DCL character autograph "Mickey Mail" being discontinued in August

schepp · Jul 28, 2015

There are a couple of ways that DCL could help satisfy the needs of the people who are too busy to stand in line for their child to have a magical moment with a character. They could sell autograph stencil sheets in the shops thereby allowing the parents to sign the object. Or they could provide self inking stamps with the autographs at guest services during certain times and allow people to stamp the autograph on the item themselves.

Having been on over a dozen cruises the autographs that our daughter treasures the most are the Chip and Dale stuffed animals that she bought on board and Chip and Dale signed for her during an autograph session and a DCL hoody that a couple of different characters signed during autograph sessions.

Since most children have just a couple of really special favorite characters, getting their signature in person is more magical to the child vice the parents dropping something off at guest services and getting it back at the end off the cruise.

Why not just order the item with the signatures from Amazon and give it to them when they get home. Has about the same amount of magic for the child. Oh I forgot, this is not about magic for the child, it is about something free and never promised being stopped and the inconvenience for the parents.

ChicosWife · Jul 28, 2015

jcarwash said:
Has this news been posted already?

Scott on the Disney Cruise Line Blog is reporting that dropping off items for character autographs (pillow cases, photo mats, etc.) will be discontinued on all ships in August 2015.

Full story here: http://disneycruiselineblog.com/201...ey-mail-character-autograph-service-in-august

Noooo! This is our first Disney Cruise and I was so looking forward to this little "perk". Oh well, we still get to be on a Disney Cruise, so that makes up for it! LOL :sail:

Goofydad1975 · Jul 28, 2015

***Discontinuation of the Mickey Mail character autograph request service will begin on all new Disney Cruise sailings embarking after August 7, 2015. The ship by ship discontinuation is as follows:
Disney Dream – August 7, 2015 | 3-Night Bahamian Cruise – Itinerary A from Port Canaveral
Disney Fantasy – August 8, 2015 | 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise – Itinerary C from Port Canaveral
Disney Magic – August 10, 2015 | 5-Night Mediterranean Cruise – Itinerary B from Barcelona
Disney Wonder – August 10, 2015 | 7-Night Alaskan Cruise – Itinerary A from Vancouver

Maybe I'm misreading this, but to me it reads that they will be discontinuing this on these sailings only. What about all the other sailings? How can we confirm this?

To join the unpopular opinion group...Quit your whining people!!! Nothing burns me more than people complaining about not getting something for free! If they offer it as a paid service I will pay for it, otherwise do it the old fashioned way.

ChicosWife · Jul 28, 2015

schepp said:
There are a couple of ways that DCL could help satisfy the needs of the people who are too busy to stand in line for their child to have a magical moment with a character. They could sell autograph stencil sheets in the shops thereby allowing the parents to sign the object. Or they could provide self inking stamps with the autographs at guest services during certain times and allow people to stamp the autograph on the item themselves.

Having been on over a dozen cruises the autographs that our daughter treasures the most are the Chip and Dale stuffed animals that she bought on board and Chip and Dale signed for her during an autograph session and a DCL hoody that a couple of different characters signed during autograph sessions.

Since most children have just a couple of really special favorite characters, getting their signature in person is more magical to the child vice the parents dropping something off at guest services and getting it back at the end off the cruise.

Why not just order the item with the signatures from Amazon and give it to them when they get home. Has about the same amount of magic for the child. Oh I forgot, this is not about magic for the child, it is about something free and never promised being stopped and the inconvenience for the parents.

I would disagree. Although, we never received this service, we were looking forward to it. Even at Disneyland, you typically don't see this many characters to get autographs from. This was one way where our kids could have all the main characters autographs. We will always still wait in line and get their pictures with the characters and signatures, but, this was just something... a little more magical. pixiedust:

Geomom · Jul 28, 2015

Goofydad1975 said:
***Discontinuation of the Mickey Mail character autograph request service will begin on all new Disney Cruise sailings embarking after August 7, 2015. The ship by ship discontinuation is as follows:
Disney Dream – August 7, 2015 | 3-Night Bahamian Cruise – Itinerary A from Port Canaveral
Disney Fantasy – August 8, 2015 | 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise – Itinerary C from Port Canaveral
Disney Magic – August 10, 2015 | 5-Night Mediterranean Cruise – Itinerary B from Barcelona
Disney Wonder – August 10, 2015 | 7-Night Alaskan Cruise – Itinerary A from Vancouver

Maybe I'm misreading this, but to me it reads that they will be discontinuing this on these sailings only. What about all the other sailings? How can we confirm this?.

It's in this line: Discontinuation of the Mickey Mail character autograph request service will begin on all new Disney Cruise sailings embarking after August 7, 2015. They list the dates so that if you are on a cruise that started before 8/7, you'll be the last ones to have your items signed. They're not going to discontinue it in the middle of a cruise, they're waiting until the start of the next one.

