Autograph ideas for a 10 and 8 year old???

[andychris14]

We have done the autograph books,and did a tee shirt last time. Now my kids are 3 years older. My ds is 10 and not that thrilled about doing the autographs. dd, is 8 will be into it. I am on the fence about doing the autograph thing but am sad not to.
Any other autograph ideas??? A hat would be good but the characters can only sign on the brim, and that's not too much room for autographs.
Thanks for any help.

 

[babybunrab]

If DS doesn't want to do autographs, could he participate by maybe taking the picture of his sister with the character instead of getting autographs himself?

 

[andychris14]

I think he will be fine taking pictures and doing the autograph. As long as he doesn't bump into any of his friends!!!! LOL
Thanks

 

[Amyality]

If he doesn't want to I agree maybe he should just jump in a few pictures with sis. But, maybe you could tell him he should do a silly autograph book this year and try to pose in funny ways in each picture. For example neeling like prince charming at Snow Whites feet or spanking Goofy or making a silly face in the pics. or doing a hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil scene with two characters. I dunno...just brainstormin'!

 

[snowy76]

If he doesn't want to I agree maybe he should just jump in a few pictures with sis. But, maybe you could tell him he should do a silly autograph book this year and try to pose in funny ways in each picture. For example neeling like prince charming at Snow Whites feet or spanking Goofy or making a silly face in the pics. or doing a hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil scene with two characters. I dunno...just brainstormin'!

Hopefully andychris' son is not in that "desperate to be cool" stage yet. My DS 11 would *flip out* if I asked him to do this. He's entering that stage where he is desperate to be cool and in so doing, just comes across as a grump, which is so NOT cool. Like this year, he absolutely refused any princess pictures -- too girly, I guess, you'd think a preteen with raging hormones would LIKE the attention -- so we have a ton of character pics with DD9 where he is nowhere to be found. What kills me is that I'm asking myself (and him, at times)... who in DISNEY WORLD are you there to impress?!

 

[Luv2Travel]

I have twin 11 yos and a 9 yo and we've filled the books with autographs, so this year we're going to try a couple of different things. They did agree to at least letting me take some pictures with the characters (I like the silly pose idea) and we may get some hats for them to autograph (I'm getting sturdy white caps so the characters can write all over them). Also, I'm taking some birthday cards for the grandparents and I'll be buying postcards while I'm done there. The grandparents b'days are all in October so I'll mail the cards from down there with greetings from the characters, and I know some families with little chidren who will be going in November and December and I'm going to mail the postcards with greetings from the characters for them. This way my kids will get autographs, but they'll be getting them for someone else and won't feel so silly (hopefully).

 

[Amyality]

I can just picture your "cool" pre-teen! Thankfully, this too will pass ... someday! My older boy is due for that phase in a few years, he is 7 now.

Yeah, the silly autograph book would probably be for a class clown type silly guy trying to be cool that way.

I kind of like my hear no, speak no, see no evil pic. idea. I might try for this for my own photo collection. Our kids do love the autograph/photo thing (ages 4 and 7) it makes for such a cool record of the trip.

 

[SeaShelley]

This was the same question I asked myself about my 11 yo DS. I know he won't be "into" getting autographs as he was during our last trip (he was 5), but I am hoping he'll at least get photographs taken.

One suggestion I would make to you is a Hidden Mickey Book. I bought it for my son and will give it to him as the trip gets a little closer. I thought it would be a bit "cooler" than getting autographs and make him really take notice of everything around him, not just "what to ride on next!"

 

[snowy76]

SeaShelley, that is a really cool idea!!

 

[DVCajun]

I'm going to do a couple of pillow cases this year.

I'm also going to bring some photo mats.

 

[Amyality]

Seashelly - LOVE the hidden mickey idea! This is the first year we will be looking for hidden Mickeys. I could see that really for the gal' ( or her son as the case may be) who originally posted, would make a cool scrap book, no autographs but, still a record of the trip.

 

[SuJo]

My DH's have at least 4 autograph books that we have filled every time we go to WDW. This past visit I was able to find a Disney story book at my DH's school book fair. The book contains most of the various Disney stories and we had each of the characters sign the pages of their stories. It was a really neat project, the girls loved finding the characters that matched the stories and having them sign it. The characters made a big deal about their stories when they saw the book and made character signing more fun. Some times when there were other characters around, they would walk around with the book showing their story to other characters. The girls got a kick out of it and so did I. Now when the girls read the stories they get to see each of the characters signatures at the same time.

SuJo

 

[SeaShelley]

My DH's have at least 4 autograph books that we have filled every time we go to WDW. This past visit I was able to find a Disney story book at my DH's school book fair. The book contains most of the various Disney stories and we had each of the characters sign the pages of their stories. It was a really neat project, the girls loved finding the characters that matched the stories and having them sign it. The characters made a big deal about their stories when they saw the book and made character signing more fun. Some times when there were other characters around, they would walk around with the book showing their story to other characters. The girls got a kick out of it and so did I. Now when the girls read the stories they get to see each of the characters signatures at the same time.

SuJo

That's a really cool idea! It would make a super gift for my little neices!!! I like autograph books, but this idea ROCKS! Thanks SuJo!

 

[bleeps]

I haven't done this but saw it posted once by another parent --

instead of getting character autographs and photos (they'd done it all before, the kids were older), they went around and got CAST MEMBER photos and autographs -- the regular folks making all the magic happen every day. Security guards, ride operators, snack stand attendants, maintenance/janitorial workers. This mom said that the cast members were delighted, they shared information and tips, and that the kids got a much better appreciation for the work it takes to make the parks run.

I'm keeping this one up my sleeve for the day when my 7 year old DS no longer wants to do the character thing....

 

[puffkin]

I heard someone once got a white photo mat, and had the characters sign that. Then they put a collage of pictures of the kids with the characters in the matting and framed it.

 

[YourMajesty]

I haven't done this but saw it posted once by another parent --

instead of getting character autographs and photos (they'd done it all before, the kids were older), they went around and got CAST MEMBER photos and autographs -- the regular folks making all the magic happen every day. Security guards, ride operators, snack stand attendants, maintenance/janitorial workers. This mom said that the cast members were delighted, they shared information and tips, and that the kids got a much better appreciation for the work it takes to make the parks run.

I'm keeping this one up my sleeve for the day when my 7 year old DS no longer wants to do the character thing....

Hey this might be a good tip for the restaurants. Walk in and get a picture for the photo album with the waiter/waitress and just maybe....you'll get better serivce. We had trouble with poor service our last trip.

 

[jlb21]

....or spanking Goofy.......

I know what you mean, but something just sounds wrong about that!

 

[Amyality]

I know what you mean, but something just sounds wrong about that!

You are so silly!

 

[Amyality]

Hey this might be a good tip for the restaurants. Walk in and get a picture for the photo album with the waiter/waitress and just maybe....you'll get better serivce. We had trouble with poor service our last trip.

Good idea about the service, I just might try this as I am worried about the diing plan and the service...with a digital camera you don't have to develop it if you don't want to! I have been toying around with mentioning that we don't think the 15% included gratuity is high enough for excellent service and wish to leave more in that case. Not sure how to say it though without coming off like a jerk or something.

 

[andychris14]

thanks for all of your tips. I especially like the hidden mickey book. Here is another question:
Where do I get this book? Is this something that I have to make before hand.( I am not that crafty but will try)
Where can I find out more information about hidden mickeys?
Thanks again