Character meets, is this rude?

[Disneypro1]

Nope. You waited in line and every kid there gets a pic and autograph. It’s nkt your problem if the person behind you gets in a hissy fit. You paid for your trip. Do what’s best for your family.

 

[mamamelody2]

We went to WDW with a 13 member extended-family group. There were 7 autograph books amongst us. Characters never had a problem with it, although sometimes they would ham it up acting overwhelmed or exhausted when finished. Pretty funny! We also would sometimes do a full group pic, then individual families, then all the kids, or something like that. Several pics. As long as you're ready and organized it won't take long.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We went to WDW with a 13 member extended-family group. There were 7 autograph books amongst us. Characters never had a problem with it, although sometimes they would ham it up acting overwhelmed or exhausted when finished. Pretty funny! We also would sometimes do a full group pic, then individual families, then all the kids, or something like that. Several pics. As long as you're ready and organized it won't take long.

It would be a lot longer wait if it was 4 different families with one child each to me no difference if 4 families with one child each or one family with 4 kids it is going to be the same amount of time

 

[MrsPete]

Yes to each kid receiving ONE autograph and picture.
Yes to parents being proactive by opening the books and having the camera ready. Make things run smoothly; don't make people wait while you scramble around to locate your pen or camera.

But before you fall back on "It's my vacation, and I should be allowed to do anything I want!", remember, the person behind you can say the same thing. Enjoy your character time, but be efficient and considerate, and when your turn's done ... move on quickly.

 

[Dug720]

Yes to each kid receiving ONE autograph and picture.
Yes to parents being proactive by opening the books and having the camera ready. Make things run smoothly; don't make people wait while you scramble around to locate your pen or camera.

But before you fall back on "It's my vacation, and I should be allowed to do anything I want!", remember, the person behind you can say the same thing. Enjoy your character time, but be efficient and considerate, and when your turn's done ... move on quickly.

I do like that on the cruise ships, they do encourage everyone in line to have out what they want autographed to the correct page or location. Makes it so much easier!

And 100% yes on the one item per person - and fine with one individual posed pic per person and one group pick per person. As others have said, it's when you're getting things autographed for every cousin or classmate or scout troop member (I've heard all three of those) back home and/or a zillion photo combinations that the irritation sets in and it starts to become unfair to all those behind you.

 

[kateandy08096]

You paid for a ticket for each person. Each person waited in line, each person should be able to get their own pic and autograph. If anyone doesnt like that perhaps they should wake up sooner or plan more days or stay home and go to a local theme park

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Please be honest, no hard feelings.

We have a trip with 4 kids (7,5,5, and 13 months). When we meet characters I would like them each to have a signature (not positive what we are signing yet).

We are fine with one group picture for all the kids and maybe one with the adults and kids.

Is this asking to much? I do not plan on doing individual pictures or even small groups of siblings (2 kids and 2 kids), but it is important to me they each get their own autograph (book, pillow whatever we decide). I just don’t want to seem like I’m taking to much time.

My daughter is obsessed with all her autographs from prior trips so I really want her to be able to have her own and not need to share with her sister or cousins.

My granddaughters always get their own autograph books. They usually pose together. Sometimes the characters themselves take a long time with them. One time Pocahontas and Miko kept playing hide and seek with the kids, where I felt slightly guilty They were having a blast though. I think the characters were ready for a break so they took up the rest of their time. No need to feel it's rude.

 

[KenHutch]

Oh my! That is so rude

Actually had it happen during our 2008 trip. A large family (7 or 8 kids) occupied Pooh at CP so long I assumed they would take a break before coming to us but Pooh and her handler stopped by our table and then this group came running over and said we forgot our group photos you need to come back.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Actually had it happen during our 2008 trip. A large family (7 or 8 kids) occupied Pooh at CP so long I assumed they would take a break before coming to us but Pooh and her handler stopped by our table and then this group came running over and said we forgot our group photos you need to come back.

Are you serious??!! I would have let my face do all the talking. But with the way I am now, the words would have come with it too. And I'll tell you what, that family would NOT have had nice things to say to me when I was done talking to them.

 

[cmwade77]

Honestly, I am always surprised with how many lines there are for characters at Disney World, we live near Disneyland and many of the characters just roam the parks and there isn't a line anyway, but I say if you have waited in line, each individual person is entitled to their time, so if every single individual wants and Autograph and their own picture, go for it, it would be no different than if each person stood in line at different times.

 

[Disneypro1]

You paid for a ticket for each person. Each person waited in line, each person should be able to get their own pic and autograph. If anyone doesnt like that perhaps they should wake up sooner or plan more days or stay home and go to a local theme park

110% agreed.

