What to tell kids? Why Mickey doesn't talk?

[write2caro]

I say "I always wondered that too. I could never figure out why either". Then together we try to figure out why.
You'd be surprised at how their minds work. I don't know why parents always have to have all the answers.

This is my approach, too. My son turned 2 in Feb and you should hear him talk up a storm with me already when we try to figure out things like why we can meet Mater in WDW but not Sally... "hmmm... I don't know Daniel, where do you think she is"? "She's soooo busy in Radiator Springs, I think." The things he comes up with are so precious - I love it and I write them all down. It's a great way to get some insight into the way they're thinking. I know this time will go by so quickly and I want to soak it all up!!

 

[WendyBirdGirl]

This is a very interesting thread!

If my child had asked me, I would say that the actor playing Mickey Mouse can't talk through his mouse costume. What illusion woud I be breaking? Does your 4 year old really believe it is a giant talking mouse? Does a 4 year old notice the difference between cartoons and live TV?

As someone who is very good friends with the mouse (*cough*) I will argue that many, many, many children believe he's real. It kills me when parents make reference to the "suit," especially in front of a bunch of other families/children -- is that REALLY necessary? No. Dreams really do come true at Disney World. It's not uncommon to tear up or cry at work after seeing the awe in so many kids' faces.

And a four-year-old? ESPECIALLY a four-year-old. I think kids ages 3 - 8 are in that perfect, sweet spot where they really DO believe. Why ruin that magic?

Anyway, to answer the original poster... most character attendants say that Mickey is saving his voice for the movies. If he talked to every single Guest in the park, he'd lose his voice! And most kids are so excited that Mickey is signing autographs and giving them hugs that they don't even care about the talking by the time it's their turn.

 

[Hannathy]

If my child had asked me, I would say that the actor playing Mickey Mouse can't talk through his mouse costume. What illusion woud I be breaking? Does your 4 year old really believe it is a giant talking mouse? Does a 4 year old notice the difference between cartoons and live TV?

ITA! I don't think my kids have ever thought they were real and they still love going to Disney. As my DD said "something about the huge, hard unmoving head and the fingers that don't work ought to give it away, don't you think" IMO when a child starts questioning things it means they are figuring it out and are looking for confirmation not really asking. 2 might believe but I think 4 is old enough to figure it out. It is still fun to pretend, PRETEND being the operative word.

 

[°O°Joe]

ITA! I don't think my kids have ever thought they were real and they still love going to Disney. As my DD said "something about the huge, hard unmoving head and the fingers that don't work ought to give it away, don't you think" IMO when a child starts questioning things it means they are figuring it out and are looking for confirmation not really asking. 2 might believe but I think 4 is old enough to figure it out. It is still fun to pretend, PRETEND being the operative word.

Good points... I agree with you.

 

[sarahandhannahsmom]

I must be nuts! I thought someone suggested that Mickey Mouse isn't REAL!

Craziness, I say. I'll never believe it.