• On Jul 16, 2019
    Shannon from CA Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I have a child who is afraid of fully costumed characters (ie: Mickey Mouse, Goofy). She likes seeing them from a distance, but does not want to interact with them. Is there a signal or way to communicate this to the character or their helper?

    Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel, Shannon!  I am excited to hEAR that you are preparing for a visit to The Most Magical Place on Earth!  

    Mother to mother, I COMPLETELY understand what you are going through!  My now nine year old daughter visits Walt Disney World several times each year and is TERRIFIED of the fully costumed characters.  She even bolts out of the school gym when the school mascot shows up at assemblies!  Our friends and relatives do not understand how she makes it through the parks, but we have a system that works!

    My princess is the same as yours as she likes to see the characters from a distance, so step one of our plan is we always catch the parades.  She enjoys waving to the characters from a far, but feels safe knowing that we can stand back a bit and the characters will be at a distance from her.

    On the other hand, my son LOVES character dining as its the best way to sit down, get a snack and meet Mickey Mouse without waiting in line!  Of course, this does create an issue with my daughter.  So in these situations, or if a costumed character approaches, my daughter has learned to politely say "no thank you" while waving her hands in front of her, and then turning around.  If we are at a character meal, she sits away from the main aisle.  This has worked every time.  My husband, son and I also run a little interference by talking with the character's traveling partner or explaining that my princess is feeling a bit shy today.

    I will share with you, we had one trip during the holidays where my daughter had a moment of bravery and ran up and hugged Mickey Mouse during a meet and greet.  I would be lying if I said a few tears were not shed during that moment.  Since then, she hasn't greeted Mickey again, but you never know when our little ones will surprise us!  Sometimes the magic just moves them!  Don't worry, the Disney PhotoPass photographers will capture the moments for you.

    Enjoy making magical memories with your daughter! See ya real soon!  Angie
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Meet the Panelist: Angie, Minnesota

Hello there Castaways! I have followed the adventures of mermaids and pirates alike since I was a young princess myself.  Disney and the sea are two of my passions.  My husband and I, along with our two little adventurers, love traveling the world sailing on Disney Cruise Line.  Let's work together to chart a course to a vacation that you will remember for a lifetime! Learn More About Angie

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