Is getting autographs really that much fun?

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I think it depends on your kids. The first 2 years my daughters went we didn't do authographs, just pictures. The next year we did authographs, the past 3 years we have not. They are 9 and 8. They really didn't have an interest in them. Actually we are pretty much done with characters. Every year of course we have to get a pic with Mickey and Ariel. Last year we had a pic with both of them and then the fairies. Next year probably not any except M and A.

 

[ginnymack]

My girls enjoyed it, but they were very into the characters at 1.5 & 4.5. If you child wants to see the characters, but is a little shy, it is a good idea to go with the "mission" of an autograph. I think the little ones feel less pressure if they have a job to do. I would suggest skipping the autograph book in favor of some blank index cards. It is much less of an investment if your kids are not that into it. If they are, just pop the autograph in a photobook next to your child with the character and you have a great memory book! You can spend a lot of time in search of autographs, so you may want to keep that in mind as you balance the wants of your 2 kids!

 

[starstruck93]

My girls enjoyed it, but they were very into the characters at 1.5 & 4.5. If you child wants to see the characters, but is a little shy, it is a good idea to go with the "mission" of an autograph. I think the little ones feel less pressure if they have a job to do. I would suggest skipping the autograph book in favor of some blank index cards. It is much less of an investment if your kids are not that into it. If they are, just pop the autograph in a photobook next to your child with the character and you have a great memory book! You can spend a lot of time in search of autographs, so you may want to keep that in mind as you balance the wants of your 2 kids!

Yes, ITA with this. When DS went this past Sept. he was just turning 4 while we were there. I only went through all of the trouble of making the special book and booking alot of character meals because it was his first trip and it was sort of an "introduction" to Disney. He really like it alot because it was all "new" to him KWIM? If there was a long line, I would'nt waste my time waiting for it. The line at Ariel's Grotto was 45 minutes and it was sooooo hot that day. I let him play in the water, but the autograph was'nt worth it to me! LOL! Now, over at Pixie Hollow where the fairies are, the line was 45 minutes and it's indoor (that's a HUGE plus!) I stood in line and DH took DS to the Barnstormer, bathroom, to get a snack etc. Then when I got almost to the fairies, DH and DS came in through the back EXIT doors and jumped in line with me! LOL! It was great that DS did'nt have to stand there the whole time. The CMs were fine with it, they even helped us get the door. We chatted with one of the CM about DVC. They're the ones that convinced us to buy at BLT! The CM over at the fairies are great!! We're going back in Dec. and there were a few autographs that he did'nt get that we'll look for, but that's it. I booked dinner at the Garden Grill in Dec. so he could get Chip and Dale's autograph!Have fun! April

 

[Red Rover Cuties]

my mom and i went in 2006 and we got tons of autographs i think that i was about 23 and my mom well a little older, we really enjoyed it and it brought us together we really enjoyed talking about who we got that day and who we hope to get the next day! i still have the book and it is something that i will always have as a memory of our trip! also as a kid we always did autographs and i loved it, my DN 4 and 6 also love it they talk about all the characters they want to meet! hoping my DS loves it, he wasn't scared of Bob and Larry when we got to meet them (which is actually kind of what started us talking about taking this trip) or the chik-fil-a cow....so i have high hopes!!!

veronica

 

[PaddingtonBear]

My 4 year old LOVED having the characters "sign in" like she does each day when she goes to school. We spent a lot of time waiting to meet every character we could find and it was 100% worth it, she loved it. Now she looks through her autograph books with her pictures in them and shows them off to grandma, aunts, etc. It really depends on your kid. If you kid enjoys it, its not a "time waster", its a wonderful experience.

 

[samshane]

Last time we went my kids were 3, 5, and 7 (or close to those ages)... they were somewhat into it. I asked them for this trip if they wanted to do autographs - and all 3 told me no thanks. But once they get there - it might change. We'll see... The do love the pin trading/collecting though.

 

[kiteri]

I do think it depends on the kids, BUT I will tell you that some of our most "magical" moments were at the autographs.

My kids were 7 and 4 when we went in 2007. My daughter was ALL ABOUT the princesses. We went to Snow White to get her autograph and my son sorta hid behind me since he was too cool to get an autograph from a princess. Snow White CHASED HIM in circles around me, and grabbed him and laid a big ole smooch on his cheek. I think I am going to get the picture of him with the big red lipstick kiss on his cheek made into a T-shirt for our next trip that says "My first kiss was with Snow White"

Figment also gave me a kiss on the cheek when my son went in for his autograph and my son STILL thinks this is some scandalous secret to be kept from his father.

Since we are planning our next trip, we were looking over their autograph books from last trip. You know what I kept hearing? REMEMBER "Mom, do you remember when Figment gave you that kiss?" "Remember how mom let us play in the rain while she waited in line for Ariel's autograph?" "I remember when Captain Hook wouldn't give me my autograph book back and I almost cried cuz I thought he was going to keep it" "Oh... I remember Cinderella telling me how pretty my dress was when she signed my book"

It's all about the memories! Even memories of waiting in line can be good memories!

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I don't think it is a time waster. We enjoy it. I like to get pictures of the kids and as many characters as we can.

 

[yrdlyprincess]

I made an autograph book for my kids and they loved--When i got a picture of them with the chracter it went on the opposite page of the signature, they can't wait to see who they get this time

 

[disney67]

My dd8 ds3 always love to get there signature as well as me jeff 42 , it to me is what makes it soo magical is to have a picture taken with a charecter and then letting them sign an autograph book .
Here is one reason dd Absoultly loves to see chip and dale i think she was 4 or 5 and we just got out of the tiki room and there was chip and dale dd wanted to get her picture taken so we went we got up there and chip and dale were sooo nice they got down to dd size and dd ran at them and took them off guard and knocked them over . they did not get mad but played like nothing ever happend , ever since that day dd alaways wants to see them in the worst way .

 

[tlh0726]

DD 4.5 and DS who turned 3 last day of our trip loved meeting the characters.
DD would show everyone around us the autograph book and who we got and who still needed to get while standing in line. (She had these 2 ladies at the Bear Jamboree totally in awe over the book) DS I do not think quite got the idea of autographs at the time but since tells everyone that comes to our house all about it.
Check out the DISign board. Those DISigners are awesome.
I uploaded their autograph cards and had these printed as 4x6 photos at Walmart. I then put the photos in alphabetical order by character in a single page photo book. Once we got home a them put the photos with the character signature and the photo of the kids with the character in 2 photo per page album. The kids look through that book constantly.

We had alot of CM's commenting over the autograph book.
I think that when you walk up to a character not as popular as the princesses or tink and you hand them a photo or card with their picture and asking for their autograph, I think you are giving a little of that Disney magic back to them as well.
(Thanks again DISigners for sharing your talents and making many magical trip for so many families)

Have a great trip!