Autograph questions

[lfeikert]

I wasn't sure I was going to do autograph books with my kids when we go for our first trip in a few weeks. I wasn't sure I wanted to carry around the books and take the time out of touring to stop for autographs. However, we were watching a show about WDW on travel channel the other night and the kids were collecting autographs. Now it's all DD7 talks about so I guess I will be doing autograph books after all!

We have several character meals scheduled. We can collect autographs at those meals, right? That way maybe I can avoid the lines in the parks but the kids can still get the autographs they want.

Will I be able to buy autograph books at the ASMu gift shop as soon as we arrive? We have an ADR at Chef Mickey's for dinner soon after we arrive. Also, what kind of pen should I have ready?

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Yes, definitely get autographs at the character meals. It's the easiest way! We leave ours on the table with a pen and hand it to the characters when they come over. The best kind of pen to use is retractable and fat so the characters can grip it easily. You can buy both the autograph book and pens at any gift shop.

I've read suggestions from scrap-bookers who use spiral-bound unlined index cards for the autographs, then tear them out to put in a book alongside a photo of the child with the character. Sounds cute, but too much work for me!

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

We didn't do autograph books last year for the same reasons you mentioned, and now I wish we had. We did a character meal every day, and that would have been the perfect opportunity for autographs. We plan to do them next time, but I will always regret not doing them on my daughter's first trip!

 

[kathleen27]

If you don't have time to stop in the ASMu gift shop, there is also a gift shop at the Contemporary on the same floor as Chef Mickey's. Chef Mickey's was our first stop last trip, so this is where we bought our autograph books.

 

[lfeikert]

Thanks everyone! I'm actually beginning to look forward to collecting the autographs rather than dreading it!

Do all the characters sign autographs? I know it would be very easy for the princesses and other face characters to sign but what about the other characters that are in full costume? DS4 adores Buzz, Woody, and Lightning McQueen (hoping he's back out!). Do they sign as well?

 

[stormer]

Buzz and Woody do sign. Lightning McQuuen and TowMater do not sign. There are a few others that don't sign - the Beast, Sulley, Goliath, are a few that I can think of who just do pictures.

The gift shops sell large pens that work great for autographs. They are right near the autograph books. They are retractable ball point pens, but bigger than regular pens. I always use these. Many people say they like the retractable Sharpies, but my kids always wind up writing on themselves or each other at some point so I am afraid to use those.

 

[aripantaloon]

We did several character meals and found them to be REALLY great ways to meet the characters. No standing in long lines in the sun!

I had a small 7x7 scrapbook (creative memories) and a retractable sharpie. It worked out great. We did have a stroller and a backpack to carry them around, though. I am going to have DD4's photo on the opposing page from the autograph.

Buzz doesn't "sign," but he uses a stamp for his autograph. Jojo signed for Goliath. I think that Baloo signed for King Louie as well.

 

[DIZBOUND]

I have read a lot of people using retractable sharpies and I was thinking of it for this trip. WHen I went To Staples, I looked at them and thought better of it. They seem short and thin for the characters to sign with their bit gloved hands. So for those of you who have used them, they really worked out well? I would love to for the choice of colors and not just all in ball point pen!

 

[aripantaloon]

The sharpie definitely worked out well. The gloved characters had no problems at all holding them. I did make sure that the time in DD4's hand was minimal because she just doesn't understand the threat to clothes and skin that a sharpie has. She still got red sharpie on a shirt when Mickey signed her book because I didn't get it out of her hand before the photos.

 

[Joanna71985]

Buzz and Woody do sign. Lightning McQuuen and TowMater do not sign. There are a few others that don't sign - the Beast, Sulley, Goliath, are a few that I can think of who just do pictures.

Buzz and Woody do not sign (at least not at MGM). They have a stamp.

 

[squirrel]

I bought a retractable pen from Staples. It was chunky but short. They had all different kinds with hair and a keychain clip (ours looks like a carrot). The characters didn't seem to have any trouble using it-one of the characters really liked it and was pretending to keep it.

I just cliped it to my fanny pack and it was easy to grab quickly!

 

[angelwolf67]

seems that DL/CA do things diffrently then DW. my ds5 got autographs from Buzz and Woody this past fall when we went fot mnssh.