Best way to get autographs (I know Mickey Mail is discontinued)

[LeJuju]

I am a first timer to forums of any sort, so my apologies -- if this particular topic has already been discussed please let me know!

My parents and I will be going really soon on the 9/3 Mediterranean cruise. Needless to say I am very excited! About a week ago, we received the horrible news that one of my cousins has been diagnosed with Stage III Lymphoma. He's put on a remarkably brave face and maintains as positive an attitude you can. He has two young kids (one born this past May), so the news is even more harder to hear. I want to get him and his family something, as he is a big Disney and Marvel fan. When I researching before for unique souvenir ideas, I came across Mickey Mail. I understand the circumstances that lead to is discontinuation, but I still think that that is a great idea. His fave is Thor, so I was thinking of having characters sign the hammer with well wishes or encouraging words.

Does anyone know of the best way to go about doing that? Aside from waiting in line, which I assume is my only real option, haha. Is that even allowed to get such a thing signed, and that personalized? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I know I'm asking on a rather tight deadline, haha.

 

[Quellman]

I can't believe no one has responded to you yet. First. What a nice thought to do for your cousin. I do hope that he and his family can find comfort during this troubling time.

Yes, Mickey Mail is discontinued. Yes, waiting in line is the option to get things signed while on board.

As for characters signing Mjölnir, you may not be able to accomplish that. Generally because characters are not supposed to sign things that aren't theirs. Like Donald Duck shouldn't be signing a post card that has Rapunzel on it. The other issue could be size and space. Characters with gloves might have some difficulty holding and signing the odd shaped object without some help. Luckily, the movie prop has lots of flat sides.

You could always introduce to characters that you have a magical hammer that you are collecting signatures on for your cousin. And that the power from the characters will help him through the treatment process. That type of story may make it easier to have them sign it collectively. But have a back up handy! Photo mats, pillow cases, and tshirts could be just as special. In the photo mat you could always put a picture of their family from a happier time.

One less magical approach would be for you to sign the hammer yourself with different color markers. There are lots of examples of their signatures online. You could still take it with for the cruise and hold it in every picture.

I hope you have a magical cruise.

 

[lanejudy]

First -- so sorry to hear of your cousin's diagnosis. You are so very kind to think of him and his family and want to bring back something special from your vacation.

PP is correct -- the only way to officially get autographs is to stand in line. You are allowed to bring items to be signed. However, I'm wondering if a hammer might (or might not) be considered a "weapon" and not allowed onboard. I suppose that might depend on size or even style, and whether it is more like a costume prop than functional. To be signed, it is recommended that items be of decent size or the character(s) may struggle writing on it.

I have never seen Thor on any DCL cruises. Maybe I just haven't sought out the Marvel characters; the Magic does have the Marvel Avengers Academy in the Oceaneer Club.

Maybe you could incorporate a the hammer into a final display, using a signed photomat or something as background? You could mark out an area to leave blank so signatures won't eventually be hidden behind the hammer.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[FigmentSpark]

May I suggest that you pick up something special for his kids? They may not remember their father in the years ahead, but maybe a special stuffy, like Mickey, then get a photo mat signed by Mickey. You can take a picture of Dad and the child holding the stuffy and have it put in the frame so his kids will remember him and his love of Disney.

 

[Plaid Princess]

I would highly recommend that you speak to the team at Guest Services. While "Mickey Mail" is no longer an option, they may have some good suggestions or alternatives considering that this is a unique situation!

 

[Aanna]

Post erased because I derped. Now i know what Mickey Mail is, though!

Hugs, love, and prayers for your whole family.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I thought that, at the beginning of the cruise, one could drop off an item and sharpies at Guest Services and they would have it signed and delivered back to your room at the end of the cruise? Considering the situation, they might make an exception for the hammer, but, if not, perhaps you could have a pillowcase or some such as a back up?

Hugs, love, and prayers for your whole family.

