I knew she never liked Disney as much as I do so I'm not sure why this question took me by surprise - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I knew she never liked Disney as much as I do so I'm not sure why this question took me by surprise
You guys know my struggles with my mother - I love Disney, she seems to highly disapprove of it. Every so often, like yesterday and today, she wants to hear about what we did and wants to see photos. 2 months ago when we were planning, it was a taboo subject not to be brought up unless she brought it up (so I guess kind of the same now - she wants to hear about it, so it's okay to talk about it).
Anyway, I was showing her pictures and talking about the characters and she, in all seriousness, asked me "do you see any other kids her age with the characters?" Seriously? I don't think she believed me when I told her I've seen groups of all adults in line for the characters.
I do have to be honest, if it weren't for Abby, I wouldn't go to the character meals or wait in line to see them myself, but I do have to blame mom for that. By the time I was 8, definitely by the time I was 10, there was no Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus, Halloween, nothing and that means what else? No Disney characters either so that means I had next to no interaction with the characters growing up. It was not something that was done. Disney is way more magical for me now than it was then. I still wouldn't wait in a line for a character myself but I'll do it for Abby.
Yes mom, I've seen kids Abby's age, older than Abby and outright adults with no kids waiting to see the characters.
Last time I went was with DH's whole family and my oldest nephew was 14. He was just as excited to meet characters as my 5 yr old. I think it depends on the kid.
I hope she can see how much Abby enjoys these meets and doesn't think you force her to meet characters and wear custom t-shirts. If not I suppose it is her loss, which is sad. But I know some people let their negativity block them from seeing others happiness.
Last year, when we went with Joel's dad and his older daughter, the daughter, age 27 was the most excited about the characters, and I mean a lot of them. Every park, multiple character greetings, and she always wanted to pose and get autographs. Nobody thought anything of it, of course.
I agree it's hard talking to someone who doesn't get it. I'm lucky my mom doesn't judge us, but I work with a woman who does. She doesn't say much, but it's clear she thinks we are wasting our money.
I also agree, Darlene, that I wouldn't personally wait in line for the characters, but Joel just loves them. Disney is the most fun, least stress he has, and I will do whatever I can to see that we both have a magical time on our vacations.
I am 42 and I absolutely cannot wait to get a hug from my favorite silly old bear. Do they all thrill me - no but others just bring out a never ceasing smile to my face. I can't wait to see it all new again through my toddler's eyes whenever we get to go.
My sister and I are in our 40's and have no children. We travel to WDW and go on DCL cruises together. We do character meets (not for all the characters, we do pick and choose). We have done character meals.
Our mother doesn't understand why we like Disney. Nor does she understand why we like Star Trek and Star Wars. But she knows they make us happy, and that makes her happy.
The first time I convinced DH to go to WDW, he was 34. He was 'OK but I'm not so sure about the whole Mickey Mouse thing'. That was until he got there and he decided we HAD to wait in line for an hour to meet him!
Sad that all those things went away by that age for you....But am glad you are are living it to it's fullest now and yes plenty of adults take pictures with their favorite characters I still do...when at Disney you have to let your inner child out...so let it out.
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I will confess that until our last trip we had never waited in line to see a character. We always went to meals so we wouldn't have to wait in line. NOW I get excited to wait in these lines! we pick and choose our favorite characters. And my 16 year old got very excited when he met Talking Mickey for the first time. He just thought that was really cool
I'm really sorry that your Mom is so critical of Abby and her desire to still see characters. I personally find nothing wrong with it. WDW is a place where an adult can be a kid again, and that is the only reason I continue to go back. I am an adult for far too many days of the year, and deserve to be a kid again once in a while. In all reality, it's my daughter who gets embarrassed of me when I still gush over characters. But, to me, they are the same characters I grew up watching on TV and will always be that way in my eyes.
And the good thing about Abbey, she is your daughter, and you get to let her be a kid still. And who cares if she is a teenager or an adult, she will always be your little girl.
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I think standing in line to see characters at any age is fine - is fun and is part of the magic!
I stand in line to see characters and I am 58!
I am so happy that Abby has a great mom who lets her enjoy the magic of the characters and Disney!
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I think you are very lucky you got to go to WDW as a child. Only DL existed when I was young and a cross country trips wasn't in the budget (I am not sure a trip to Cape Cod was in the budget).
I went to WDW the first time as a college student before the characters were handled and they were just roaming around. I loved meeting them and have lots of pictures of us (4 college aged girls) with them.
As an adult, I never waited in line for them. Personally, I think that children should be given priority when it comes to interacting with the characters-for them there is still magic.
I think how long Abby goes for characters depends on her. But the questioning may also reflect your mother's concerns about Abby's disability and how it will effect her ability to be independent. She may not be able to ask about that but questionning her character interaction may be easier.
Luke and I both enjoy visiting with the characters even though we are adults. I can guarantee my nephew (11 1/2) and niece (15 1/2) will want to wait in line for a few characters on our October trip. So sorry you're mom just doesn't not get it.
I'm sorry your mom doesn't get it. My daughter is in her 30's and still loves meet characters and will have whole conversations with them. At Disney they are all real people to her and i hope she never changes.
I didn't grow up going to Disney like she did. I didn't go until after I was married. There are times when I'll stand in line to met them, too and I'm in my 60's.
Liz
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Seriously? I don't think she believed me when I told her I've seen groups of all adults in line for the characters. 
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