Character Autographs etiquette...I NEED DETAILS!!!!

[Luvin*Livvy]

Hi guys!
We are going to Disney tomorrow morning for a week!

My daughter is almost 4 and I think she'll LOVE doing the whole autograph thing this time around..she was too young the last 2 times...plus we had to ease her into the characters. This time it's so different..she is the MOST excited for the characters.

When I was little (like 25 years ago) characters were much different.they'd walk around, there was no wait or lines to see them..and seeing them was more random/random places, etc..

What do I need to know about autographs? Is there an etiquette for this? Do certain characters NOT do autographs? Are there certain places we shouldn't ask for them? Do you even ask? Or do you just hand them the book and pen? And what is a good kind of pen to use....pen? sharpie?

Any other info!?!?!?

Thanks so much!

 

[ChloroFiend]

You'll normally find lines of people waiting to meet the characters at stationary locations...there's dozens of them so a comprehensive list is difficult, not to mention different characters rotate. Hang out in the line, then let your child go crazy with the character. There will likely be a PhotoPass photographer there to snap some pictures.

Thicker pens are better for the characters to use, as its easier for their hands/paws to grip. Sharpies are fine. All characters, to my knowledge, will do autographs.

 

[crzyeeyoreangel]

There are certain spots that characters "hang out at". They are marked on the map. The CM usually starts a line and you wait for your turn. But if she a character you are intrested in get in line. Because sometimes the line gets "closed" and the CM wont let anymore people in it. Because the character can only stay out so long.

Make sure to have your autograph book open to clean page and hand it to the character. I used a clickable sharpie. They are really fat and dont make a mess. No character seemed to have problem with it.

Some of the characters have stamps...like Buzz Lightyear.

Hope that helps!!

 

[Faldred]

I'll repeat the suggestion of the retractable sharpies -- they work great! Any character with hands should be able to sign (rare cases like Buzz Lightyear, as noted, use a stamp instead).

I've heard -- do not use green! For some reason, green sharpie does not come out of the cosumes, while every color does. Go figure.

 

[smurfie]

ditto the others. We used a large regular sharpie that we made sure was open before it was our turn. There was one of the monkey characters that couldn't sign due to his hands. Otherwise, all others signed (Buzz stamped).

You have enough time to get a signature and a photo and a hug usually. My kids had a BLAST doing this. My daughter took pics with all of them...my son only wanted to be in a few. He's more on the shy side. My hubby even wanted in on some of the pics.

 

[Luvin*Livvy]

ditto the others. We used a large regular sharpie that we made sure was open before it was our turn. There was one of the monkey characters that couldn't sign due to his hands. Otherwise, all others signed (Buzz stamped).

You have enough time to get a signature and a photo and a hug usually. My kids had a BLAST doing this. My daughter took pics with all of them...my son only wanted to be in a few. He's more on the shy side. My hubby even wanted in on some of the pics.

Thanks everyone!!!

And smurfie -- love the name Gianna -- It's my name too!!!

 

[MomofKatie]

I'm sure there are more, but the characters we've met who don't do autographs (they either stamp your book, or don't do them altogether):

Beast from Beauty and the Beast
Mike Wasowski
Sully
Buzz Lightyear
Bullseye
Mr Incredible
King Louie

You can still get pictures and meet them, but due to hands/hooves/etc logistical problems, they can't hold a pen.

 

[Bongi22]

They are characters... so of course Hello and Thank you are appropriate.

Basic common courtesy rules apply.

Specifically though, always have whatever you are getting signed ready.
If the pen has a cap LOOSEN IT... don't take it completely off, particularly if you are letting a child hand it to the character.

If possible, place the book and pen in the characters hand... many of them are essentially blind to all peripheral lines of sight so make it as easy as you can for them.

BY ALL MEANS talk to the character... they don't always know where the child is when they first walk up to them or which way to look for the camera. I've seen many times a roaming character not realize there is a child ( a shy one ) following them around trying to get an autograph... a little audible help is great.

My daughter almost always says "Hi Chip, I'm Gabrielle" and often gets personalized autographs due to it.

Be ready with your camera... if it's a digital it's not such a bad idea to take a photo of the character when the people in front of you are up there. You can quickly look at the shot to see if anything need to be changed, like turning on the flash, turning on the autofocus or taking the lens cap off. All these things happen regularly so taking the test shot eliminates it 99% of the time... I do it quite often and no one ever really notices.

Get into a pattern. If you want to get the photo first THEN the signature.. fine.. if you want it the other way around... fine... but try to keep it to a set pattern so whoever is taking the picture and the subjects are all prepared quickly.