No, the signature drop-off service ended about a year ago. Just too many people partaking, is the speculation.

In order to get signatures now DCL has said you must bring the items to the various meet & greets. Just be aware of the restrictions:
A character cannot sign an item that's not "theirs", as in the example given - Donald can't sign a Rapunzel picture.
And some characters cannot actually hold items (or a pen) to sign.

 

[Aanna]

No, the signature drop-off service ended about a year ago. Just too many people partaking, is the speculation.

Yeah, i realized that. I thought 30 seconds to edit out my derp was fast enough. Guess not

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Yeah, i realized that. I thought 30 seconds to edit out my derp was fast enough. Guess not

I wouldn't say "derp". There are many who aren't aware that it's been discontinued, even this much later.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

Slightly off topic;

Since when can a character not sign something that isn't theirs? is this just a cruise rule? I have at WDW had a character sign a postcard that other characters are on many times with no issue. Princesses on a mickey postcard, goofy on a princess post card... whoever had a short line lol

Totally just curious. I have never heard this before.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Slightly off topic;

Since when can a character not sign something that isn't theirs? is this just a cruise rule? I have at WDW had a character sign a postcard that other characters are on many times with no issue. Princesses on a mickey postcard, goofy on a princess post card... whoever had a short line lol

Totally just curious. I have never heard this before.

May be a cruise line specific thing. This is a copy of the email sent out when the change occurred:
Although this was something that Disney Cruise Line did not promote, we
are no longer able to provide this service.

As I am sure you know, part of the fun in collecting Disney Character
signatures is the interaction with our World Famous Characters.

Therefore, as we continually review our offerings we have decided to
discontinue the practice of assuming responsibility for personal items
and are no longer accepting items for signatures from our Characters at
our Guest Services location.

However, we have added additional Character meet & greet opportunities,
so that Guests may meet our Characters in person and obtain their
signatures. Please stop by Guest Services or check your Personal
Navigator for the schedules and information on the various autograph
opportunities that will be taking place during your voyage.

As always, Character interactions are subject to change without notice.

For a list of items that can or cannot be signed, please note below
(subject to change):
Able to sign:

*Any autograph book

*Disney branded items that are appropriate to that character. For

example, Cinderella would not be able to sign a Buzz Lightyear item.

*Disney stationery

*Disney approved photos - only characters in photo can sign the photo

*Disney notecards

*Disney Dollars - once signed would become souvenirs (no longer legal

tender)

*Clothing - must not be worn when signed

**Not able to sign:

*Flags of any nations

*Receipts / banking slips

*Money

*Skin

*Non-Disney merchandise

*Non-family friendly / obscene items

I hope this information has been helpful. If you require further
assistance in planning your visit, please feel free to contact us.

We look forward to sailing with you!

Have a Magical Day!
XXXX
Email Communications Agent
Disney Cruise Line

 

[purfectlyweird]

I was able to get this signed a few months ago by minnie, woody, donald duck, pluto, and dopey. Nobody said anything. The CMs just grabbed the plate, had the characters sigh it first then we took pictures. The plate cost 10$ at downtown disney.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

May be a cruise line specific thing. This is a copy of the email sent out when the change occurred:
Although this was something that Disney Cruise Line did not promote, we
are no longer able to provide this service.

As I am sure you know, part of the fun in collecting Disney Character
signatures is the interaction with our World Famous Characters.

Therefore, as we continually review our offerings we have decided to
discontinue the practice of assuming responsibility for personal items
and are no longer accepting items for signatures from our Characters at
our Guest Services location.

However, we have added additional Character meet & greet opportunities,
so that Guests may meet our Characters in person and obtain their
signatures. Please stop by Guest Services or check your Personal
Navigator for the schedules and information on the various autograph
opportunities that will be taking place during your voyage.

As always, Character interactions are subject to change without notice.

For a list of items that can or cannot be signed, please note below
(subject to change):
Able to sign:

*Any autograph book

*Disney branded items that are appropriate to that character. For

example, Cinderella would not be able to sign a Buzz Lightyear item.

