Going above and beyond the realm?

[tinksdreamwishes]

ok so this thought just occured to me... we have so many autograph books- with a ton of empty pages... mostly only had characters sign them as most people do right? Sooooooooooooo......... I was thinking my kids need and could use some social skills- and what not a better place then to do it then at Disneyland, right?
My bright idea- go to DTD- The World of Disney store prior to our first park date entrance and buy 2-3 autograph books- I want the kids and whole family to go above and beyond these trip - fill those pages up! And how? With everyone! People we meet in line, in front of us in next to us behind us and beside us... just random strangers... go outside our comfort circle and ask for an autograph and maybe even a pic... get to know people ... engage... in some small talk... CM's if not busy can sign, any purchase we make the CM can sign, staple the receipt ... dinners meals toys etc... like make a timeline.... even folks who share the same ride as us etc.... hotel staff, bus staff although we wont be needing it just an idea if others follow.... JUST FILL THAT BOOK UP!
Has anyone done this?
ps.... even the ticket people and the bag check point people... anyone you come in contact with... even the homeless people on Harbor Blvd.... while waiting to cross the street....

 

[Princess Sleepy]

Honestly, I think it might be a little weird. Personally, we never have trouble filling the autograph books and usually have to buy another one. There are other ways of developing social skills than making an odd request from a total stranger. If that happened to me I am not sure how I would react.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I think using the autograph book to enhance their social skills is a GREAT idea and I think asking CMs throughout your day to sign your book would be terrific. I think asking random guests to sign might be a bit odd, and possibly teach your kids the wrong message about talking to strangers. Maybe?

Just my thoughts,
Dreams

 

[californiamomof4grls]

Hello OP first let me start by saying I'm only a few minutes down 99 from ya! Nice to see ya neighbor!
I think that would be a great idea! Obviously we are cautious of who our children speak to and I don't know if stranger will sign it and that might be disappointing. But then again you are in the Happiest Place on Earth! But maybe teach them to start up conversations with other children in line. I try and get my girls to be very friendly to other children. It makes for great social skills. Actually, adults call it networking!

 

[mooshka1]

Think this is a really cute idea, but just don't tell your kids to ask random strangers. CMs, other kids in line, maybe.. But homeless on Harbor Blvd.?!! Ummm, no. It could send them the wrong message... Not saying all homeless are bad and all CMs are harmless, but you don't want them to start up a conversation with the wrong person. Believe me, I've given a man sitting on the ground $5 only to have him spit by my feet. Tell your kids this is just while you're at Disnyeland. Not anywhere else. Have them pick out people they want in their book for a specific reason. Like they may want a little girls autograph that wore the prettiest dress, or a pic with the person with the coolest trading pins, the person with the best mouse-ears, etc.... Have the book be of speacial people that stood out to your child. Not just a random hodgepodge book of anyone who happened to be nearby.. That would not be fun memories. Great idea though!

 

[bruinred]

I would've loved this when I worked out there. When you go in through the Main Entrance, look for a very large ticket taker lead cm. My brother Aron works there, he would totally do this.

Like other posters, I would be VERY careful with having my kids talk to people. I'd almost keep them to cast members. And dont ask the ride operator loading you onto the ride, or the gal taking your order at the counter service restaurant. But security guards, sweepers, outdoor vendors (who don't have a line), and ride operators who are manning the queue.

Cool idea.

 

[yoyo93]

I think it's a really neat idea to ask other cast members to sign their books, but I know it would make me sooooo uncomfortable if someone asked me to sign their kids book just because I was standing next to them in line. I agree with PP that it's kind of sending the wrong message to your kids about talking to strangers. It should be from people they trust, but that's just my opinion.

 

[mouseymommy]

I think it's a nice idea. I bet the Cm's would love it! When we see the Cms sweeping and keeping the park clean for us, we always Thank them. This would be an even nicer thing to do!

 

[summerw]

I think this is an interesting idea and would probably be a very nice keepsake, but I think it will all be in how it plays out and how you approach it with the kids.

I go to DL A LOT and have a 2 year old so between the people who stop me to comment on his excitement (especially CMs), the little girls he can't help but talk to or the people I apologize to when he miscalculates the flow of the line and bumps them, I usually end up chatting with at least the people in front or behind me EVERY ride. Usually it's both and several people we pass each row too.

Because I talk to soooo many people in the parks, I can agree that you may make some people uncomfortable. Between the variety of languages and cultures and just people in general, some people are pretty uncomfortable with people talking to them in line. I have tons really wonderful conversations with other Disney guests, but it's a definitely a matter or knowing your audience. I think if you approached it that way with your kids, an exercise in reading people and who looks like they might be ok with this or not, that would be great.

Also, you might clarify you just want their first names. People are so weird these days about information.

