What age did your child stop believing the characters are real?

[Talking Hands]

Mine learned very young because I was in the business of doing children's parties and often portrayed characters. Funny thing is the still enjoyed the Magic and are now showing it to their sons. First grandson had been 3 times before age 3 and younger one went on his first trip at 6 months.

 

[disneydad78]

The key for my family is, it's all magic. Like Santa represents the Spirit of Christmas, so do the CM's at WDW. It doesn't matter if they are "real" or not. The MAGIC is REAL. My DS is almost 14 and as cynical as any typical teenager, but he still loves Disney and gets about as much out of the experience as anyone. My 68 year old mom lights up whenever she sees Chip & Dale.

I think the key is to believe in having a magical experience, and the age of the children and what they're willing to buy into can be fit into each family's experience.

well said. I agree 100%

 

[Missytara]

Mine learned very young because I was in the business of doing children's parties and often portrayed characters. Funny thing is the still enjoyed the Magic and are now showing it to their sons. First grandson had been 3 times before age 3 and younger one went on his first trip at 6 months.

Your post reminds of one of my childhood friends, who worked her way up through the school system to be a vice principal of an elementary school. When the principal did something pretty shady, she suddenly found herself as principal. One in 6th grade, one in 2nd grade, and one on the way.

Fast forward, 8 months pregnant with her third boy, she was talked into playing Santa for Christmas, because, well, no need for the padding.

She parked her car and got out, which unfortunately was near the 2nd grader's classroom and he recognized the car. He said out loud, you mean Santa does not exist and he is really my mom. Well, this just bites.

 

[CapeCodMouse]

When he was 5 years old, my DS got chosen during the Year of a Million Dreams to start Illuminations with Mickey's wand. The whole rest of the trip, every time we saw fireworks (Wishes, etc) he would turn to me and say "Mom, that's MY magic from Mickey's wand." Now 12 yrs old, he knows in his heart that the characters are probably not real, but I think he goes along with it because he wants to live the magic when we are in Disney, not the reality.

 

[rolliev60]

I don't think the belief is dependent upon the child's intelligence as many are suggesting. It seems many parents spoiled the illusion for the child themselves. My son still believes and when the moment comes when he comes to the realization it's not true we'll discuss the logistics of everything but until then I'm delighted he still believes in the magic.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Define "real".

 

[MackenzieFL]

Like some other posters-- they always knew it's costumes, but Disney is "real" in its own way.

My 11 yr old son *loves* meeting characters; he is a very drama/artsy type, he loves to play along, especially with the princesses he likes to flirt, kiss their hands, etc.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

Sorry, double post.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

About 10 for my teenager. She always thought the "suit characters" were the real character's helpers, but she believed the face characters were the real ones until about 10.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Wait, what's not real?

 

[wallawallakids]

This has made me so sad. My 5 year old son just said to me 2 weeks ago that he knows they are not real. There are "people under there in costumes". So super sad. He used to LOVE the characters. I don't know if he figured it out or if someone told him. I will say his twins sister agreed but thought the "face characters" are still real. So she still wants to see Cinderella and Tinkerbell this summer. She has been begging to go back to Ariel's Grotto. I don't know when that will hit them. But both of them seemed fine to think that those characters were still "real".

 

[purpledisneyprncess]

My 4 year old told us the characters aren't real. Not sure how she knew. Regardless, she still asks to get autographs. My 7 year old obviously knows too but I'm not sure at what age he knew. They still believe in Santa and Easter Bunny.

 

[jmmiller]

What? The characters aren't real? My son is 15 and he said he kinda forgets while we are there until one of them clears his/her throat under that big costume!

 

[Magpie]

I don't think the belief is dependent upon the child's intelligence as many are suggesting. It seems many parents spoiled the illusion for the child themselves. My son still believes and when the moment comes when he comes to the realization it's not true we'll discuss the logistics of everything but until then I'm delighted he still believes in the magic.

I don't think it's a matter of intelligence as much as personality. That being said, it IS a sign of at least a basic level of intelligence to be able to put together all the clues and logically deduce that these are people in costumes, despite having all the adults around you tell you they're "real". And then, it's entirely a matter of how compliant and/or easy-going the child is, whether or not they feel the need to point out their discovery to the adults around them. Or whether they decide to just go along with the game.

I suspect many kids know in a logical way that they're people in costumes, but just like many adults, they really don't care that much. There's nothing "only" about pretend - it's very real, when you're in the moment!

This has made me so sad. My 5 year old son just said to me 2 weeks ago that he knows they are not real. There are "people under there in costumes". So super sad. He used to LOVE the characters. I don't know if he figured it out or if someone told him. I will say his twins sister agreed but thought the "face characters" are still real. So she still wants to see Cinderella and Tinkerbell this summer. She has been begging to go back to Ariel's Grotto. I don't know when that will hit them. But both of them seemed fine to think that those characters were still "real".

