off sitting in the hotel room by himself. He was very out of control and I returned him to his parents many times over 5 days without having gone on a ride or getting fastpasses for him for later.

So, because of the other kids, he went to the character meals. That was the ONLY thing he didn't complain about, but he didn't try to interact too much either - on occassion.

So - how much complaining do you think he'll do? Are you willing to go through that or make him sit and do nothing so others can enjoy? It's a tricky situation but anyone of any age can have fun there, it's all in his perspective.

 

[DevilDuckie]

I would like advice from anyone who's had experience with bringing reluctant participants to the character breakfasts. Good idea-they'll enjoy it or bad idea-waste of money (as DH puts it) ? DS 10 has an issue with anything he thinks is too "baby" and call Winnie "Winnie the (unkind name)". Tried to tell him during this trip he needs to play along and have fun .
Looking for peoples experience and advice along this line.

I'd tell him his access to spending money and choice of rides will be directly related to his behavior and whether he spoils the experience for the rest of the family. Either that, or perhaps DH would like to keep anyone unpleasant offsite for a McDonalds' dinner while you and DD go have a character meal.

 

[ShawnaF]

Great idea! I love parents who don't put up with it, that was my worst frustration on our February trip. Those nephews and my niece are my favorites and it was just bad. We did take just the girls to the Princess lunch. There's an idea - if behavior is bad he can sit through a Princess meal - lol...

 

[HunnyPots]

Well, you know your kid better than anyone else. But I will tell you, my son was 12 on our first trip and probably had more fun at character meals than anyone! There were none of his "cool" middle school friends there that he had to impress so he just cut loose and had a good time. It was great! But if you think your son will ruin it for the rest of the family why not let dad take him and do some guy stuff while you do a character meal with your daughter if she's interested? Just a thought...

 

[JiminyCrkt]

Thanks HunnyPots . I am hoping that he will enjoy it if he's not trying to act too cool. Your experience is what I'm hoping for. I'm sure we can convince him to just enjoy the food if he doesn't want to interact with the characters. Are the characters good about backing off when kids are not reacting to them?

 

[Tandyc]

I have ds's 12 and 14. We have been many, many times to DL and WDW usually our trips include a character breakfast. I admit it is usually for my benifit, but my boys are such eaters that they really appreciate the food. The made to order omelets at The Plaza in DL on the hub are to die for. They enjoy the food and play with the characters if it is not too busy. We usually schedule it so the resteraunt is empty. Last year Eyeore and and my then DS13 had a ball. He kept taking DS's hat and messing with his chair. It's a memory I cherish. It's so nice to see the child-side of my boys who have to be "cool" most of the tme. They both are much more wiling to be child-like and cut loose in a state where we don't know anyone.

I think the chararters are aware this is an age when some kids are still way into the character thing and others are not. My guys are good at saying, " Oh Hi Mickey. That little girl over there really wants to give you a hug." We all get a kick out of the littles ones enjoying them and feel kind of guilty to take time from this priceless magic.

Good luck!

Tandyc

 

[RMH]

I would like advice from anyone who's had experience with bringing reluctant participants to the character breakfasts.

I don't have any experience with character breakfasts, but we get a lot of good behavior our of our 10-year old if we use negociations. If he agrees to do something we want (and act good during it), then we will agree to do something he wants (and act good during it). Maybe he will enjoy the breakfast knowing the is going to get to see mom get soaked on GRR or scream her head off on California Screamin'

 

[JiminyCrkt]

Thanks Tandyc and RMH Yes the character breakfast will be for DD and my benefit but the food is definately an enticement. Love the idea of negotiating cooperation - DS would love to see Mom get soaked .

 

[Alex2kMommy]

We noticed several pre-teen and teenage boys at the character meals we attended, and I also wondered how they were going to be. I was amazed at how the characters adjusted their behavior for the different ages, being very gentle in their approach with babies and toddlers (who might be going through stranger anxiety), really zealous adults who were so into meeting the characters (which I thought was hilarious and charming at the same time), and these boys, who got messed with big-time!

The boys that seemed like they were gonna be poopers wound up laughing and kidding around with the characters and mugging for the camera, so a big thumbs up to the characters who knew just what to do!