On having CMs at the registers sign... that's tougher. I think the PP who talked about the CMs who keep the parks clean was right on. They are a great group to ask for autographs. I think it would brighten their day and show them how much you appreciate it. You'd probably have some great conversations out of it too. Also, any greeter-type CMs would be great.

Of course it would depend on the day you go, but the CMs at the registers are usually already rushing like mad to get a crowd rung up. Sometimes it's also loud and the vision or your poor kids yelling over the counter, which is sometimes elevated or just really high, at the CMs to explain what they want while 4 people behind you are giving your kids the evil eye for holding up the line didn't have me envisioning your kids with big grins. Again, I think how you approach it with your kids, an awareness of surroundings type of thing, could make for a lot of fun and a good exercise.

Maybe also give them a disposable camera to catch pictures to go with the autographs? Have a great trip!

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

oh good gosh ... I really need to stop posting while drinking...!!!!!!!
still would like to do this idea- but not as crazy like I made it sound..... LOL
and so many of you commented.... Thank You! And you have great ideas! Prolly just stick with the CM's for now.... and a few kids.... the ones my kids interact with in line etc.... I am really not this crazy all the time!

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

You said you wanted to do this to give your kids some social skills? By saying that, do you mean the kids are shy? I was a very shy kid and it would have ruined my vacation if my parents made me go up to random people (or even CMs) and talk to them and ask them to sign my book. I would have just felt anxious the whole time and would not have enjoyed the vacation at all. Just something to keep in mind if the kids are shy.

 

[DharmaLou]

I don't see any problem with asking CMs to sign the book, but I would be really uncomfortable signing it as a guest. And I think it's somewhat insulting to ask a homeless person to sign it for many reasons.

 

[MissMichigan]

You said you wanted to do this to give your kids some social skills? By saying that, do you mean the kids are shy? I was a very shy kid and it would have ruined my vacation if my parents made me go up to random people (or even CMs) and talk to them and ask them to sign my book. I would have just felt anxious the whole time and would not have enjoyed the vacation at all. Just something to keep in mind if the kids are shy.

This. I'm still pretty shy and don't really like having to talk to people I don't know. As the kid in this situation, it would absolutely ruin my vacation, and as the person being asked to sign it would make me really uncomfortable.

 

[starshine514]

When we went on my DD7's birthday last November, we were hanging out at Refreshment Corner, waiting for musical chairs, when a woman approached me and asked if I minded if my 7-yr-old signed her book (first name only). She was doing a birthday autograph book of people who were wearing birthday buttons. I found the request to be odd, but didn't see any harm in it, so I let her sign.

I don't know if I would have felt the same way if she had asked for a picture also (though she may have easily taken one without my knowledge, especially after the game started - I bet my girls are in a bunch of other people's photos. I know there are certainly kids I don't know in mine).

 

[azdisneylover]

Like anything in life, how you approach people will make all the difference in the world. (I am a glass half full person who believes there is something positive about everyone). I would suggest, 'please sign my book' not be the first words out of your mouth to a fellow guest. When talking in line, or other places, while chatting a little mention the autograph book and what your family are doing. Another suggestion is to look for people with lime green Mickey heads dangling from their backpacks, purses, hats, etc! I would sign it in a hot minute! My kids would too. Who knows, maybe your kids will meet other kids and get penpals!
Have a wonderful trip!

 

[kkmcan]

Ya, kind cool to get the CM's to sign. But for me it would be weird to be asking strangers or expecting my kids to ask strangers. It would definitely ruin their trip and they are older. They would be uncomfortable.

And I definitely wouldn't be letting anyone take pictures of my kids. Ya, I know it happens randomly all the time but to pose and let a stranger take a picture of my kids just makes me cringe.

Maybe they could try to include signatures and pictures of CMs from each land of the parks. That way they have a timeline/pictorial of each type of costume/uniform of each area of the park. That could be cool.

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

LOL- okok I am not going to ask random strangers for an autograph! But you do have lots of great suggestions... I like KKmcan's idea of taking photos of the CM's around the LAND..... to compare outfits and ask for an autograpgh! That was super great idea! Some of those uniforms are so cool looking! thanks for putting up with my insaneness LOL!

 

[CourtFool]

One of my favorite pictures from our last trip is my daughter with three CM from HM. We had just walked up to ride HM and were informed it was closed. My wife noticed one of the CM was from Hawaii and as I had been stationed there for three years, she struck up a conversation with him.

It just kind of spontaneously happened that I asked if I could get a picture of them in front of the HM sign. They were really cool about it and the female CM really got into character. She had her arms folded across her chest and kind of looked up.

 

[QueenBeeMB]

Why not engage in PIN TRADING this teaching social skills, and problem solving as well as VALUE (of the $ and of the pin)

It is a well known welcoming environment from CMs and Guests.

I enjoy the idea of the CMs signing, taking pics and such, but as for 'strangers' it might be a little off putting. just MO

I applaud your effort to socialize your children and build their social skills, I think that is an area that many parents could use some help in ...