Autograph book vs pillowcase

[DisneyH]

I want my girls (ages 6 and almost 3) to have a way to collect autographs. I pictured the books being fun in the moment, then forgotten when we get home. I saw a pinterest idea for autograph pillowcases, and thought that would be a fun way to collect autographs, and they can actually use it for months or years to come. I bought the stuff to make them, but now as I'm getting ready to make them, I'm wondering how practical they'll be in the parks. Does anyone actually do pillowcases at the parks, or is a book just the easier way to go?

Is there anyone here that has actually done an autograph pillowcase? Did it work well?

 

[DisneyH]

Anyone?

 

[marymaya]

We are doing plain old books. I still have mine from when I was a kid, so I know it wasn't forgotten! Good luck!

 

[DisneyH]

Now I'm thinking the pillowcase is a mistake...maybe I'm overthinking it?

 

[gray52]

Now I'm thinking the pillowcase is a mistake...maybe I'm overthinking it?

I think you're over-thinking the over-thinking part. If it sounds like a good idea, it probably is.

 

[ah1126]

We took a canvas bag to have them sign and it turned out great! I just folded it and kept it in a ziploc bag when we were riding. My DD uses it as her library bag.

 

[Spunky946]

We did pillow cases and it was easy. Sometimes it took a couple of us to pull it straight. The cm handlers were great in helping out.

 

[DisneyH]

This is my first trip ever (I'm 32) and I've always wanted to go. I've been planning this trip for so long and we leave in almost exactly a week. I think I'm freaking out. lol

 

[pooh4evr]

We did pillowcases last time~ the girls love them BUT it was kind of a pain. We brought a clipboard to put them on but having 3 was kind of crazy. Switching the clipboard, making sure the pillowcase was tight enough to write on, finding a good spot... the characters and handlers were great, very patient, but I felt rushed. The books are a lot easier.

 

[DisneyH]

I bought cheap embroidery hoops to hold the fabric taut. I'm hoping they'll do the trick!

 

[pixxi]

We used pillowcases last year. They were a pain, turned out kind of cute. We used a embrodery hoop, it was really hard to change to a new spot since many characters are together. I did feel rushed since two kids were had pillows. I kept stressing to my DH I needed help changing the hoop to a new spot.

 

[mssong85]

I am doing a canvas bag and my daughter is doing an autograph book. Canvas material does not need to be as stretched to sign.

 

[Best Aunt]

You can borrow the idea I use when getting actors' autographs at Cons -

Create a document in Word. Change the document size to 11 x 17. Type a small amount of text in it, such as: Disney World 2013. Change the color of the text to whatever you like.

Save the document to a flash drive. Take the flash drive to a Staples store that has a copy center. Ask them to print it on 11" x 17" eight point glossy poster paper. The cost will be around $2.

Also get a mailing tube. Cut the tube down so that it is just slightly longer than 11 inches. Roll your poster and put it in the tube.

When you get home, frame the autographed poster and hang it on the wall.

This works for me because my tote bag is large enough to put the mailing tube in. If you just take a tiny bag to the parks, you probably won't want to do this.

If you're worried about it getting wet, the tube might fit in a jumbo size zipper loc storage bag. I've never tried, because I haven't done this at a theme park.

If you like, mark a 4 x 6 area in the middle of the poster. Tell the characters not to write there. You could even mark an X in that space. When you get home, print out your favorite picture from the trip and tape it to that spot with double-sided tape (before you frame the poster.)

Here's a sample:

 

[pooh4evr]

love thaqt idea totaly trying it in October!

 

[mssong85]

Love the poster idea! I do a lot of cons too. You are a genius!

 

[blueferral]

If you ever do a Disney Cruise you can drop off a pillow case, markers and a wee bit of candy at customer service. The last night of the cruise the pillow case will be on your bed with the signatures of whom ever you requested (classic characters, pirates, princesses).

 

[ClaireW]

Although our books are sitting on a shelf now and rarely looked at we have bought them more than once in the past because we like character meals and the girls (aged 2/3 and 4/5 on our last trips) spent lots of time writing and drawing in the blank pages at the back of their books. As a little keepsake these scribbles mean more to me than the character autographs!

 

[mymickeyfans]

We are bringing pillow cases this year as well. I'm hoping it works out OK.

The last time I bought an 11X14 matted picture frame from Michaels. I brought just the matted part with us and had the characters sign that. When we got home we put a picture of all of us in front of the castle in the center photo spot. It came out great.

 

[Pinup Mommy]

I have had my autograph book for over 30+ years. Lol

I am planning on purchasing DD3 her own personal book for a character meal that we will be doing in 2 weeks. I want to mount a picture of her with the character next to their signature. Maybe add some cute stickers and quick caption... A mini scrapbook.

 

[scrappinannie]

We're trying the pillowcases this year, too. Our kids are 3 & 6 (first trip for our 3 yr old) and I think they'll enjoy using their autographed pillow cases way more than a book on a shelf. My plan is to use a clip board to have the characters sign on. I hope it works out and if not well, lesson learned!