Autograph Books

[NicPie]

I've been wondering.. I've seen a lot f you mentioning making autograph books, but do they sell them in the parks and/or resorts too? Or do you make them because they ones they sell aren't cute or cost a lot, etc?

 

[NicPie]

Oh.. and also, do I bring my own pen or do the purchased books (if there are any) come with one?

I saw a YouTube vid from Chef Mickey's and it seemed like they used fat pens.. guessing they're easier for them to grip in those costume hands. So, do they keep their own handy or do they use ours?

Just want to be prepared.

 

[Cinderella909]

I've been wondering.. I've seen a lot f you mentioning making autograph books, but do they sell them in the parks and/or resorts too? Or do you make them because they ones they sell aren't cute or cost a lot, etc?

They sell autograph books in the parks. These have blank pages for the characters to sign. Some have room to add a photo. That said, I have always made my own from the creative folks on the DISigners here.

I love making the autograph books and they are really nicer than ones bought in the parks. Making them allows creative control over the book. We always get lots of compliments, and even have had the characters show to their handlers. I've even had them call a manager to show them the autograph book. The manager took photos of my DGD holding the book along with the character.

For me, making autograph books is probably more expensive than purchasing them in the parks. Taking into account, ink, paper, binding. But, they are so nice when completed. I've head of some people who have made some real inexpensive autograph books.

If you even pondering, I would go over to the creative disigns thread and check them out. There is a thread on "How to make an autograph book" and the folks over there are super helpful!

Either way, have fun! Karen

 

[EPCOTgrl1]

I bought a canvas bag while I was down there and have everyone sign that

 

[BigPumba]

We use index cards and a small clip board. The kids decorated their clipboards with stickers and then I used laminating sheet to cover. The characters always like to point at their stickers if they could find them. As far pen we used a acid free sharpie. The cards make it easer to place in a scrap book after the trip

 

[Mousemommy1]

We purchased the Disney autograph books back in 2009 for our girls' 1st trip...they have used those for 3 trips now and will bring them along for their 4th trip in April. They just pick up right where they left off and continue to get the autographs they don't already have. It's pretty cool!

Yes, the fat pens are easier for the characters to use with their big ole' hands and all.

 

[NicPie]

The canvas bag is a cute idea.


Thanks for all the info, Karen. I would like to make one.. thinking about how to get it bound and what to make the cover out of confused me though. I'll have to try and find that area you were talking about.

 

[NicPie]

Thank you all for the tips! I think I probably will make something. I'm excited now.

 

[godiva99]

I just finished mine for our February trip. It's something nice to have, and the kids will love having those colorful images of the characters for monts and years to come. It's an extra little magic for the little ones, and big ones too

I used close to 70 sheets of cardstock paper I picked up at Michaels on sale and we use inexpensive ink for our all in one printer from eBay. Binding both books was a few cents under $10

Definitely head on over to the creative board!

Here are mine...I made front and back covers and lined the inner covers with Disney scrapbook paper and laminated at home (have my own little machine)

I got the mayority of my autograph cards here:
http://s143.beta.photobucket.com/user/donatalie/library/#/user/donatalie/library/Autograph%20Books/Volume%202?&_suid=135860816353509733260593678115

 

[famousmockingbird]

I'm one of those lazy moms that just bought the autograph book in the resort gift shop. I usually try to throw in one of those fine tip sharpies. They're fat enough for the characters to hold, no top to fool with, and the fine tips don't bleed through the pages like the regular sharpies.

 

[Ametista]

I went to the Disney store online and looked at the official autograph books, then I found that exact one on Ebay for $5 less with free shipping (she wanted the Tinkerbell one). I don't like that the photo slots are for 3x5 when photos are almost always 4x6 now, so you have to fudge with them before printing since you will have to cut it down. Overall DD is very happy with her book. 3 trips and its almost full!

We always bring a regular sharpie.

 

[4littleones]

I made mine with Disboard stuff on Artscow. I love them. I am not a crafty person at all. This is the only thing I ever made. I don't even make cookies, cakes, nothing. Really if I can do it, anyone can.

 

[butterfly71076]

I do both, I usually make a book for character dining and buy the yearly version for non dining meets. The first book i made, i used the wonderful autographs cards made by the amazing DISigners and it came out awesome! For the rest, I practiced making cards, and they ended up great! I even made books for my cousins girls and my niece for Christmas, we are headed down in March, together. We use a sharpie and it works fine, no trouble holding at all. If you have time, OP, check out the autograph book thread over on the DISign board!! The talented people over there can lead you in the right direction!!! Oh, we have never had such amazing character experiences than we had with those homemade books! The characters LOVE them!!!

