Speaking of sharpies... I was just reminded..

[bitlerzx4]

We were on the 12/15 cruise and we handed in about 15 colors per mat and its signed in all different colors but not as many signatures as I thought.

 

[disney911]

Wow this is incredible. We just booked our first Disney Cruise (yahoo!!!) and I am surfing around on the boards trying to get some tips! I had no idea that the characters would sign things. I have also read some things about Fish Extenders. Is there one place to get a compiled list of "tips and tricks"? Or do you just keep checking out posts? Thanks! (Forgive the basic questions..this is new to me!)

 

[LadyRob]

Same thing happened to me on the Dream with my vinylmation. I had it all packaged nicely with the colored sharpies and candy. I got a few signatures in all black. I did get my markers back along with the black commercial sharpie they must have used. I was a bit disappointed after such great results on the Wonder and Magic but my daughter loved it! That's all that mattered in the end.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

Wow this is incredible. We just booked our first Disney Cruise (yahoo!!!) and I am surfing around on the boards trying to get some tips! I had no idea that the characters would sign things. I have also read some things about Fish Extenders. Is there one place to get a compiled list of "tips and tricks"? Or do you just keep checking out posts? Thanks! (Forgive the basic questions..this is new to me!)

So as not to take the thread OT, here's a link to a previous post of mine about FE!

http://www.www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43552199&postcount=2

HTH's

Ex Techie

 

[LKFan]

On our recent Dream sailing I turned in a photo mat and black sharpies, along with some candy and had a beautifully signed photo mat delivered to our stateroom the last night. They did return our sharpies too. My only problem was completely MY fault. I neglected to draw arrows on the back of the photo mat stating which way I wanted the photos to go. The way they signed it I have very few pictures that will fit in the mat, but ended up finding one, so no worries!! Sorry you had so much trouble. Here is our photo mat.

One other thing to consider is to make sure they leave room on the side of the mat so that none of the signatures are cut off once you put the mat inside a frame.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

As a former Crew Member in another department, I am aware that signing these items is a volunteer service the characters are providing. This is often done on their rest time between meet and greet sessions. While there is little excuse for lost markers, one can't even be sure if they were lost in the Guest Services/transport process of if this happened during the signing.

Items are obviously signed by one character and passed to the next. It truly is based on which characters are available to participate at any given time. If Pluto needs a dog biscuit or a walk in the grass, he might not be available to sign an item.

The CMs really do try to meet guest expectations, and succeed most of the time. Please be aware that they have chosen to give up their "free time" to provide this service to the guests. If there is truly a problem, by all means report it--that's how they improve service.
But if it is "item 2 wasn't as pretty as item 1," remember that they might have been done at different times or that the characters may have had other things to take care of. The alternative might be to charge for this service and have them do it "on the clock," or to eliminate the practice totally.

Ex Techie
(with help from another lovely DISboard member to help me put my thought's and sentiment in a more eloquent way!)

 

[mammacaryn]

We have done 2 photo mats with about 4-5 markers (no gifts or anything for cast) We just told them as many signatures as possible. They wrote all that down along with what we were turning in (in a ziploc) and they came out Great. We got several signatures all in different colors and got our pens back as well. That was Jan. 2009 on the wonder.

In March of this year, on the Dream, I brought 2 posters. (they were in a poster tube with 3-4 colored sharpies and a small baggy of candy). Again everything was returned back with several signatures, very nice.

Maybe it just depends on what people are working? Not sure.

 

[LKFan]

Ex Techie
(with help from another lovely DISboard member to help me put my thought's and sentiment in a more eloquent way!)

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

I think 30 infraction point's would have been valid had I posted version 1.0 thru 1.4.

Ex Techie

 

[dvcnewgirl]

As a former Crew Member in another department, I am aware that signing these items is a volunteer service the characters are providing. This is often done on their rest time between meet and greet sessions. While there is little excuse for lost markers, one can't even be sure if they were lost in the Guest Services/transport process of if this happened during the signing.

Items are obviously signed by one character and passed to the next. It truly is based on which characters are available to participate at any given time. If Pluto needs a dog biscuit or a walk in the grass, he might not be available to sign an item.

The CMs really do try to meet guest expectations, and succeed most of the time. Please be aware that they have chosen to give up their "free time" to provide this service to the guests. If there is truly a problem, by all means report it--that's how they improve service.
But if it is "item 2 wasn't as pretty as item 1," remember that they might have been done at different times or that the characters may have had other things to take care of. The alternative might be to charge for this service and have them do it "on the clock," or to eliminate the practice totally.

Ex Techie
(with help from another lovely DISboard member to help me put my thought's and sentiment in a more eloquent way!)

