When my DS was about 6, we went to a local recreation event for children at a nearby high school. The HS students had volunteered their time to run games for the children and some were dressed up as characters. At one point, DS and I were walking through a room at the event and one of the HS boys had his character head off. DS didn't say a word and I wasn't sure what to say. They next time we went to WDW, we were walking around EP WS and walked by one of the character meet and greets. As we walked by, DS whispered to me in a very caring voice, "you know, mom, they aren't real. They are just people dressed up in costumes". It was as if he wanted to break this to me very, very gently, LOL!!! He is 10 now and though he knows the characters are just people in costumes, he still believes in Santa!!