Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ISAAC
Tell kids in advance that the headpiece characters don't talk.
PREPARING YOUR CHILDREN TO MEET THE
CHARACTERS
ALMOST ALL DISNEY CHARACTERS
are quite large; several, like Baloo, are huge!
Young children don't expect this and can be intimidated if not terrified. Discuss the
characters with your children before you go. If there is a high school or college with a
costumed mascot nearby, arrange to let your kids check it out. If not, then Santa Claus
or the Easter Bunny will do.
On the first encounter at Walt Disney World, don't thrust your child at the char-
acter. Allow the little one to deal with this big thing from whatever distance feels safe
to him or her. If two adults are present, one should stay near the youngster while the
other approaches the character and demonstrates that it's safe and friendly. Some kids
warm to the characters immediately; some never do. Most take a little time and sev-
eral encounters.
There are two kinds of characters: “furs,” or those whose costumes include face-
covering headpieces (including animal characters and such humanlike characters as
Captain Hook), and “face characters,” those for whom no mask or headpiece is neces-
sary. These include Tiana, Mary Poppins, Ariel, Jasmine, Aladdin, Cinderella, Belle,
Snow White, Merida, and Prince Charming, among others.
LILIANE
If a character appears to be ignoring your child, ask the charac-
ter's handler to get its attention.
