Teenagers and Character Autographs

[prestoncaldwell]

It might depend on if it's a boy or a girl? Our DS was no longer interested by the time he hit his tween / teenage years. I do remember once catching him start to wave at Buzz Lightyear but then he caught himself and quickly pulled his arm back down and stuck it behind his back before it really got to a wave. Like it just popped up half way then he realized he was doing it. I remember thinking it was sad that that era was over for him. He's 18, soon to be 19 now and will barely tolerate photos with characters if we do a character meal (which is rare now).

You could always get one there if they show interest.

In 5-10 years, he'll be waving at Buzz and taking pictures character dining again.

 

[hamilkm]

I took my cousin who was 18 to Disneyland for the day during a California spring break/high school graduation trip. She really didn't want to do Disney at all (I had never been to Disneyland), but after we had been there a few hours she asked if there was anywhere she could have her picture made with Mickey. This was the only character greet she wanted, but she was sharing the picture away to her friends! So just let them set the pace.

 

[abeautybutafunnygirl]

I'm turning 20 this summer. I definitely had a period when I was 12-15 when I was 'too cool' for characters and only wanted to do thrill rides, but after I got more into the history and artistry of the parks, I started lining up for characters again. I've never done autographs though, just pictures.
I think you have to make this decision yourself, though... I would have liked receiving a surprise like this, but I know the majority of my friends (even those who are as dorky as me) would not care too much.

 

[luvgoing2disney]

This is our last Disney trip so the kids are okay with character meet & greets and meals.

That's sad to hear! I know there are many other places to visit and enjoy, but I don't I ever want to know in advance that any trip would be my last. I would depressed as everything and would be really, REALLY sad when leaving the MK for the last time.

 

[crazedprincess]

Wowzers.... my girls are sure in the minority! They love love love the characters and getting their autographs and we told them on this next trip that maybe we could tone it down since we have met "almost" everyone and they have many many autographs from the 3 trips we have been on. Their answer was a sad "NO!!!!!!" Their favorite part is mingling with the characters and chatting it up with them. My oldest is a huge Capt. Jack Sparrow fan and I've never seen such a hilarious convo in my life. Now of course she knows it's not Johnny Depp... but they suspend disbelief and use their beautiful imaginations while we are there, just like my hubby and I do. I mean, come on, you have to believe that "omg.... that's CINDERELLA! She's REALLY CINDERELLA!!!" (my reaction to the first time I saw my favorite princess)

 

[seashell7290]

It may be "cooler" to get signatures on something other than an autograph book. I have seen everything from back packs to pillow cases to white Mickey statues. Making the autographs into a keepsake is a great souvenir.

 

[mocame]

That's sad to hear! I know there are many other places to visit and enjoy, but I don't I ever want to know in advance that any trip would be my last. I would depressed as everything and would be really, REALLY sad when leaving the MK for the last time.

If we had our way, and a lot of money, the kids and I would go every year! We went for the first time 7 years ago and THAT was supposed to be our first and only trip. I had saved up for 4 years to go because we live off of one income. I then went to college (for the first time!) and finally graduated in December. My husband agreed to go to Disney one more time as a part graduation celebration/part last big family vacation before my daughter starts college visits and then heads off to college. The kids and I love Disney. My husband, not so much but once I get a job (waiting to hear back from one tomorrow!), maybe the kids and I will be able to go again in the future. We plan to do a lot of things while we are at Disney with the thought that it could be our last, but hoping it's not!

 

[MainMom]

DD 14 did the autograph thing on our last trip, but she had the goal to meet all of the princesses. Plus we were with her 9 year old cousin. We just took an old autograph book with empty pages and filled it up. She probably won't get any this summer since she has "met enough characters."

 

[luvgoing2disney]

If we had our way, and a lot of money, the kids and I would go every year! We went for the first time 7 years ago and THAT was supposed to be our first and only trip. I had saved up for 4 years to go because we live off of one income. I then went to college (for the first time!) and finally graduated in December. My husband agreed to go to Disney one more time as a part graduation celebration/part last big family vacation before my daughter starts college visits and then heads off to college. The kids and I love Disney. My husband, not so much but once I get a job (waiting to hear back from one tomorrow!), maybe the kids and I will be able to go again in the future. We plan to do a lot of things while we are at Disney with the thought that it could be our last, but hoping it's not!

