Autograph books - glad we didn't do it

[nannyz]

We just back from DLR (I posted a trip report).
I forgot to add that we were glad we didn't buy autograph books. The characters were few and far between and the lines were very long. We would been forced to decide between getting autographs or getting on rides.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We just back from DLR (I posted a trip report).
I forgot to add that we were glad we didn't buy autograph books. The characters were few and far between and the lines were very long. We would been forced to decide between getting autographs or getting on rides.

Usually the way it has been in the past summers with waiting, but I bet we would see 8-10 a day thru out both parks.

Jack

 

[jcieutat]

I scrapped that two years back. Both of my daughters did not even say a word. The reason the lines are so darn long is because of the autograph books. The minute you get home, they are put away and stay there. My girls are happy enough just seeing the characters.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I'm glad you did what was right for your trip.

I personally like the autograph books. We've always had luck coming across characters and our last trip filled 3 of photo autograph books. And my kids don't just put them away - they are constantly pulling them out to look at the pictures and to see how old they were. It's a relatively cheap souvinier for us. But we do have the benefit of being able to go back fairly regularly, so my kids can pick & choose if they want to wait in line. And I compleletly understand it isn't a priority for everyone.

 

[lisachrystine]

I had exactly the opposite experience. I was undecided on the autograph books and had to run to buy them when the kids spotted Mickey for the first time - good thing it was a Magic Morning day, so minimal line! It's been 7 months since our trip and my 3 year old's book is falling apart because she looks at it almost every day and talks about going back to get Snow White and Cinderella to sign it, too. This was all new to me as I was never into characters as a kid. I guess you just have to go with the flow with what the kids want.

 

[ValpoCory]

We pull out our picture-filled autograph books from previous trips about once a month at bedtime. Some people claim we shouldn't take our young kids to Disney because "they won't remember it". Well, these books do an excellent job in helping our kids remember past Disney vacations.

 

[Tiradan]

I remember my 2nd trip to Disneyland when I was 8, however I have no memory of my 1st trip when I was 4.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Sorry to thread hijiack, but looking at the offerings at the Disney Store (where they are having their Friends & Family sale this weekend), they all seem Mickey themed for the autograph books. At the parks (or anywhere else Official), are there Pixar--esp "CARS"--themed books at all? Anything for Disney Channel characters (read: Phineas & Ferb and Jake)? My kids are not that into the classic characters.

 

[Abrooks86]

I can understand that. As a child, we rarely did the autograph books but we also grew up about an hour north so we were able to go quite frequently. Now that we are planning our kids' first trip in October, I am making some autograph books with my Cricut

 

[larina]

My daughter loves her autograph books!!!! She shows them off and sits around looking at them all the time!!!

 

[Malcon10t]

My nieces LOVE their autograph books. A couple trips ago, we opted to skip the books and at the end of the trip, the older one (10) asked if the next trip, we could get autograph books again. My older daughter got a wall map a couple years ago, and we got autographs on that. We even got Billy Hill and the Hillbillies. Now that is framed on our wall. Yes, it takes a little time, but not as much as expected, and it really makes the kids happy.

 

[CheshireGato]

I got an autograph book on my first trip when I was about 8, I only got about 7-8 to sign but I loved the experience. Now I'm 24 and still have the book in my shoebox of keepsakes/memories.

 

[tffnyjean]

We will be doing autographs with my twin 6 year old nieces this year. We got them the autograph books with the photo inserts when they were on sale at the disneystore, so this way they have something to look at too.

I just found my autograph book from the early 90's and it's in my bag so I can get some new ones this August with them.

 

[Kiwianna]

Our (grand)girls were enthusiastic autograph collectors on our previous visit three years ago.
This time, a suggestion that the younger girl join a line was spurned with a very firm
"No, thank you. I AM ten, you know."

 

[WeatherbySwann]

I've found that autograph books are good to have something to do with the character other than just pose for a picture, especially for younger kids. They prompt conversation, even if it's minimal. Older kids can sort of get the conversation going themselves, so we've phased out of the autograph books over time but they were definitely great when we were into them.

Another great idea with characters is having some sort of prop. They'll take that and run with it (sometimes literally). Anytime we have a visible stuffed animal or something, we get really fun character interaction.

 

[nannyz]

I'm sure my grandkids would have loved getting to meet the characters and getting autographs. The problem was that the characters were rarely anywhere to be found in the six days we were there, and the lines were very long at the few we saw. The only ones they got to actually interact with were Micky and Minnie over in Toontown.
I hope you all have a better experience.

 

[Malcon10t]

I'm sure my grandkids would have loved getting to meet the characters and getting autographs. The problem was that the characters were rarely anywhere to be found in the six days we were there, and the lines were very long at the few we saw. The only ones they got to actually interact with were Micky and Minnie over in Toontown.
I hope you all have a better experience.

Wow, you had some pretty bad luck. We usually end up seeing Cruella by the entrance, Mad Hatter and Alice by the Tour Gardens, Goofy by the fire station, Donald by the Mad Hatter, Pluto, Minnie, and Mickey by the Showcase, Chip and Dale by the train station, Geppetto by the Opera house, Peter Pan by the Matterhorn, various princesses by the Castle, Mary Poppins near the Castle, Buzz in Tomorrowland, Woody/Jessie back by BTMRR exit, etc... Those are off the top of my head. I also love seeing the characters on Buena Vista St.