Can someone please explain autograph books to me?

[samacita]

Meeting beloved characters is super thrilling for a kid. I understand that part of it, no problem. But what is the appeal of getting the signatures? I never went to Disney as a little, little kid, and we are just now planning the 1st trip for our own kids, so I think I just haven't experienced it yet. Enough people seem to plan ahead for this, so I'm sure there's something amazing about it that I'm missing. What do you/your children enjoy about getting character signatures?

 

[bjscheel]

For one thing it's an ice breaker. It gives the kid something to do when they approach the character. We also put a photo on the opposite page so it makes a nice album. And there is the "collection" aspect of it too. You can look back and see who you've met.

 

[sommergirl25]

We did pillowcases. Characters loved them and kids will have an awesome keepsake.

 

[jkc0325]

On our last trip my girls were 11,9, and 7. I had said we weren't going to do autographs. Ha!!! As soon as we got there and they saw other kids collecting autographs, they wanted to do it too. 18 months later, they love to look through their books and remember each encounter. Some were more fun than others of course!

I am so glad I gave in and bought the books. It turned out to be a huge part of our trip and one of the things the kids liked the most. Not sure if my oldest will want to do it on our next trip as she'll be close to 14. As it is, she refuses to have pictures done with the princesses

 

[squirrel]

I bought a book called Junior Encyclopedia of Animated Characters for my niece to use.

The characters had fun signing in it. Peter Pan did something to Captain Hook's page (can't remember what now). Marie (Aristocats) kept pawing the page with her mother on it and didn't want to let go.

It's a great keepsake as it has a write up about the characters and now a lot of signatures in it. It doesn't have Tiana or any of the newer characters since her. I was a bit surprised that it didn't have Max (Goofy's son) in it. We had him sign on Goofy's page.

 

[Timandalicia]

Meeting beloved characters is super thrilling for a kid. I understand that part of it, no problem. But what is the appeal of getting the signatures? I never went to Disney as a little, little kid, and we are just now planning the 1st trip for our own kids, so I think I just haven't experienced it yet. Enough people seem to plan ahead for this, so I'm sure there's something amazing about it that I'm missing. What do you/your children enjoy about getting character signatures?

Getting autographs is proof of your encounter. Also, the character is giving you a tangible, you know, like a gift. Finally, it is a memory primer. They love leafing through them on the plane ride home.

 

[msmama]

I agree that the best thing about it is that it can be an ice breaker for a timid child.

I've been lots of times and last trip (with my just turned 4 year old) was our first time with an Autograph book. It didn't get filled up so I'm planning on taking it back with us for this next trip to get ones we didn't get last time (like Princesses at CRT).

It's kind of a pain and unless my son decides it's the greatest thing ever I probably won't do it again.

On the plus side, he can "read" every one of the autographs all by himself!!

 

[lyra2007]

Agreed...when my step-daughter was 5 we went to DLR. She was shy of characters but once I showed her the autograph book and what to do with it, she marched right up to them. It gave us the photo op, and it gave her the ability not to look them in the eye until she was ready. And it allowed her to initiate contact without speaking.

And 7 years later, she still loves looking through that book!

 

[angelmom27]

Kids just love it. Its kind of like why grown ups like to get autographs of their favorite sports or other famous people. Of course those autographs can have a money value to kids character autographs are worth a lot.

Also like pp it helps break the ice.

 

[Crystal824]

It is fun and gives the child a reminder of the trip. Each character has a unquie autograph that is cute. Like Pluto's is typically a paw print and Donald sometimes does a hat on the N in his name. (some characters are better than others at this).

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

If you met your favorite singer, would you want their autograph as a momento?

A lot of people would. And to kids, Disney characters are celebrities.

Some people don't care about autographs and that is fine too.

 

[poohfriend77]

For one thing it's an ice breaker. It gives the kid something to do when they approach the character. We also put a photo on the opposite page so it makes a nice album. And there is the "collection" aspect of it too. You can look back and see who you've met.