*Disney stationery

*Disney approved photos - only characters in photo can sign the photo

*Disney notecards

*Disney Dollars - once signed would become souvenirs (no longer legal

tender)

*Clothing - must not be worn when signed

**Not able to sign:

*Flags of any nations

*Receipts / banking slips

*Money

*Skin

*Non-Disney merchandise

*Non-family friendly / obscene items

I hope this information has been helpful. If you require further
assistance in planning your visit, please feel free to contact us.

We look forward to sailing with you!

Have a Magical Day!
XXXX
Email Communications Agent
Disney Cruise Line

That's really interesting! Must be a cruise thing.

 

[SoozCruise]

I have, twice, saved some waiting time in the character lines. After I do an animation drawing, I often go to that character's meet to get an autograph on my drawing; I don't get a picture. On two occasions while I was waiting in line, one of the cast members accompanying the character walked up and down the line to give instructions about photography. I asked if it was okay if I got just an autograph and no picture, and the cast member pulled me out of the line, took my drawing, and had me wait around the corner while she had the character sign it in a lull between photographs.

I have waited in many other lines and do not mind it because it's pretty cute to watch the little kids interact with the character, but on my most recent cruise the pull-out got me some extra time before dinner. (I did make sure to give shout-outs to the helpful cast members on the comment card at the end of the cruise.)

[ETA: I just read through the guidelines PrincessShmoo posted and whoops, I am bypassing the interaction portion of the meet.]

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I was able to get this signed a few months ago by minnie, woody, donald duck, pluto, and dopey. Nobody said anything. The CMs just grabbed the plate, had the characters sigh it first then we took pictures. The plate cost 10$ at downtown disney.

View attachment 190959

I would think a Mickey item would pretty "generic" in the Disney world. And, as with most things Disney, there may be a bit of "wiggle room" in the actual restrictions of who can sign what.

 

[stacaka4321]

First -- so sorry to hear of your cousin's diagnosis. You are so very kind to think of him and his family and want to bring back something special from your vacation.

PP is correct -- the only way to officially get autographs is to stand in line. You are allowed to bring items to be signed. However, I'm wondering if a hammer might (or might not) be considered a "weapon" and not allowed onboard. I suppose that might depend on size or even style, and whether it is more like a costume prop than functional. To be signed, it is recommended that items be of decent size or the character(s) may struggle writing on it.

I have never seen Thor on any DCL cruises. Maybe I just haven't sought out the Marvel characters; the Magic does have the Marvel Avengers Academy in the Oceaneer Club.

Maybe you could incorporate a the hammer into a final display, using a signed photomat or something as background? You could mark out an area to leave blank so signatures won't eventually be hidden behind the hammer.

Enjoy your cruise!

Thor was on our cruise on the Magic in April

 

[Plaid Princess]

Slightly off topic;

Since when can a character not sign something that isn't theirs? is this just a cruise rule? I have at WDW had a character sign a postcard that other characters are on many times with no issue. Princesses on a mickey postcard, goofy on a princess post card... whoever had a short line lol

Totally just curious. I have never heard this before.

That's actually always been a rule company wide. It's really more about keeping the characters from signing things that are non-Disney. The specific rule is really more relaxed for Disney characters.

A good rule of thumb is that they characters can only interact with other characters that they "know". So the princesses all "know" each other, and could sign a postcard with a group of princesses on it, but couldn't sign a Star Wars postcard. Mickey obviously "knows" Goofy, so he might sign a shirt with Goofy on it.

This is, of course, subject to change and at the Character's discretion. Often the characters really can't even see what they're signing, so unless it's obvious or an attendant steps in, they likely might not notice they're signing a "forbidden" item.

 

[FamilyHolidayPlanner]

Thor was on our recent magic cruise. Perhaps you could get him to say some get well wishes for your cousin and video it?