Autographs and Pins: do or don't?

[SMD]

What about collecting pressed pennies instead of pin trading. You could bring a roll of quarters for each for the machines. One thing about pin trading is that the best finds are in the morning, which is prime park time for non-serious traders. Which isn't to say that first time traders won't enjoy finding a few things later in the day, but it can get old quick. Then the start of your day becomes about the trading hobby and not rides as you get more into it.

 

[kangamama]

We've never bothered with autograph books, but my kids (3 and 7) like trading pins with cast members. Maybe ask your kids if they want to do either?

 

[BadAndyB]

I know that the pin trading is bigger at WDW than it is DLR.

 

[alisigns]

I did a tablet autograph book at WDW last year. I uploaded all the pictures that I had printed for my niece's autograph book, downloaded an app called Picasso so that the characters could sign on the picture, and brought along a stylus pen. It was a hit and several other guests and even cast members asked about it. Also, when I got Belle's signature she held it up, looked it over, and said, "My father is a great inventor. I must tell him about this new invention!"

Since I had to bring it along for pictures, Disney app, etc, it was just another multi-purpose function! And then I had all of the autographs in digital format for photo books and digital scrapbooking, also!

 

[alisigns]

I agree with most of the posters. Yes, to autographs. It's a great way to interact with the characters, especially the ones who can't talk. Several people had great inexpensive ideas but another is small Disney spiral notebooks that they sell at Party City as party favors. We have used those several times and they work great. I have also done 4 x 6 notecards that are connected with a fastener. This year I'm using a sketchbook and letting my kids decorate it with Disney stickers.
This will be our first year with pin trading. We've never wanted to invest money in it but we got free pins and lanyards with the package we booked so I figured why not? But like I said, its not something I would have done for my kids previously unless they noticed it or asked first.

We were leery of the cost also, so I bought a lot on eBay and we were thrilled with the results. I think I got 75 cast member pins for about $30 and it allowed us to actually trade pins without being concerned about the cost. Buy from a reputable seller and you should have nothing to worry about!

 

[YukonMommy]

I know I am in the minority here but my 4 kids were never into autographs. We offered on all 3 of our trips and all times they said no. I am not going to lie I was happy as it would have been more things to keep track of.

Have a magical time!

 

[wenrob]

My oldest DD first trip at 6 the first thing we did was stop at the little kiosk right inside the gate to pick up an autograph book. It has since become tradition and it's the first thing we do every trip. We call her "the great character hunter" and at 18 it's still one of her favorite things to do. She has trained her siblings (now 9) well and I'm pretty sure that the three of them would be content to do nothing else but get autographs and pics, lol. I don't think they'd ever dream of tossing their books later on. Even if they did, I probably wouldn't let them!

As PP mentioned it's a great way to break the ice and get great interaction. I like the ones from the parks because they match the photo/scrapbook albums. I buy a six pack of the big, clickable sharpies and make sure there's at least one in each backpack.

We also did pins on oldest DD's first trip. She did them the next trip but hasn't since, she no longer seems interested. She will get a nice pin and put it on her ears but that's about it. I never had the younger ones start because honestly I found it to be a huge PITA and expensive.

 

[agamble]

This is a really helpful thread. Autographs seem like useful way to start a conversation with characters. Any of you tried this with 2 year olds?

We did a birthday card with signatures for our daughter's first and second birthday. She enjoyed seeing the characters at 2 and getting her card signed was fun too. She enjoyed it more the next year when she was closer to three.

 

[pindecisive]

I know that the pin trading is bigger at WDW than it is DLR.

Really?

Our next trip may need to be to Orlando then Though I'm guessing the expense would be much more than DL for us Cali folks.

 

[BadAndyB]

Really?

Our next trip may need to be to Orlando then Though I'm guessing the expense would be much more than DL for us Cali folks.

Yeah. It seemed like it was when we went several years ago. It was that trip that got me into pin trading.

 

[pindecisive]

Yeah. It seemed like it was when we went several years ago. It was that trip that got me into pin trading.

I found the craze to have died down in '11 at DL due to vinylmation... it was really disappointing.

 

[figment_jii]

I know that the pin trading is bigger at WDW than it is DLR.

That's an interesting observation...do you mean with non-CMs or with CMs? I love to trade pin at both resorts, but I've found that the relative amount of trading is roughly the same (with CMs at least). There doesn't seem to be more or less CMs at DLR wearing lanyard compared to WDW. It's just that at WDW, there are so many more CMs (four parks, lots of resorts, DTD, etc.) so it feels like there is more trading. I used to think that WDW had more pin books/boards, but DLR has a fair number of those now as well. I don't trade with non-CMs, so I don't know as much about the relative number of professional traders at the two resorts.

I found the craze to have died down in '11 at DL due to vinylmation... it was really disappointing.

They've stopped trading vinylmations at DLR (and WDW)...No more mystery or clear boxes in the parks or DTD.

We were leery of the cost also, so I bought a lot on eBay and we were thrilled with the results.

In terms of eBay, just keep in mind that a lot of the pin lots do contain scrappers, fakes, knockoffs, etc. It's a big debate among pin traders and can get pretty heated, but it's something to keep in mind if you're planning on starting to get into pin trading. The general rule of thumb is that if you can get a pin for less than a $1.50, it's probably a scrapper. If you want to know more about scrappers (and fakes), check out this Pin Trading thread.

 

[pindecisive]

They've stopped trading vinylmations at DLR (and WDW)...No more mystery or clear boxes in the parks or DTD.

I considered it quite a fad at the time. Pin Trading was the best part of my '07 trips - I was really bummed to see so few CM's with lanyards in '11. I was convinced it was because they were trying to focus on vinylmation.

 

[kangamama]

My first trip to DLR was in 2012 -- I've always been able to trade with CMs there. I've never traded with guests, there p, though. I have no idea how it compares to the scene at WDW.

 

[pindecisive]

I've only ever traded with CM's and I usually recommend the people with me do the same. I've had some creepy experiences with "serious" pin traders at the park (with the huge books and big vests). In my experience they seem to be looking to get a great deal from, or (see cheat or prey) on people who don't know enough about the pin they have. And in my experience it's usually kids or enthusiastic newbies.

With the CM's, they have no stock in what they trade for at the parks - it's about fun and collecting, not looking to get an expensive or limited edition pin they can sell. It's fun when I get a LE pin, but mostly? I just liked the pin. I didn't know it was LE until I looked it up on PinPics

 

[farmfresh]

I've only ever traded with CM's and I usually recommend the people with me do the same

I agree. When they were younger our kids traded pins, but only with cast members. It added a super friendly and fun extra element to the trip. But CMS only!
I'd also say we used pins as rewards etc for the kids when travelling.

 

[Goose&mavie]

This is a really helpful thread. Autographs seem like useful way to start a conversation with characters. Any of you tried this with 2 year olds?

I think it would be perfect for a 2 yr old. Definitely breaks the ice and they start asking the characters themselves sometimes. Plus, it would be a great keepsake. My LO totally remembers getting her book signed--granted she was a bit bigger (3 yo) when she went and did this the first time.

 

[violentlyserene]

I think it would be perfect for a 2 yr old. Definitely breaks the ice and they start asking the characters themselves sometimes. Plus, it would be a great keepsake. My LO totally remembers getting her book signed--granted she was a bit bigger (3 yo) when she went and did this the first time.

Thanks! One is unlikely to be verbal enough to ask but a goal in interacting could really be helpful in getting him anywhere near characters. The other kid will likely have to be dragged away sobbing, especially from Frozen characters.