I did not know that this was done "off the clock". In my post I did not attack anyone or put anyone down. Was I disappointed?? Yes.. Was it a huge deal?? No... I was just wondering if it was a one of a kind mistake or if it happened to others. That was it. Surely, I did not try to open up something that would offend someone..

 

[kcashner]

I think 30 infraction point's would have been valid had I posted version 1.0 thru 1.4.

Ex Techie

We all love your CM insights.

 

[dvcnewgirl]

I think 30 infraction point's would have been valid had I posted version 1.0 thru 1.4.

Ex Techie

Wow..Really?

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

I did not know that this was done "off the clock". In my post I did not attack anyone or put anyone down. Was I disappointed?? Yes.. Was it a huge deal?? No... I was just wondering if it was a one of a kind mistake or if it happened to others. That was it. Surely, I did not try to open up something that would offend someone..

Please please know I didn't think you attacked anyone or put anyone down!

It isn't done "off the clock" but when they are resting as the characters get really hot especially in the Caribbean or Mexican temperatures, hence why they only come to visit the Guest's for a little while!

They do try to sign the Guest's belongings as best they can, and that isn't ANY excuse for the use of just black markers when colored ones are provided, and DEFINATELY not when they are mostly returned.

My post wasn't directed at you at all!!!
But was a a general explanation to everyone else on here that has read or commented, that they do what they can, and they screwed up in your case, and it shouldn't have happened.

I'm really really sorry it happened to you, and I hope you provide something to be signed again if you cruise again and have some great character gift's from the characters to your kid!

Ex Techie

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

Wow..Really?

It wasn't being nasty. Just wasn't coming across as I wanted it to.
And as I said above not aimed at you at all.
I think the Characters work so so hard, and there is a lot of behind the scenes work they do that is never seen

Ex Techie

 

[dvcnewgirl]

Please please know I didn't think you attacked anyone or put anyone down!

It isn't done "off the clock" but when they are resting as the characters get really hot especially in the Caribbean or Mexican temperatures, hence why they only come to visit the Guest's for a little while!

They do try to sign the Guest's belongings as best they can, and that isn't ANY excuse for the use of just black markers when colored ones are provided, and DEFINATELY not when they are mostly returned.

My post wasn't directed at you at all!!!
But was a a general explanation to everyone else on here that has read or commented, that they do what they can, and they screwed up in your case, and it shouldn't have happened.

I'm really really sorry it happened to you, and I hope you provide something to be signed again if you cruise again and have some great character gift's from the characters to your kid!

Ex Techie

It wasn't being nasty. Just wasn't coming across as I wanted it to.
And as I said above not aimed at you at all.
I think the Characters work so so hard, and there is a lot of behind the scenes work they do that is never seen

Ex Techie

That is fine. Thank you for the information. I really had forgotten about the whole thing until I saw the other sharpie post today. Not a big deal. I did read your post a little different than you meant (I think). I really was just asking a question.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

That is fine. Thank you for the information. I really had forgotten about the whole thing until I saw the other sharpie post today. Not a big deal. I did read your post a little different than you meant (I think). I really was just asking a question.

I assure you it wasn't mean in a bad or critical way and NOT directed specifically at you!
Just information for people who have or are looking to have stuff autographed

Ex Techie

 

[GoHabsGo]

If Pluto needs a dog biscuit or a walk in the grass, he might not be available to sign an item.

Classic!

 

[kcashner]

Classic!

It sounds a whole lot nicer than some other things that could have been said in it's place.....

 

[stitchlovestink]

Yep, I did not get my markers back. They noted on the sheet how many markers I turned in.

WOW! I'm sorry that Happened to you! I have always gotten mine back. But I do put my item and the markers in a big ziploc bag. I don't know if that makes a difference.

this may be a silly question but where do you find fabric markers and what do the cost?

I paid about $2.25 ea at Michaels for mine. They weren't on sale & no coupon: too close to sail time.

Items are obviously signed by one character and passed to the next. It truly is based on which characters are available to participate at any given time. If Pluto needs a dog biscuit or a walk in the grass, he might not be available to sign an item.

WHAT!!!! There's GRASS on the ship???? Where???

 

[kcashner]

WHAT!!!! There's GRASS on the ship???? Where???

Honestly, if a service animal is brought onto the ship, DCL finds out in advance what sort of place it prefers (we learned that some seeing eye dogs use a place resembling a child's pool filled with something like kitty litter while others prefer grass). If necessary, they put grass stuff on top of a sort of toddler pool--it will be on the guest's verandah if they book one or on deck 7 if the guest doesn't have a verandah.