Best Age to Reveal Disney Secrets to Kids?

[BEARSHOUSE4]

My Daughter is 9. She is wise beyond her years, loves to read, and is a HUGE Disney fan. We've been to WDW 4 times with her now. I have an interest (ok, an obsession) with learning all there is to know about the parks. I have several "behind the magic" type books. I am hesitating letting her read them, as I'm afraid she is just too young to have the "magic" spoiled. Am I wrong to think that way? The other part of me thinks she's old enough and smart enough to really enjoy learning about the parks as I have. What do you think?

 

[DznyGrlSD]

Uh...never. I worked at WDW when I was 24 and seeing Mickey with his head off backstage was almost more than I could handle.

...let her come to you, in her own time, if she's curious about the "secrets"

 

[Victor Kelly]

When they are ready to have the secrets revealed is the best way.

 

[Jakester]

I've been a big Disney World guy my entire life, I was always interested in seeing how everything comes together every single day (being a CM I have been able too). I remember knowing almost all things Disney when I was young. IMO, It depends on how much she wants to know. Like someone already said, best to let her come ask you or let her find out on her own.

 

[tmstephe]

Does she believe in Santa/Easter Bunny/Tooth Fairy? If yes, I'd say let her keep the magic for awhile longer. If no, she's probably ready to hear the "truth" about Disney as well. My precocious DS8 LOVES hearing about the "behind the scenes" stuff - he feels like he's in on a secret - which makes the trip even more magical for him, in it's own way. Of course, your mileage may vary.

 

[RubyLee]

As a child of life long Disney fans (who passed it along to me), I remember fun little things when I was around your daughter's age--looking for Hidden Mickey's, reading some WDW books, etc. When my parents saw I was interested & wanted to learn more, I graduated to more things like behind the scenes tours & other "peeks" behind the curtain.

 

[Disvillain63]

What about letting her read the "Kingdom Keepers" series...she'll learn some secrets by reading these books which are a 'fictional' series for kids. This may get her wondering and asking about other Disney secrets. She might decide to explore and learn on her own, or she could come and start a conversation with you.

 

[Tom]

The "Santa" theory above makes sense. If those mysteries are no longer, then the magic of WDW should cause no mental anguish. Besides, if she's as wise as you say she is, she knows characters and animatronics aren't real.

My opinion is skewed because, like others who have commented, I was eaten up with "behind the scenes" stuff when I was a kid. The Skyway was my favorite ride because you could see backstage.

You know your kid best....if you think she'd get a kick out of learning about the inner workings, go for it!

 

[EricJ]

My opinion is skewed because, like others who have commented, I was eaten up with "behind the scenes" stuff when I was a kid. The Skyway was my favorite ride because you could see backstage.

You know your kid best....if you think she'd get a kick out of learning about the inner workings, go for it!

And even mentioning the Utilidors gives some idea of "busy behind the scenes" without saying the characters aren't (gasp) real.
The idea of Mickey taking secret tunnels to get to other areas of the park just had built-in kid appeal even on my first trip.

 

[rt06]

KTTK is 16 and up. I don't think that number came up arbitrarily.

But IMO, there has to be some sort of grasp on reality entering high school because of the way pop culture disseminates fantasies, good and bad. So what is that, 13?

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I think it depends on the child. While someone on another forum mocked my kids' mental capacity for this...my kids bought the characters and every bit of the magic hook, line and sinker for their first few trips. They are now nearly 8 and 5.5 and only the older one is starting to question it. i.e. is that the real Mickey Mouse or are those just costumes with people in them. I know her sis still fully believes.

Ultimately, you're only young for so long, so I try and preserve it since my kids seem to do best with that and their love of Disney. Still, if you've got a child who is more into those behind the scenes facts and features, it may just enhance the magic for them.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Difficult question! It depends on the child. I was always much more interested in how things worked then that they worked. But that was me. Kids have a very highly developed ability to deny any reality that they want. Santa is a good example. How many times has it been said on TV or in comedy routines that Santa isn't real, and yet, they can sit right there and hear that and never have it register. They believe what they want to believe. I think that if she is into Disney to the extent that she reads about it already, then she might be ready for the next step, but, since she hasn't asked for any (I'm assuming here that she hasn't) then it might be better to wait a little. You could also ask her if she is interested in reading about how all the "magic" is accomplished or would she just like to continue to see the "magic".

Age isn't really all that important. My X wife was in her 40's when we rode on the Skyway and was really upset when she saw that the Subs in 20K didn't really dive. But, she was a crazy person, so take that with a grain of salt.

 

[Bairstow]

I've never equated "Disney magic" with maintaining a child's belief in Santa. Like @Goofyernmost I've always been interested in how Disney World works, even when I was a young kid.

I wouldn't force it on her but if the girl is interested in reading about animatronics it would be really silly to deny her. Just tell her what's in the books before you give them to her.

 

[ShookieJones]

Uh...never. I worked at WDW when I was 24 and seeing Mickey with his head off backstage was almost more than I could handle.

...let her come to you, in her own time, if she's curious about the "secrets"

Wait wha!??? Are you saying Mickey isn't rea.....WAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!

 

[DznyGrlSD]

Wait wha!??? Are you saying Mickey isn't rea.....WAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!

No...SHE's not. it's kinda disturbing seeing them right after a parade with their heads off. even MORE disturbing walking by costuming and seeing the heads just hanging there. *shudder*

 

[Marijil]

Never

 

[Tomi-Rocket]

Reading "Behind the Magic" only made me love it more, honestly. To read about the detail and history was awesome!

 

[DfromATX]

Wait a minute... there are secrets? What are you people talking about?!?