Help with character autographs

[Julie Amber]

I have a 12 year old daughter that acts more like she's 16 and I thought she wouldn't be into doing characters and stuff. However she just asked if we could get her an autograph book so she could meet characters and get autographs. I totally didn't take that into consideration when planning out our days! So what can I do to not wait in line forever for characters and still have time for rides? We'll be going Sunday Jan. 7, Wed. Jan 10, and Thur Jan. 11- Thank you!!

Oh and this is her first time since she was a baby. So she wants the full experience basically. I don't know when we'll be able to get back. So this is basically it for a while.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Can you book a character meal? A breakfast like Minnie & Friends at the Plaza Inn can be booked before park opening, so that would get you lots of characters with autographs and photos, a good buffet breakfast, and an early start (book it on a day when you don't have early entry or a Magic Morning so that you can still be in DL early) to your day. Also, DLR has pretty good access to characters compared to WDW, so it isn't rare to meet characters without huge lines, especially if you aim for off peak times. The DLR app will tell you where characters are located throughout the parks.

 

[Julie Amber]

We’re hoping to be able to do it without paying for a character meal. This is a super budget trip.

 

[Geemo]

I have a 12 year old daughter that acts more like she's 16 and I thought she wouldn't be into doing characters and stuff. However she just asked if we could get her an autograph book so she could meet characters and get autographs. I totally didn't take that into consideration when planning out our days! So what can I do to not wait in line forever for characters and still have time for rides? We'll be going Sunday Jan. 7, Wed. Jan 10, and Thur Jan. 11- Thank you!!

Oh and this is her first time since she was a baby. So she wants the full experience basically. I don't know when we'll be able to get back. So this is basically it for a while.

Lines for characters are the only way if you're not going to a CB.

The line lengths depend on time of day, just like ride lines.
With the 7th being the last day of the holiday season, will most likely be extremely busy.

Keep the autograph book handy for when you see a Character with a shorter line.
Check the character locations on the app to have an idea where to find them.

Good luck

Geemo

FYI
If you go to the Plaza Inn for a CB, you might be lucky enough to hit the jackpot of characters. Some days there are as many as 10 to 12 there.

 

[lalasmama]

Easiest way to get Mickey and Minnie's autographs, apart from character meals, would be to go to Toon Town's gates just before they open (an hour after normal park opening), and follow the characters to their homes. If you have more than 1 day, I would attempt Mickey one morning, and Minnie the second morning (or vice versa). They can be done on the same morning, but doing it one morning per character, we've been able to meet both Mickey and Minnie individually with less than 10 minute waits.

 

[DLfan4]

When we went in January, we got lots of character autographs without waiting in long lines. When we went on our early morning, there were many charaters in town square with very little waits for signatures.

 

[kaosin3d]

Mickey and friends meet around the flag pole at the end of Main Street and by the fountain in front of Carthay Circle. If you are able to make it for rope drop they often have pretty short lines first thing in the morning. They rotate pretty frequently, so you most likely will be able to catch some just as they are coming out.

The princesses meet in the Royal Hall, and you wait one line for 3 princesses. So it's fairly good bang for your time invested if it's important to your daughter. Also, if you want to see any of the plays at the Royal Theater (highly recommend!) the princess in that play will "sometimes" greet the audience after the play. Don't leave the theater... They won't let you back in and don't let in people who didn't see the play.

The app is also handy for seeing who is out and where to find them!

 

[mom2rtk]

Use the DL app. Try to arrive a few minutes before they are due out.

Lines aren't always crazy long. Yes, some are (Frozen group, Moana). But most aren't.

Mostly just keep your eyes open. We found some fun unique characters just by stumbling across them.