This shouldn't make you sad. You should be pleased he has demonstrated strong observational skills and an ability to think critically.

And why should he not still LOVE the characters, now that he knows they're people in costumes? He can still love them, unless your sadness ruins the game for him!

Why would you expect them to stop wanting to see the characters, just because they've figured out how it works behind the scenes? Many adults still like seeing characters! It would be sad if you decided not to take them to see any of their favourite costumed characters any more, just because they know they're "not real".

"Real" is overrated, in my opinion. Especially at Disney! If my kid had said to me there are "people under there in costumes", I would have said, "Of course there are, now which characters are you most you looking forward to meeting?"

 

[chartle]

I don't think it's a matter of intelligence as much as personality. That being said, it IS a sign of at least a basic level of intelligence to be able to put together all the clues and logically deduce that these are people in costumes, despite having all the adults around you tell you they're "real". And then, it's entirely a matter of how compliant and/or easy-going the child is, whether or not they feel the need to point out their discovery to the adults around them. Or whether they decide to just go along with the game.

I suspect many kids know in a logical way that they're people in costumes, but just like many adults, they really don't care that much. There's nothing "only" about pretend - it's very real, when you're in the moment!




This shouldn't make you sad. You should be pleased he has demonstrated strong observational skills and an ability to think critically.

And why should he not still LOVE the characters, now that he knows they're people in costumes? He can still love them, unless your sadness ruins the game for him!

Why would you expect them to stop wanting to see the characters, just because they've figured out how it works behind the scenes? Many adults still like seeing characters! It would be sad if you decided not to take them to see any of their favourite costumed characters any more, just because they know they're "not real".

"Real" is overrated, in my opinion. Especially at Disney! If my kid had said to me there are "people under there in costumes", I would have said, "Of course there are, now which characters are you most you looking forward to meeting?"

this on both counts

 

[Sandy Mouse]

I don't think it's a matter of intelligence as much as personality. That being said, it IS a sign of at least a basic level of intelligence to be able to put together all the clues and logically deduce that these are people in costumes, despite having all the adults around you tell you they're "real". And then, it's entirely a matter of how compliant and/or easy-going the child is, whether or not they feel the need to point out their discovery to the adults around them. Or whether they decide to just go along with the game.

I suspect many kids know in a logical way that they're people in costumes, but just like many adults, they really don't care that much. There's nothing "only" about pretend - it's very real, when you're in the moment!

This shouldn't make you sad. You should be pleased he has demonstrated strong observational skills and an ability to think critically.

And why should he not still LOVE the characters, now that he knows they're people in costumes? He can still love them, unless your sadness ruins the game for him!

Why would you expect them to stop wanting to see the characters, just because they've figured out how it works behind the scenes? Many adults still like seeing characters! It would be sad if you decided not to take them to see any of their favourite costumed characters any more, just because they know they're "not real".

"Real" is overrated, in my opinion. Especially at Disney! If my kid had said to me there are "people under there in costumes", I would have said, "Of course there are, now which characters are you most you looking forward to meeting?"

It also depends on how many times they've been to Disney and how many characters they've met. My DGD just turned 5 and asked me yesterday if Mickey was real or a person in a costume. When I asked her what made her think he was not real, she said his mouth doesn't move when he talks. She has been to Disney every year and met the characters and watched the parades and shows. That gives her an advantage over other children who haven't been as often for making this deduction.
Don't get me wrong, I think my DGD is very smart, but most kids would come to the same conclusion given her familiarity with Disney World.
I know she doesn't want to disbelieve - that was obvious. And we did not talk about the princesses. That would be too much for either of us to handle.

 

[MinniesYooHoo]

Never! I told DD: "The day you stop believing is the day we stop coming". She will never tell me and that's fine. I still believe and I'm a 40 y/o kid.

 

[Magpie]

Never! I told DD: "The day you stop believing is the day we stop coming". She will never tell me and that's fine. I still believe and I'm a 40 y/o kid.

I bet you also told her that if she ever stops believing in Santa, that'll be the last day she ever sees another present, too!

Myself, I put a lot of emphasis on being honest with the kids (in part to balance out their dad, who likes to tease sometimes!) and talking openly about anything they bring up, but I know a lot of folks really like the "we won't talk about this or there will be consequences" approach.

Whatever works!

 

[cheer25mom]

Our first trip was when DD had just turned 5 and she never believed they were real. She knew at that age without us telling her. She is a very logical, concrete thinker, and said she didn't mind pretending, but knew they were dressed up people.

 

[tan391]

This thread has me worried - my DS will be 4 and my DD will be 6 in october and I really hope that they still believe in the characters.

Can anyone with similar age children tell me they still believed.