 

[Zoemakes5]

We just got back from a trip in March/April. My boys are 10 & 12. Though, while neither of were excited about going to the character meals, they weren't vocally opposed to it either.
First day we went to Minnies. DD had pictures taken with all of the characters who came by, and some with multiple poses! DS1 made sure he had picture with Pooh (his favorite, and he's 12!), and then both boys had pic taken with Max and Captain Hook. For the most part, they ignored the characters as they came around. We sat in a booth, so DS2 sat on the inside of the booth so not to be in the line of sight of the characters. The boys are both BIG breakfast eaters, so I thought this was a good option for them, as they had lots of really good food to eat.
That evening, we had DD "done up" at Club Libby Lu and then took her to the Princess Dinner in a Mulan costume. This is the second time we did this for her. Like last time, I made other plans for the boys during that time. The only bummer for us was that Daddy didn't get to see the little princess enjoy herself. It was just a "girls" trip, with DD, me and Nana. Papa and DH and the boys went to Naples.
The final day, we went to Lilo and Stitch breakfast. On that day, I gave everyone a choice. I was taking DD, but everyone didn't need to go. DS1 and I and DD went while DS2 and DH packed up the car. They then met us at BaB before we headed out.
We have a challenge, honestly, whenever we go out, balancing a "great time" for all. The boys are older now, and close in age, and then their sister is really their "baby" sister, even still at 5. There's 5.5 & 7.5 years between them. One of the things we do is plan time that we think will be special to each of them during a trip. And, for us, it's okay to spend some time apart. I think three character experiences would be a bit much for the boys, but having their "guy night" gave them something special to look forward to. I've been told next time that they want to do ESPN Zone, instead. I try to plan things that I know will capture all of their interest, but perhaps in a different way (like the character breakfast, focusing on the food for the boys and the characters for DD and Build a Bear.) The boys also did Jedi Academy, and really looked forward to it.
And, bad behavior and ruining other people's fun=taking away privileges in our family. And, I have no trouble enforcing it.

 

[ShawnaF]

That is a fantastic idea - one character meal for your daughter and an ESPN trip for your son - they can take turns and watch the other have something special

 

[teacups]

Do a "FUN" breakfast... Like Lilo and Stitch and they will have a good time. My totally cool 23 year old was pretty sure he and his kinda snooty gf would not be in the least entertained... NOT SO! Max, Goofys son had a ball with them! He flirted endlessly with the gf and kept pulling my sons sweatshirt up over his head! It was the funniest thing that happend the entire trip!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

My son is 9 and I think this will probably be the last year that he'll be okay about a character breakfast. As it was last year, he smiled for pictures with them, and laughed at Goofy fooling around. But he just didn't seem to have that excitement like he did when he was smaller.

He LOVES all the dark rides, Peter Pan, Alice and Wonderful, Toad, Winnie the Pooh, IASM. I think that's gonna be a life long love for him, as he's a lot like me in appreciating and loving everything Disney. He loves the thrill rides too, but it isn't the only thing he wants to do. Which makes Mommy very happy since I don't do thrill or hard rides!

 

[tksbaskets]

I'd tell him his access to spending money and choice of rides will be directly related to his behavior and whether he spoils the experience for the rest of the family. Either that, or perhaps DH would like to keep anyone unpleasant offsite for a McDonalds' dinner while you and DD go have a character meal.

TOO FUNNY. I told my DSs who were 15 this past December in WDW that it was expected of them in exchange for great parents who take them to WDW that they smile for ANY camera their mother sticks them in front of with characters or without. Same goes for the DH

 

[anabelle]

My boys and I have a deal. They put up with characters, and I only take them to character meals that have a good variety of food. They still talk about the food at the castle. I don't think they even remember all the princesses trying to hug and "kiss" them. They love Chef Mickeys as well.

 

[ShawnaF]

OMG tksbaskets - that is hilarious! I will write that line down to use in later years!!!

 

[tksbaskets]

Shawna,
Glad I could be of help. Let me know how it works for you. I'll tell you by the second day of our last trip with the Photo Pass the boys and DH were saying "there's another one of the photo pass people, let's get a picture with them" I find that feeding them often helps too

 

[ShawnaF]

Feeding the kids often is my rule too. Ours really has to eat every few hours - hungry tummy equals super cranky for us. All I have to do is hear one whine and I KNOW it's time for food!