Geomom · Jul 28, 2015

kel585 said:
Without ruining any Disney magic here, and keeping with Disney integrity. I was very good friends with some characters. At times, because of the volume of Mickey Mail, it can be scheduled, but sometimes not. And yes, there is a lot of candy

Thank you for maintaining the magic and Disney integrity! It's what I expect from Disney cast members both present and former. And thank you for sharing what you are able to share!

ASchwa · Jul 28, 2015

wcw57 said:
uh oh! you shot 2 sacred cows in 1 topic: fish extenders and alcohol! People do not like it (I have found out) if you object to some FE "standard" of performance or participation and, to advise against alcohol is, well, unpopular. Further, I have asked many times what the adults do with all the key chains, bottle openers, beads, etc they receive. Never got an answer.

More on topic: remember, as Oscar Wilde once wrote, "no good deed goes unpunished." Eventually the special Disney touches will be beaten out of the system.....

You didn't ask what adults did with their bottle openers (I open my bottles with it), key chains ( put my keys on it), pens (write with it), etc... You wrote that if you were participating in an FE, you would not give to cabins that have only adults in them. Big difference.

I doubt that special Disney touches will be stopped, they seem to find ways to keep a lot of it going. I can see how getting things signed got out of control and they now stopped doing it.

Bella29 · Jul 28, 2015

I agree this was getting out of hand, but I think it should be a gold/platinum perk, limited to 1 per stateroom. Or charge $25 each - whatever makes it worth the time and logistics involved. However I think the autographs in lines are completely ridiculous. 1 quick item if you are quick with the photo - fine. However it is incredibly rude to have multiple things signed, then 5 minutes of high fives and hugs, then take 8-10 different photos.... those characters are usually only available for 30 minutes at a time and lines are often much longer than that, so some kids are sitting in line watching all this "special memory making" and they will never get to the front of the line to experience it themselves!

closetmickey · Jul 28, 2015

It's too bad they couldn't have limited it to flat and non breakable items. But I completely get it!! Hauling wooden anchors and such back stage and then around the ship does seem a bit unreasonable! As does overwhelming the cast members with extra work.

And as far as limiting it to concierge...I despise that idea (and yes I've sailed concierge before). Adding more to "the class system" on the ships is just yuck in my eyes. Just my 2 cents.

wcw57 · Jul 28, 2015

ASchwa said:
You didn't ask what adults did with their bottle openers (I open my bottles with it), key chains ( put my keys on it), pens (write with it), etc... You wrote that if you were participating in an FE, you would not give to cabins that have only adults in them. Big difference.

I doubt that special Disney touches will be stopped, they seem to find ways to keep a lot of it going. I can see how getting things signed got out of control and they now stopped doing it.

you are half correct...i have rhetorically asked (it turns out) what people do with all that stuff many times...i also stated that i will never give gifts to adults in a FE. However, why drag up the past unless there is a new highlight to be added?
You have, as of right now, been the only person to answer my query regarding FE stuff. While I realize there is a tone of sarcasm in your response, you haven't responded to my implied inquisitiveness as to what to do with ALL those bottle openers, key rings, etc. It doesn't really matter and I'm not asking you to answer. Just trying to be clear.

I only mentioned it in response to an earlier poster with feelings similar to mine.
Nice to hear from you again!

C6PT7 · Jul 28, 2015

Bella29 said:
I agree this was getting out of hand, but I think it should be a gold/platinum perk, limited to 1 per stateroom. Or charge $25 each - whatever makes it worth the time and logistics involved. However I think the autographs in lines are completely ridiculous. 1 quick item if you are quick with the photo - fine. However it is incredibly rude to have multiple things signed, then 5 minutes of high fives and hugs, then take 8-10 different photos.... those characters are usually only available for 30 minutes at a time and lines are often much longer than that, so some kids are sitting in line watching all this "special memory making" and they will never get to the front of the line to experience it themselves!

I cannot say I agree with the perk system based upon levels. It is too classist and creates more divides than those that already exist between the concierge pax and those that are not.

If they do reintroduce it at some stage, I think your suggestion of $25 per item and only one item per cabin is a must.
And $20 of that charge donated to a designated children charity, such as Make A Wish.

CrawfordMomof2 · Jul 28, 2015

Minniemiss said:
I was thinking the same thing. It still amazes me that people put little bottles of liquor in the FE's. Some kid is going to catch on to this on a cruise. Raid the FE's and get drunk. Or there will be a rash of thefts and people going to guest services to complain. I'm sure the staff and security have better things to do than handle something like this. We were even a cruise were a woman wanted guest services to deliver her FE gifts. She had a headache. They did.

I can't even imagine going to guest services and asking something like that! We are passengers on a cruise ship, not royalty.

Disneyholic said:
But, but, but........the people left candy for them. What the heck were they supposed to do with all that candy?

I found this funny, because i'm diabetic, and I can't have all that sugar anyway. I'm sure there is more than 1 staff member that can't even eat the candy they left behind anyway.

