Autograph Books - Need some advice

[joshua4]

I am taking my great niece (7) and nephew (11) in October. It's been many years since my kids were small and we did disney trips, but one thing I remember is that you want to minimize how much kid stuff you are hauling around. I want to try to keep to essentials like snacks, sunscreen and ponchos. I remember pin lanyards were fun but the kids would ultimately get hot with those around their necks and dump them off on my to carry. I would love to avoid carrying around two autograph books. Has anyone had success with getting a kid to carry around their own book in a fanny pack? Is a typical fanny pack even big enough for a standard autograph book? Alternatively -- any advise on how to convince kids they dont need an autograph book?? Thanks in advance for your words of wisdom.

 

[erinch]

From the time my now 29 yr old DD was 3, she proudly carried her own autograph book and giant pen in a very lightweight string backpack. Wanted nothing to do with Fanny packs.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Some people do autographs on different objects - maybe a pillowcase would work well? Lightweight and easy to carry, but lots of surface area for writing on.

I’ve also seen picture frames but I shudder at the thought of toting two picture frames around.

 

[DisneyMom93]

My girls carried theirs in waist packs when they were young. My advice is you give them the option of carrying them themselves or not getting autographs. Make it their choice.

As for waist packs they are popular again with teens and tweens now. The lululemon ones (or knock off ones for much cheaper) are popular. They also wear them across their chest now, as opposed to their waist. But in DW wearing on their waist is common too.

 

[DisneyMom93]

My girls also wore a small lightweight crossbody bag when they were young. You might see it in my profile pic on one of my girls.

 

[DisneyMom93]

I forgot… My girls also had baseball caps that were light colored and the characters signed them. You just need to bring a fine point sharpie marker or fabric marker.

 

[CarolynFH]

My advice is you give them the option of carrying them themselves or not getting autographs. Make it their choice.

This would be my course of action, too. Even for the 7 year old.

 

[_19disnA]

I think the 11 yr old will probably be less interested in autographs at that age since they likely know the characters are people dressed up in costumes. The younger one might be interested. When we went a few years ago with relatives who had small children, they brought their autograph book to a couple of the character meals we went to. Disney characters rotate between every table and you are much more likely to get an autograph without the hassle of having to lug the book around all day at a park.

IF you take a picture frame to any park, I would certainly recommend leaving the glass at home to avoid issues with breakage.

 

[scrappinginontario]

IF you take a picture frame to any park, I would certainly recommend leaving the glass at home to avoid issues with breakage.

Guests take the cardboard mat that surrounds the picture to the parks, not the actual frame. Also, glass is not permitted into the parks but honestly I would believe guests would know not to take the glass to the parks.

 

[katyjeka]

Buy them a baseball cap. They help keep the sun off their eyes and when they get home, they will get a ton of comments when they wear them. Our girls have built quite a collection through the years, you would be surprised at the amount of people who ask about them when they wear them.

 

[joshua4]

Thanks everyone - all great ideas and I really love the “you want it, you carry it!” Concept.