Have you ever gotten autographs from ordinary CMs, instead of characters?

[Magpie]

The one thing I enjoy most about Disney, the one thing that keeps me coming back time and again, are the CMs. And I was thinking about my upcoming trip and things I can do to make it a little different...

And it occurred to me that it might be fun to create an autograph/memory book just for those awesome CMs who go out of their way to make our trip magical. I could get them to sign it, and then later I could write a little bit about what they did inside. So, you know, instead of getting home and saying, "This really awesome CM did this," we could say, "John did this," and really remember who it was.

But then I thought it might be kind of awkward to whip out a book in front of some person who's just been helping us and say, "Would you mind signing this?"

In fact, my husband's response when I told him was, "You go right ahead, I can always stand 30 feet away and pretend I don't know you."

So... what do you think? Good idea? Bad idea? Needs work? Would the CMs mind, and would they think it's weird or okay?

(My husband won't really pretend he doesn't know me if I do go ahead with this.)

 

[aluke]

I think it's a great idea! I feel like I've heard of people doing things like this in the past and I'm sure the CM's would love it! I say go for it

 

[maddiebee]

I've read quite a few cm stories where they have been totally flattered to sign someone's book. I think any kind of acknowledgement that they are actual people (and not just drones that keep things moving) and appreciation for what they do goes a long way.

 

[Susieo]

We did that last October in the Whispering Canyon Cafe. Our server (Harmonica) was so awesome, my sons had their photos taken with her, she fed my husband his dessert in the Canyon "jail" and then we had her sign the autograph book. I even scrapbooked the experience when we got home... She really made the whole dinner awesome!

I don't know if she thought it was odd, but she was playing along, so I thought she'd be ok with it....

 

[aVASTGrl]

I travel with all adults, so we don't do the autograph thing, but we love taking pictures with CMs who go out of their way to make our vacation special. Actually, we do this on all of our non-Disney vacations, too!!

 

[PHLtoMCO]

I love this idea! If a CM makes an extra special impression on us, we head over to Guest Services and fill out a comment card about them giving them some kudos!

 

[aggordon2]

A couple of years ago at CRT, our server was an awesome guy named Scott.
Besides having all the princess sign and take pictures, we had Sir Scott sign and take a picture too.

 

[Magpie]

Thanks, everyone!

I think I'll do this, then!

 

[Fire14]

I have server autograph albums. I have all our servers sign a piece of card stock. They can write us a message our just sign their names. I have gotten lots of thanks and smiles. The memories reading their notes brings back is cool also. I have taken books back several times. There is one server in AK we seem to get everytime we dine at this rest., it's to point where we just ask for his section anymore.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I had a CM sign a banana.

 

[aVASTGrl]

I had a CM sign a banana.

Fantastic.

 

[Suelala]

I love this idea! I don't carry an autograph book, but I think next time I will take pictures of the great cm's that we meet! oh yeah, I do scrapbook...

 

[parkhopping]

I think this is a great idea! Especially if you have a child ask. If I was a CM I'd love it

 

[mrsxsparrow]

I helped out this family once and a few minutes later the little boy came back and asked me to sign his autograph book. I asked him if I could sign it Princess (then my name) and he replied, "Of course! Just because you're not a character doesn't mean you're not important and I think you're a great princess."

Seriously one of the best moments of CM life

So I think it's a great idea

 

[aubriee]

