Tips for Toddlers Meeting Characters at Walt Disney World

When we first started going to Walt Disney World with our family, we didn't pay enough attention to preparing our kids to meet the characters. Our first child was just over one when we took him to Walt Disney World for the first time. He was a stoic baby, so he wasn't easily rattled, but still many times we found ourselves in the picture with him. Then the twins came along, and our twin boy would not go up to characters until he was three years old. In 2018, he finally decided to hug one character on the last day of our vacation and that was Mickey Mouse.

So when we had another baby, I decided this time I would do the work to prepare her to meet the characters. That way, her first interaction was not as scary as it was for our twin son.

Prep with GOlden Books

We love Golden Books! We pick books specific to the characters we plan on meeting at the park. Then while we are reading, we pause and ask her if she wants to hug those characters. I would then explain to her the characters are "SO BIG," "Big like Daddy," and "Big like Mommy." I broke it down to help her understand the characters are not 4 inches tall like on the screen. We talked about Characters being big for so long that she would randomly say, "Mickey is BIGGGGGG," and then flex her muscles.

Build them up in line

As we approached Mickey Mouse, I kept telling my daughter “there is Mickey and Minnie.” I’m so excited to hug him. “Do you see how BIG Mickey is! Mommy can hug him first!” Then I would hope and pray for the hugs before us to go well, which in this case, they did. I would say, “look, they are hugging Mickey and Minnie. But Mommy can hug him if you want her to.” Then I would ask her if she wanted to hug him. And she would quietly nod yes, but I would not pressure her if she did not want to once it as our turn.

Introduce Through Shows

Skip meeting characters face-to-face until they are ready. Instead, first, introduce them to the characters in a non-meet-and-greet setting. Head to the park early, watch Mickey's Friendship Faire, Disney Jr Dance Party or let them see characters in Festival in the Fantasy Parade. You can talk to them while looking at the characters and ask them if they want to meet them.

You Don’t Have to Hug

I come from a long line of huggers, but when I meet new people, I ask if they want a hug. Maybe your child wishes to avoid having full-body contact with the characters. But would not mind a fist-bump or high-five them instead. They can also use the autograph book as a buffer and have the character sign it. Assess their comfort level and do not push them to do something they are not ready to do. This will give them autonomy and control over a situation that is foreign to them. It is a giant walking, talking mouse and that can be a little scary.

WHen the TIme is right

The most success we've had with meeting characters has always been in the morning or right after a really good nap. Sleep schedules change on vacation and park days can make that worst since we are all over the place. Getting a toddler to be happy about meeting a character right around naptime or close to when they usually start their bedtime routine may not go well. Try to meet characters when your toddler is at their best.

Be Prepare to be in photos

Be prepared to lead by example. They may need to see you hug the characters first. Even if you hug the characters first, they still may not be uncomfortable, so be prepared to carry them and be in the picture. You can also take their comfort toy or blanket with them to meet the characters.

Be The Characters voice

Since the fur characters do not speak (sometimes Mickey does at special events), it may help if we are their voice. The character will do lots of hand gestures and signals to make kids feel more comfortable. When my youngest daughter first met Mickey he bent down and let her pet his head. She looked at us and we gave her the go ahead that she could rub his head and from that moment on she felt comfortable.

Meet Face Characters first

Princesses, Peter Pan, and other face characters are always the easiest. They look just like us and feel less intimating. You can always start with those if you feel like those will be the easiest for your child.

Character Dining

Character dining takes the pressure off the child. They are watching the characters approach the tables before they meet them. They are also watching how other people interact with the characters (which can be good or bad...depending on the interaction) but also the character's behavior in interacting with others. It gives them time to adjust to the character's size and prepare for the character to come to their table. (This is the best way to meet Goofy since he is so tall and typically is the "scariest" character to kids, even with her hugging all characters, it took her a minute to warm up to Goofy.)

Special Needs

Be sure to tell the Characters handler if your child has any special needs. Being a character at Walt Disney World is the highest honor. I personally know a “friend” of Mickey Mouse for 17 years. They are trained to work with kids of all needs. The more information they have initially, the better the interaction. So, if the child has any special needs, let them know, and they can prepare for that.

TEST the waters at home

Do you live near a theme park, Chuck E Cheese, or any other location that may have characters? Does your local sports team have a mascot that regularly meets with fans? Then start there. Getting warmed up with characters and mascots close to home will help you toddler get acquainted with larger-than-life characters.

Ditch Expectations

Sometimes all of this prep work, and sometimes it doesn’t. It depends on the day, how your child is feeling, and the timing. Ensure you’re not waiting an hour in line because that may make your child restless. Try to get them the best condition possible to meet a character for the first time. Especially if it is a “fur character.” Sometimes meet and greets go perfectly, and sometimes they don’t. But don’t worry, and they will try again. Below are two different videos of the first hugs. My youngest daughter had a perfect meeting with Mickey and Minnie for her first hug after many covid trips hugs were back on April 18, 2022. So, she had already seen these characters but could not hug them. My Twin son did not want anything to do with the characters until he turned 3, and even then, he only high-fived. Then out of nowhere, he ran to hug Mickey at Hollywood and Vine on the very last day of our Christmas 2018 trip. That was just as magical.

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