Autograph Book? Yes or No?

[oliviaik]

We are going to Disney World this weekend for the first time with our kids, so we have never really done the character interactions. I am thinking about bring the Junior Encyclopedia of Animated Characters for the characters to sign. My kids are only 2 and 4, so they won't really know what to say to the characters. I, however, would love to ask the characters a couple of interesting questions each. I think the autographs would be a good keepsake, but I worry that they might cut down on the interaction. Is it possible to get good character interaction along with an autograph, or should we just forget the autograph book? Any tips for how to achieve good interaction?

 

[katt789]

The characters themselves are very good at initiating conversation and keeping it rolling for an appropriate length of time (the ones that can't talk are a little bit more tricky, but if they're good, they can do the same)

I've had different experiences with autographs, I've sometimes found that it distracts a little bit from the conversation because they're focussed on signing their name, but sometimes they're so pro they don't even need to look at the book while they're signing!

As for an autograph book, they really like to see something different, the same old books you can buy in the parks get real boring but when someone shows up with something different, personalized and "cool" it's exciting!

 

[oliviaik]

As for an autograph book, they really like to see something different, the same old books you can buy in the parks get real boring but when someone shows up with something different, personalized and "cool" it's exciting!

This is why I want to bring the encyclopedia if I bring anything at all. I just keep going back and forth, I guess.

 

[BebopBaloo]

One of our favorite souvenirs is from the time we bought a print of Mickey and Minnie from one of the art stores at WDW and had Mickey and Minnie autograph it. It's a drawing with Minnie on the right hand side and Mickey on the left. Minnie signed it first and signed above her picture. Mickey then wrote in front - Your Pal Mickey <3's . Thus we had an autograph, plus the 'Your Pal Mickey <3's Minnie Mouse' customization. We didn't ask that he sign it that way, but were glad that he did. We bought a frame at home and now it hangs on my daughter's wall.

 

[jbish]

When my daughter was 4, she was also a little shy so the autograph book was a great thing for her to do with each character. Then I started having her think of a question to ask each character, which also helped her come out of her shell. One of my favorites was when she asked Alice what her favorite flower was - they had a great conversation then. She asked Jasmine and Aladdin where Abu was, stuff like that. My boys saw characters when they were two - little interaction, but really cute still.

We use the photo autograph book they sell at the parks. Our plan is to get pictures of the kids with the characters each time so that we can see how they grow through the years.

 

[CutlerP]

Back in the day, we bought each kid a khaki hat at the store when we first got to the park. We brought a couple of fabric pens (different colors) and the characters signed the hats. They came out REALLY cute.

They had to take the hats OFF to be signed.....

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

My daughter didnt have an interest in the autograph book at age 2.... BUT at age 4!!! She was VERY into it, she wanted to get as many as she could and she would love to sit and look through the book during lines or meals... it was a HUGE hit, I was actually surprised at how much she was into it. Best $7 I spent

 

[TygerHawks]

My daughter turned 5 in the parks, and we decided not to get an autograph book. Thing was, she was being picky on which characters to get a photo with and which ones to be shy/scared around. With Chip and Dale, a CM offered her a card and a pen to get their autograph and she was hooked. Went straight to the nearest cart and bought a book.

 

[Crl1817]

For my ds, the autograph book was a good ice breaker. He has a hard time starting a conversation so at least with the autograph book he had something to say upfront ("would you please sign my book?"). I'm not sure he would have had the nerve to approach the characters otherwise.

 

[mousekatool]

My kids didn't care about autograph books at 2 and 4, but now that they are older, they love to have them signed. Maybe just pictures are enough for now since yours are still young.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Never did the autographs with our girls....for me, the pictures are the lasting memory I want.

 

[oliviaik]

So, is there enough time to get an autograph and ask a questions or two, or will they pose for the picture immediately after the autograph? Also, if we do ask a question, should we do it before or after the autograph?

 

[TeachGeekLove]

We are going to Disney World this weekend for the first time with our kids, so we have never really done the character interactions. I am thinking about bring the Junior Encyclopedia of Animated Characters for the characters to sign. My kids are only 2 and 4, so they won't really know what to say to the characters. I, however, would love to ask the characters a couple of interesting questions each. I think the autographs would be a good keepsake, but I worry that they might cut down on the interaction. Is it possible to get good character interaction along with an autograph, or should we just forget the autograph book? Any tips for how to achieve good interaction?

My son wants to bring his Birnbaum's for kids book (which has an autograph section). However, I saw an interesting suggestion on Pinterest: bring index cards. My twist on that is to use the index cards for autographs, then put them in a photo book right next to the same size photo of your child meeting the character.

 

[Kristina4109]

You will definitely have time for character interaction even if you do decide to have the characters sign a book. My daughter is 8 and she likes to draw a picture of the character while she is waiting on line to meet them. All the characters, ALL of them, face or otherwise, made a big deal about the picture she drew.

 

[oliviaik]

You will definitely have time for character interaction even if you do decide to have the characters sign a book. My daughter is 8 and she likes to draw a picture of the character while she is waiting on line to meet them. All the characters, ALL of them, face or otherwise, made a big deal about the picture she drew.

Good, I think if I come equipped with some questions ready then I can make sure to ask them. I think my son will get a kick out of the signatures.

 

[rainwatter]

My DD and I have begun collecting author-signed books. Our next trip, I think I am going to bring copies of the classic books for the characters to sign. Right now I've got Peter Pan, The Jungle Book, Many adventures of Pooh, and Grimm's fairy tales (for Rapunzel, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Tiana.)