 

[Bongi22]

Oh yeah...

This website is great for finding specific characters and what you should expect as far as ease of finding them.

Go to the website wdwinsiders.com and click on character finder...

 

[Berlioz70]

All of the above informaiton is great... just a couple more pointers...

Signatures should come before photos - that's how characters are trained to interact with guests. You can do it the other way, but let them know you'd like something signed so that after the photo they do not move onto the next family.

I also want to reiterate verbally communicating. Some characters have "stands" they sign on, for example the Incredibles, I have seen families just place something there, take a photo and then assume the Incredibles will come sign... more often than not they have no idea something was placed there and will move onto the next family. So speak up! In this case it'd be better to just give the book directly to the character and they will put it on the stand.

Also, characters do not typically sign or pose for photos at dance parties/events. You are more than welcome to grab pictures of your kids dancing with them... but the second they stop to pose or sign then they end up with a line, so they try to avoid it.

 

[RMAMom]

You've received some great advice here the only thing I would add is characters at a restaurant. The characters will come to each table for signing and pictures so don't let your kids approach them at someone elses table. It really just slows them down.

 

[aimeeg]

One other little thing- I always make sure my girls talk to the character first and then have them sign their book. They also have to say. "Will you sign my book, please?" I try to make sure they are courteous as possible. I really like the whole character/autograph thing because it is a good way to practice manners. Okay, that's the preschool teacher coming out in me.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[ms*mountaineer]

The characters you see out in the parks (like Alice near the teacups or Peter Pan near Pirates of the Caribbean) are only out for a certain amount if time (like 20 min or so) then they take a break. So their "handler" may close their line - if they tell you the line is closed, just ask when they will be back (they'll tell you) and ask where the line will start (they'll tell you) and you can plan to be back when they are back. (we used this strategy a lot!)

If you don't see a character in a spot where you expect to see them - ask a CM in a gift shop and they can call and find out when to expect them.

 

[ses1230]

I agree with the suggestion of talking to the characters. They have been great with DD and watching the interaction is great, too.

For example, DD has asked Snow White why her Prince doesnt have a first name, asked Aurora how the fairies decided to make her dress pink and at Ariel's grotto asked her how she got there since there is no water (Ariel is in mermaid form at the grotto). I love the character meet and greets!

 

[livndisney]

Please be patient!! The child with the character may take a moment or two longer than normal (due to a special need, nervous, excited whatever). Don't stand around and gripe.

If you are in line, keep your child with you. I know you think "little Johnny" is cute, but I really don't want him in my picture.

Also, if the greeter has closed the line, don't argue with them.


Have a great trip!

 

[Bongi22]

All of the above informaiton is great... just a couple more pointers...

Signatures should come before photos - that's how characters are trained to interact with guests. You can do it the other way, but let them know you'd like something signed so that after the photo they do not move onto the next family.

I wasn't aware of the training.... I'll be making sure this is the way we do it as well.... generally we always have, but it's nice knowing it's the more "expected" order.

 

[raider97]

When researching for my first kids trip in 2007 I found out that a lot of people suggested the retractable sharpies... we took two of them for my dd... then 2 almost 3 and 4 almost 5. It was a mistake for us... they ended up getting them on their new clothes the first day and it was impossible to get out of them. We bought a fat pen in the gift shop and used that from then on with great success!!

Stephanie

 

[acourtwdw]

If meeting characters at a meal, stay in your seat. The character will come to you. Some characters have wider bodies (think Donald & Daisy), so when you stand up at the table, the character doesn't have a place to be near you. Found out the hard way I like pictures of me standing as opposed to sitting. But it's a no-no.

 

[MomofKatie]

When researching for my first kids trip in 2007 I found out that a lot of people suggested the retractable sharpies... we took two of them for my dd... then 2 almost 3 and 4 almost 5. It was a mistake for us... they ended up getting them on their new clothes the first day and it was impossible to get out of them. We bought a fat pen in the gift shop and used that from then on with great success!!

Stephanie

I got a tip here on the DIS of how to get Sharpie marker out of clothing- dampen thoroughly with rubbing alcohol before washing. I got red Sharpie out of a brand new white T with this- it really works!!

 

[Joanna71985]

If meeting characters at a meal, stay in your seat. The character will come to you. Some characters have wider bodies (think Donald & Daisy), so when you stand up at the table, the character doesn't have a place to be near you. Found out the hard way I like pictures of me standing as opposed to sitting. But it's a no-no.

Actually, that's not true. It is fine to stand up at the table for the picture.

Also, if the greeter has closed the line, don't argue with them.