 

[NJlauren]

Actually had it happen during our 2008 trip. A large family (7 or 8 kids) occupied Pooh at CP so long I assumed they would take a break before coming to us but Pooh and her handler stopped by our table and then this group came running over and said we forgot our group photos you need to come back.

Yeah I don’t think I would handle this well! How rude!!! I mean I have some stories but this is flat out insane and obnoxious!

 

[Victoria3]

The delays come from people who have no idea what they want when they get to the character.

Just be proactive, efficient and don't forget to have fun!

 

[KenHutch]

Yeah I don’t think I would handle this well! How rude!!! I mean I have some stories but this is flat out insane and obnoxious!

I try to be nice because most people do not plan and expect the crap they see on the Disney commercials. And when they look at the cost they go crazy. Our next trip will be our 6th and I plan everything. And since I take so many pictures I listen around me and I enjoy some of what I hear like the old lady insisting she took the monorail on her last trip to Universal to the guy at CRT who wanted a table for 9+ right awat and expected to get it because was staying Club Level at the Grand Floridian. People go with very unrealistic expectations and do not plan. For example I love Star Wars and really want to do it so for our next trip my daughter has suggested instead of a 3rd day at MK we do HS. With 3 days we know we will get almost everything done. No reason to lose our tempers at what I know will be a very crowded space.

 

[sponica]

As long as there's a cohesive plan you're fine. What's obnoxious is when one part of the group sits out and then at the last minute decides they want to be in the photos. Decide and communicate ahead of time

 

[whitney37354]

We had ten in our group with six kids wanting autographs. This was done with no issues. We did lots of group shots, but there were individual pictures too if they wanted one. We didn't feel rushed at any time. In the beginning I felt bad for taking up so much time, but we stood in line like everyone else did, so we earned our shot with the characters. We did what we needed to do and moved on so we wouldn't waste anyone's time.

 

[monkyby87]

TC sounds like they are well organized and have a plan, so I wouldn't expect any issues at all. The real issues with delays and such are people not being organized and not knowing what they're doing. Plus, the fact that you care enough to ask about this shows what type of guest you try to be. I wish all other guests were like you and your family.

EDIT: I changed the smiley face I put. Evidently I chose the wrong one originally, lol.

 

[wishuponastar1984]

I don't think it is rude but are you sure the kids all want to do the autograph thing. Who is going to carry all the books? You aren't on a timeline but it may be more meaningful getting quality interaction photos. I have seen where there are several kids at a character dining experience table who all want an autograph. They will sign it all but you will likely get less spontaneity for your photos. I have never been a big fan of autographs but I suppose that is a personal opinion. Looking back at my own childhood, it was the photos that remind of the trip not a book of signatures.

 

[NJlauren]

I don't think it is rude but are you sure the kids all want to do the autograph thing. Who is going to carry all the books? You aren't on a timeline but it may be more meaningful getting quality interaction photos. I have seen where there are several kids at a character dining experience table who all want an autograph. They will sign it all but you will likely get less spontaneity for your photos. I have never been a big fan of autographs but I suppose that is a personal opinion. Looking back at my own childhood, it was the photos that remind of the trip not a book of signatures.

I will be carrying what ever my two girls get signed (looking into pillowcases for this trip, she wants another vynalmation but I’m teying to avoid that). Assuming the cousins will hold their books. My daughter wants the autographs for sure, she reviews all the signatures on her vynalmation before bed regularly, she looks at her book with pictures very often. She asked about it already. I agree the interaction photos are better but if she wants autographs I’m going to continue to do it. She will be 5 and we have a baby so they stuff can go in the stroller.

 

[dawnnikol]

I don't think it is rude but are you sure the kids all want to do the autograph thing. Who is going to carry all the books? You aren't on a timeline but it may be more meaningful getting quality interaction photos. I have seen where there are several kids at a character dining experience table who all want an autograph. They will sign it all but you will likely get less spontaneity for your photos. I have never been a big fan of autographs but I suppose that is a personal opinion. Looking back at my own childhood, it was the photos that remind of the trip not a book of signatures.

We went when my kids were 3, 5, and 7. All 3 had their autograph books and we had a white oversize Mickey Vinylmation that we got autographed. It went fine, until Mickey's arms popped off in my husband's backpack (ie: the storage for the autograph books + Sharpies). I'll never forget Gaston looking at us and going "What is this little arm!?" He was a good sport about it, of course, and one our trip highlights. My kids enjoyed talking to them while they autographed because that was when there seemed to be more conversations. My girls also had the same question for each and every character, which they asked while they got their autographs. So, we have the photos, we have the memory of getting the autograph, and we have the actual souvenir books / Mickey Vinylmation.

It's not for everyone, but we enjoyed it.