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Kilimanjaro Safaris; Animal Kingdom; AA
  • On Oct 8, 2012
    Heather from NC 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.

    My son says he knows the Disney characters at Disney are just people dressed up. He is 7. I'm disappointed he already knows. Is this a normal age for him to know? I don't want it to ruin it for my 4 year old girl and don't want him to be too cool for them.

    Hi there, Heather!

    On the one hand, it certainly is a bit of a downer when your little one shows a level of sophistication that is beyond his years. On the other hand, if he was savvy enough to figure this out by himself and/or be okay with the revelation, you have quite a young man on your hands.

    Just because your son knows the real deal should not take away from the magic at all. There's still something about being in the presence of these characters that makes one forget about the reality of the situation. Mickey Mouse is Mickey Mouse, no matter how grown up a Disney Guest is.

    Incidentally, a dear pal of mine - who is very good friends with Peter Pan - had a wonderful response when a child asked him, "Who's in the Mickey Mouse costume?" My pal replied, "Who's in your costume?" The child was absolutely stymied. While he knew that this was a "costume," he was unable to find any flaw in the logic. Thus, who's in the Mickey Mouse costume? Why, Mickey Mouse, of course!

    You can try something like that; you can also consider being honest with your son and asking him to keep his information from his little one. You two can make up a secret wink or gesture to acknowledge the situation. This will allow him to feel mature and "in the know," while having one up on his sister.

    You might be surprised, ultimately, at the power a visit with Mickey Mouse has at reducing your son's curiosity level -- and increasing his joy at being at Disney -- no matter who is in the costume!

    See you later, celebrator,
    -Deborah B.

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Meet the Panelist: Deborah, Florida

As a Florida native, my life has always included Walt Disney World. Now I share that magic with my husband and my sons, ages seven and eight. In between trips to the World, I teach for the Department of English at the University of South Florida. Learn More About Deborah

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