 

[Cinderella909]

The canvas bag is a cute idea.


Thanks for all the info, Karen. I would like to make one.. thinking about how to get it bound and what to make the cover out of confused me though. I'll have to try and find that area you were talking about.

Binding is easy! I use heavy stock paper, print one per page (and, yes, I know it wastes paper, but I recycyle the paper) then go to Staples/Office Max/Office Depot/Kinkos and use their equipment to cut and have them bind them. They even placed a cover/backing to make them look great! For the covers, don't worry the ceative dissigners have you covered

I find the disigners to be great people and willing to share their works.

I love doing my disney projects and have done some for friends. Lots of compliments. Here's link to my some of my finished projects!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2596836

Have fun! Karen

 

[McLaughlinS]

I'm having WAYYY too much fun. Our families have 5 kids going. We went to the craft store and each child selected a different Disney pattern of fabric. I made autograph book covers and matching lanyards from the fabric.

The books are made from light weight 8.5x11 card stock cut in half to 8.5x5.5. The covers are made from a total of 4 pieces of posterboard. I cut the fabric slighly larger and stretched it over the PB. I glued the edges of the fabric to the back. Then I glued two pieces of PB front to back to create each cover. The covers are more sturdy that way and all the "seams" are hidden. We are using simple clasp rings to hold them together.

I bought a retractable Sharpie, slipped a name badge holder over the end and glued the "pocket clip" (or what ever its called ) down so the pen will not slip out. The badge holder the clips the marker securely to lanyards or books.


Whatever you decide to go, make sure you put your name and number in the book. I have a friend who left their's behind and were not able to locate it when they went back.

 

[NicPie]

I must be really, really dumb.


I look at those threads and almost immediately I start feeling anxious and frustrated. I can't weed through those massive threads to did what I want. An when I do get closer, nothing I find is what I want.

I don't want autograph cards.. and that seems to be all I can find.

*sigh*

I'll probably end up buying something there.

Thanks for the contact info tip, I will definitely put that inside.

 

[Cinderella909]

I must be really, really dumb.


I look at those threads and almost immediately I start feeling anxious and frustrated. I can't weed through those massive threads to did what I want. An when I do get closer, nothing I find is what I want.

I don't want autograph cards.. and that seems to be all I can find.

*sigh*

I'll probably end up buying something there.

Thanks for the contact info tip, I will definitely put that inside.

Oh, I'm so sorry that you are feeling so overwhelmed by those threads. Yes, those threads can be overwhelming. I have learned to look at the dissigners pages and to download anything that I think I might like. I file under autograph card, invitation, welcome letter, etc so that I might easier find when ready to print. In addition, it took time for me to learn to personalize, print and do what I want to do. Although, many of the disigners will personalize for you. I've used those boards for three years, and trust me, I have spent much time looking over the threads, disigner pages and learning how to do what I want to do. (Hours/days/weeks!)

The autograph cards are easy to print off and then take them to the Office supply store for binding. But, that being said, please don't beat yourself up! Nothing wrong with buying an autograph book in the parks, that's exactly why they sell them!!

Maybe you could start with something small like a welcome letter, count down chain... and build your confidence!

Remember, most people go to disney without doing all that creative disign work and they all have fun! And, your little ones will be so happy getting the autographs and meeting the characters!

Have fun, Karen

 

[NicPie]

Aw, thank you.


I feel like I need to bring one evaluate I don't know what we'll come across from the shops there. And if they don't have what my DD wants, then I've missed the chance to have one made for her. I have ideas in my head about what we want it to be like, it's just getting it that way that's the problem.

I'm also too anal to use the character cards because if we don't get one filled, it will seem incomplete. And I honestly don't know when we'll be back again for her to get who she missed/ also, if she gets one from someone we didn't have a page for, that would annoy me that that one was in plain paper and is unlike the others. I have issues, don't I? LOL

 

[danicaca]

These are the books I made for our last trip. I simply covered heavy cardboard with paper, punched holes in them, then bound them with ribbon. The pages are 6x6 page protectors for scrapbooks that I bought at Michaels.

Here are a few pics of the inside pages. The large rectangle is for the pic, and the small one below was for the autograph. We got a lot of compliments on them! Now I need to go make this year's books! Trying something different this time, I will post when they are finished!

 

[NicPie]

Cute! I like the idea of the pic and autograph on one page. Did the characters get that they needed to sign the underpart or did you have to keep telling them all?

My DD want sparkly Mickey heads all over the cover. Ordered some online and I think I'm going to get a red fabric to cover some chip board for the cover.. I just hope Kinkos will be able to bind that for me. And hoping the Mickeys and whatever other decorations won't fall off.