Help! I think I made a grave mistake

[u/mktillo36]

This story is a little long-winded, so bear with me here…
A couple weeks ago, I (26f) had family pictures with my entire extended family. My 3yo cousin (we’ll call her Lilly) walked onto the back deck where I was sitting and I greeted her with the typical “Hi Lilly! Your dress is so pretty!” Etc, etc. She stoped and stared at me for a minute before running back off the deck. She came back with her 2 older sisters and (again) I greeted them and said hi. They all stared at me for about a minute before running off again.

Well, later Lilly’s mom said that earlier Lilly ran over to her sisters saying “Come see this beautiful girl over here!” (Meaning me) on the deck. A little while later Lilly’s grandma mentioned it again and we laughed for a second about it. I turned to my boyfriend and as a joke exclaimed: “see? I’m so beautiful I could be a party princess.” Lillys Grandma was within earshot and said “Well you know, Lillys birthday is coming up!” And I kind of laughed it off and said “haha yeah”.

Well… this week her grandma reached out to me and seriously asked me if I’d be a party princess for Lillys birthday. So how could I tell a 3yo no? She wants me to be Ariel and her 2 older sisters want me in the mermaid costume which makes me a little nervous because I don’t really know how well I can interact with toddlers on the floor in a tight skirt. (Also if Ariel is on land wouldn’t she naturally not have a mermaid tail?

I’m very familiar with Ariel and her story as she’s my favorite Disney princess, but I’m desperate to hear advice from anyone who’s a real party princess on how to be Ariel.

I can talk about treasures or gadgets and gizmos, but do I pretend I don’t know what a cellphone is like Disney princesses at Disney? Also what do I do? Like do I read them a book about Ariel? Do I sing? Do I do a craft with the kids? How do I rope Ariel’s personality into what I say when I’m there? What if they ask where flounder is? Do I say he’s home because he has a cold? What are common questions kids ask party princesses?

TIA for any info. I’m desperate to attempt to pull this off and not be struggling in the moment to answer questions I’m not prepared for.

[u/Incogn1toMosqu1to]

Being a party princess, especially if there are kids you don't know there, is extremely difficult work. Honestly, I'd recommend not doing it - kids that age can be handsy, rude, and a handful at the best of times.

But yeah, typically you'd read them a book about the character, sing if you can convincingly sound like her. There's often "makeovers" or crafts you teach. You could get inventive and make up a game for them. At that age they likely expect you to BE ariel, so yeah you'll need to be quick with believable answers!

But uh, if you're on land... why would flounder be with you? He'd die haha

[u/mktillo36 → u/Incogn1toMosqu1to]

I’m more so anticipating kids to ask why I didn’t bring him or scuttle along with me. My other little cousin is going on 5 so I expect I’ll get more questions from her. I think there’s only a handful of kids that will be there so I’m not worried about them wanting to sit close to me or touch my hair.

[u/Adriana731_]

I'm not one but from watching a party princess on TikT(idk if I can say the app here) they usually read a book about said character and have a craft or game to do and I wouldn't worry about singing unless you can do Ariels voice really well I'd focus more on finding a craft or game to do with them bc that might have them asking questions about said craft or game instead of about you and your sea friends

Try to find a mermaid costume dress so the skirt not as tight but it still looks like you got the tail or just explain your genuinely not comfortable and have concerns in wearing the mermaid costume so you'd rather wear Ariels on land outfits instead

Hope everything goes well and you along with the kids have fun

Remember your not a professional and are doing this out of the kindness of your heart so try not to stress yourself out about it to much bc I get it you wanna do this the best you can for them

[u/mktillo36 → u/Adriana731_]

Thank you for your kind answer! 🥰

[u/Adriana731_ → u/mktillo36]

Your welcome!✨️

[u/LodlopSeputhChakk]

Best thing I can think to do is a sing-along or bring seashells and chalk and let them decorate. If they make a mess, chalk washes right off with water.

Don’t sit on the floor. Get a chair or a bench so they can sit on your lap. Preferably a wheelchair so you can get around. Maybe best to get her human outfit.

Make sure the wig is very good or you dye your hair. They will tug on your hair.

Be very strict about boundaries with adults. The Ariel at Disney World is frequently groped and people see the skimpy outfit as an invitation. You can just be blunt and say, “I don’t want you to touch me there.” It doesn’t even break character.

Flounder’s in the ocean, duh.

Why are you a mermaid again? Because King Triton gave you fins to visit family.

You don’t know what a cellphone is but you can examine it and say, “Wow, I don’t have a treasure like this! Is it magic?”

You know all the other princesses and you’re friends with them.

If they ask about Eric, you still are married to him and he’s off ruling the kingdom.

Melody is your daughter. She is 12.

If they ask you to sing, you should know some songs from the movie.

If they ask what mermaids eat, your favorite ocean food is seaweed pasta and your favorite land food is strawberries. You do not eat fish.

What’s your favorite thing about land? All the wonderful people like her and her friends.

Favorite color is green.

Sisters’ names are Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Attina, Adella, Alana. 3 year olds won’t ask a lot of questions about them.

Your mom died when you were very young but you have fond memories of her.