ASchwa · Jul 28, 2015

wcw57 said:
you are half correct...i have rhetorically asked (it turns out) what people do with all that stuff many times...i also stated that i will never give gifts to adults in a FE. However, why drag up the past unless there is a new highlight to be added?
You have, as of right now, been the only person to answer my query regarding FE stuff. While I realize there is a tone of sarcasm in your response, you haven't responded to my implied inquisitiveness as to what to do with ALL those bottle openers, key rings, etc. It doesn't really matter and I'm not asking you to answer. Just trying to be clear.

I only mentioned it in response to an earlier poster with feelings similar to mine.
Nice to hear from you again!

My understanding from your posts is that adults according to you shouldn't enjoy certain small things if they don't have children or that their children are adults. It feels to me that you feel that anything Disney is for children's enjoyment only and adults are happy that their kids are happy. I feel that adults can have as much enjoyment of Disney as children and Disney does cater to that. The FE and even getting some things signed add to that feeling and adults like that. I feel as if you are saying that once you are an adult you shouldn't like Disney and only that is acceptable. I feel that Disney can be enjoyed by everybody, adult or child.

Disneybridewifemama · Jul 28, 2015

[/QUOTE]
I know people will be disappointed that this service is no longer available, but unfortunately, people did take advantage, and it was getting completely out of hand. Going back to the good old fashioned way, of getting your autograph at your meet and greet should be all part of the Magic. I totally think DCL have made the right call here.[/QUOTE]

I can say I'm pretty sure it was NOT the characters that signed my matte on my recent wonder cruise (7/13)

How do I know?

Because it looked like my 6 year old signed them and Rapunzel was spelled incorrectly. I know that the characters are trained in the signing aspect and they most definitely would not spell the names incorrectly, or have it come out looking like chicken scratch.

Either way, I was grateful for the matte and my daughter never noticed the difference.

There was actually a mix up with my matte and the wrong one was sent to my room. So I'm pretty sure my room steward did the signatures. Lol that's how it looks to me anyway. There's no way someone trained in the character department signed mine. My sharpies weren't returned either.

I completely understand the need to get rid of the service. I saw SO MANY people in line with their items. And you can tell by the quality of mine, they are rushing to get things done.

Weedy · Jul 28, 2015

They should just sell signed pillow cases and picture frames in the gift shops.

SwimMom2 · Jul 28, 2015

kel585 said:
I'd just like to throw it out there. I can 100% guarantee, that it is not a "random cast member in guest services" that signs the Mickey Mail. It is only the characters that sign the Mickey Mail. FACT!

I know people will be disappointed that this service is no longer available, but unfortunately, people did take advantage, and it was getting completely out of hand. Going back to the good old fashioned way, of getting your autograph at your meet and greet should be all part of the Magic. I totally think DCL have made the right call here.

Thank you for confirming this. I have suspected this for a long time. My children have an autograph book and have LOTs of autographs, some of which are repetitions. I have always marveled at how identical the autographs are (we have multiple autographs of several characters), no matter the location (WDW or DCL).

The characters are my favorite thing about Disney. My favorite Disney memories involve them. I considered using this perk on our cruise, but decided not to as I didn't want to add one more complication to our first cruise. After one gets though the line, the characters are exactly as I remember them when I was a child in the 80s and they could wander around the Magic Kingdom without getting mobbed. It takes something special to keep that alive in today's wildly popular Disney enterprise.

The magic will still be there, folks!

Sparkly · Jul 28, 2015

Ariel Wanna-be said:
I'm picturing the Marcy's Diner owner looking at all the stuff and yelling "THIS HAS GOT TO STOP!!!"

.

I'll never forget the look of fear on my pillowcase's face!

If I ever took my first Disney cruise, I was hoping to drop off a pair of shorts to be signed by Mickey. Then I would truly have Mickey pants!

MousseauMob · Jul 28, 2015

Weedy said:
They should just sell signed pillow cases and picture frames in the gift shops.

This would work for me! Our DCL pictures look so cute in the autograph frames. I'd totally buy the frame, rather than packing the mat and getting it signed.

Last time we sailed concierge, they asked me for my items so they could take it to guest services. I have a feeling they will continue that and not say no. I'm not saying they should do that, I'm just wondering if they would really say no. It would be interesting, after the end date, for a concierge passenger to hand it to their concierge host and see if they are told no. :rolleyes:

TestingH2O · Jul 28, 2015

MousseauMob said:
I have a feeling they will continue that and not say no. I'm not saying they should do that, I'm just wondering if they would really say no. It would be interesting, after the end date, for a concierge passenger to hand it to their concierge host and see if they are told no.

Why would concierge passengers have an item to sign if they know it's been discontinued unless s/he already felt entitled to some special treatment? I don't know, until DCL says that's a perk of sailing Concierge, I don't think it's appropriate to feel entitled.

undertheradar · Jul 28, 2015

TestingH2O said:
Why would concierge passengers have an item to sign if they know it's been discontinued unless s/he already felt entitled to some special treatment? I don't know, until DCL says that's a perk of sailing Concierge, I don't think it's appropriate to feel entitled.

Why?

DCL character autograph "Mickey Mail" being discontinued in August

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