Exactly! When my DDs were young and shy, the autograph book gave them a "job" to do. They kind of forgot about being shy because they had to get that autograph. It also serves as a physical reminder of all the characters we have met. They look back over their books often. It's just a great free souvenir (yes, there is the cost of the book, but we've done 4X6 pieces of cardstock later put into a photo album-- VERY inexpensive!)

 

[lucifie]

I thought it seemed silly but we got the Birnbaum's book for kids and it has a section for autographs and DD7 got all excited about it. Since she was so excited I got a plain autograph book because if she was doing it, DS would want to, too. It was a great ice breaker, like others have mentioned and it even made DS want to see the princesses, too. Most of them did something cute with their autograph - a pawprint for Pluto, Daisy dotted her i with a flower, etc. One of the cutest moments was when we saw Aladdin and Jasmine at Epcot. We had already seen Jasmine at CRT so we told her she had already signed it. She said, "I want to add hearts" Aladdin signed it below her and it ended up saying, "Jasmine <3s Aladdin" with hearts all around it.

 

[Jaina]

I think I'm in the minority, but we are NOT doing autographs. I could never figure out the draw of that, even as a kid, and it's one more thing to try to keep track of when I really just want a cute picture!

 

[starjazz]

I think I'm in the minority, but we are NOT doing autographs. I could never figure out the draw of that, even as a kid, and it's one more thing to try to keep track of when I really just want a cute picture!

That is what I said too....until....

I figured my 4 yo would be to little to understand it. Boy, was I wrong. She saw others doing it, and immediately wanted to do it too. She was so thrilled, and loves looking through it too.

I even said before this trip that we wouldn't even do M & G's, just walk by waves, because I didn't see why we'd waste time in line for it. But, after seeing how magical it was to my little girls, how could I pass it up. They loved it, and so now, I do to. Oh, and I'm a Dad, so maybe that'll add a bit a credence to my story.

 

[jojosam]

I bought a book called Junior Encyclopedia of Animated Characters for my niece to use.

The characters had fun signing in it. Peter Pan did something to Captain Hook's page (can't remember what now). Marie (Aristocats) kept pawing the page with her mother on it and didn't want to let go.

It's a great keepsake as it has a write up about the characters and now a lot of signatures in it. It doesn't have Tiana or any of the newer characters since her. I was a bit surprised that it didn't have Max (Goofy's son) in it. We had him sign on Goofy's page.

My son has this same book! What an awesome idea!

 

[samacita]

Thanks everyone! You might be talking me into it... It seems like a bit of a hassle but if the kiddos love it, I'm willing to give it a try. My son is still pretty leery of Santa, and not sure how he'll do with characters, but maybe the autograph business will help, as many of you said. Thanks again!

 

[eblondie]

We did pillowcases. Characters loved them and kids will have an awesome keepsake.

Do you have a photo of your pillowcase that we could see please? It sounds a great idea

 

[lucifie]

Thanks everyone! You might be talking me into it... It seems like a bit of a hassle but if the kiddos love it, I'm willing to give it a try. My son is still pretty leery of Santa, and not sure how he'll do with characters, but maybe the autograph business will help, as many of you said. Thanks again!

I didn't think we'd be doing a lot of characters because I thought the 2 year old would be terrified, but she wasn't. She was nervous at first but she warmed up quickly. One of my favorite moments was out 4th day when we saw Sorcerer Mickey. It was toward the end of the day and Mickey spent a little extra time with us. When we were leaving DD2 said, "Thank you, Mickey, " and blew him a kiss. It was so cute!

 

[cmorris303]

I bought a book called Junior Encyclopedia of Animated Characters for my niece to use.

The characters had fun signing in it. Peter Pan did something to Captain Hook's page (can't remember what now). Marie (Aristocats) kept pawing the page with her mother on it and didn't want to let go.

It's a great keepsake as it has a write up about the characters and now a lot of signatures in it. It doesn't have Tiana or any of the newer characters since her. I was a bit surprised that it didn't have Max (Goofy's son) in it. We had him sign on Goofy's page.

Great idea! I am definitely doing this when we go. When/where did you see Max? My son loves him.