[kizzmitt]

Does anyone have tips on how to introduce small children to the characters without them being afraid? We took the "baby" (2yo) to see JoJo at the World of Disney and she wanted nothing to do with her! Nothing we could say or do would convince her to go have her picture taken.

[dwoodz]

I allowed my daughter to see other kids playing with the characters, then she warmed up to the idea.

[Dopey]

Originally Posted by kizzmitt

Does anyone have tips on how to introduce small children to the characters without them being afraid? We took the "baby" (2yo) to see JoJo at the World of Disney and she wanted nothing to do with her! Nothing we could say or do would convince her to go have her picture taken.

It has got to be sensory overload for most of the children at a busy place like WDW, it's for a lot of adults.
Once the kids see that nothing strange happens when the characters are around, they'll be more open to this new thing.

I wouldn't ask my kids to be excited about "Santa Claus" or any stranger, why would I do it with Characters who are soooo big and possibly looming over those little ones?
I say, it's best to let the kids take it all in from a distance by walking by the characters and all the other things that are completely new to them.

No picture this year means another reason to go back another year for more WDW!!!!! Yeay

excuse my rambling. Strong feelings about that subject here.

[kizzmitt]

ok I like the excuse to go back! I agree about waching the action from a safe distance-(mom's arms)-just wondering if and how long it took the child to warm up to them. I've never been to WDW with a toddler before so it will be a totally new experience!

[DisneyTeacher]

Two years ago my then 5 year old wanted nothing to do with the characters but we were having dinner at Chef Mickey's the first night of our trip. When Mickey came by my son hid under the table, my DH pulled him out and he was fine. He sort of wanted to meet the characters but was a little afraid. I know him well enough to know he wasn't really afraid but just not sure, after he met Mickey he was so excited and couldn't wait to meet more characters.

I think if a child is really afraid of the characters then let them make the first move. My son was old enough and not really afraid so I forced it a little. Had he been younger and truly afraid I would have let him set the pace of meeting the characters. I understand wanting a picture of a child with the characters, the is a big part of going to WDW. Find your baby's favorite character and try that situation first. It may have been Jo Jo and not characters in general, you never know.

[BuzzLightyear]

I think you just have to let them meet the characters on their own terms. If they shy away, just try again later.

[kizzmitt]

Its not a big deal if we don't get a picture, I just want her to have fun and not be afraid! I don't think it was JoJo she was afraid of because she loves the TV show and sings the JoJo song all the time! She would wave from a distance but did not want to be close! Hopefully she'll be ok once we get there!

[tigger03]

I agree with what others have said. My youngest was 18 months at the time of our last trip and she was not happy at first with the characters that approached her too quickly and were right on top of her. Within a matter of 15 minutes after I held her back and the characters saw her apprenhension as well as her realizing the other kids were enjoying it. She made her move toward Minnie and was hooked on the character greetings. In fact buy the last day she wasn't going to let Stich go.

[Cavey]

Kizzmit,
Take your kid to Chuck E. Cheese 2 or 3 times in the next month. Don't pressure her to interact, just waive and say hi Chuck E. Maybe you can hug him and interact with him in front of your DD. During subsequent trips try to interact a little more with Chuck E. This should take the edge off the characters at WDW.

I would have recommended Easter Bunny encounters a few weeks ago. Or someplace with clowns. Anywhere your child can interact with costumed characters.

[ddoll]

Also, there's nothing wrong with some pictures of your child either in your arms or sitting in the stroller next to a character (we have one of those of my DS with Peter Pan...his very favorite character). Whatever. You never know what will unfold. It's just not something you can really plan ahead of time.

[LABride]

Maybe she will do better with the face characters. My 3 yr old niece was fearless on any ride but when someone with a fake head or mask came around she ran in fear! The face characters are a lot more "normal" since little kids don't seem to notice clothes and makeup too much.

[EmpressJenny]

LOL Pete and I got a photo w/Flik in the AK because all of the kids were too scared to go up to him and there was no line! Actually, he is a rather intimidating character.

[queensmama]

My input is expose them often to character at home. Before taking DD (then 2) to WDW, we made sure she did things like sit with Santa, Easter Bunny ect. And we did it alot. Once a week during those seasons. We also have a minor league baseball team here in town so we would go to games and she would get to interact with our mascot. These are just things that helped my DD get used to characters. We had a great trip and met many of her favorite characters. She always had a big smile.

[RowdyRAider]

Being a performer, let me say this will help b/c I'm tired of seeing it. If the child does not want to meet the character, DO NOT force them to. Too many times parents have literally thrown their kids to the characters for a picture and the kids are scared to death. Some parents have even threatened their kids if they didn't take a picture. Let the kids decide. It won't ruin your vacation if they don't get a picture with YOUR favorite character. So many parents are living their childhood dreams through their kids, not realizing there could be ugly consequences. So if the kids say no, THEN IT'S NO GO!!!

[kizzmitt]

Caver jeff-DD11 loves your chuck-e-cheese idea! Easter Bunny-No! Santa-No! I guess I have to hope for the best and that she will warm up to the characters after she sees other children having fun.
Rowdyraider- I agree with you that a child should never be forced to meet a character! I'm responsible for making her feel safe-not adding to her fear!
Labride-I think you may be right about the "face characters" And she does love the Princesses!