Feb 2012 we took our then 3 y/o GS to WDW for his first trip and stayed at POFQ. There is an older man dressed in Mardi Gra colors that stands at the doors greeting you as you come and go. He also gives kids colored coins to throw in the fountain and stickers. My outgoing GS quickly struck up a 'friendship' with him and ran to him every morning and afternoon to get a coin and stickers and to tell him about his day. One evening we were later coming in than usual and the man had already left for the day. My GS was really disappointed and asked, "where is my man?". We explained we were later than usual and that he had to go home to his own family. My GS said, "No he wouldn't leave without saying goodby to me. He's my friend and I told him I'd see him tonight. He's always here waiting for me". The next morning, my GS ran straight to him, put his hands on his hips, and asked where he was the afternoon before, because he'd missed him". After talking for a few minutes, my grandson ran to his stroller, pulled his autograph book out and asked the CM to sign two pages and told me to take a picture of the two of them together. We weren't sure why he wanted two autographs, until my GS pulled one of the pages out and gave it to the CM, saying he wanted him to have it, so he wouldn't forget him. Not sure why my GS thought the CM would want a copy of his own autograph though. After I got the pictures developed, I put the picture of my GS with that CM right across the page from that CMs autograph (like I did with all the other pictures and autographs he'd collected that week). My D-I-L told me my GS later took his autograph book and the photo album I'd made him to day care for show and tell and when the kids in his class were looking at the pictures and autographs in his autograph book, he pointed to the POFQ Mardi Gra man and said "that's MY man, he was my friend at the hotel, and gave me coins and stickers every day".

 

[Magpie]

I think this is a great idea! Especially if you have a child ask. If I was a CM I'd love it

I wish I did have a child to ask, but mine are 15 and 17 and have decided not to join us on this trip!

I miss when they were small... I could do all sorts of fun things, and it was never embarrassing. Because, after all, I was was just doing it for the kid, completely and totally just for the kid.

Feb 2012 we took our then 3 y/o GS to WDW for his first trip and stayed at POFQ. There is an older man dressed in Mardi Gra colors that stands at the doors greeting you as you come and go. He also gives kids colored coins to throw in the fountain and stickers. My outgoing GS quickly struck up a 'friendship' with him and ran to him every morning and afternoon to get a coin and stickers and to tell him about his day. One evening we were later coming in than usual and the man had already left for the day. My GS was really disappointed and asked, "where is my man?". We explained we were later than usual and that he had to go home to his own family. My GS said, "No he wouldn't leave without saying goodby to me. He's my friend and I told him I'd see him tonight. He's always here waiting for me". The next morning, my GS ran straight to him, put his hands on his hips, and asked where he was the afternoon before, because he'd missed him". After talking for a few minutes, my grandson ran to his stroller, pulled his autograph book out and asked the CM to sign two pages and told me to take a picture of the two of them together. We weren't sure why he wanted two autographs, until my GS pulled one of the pages out and gave it to the CM, saying he wanted him to have it, so he wouldn't forget him. Not sure why my GS thought the CM would want a copy of his own autograph though. After I got the pictures developed, I put the picture of my GS with that CM right across the page from that CMs autograph (like I did with all the other pictures and autographs he'd collected that week). My D-I-L told me my GS later took his autograph book and the photo album I'd made him to day care for show and tell and when the kids in his class were looking at the pictures and autographs in his autograph book, he pointed to the POFQ Mardi Gra man and said "that's MY man, he was my friend at the hotel, and gave me coins and stickers every day".

What a wonderful story!

 

[travelin' tigger]

I travel with all adults, so we don't do the autograph thing, but we love taking pictures with CMs who go out of their way to make our vacation special. Actually, we do this on all of our non-Disney vacations, too!!

Back in 2007 I started doing this at Jellyrolls with a JRs tshirt. I had piano players, bartenders, waitstaff and even the owner sign it and continue to bring it back yearly for new CMs to sign. It's a fun way to remember who has passed through the doors there over the years!!

 

[auntfrannie]

A few years ago I asked my teenage niece what she wanted as a souvenir from my solo trip to Disney. She said she wanted autographs from CMs. Being a good aunt, I went around the parks and collected autographs.

Every CM was flattered and more than happy to sign. Make sure you stop at the Haunted Mansion...what they signed was priceless!

I got all different types of CMs. From merchandise, ride operators, servers, housekeeping, maintenance, boat skippers, bell services. I even got ones from horticulturalists that were replanting some beds.

It was a lot of fun any my niece enjoyed reading their autographs.

 

[Kellykins1218]

At character meals we've always asked our servers to sign our autograph book & pose for a picture with the kids. This past trip I asked to take pictures of CMs who were really friendly & helpful to us. That way I had a picture of their name tag and didn't have to remember all their info when I wrote to DW about them.