I completely understand! Disney ain't cheap. I hope that you have a magical trip and that you do get to return if you can and want to!!!

 

[SmallWorld71]

Wowzers.... my girls are sure in the minority! They love love love the characters and getting their autographs and we told them on this next trip that maybe we could tone it down since we have met "almost" everyone and they have many many autographs from the 3 trips we have been on. Their answer was a sad "NO!!!!!!" Their favorite part is mingling with the characters and chatting it up with them. My oldest is a huge Capt. Jack Sparrow fan and I've never seen such a hilarious convo in my life. Now of course she knows it's not Johnny Depp... but they suspend disbelief and use their beautiful imaginations while we are there, just like my hubby and I do. I mean, come on, you have to believe that "omg.... that's CINDERELLA! She's REALLY CINDERELLA!!!" (my reaction to the first time I saw my favorite princess)

Then we're in the minority with you! While only DD13 actually collects the autographs, my boys are right there with her (and me, LOL) in getting the photos and interacting with the characters. Since most have photopass, I have a ton of great photos of our whole family with the characters from our last trip.
IMO - meeting characters with teens is a ton of fun since the characters interact differently with them than they do with little ones and it's been great watching the interactions evolve over the years.

 

[sunshine1]

I was 13 when i first went to Disneyland. The only character i met was Daisy.
I didnt know that you could get character autographs at the time but was so happy that i got a picture with her.

 

[Dormouse.]

Do teenagers think it is still cool to get a character's autograph or is it mainly the younger children that get autographs? I was thinking of getting autograph books as a surprise for my teenagers but I didn't know if that was still the "cool" thing to do.

I'm 23 and try to meet every character I can, especially the ones from films I grew up watching. Rather than buying an autograph book, I would suggest you make your own out of a sketchbook. It can double as a photo album if you make little corner inserts (so they don't have to get autographs if they don't want to). It's also cheaper and can be personalized to feature favorite characters/rides/etc. I don't want to spam everyone, but if you're interested I can DM you some references/examples.

 

[MrsHull]

The only character my DS14 was interested in meeting on our most recent trip was the the mad hatter. But, he was kind enough to lug the character encyclopedia around for his 7yo little sister.

 

[Miskey]

My daughter didn't become interesting in meeting characters UNTIL she was in her late teens (and yes, of course, she knows it's a person in a costume ). She's never been interested in autographs, just pictures. She especially likes taking selfies with the characters and has actually gotten some really great pics with them. Some of the interactions have been absolutely hilarious and some of our best vacation memories.

 

[vallerii]

I still remember being silly at 16 and having the teenage mutant ninja turtles sign my shirt at Hollywood studios. Of course that was the "first" time around tmnt was popular and recently I met a dvc salesperson who mentioned he used to be one of the characters so now I feel really old. Lol. Signing something like a hat or a photo mat might work as another idea if there's a doubt they'll find an autograph book cool. I bet it depends on the character too (e.g. Gaston/ jack sparrow versus cutesy characters they might deem are for little kids)

 

[5kidsmommy]

My daughter and I went on a girls only trip this past November. I wasn't sure how many characters she would want to do but once she saw a few she wanted to see more and more. Since this trip was all about her we basically did a few rides and tons of characters. We saw 32 unique characters and numerous characters multiple times. She is 15 and honestly I was really surprised. She used a website that gave her interaction hints. Honestly I think it just depends on the teens, my daughter just likes what she likes.

 

[Megan Graham]

As a teenager, my mom made my brother sister and i an autograph book. It was one of the ones you make online by uploading pictures and then they send you the finished book. It was filled with pictures of us with character from almost all of our disney trips. Characters love seeing the pictures of us when we were younger and its something really special for me to have forever to look back one. While i personally still love seeing characters at 19, everyone is different and its just a thought

 

[crazedprincess]

Then we're in the minority with you! While only DD13 actually collects the autographs, my boys are right there with her (and me, LOL) in getting the photos and interacting with the characters. Since most have photopass, I have a ton of great photos of our whole family with the characters from our last trip.
IMO - meeting characters with teens is a ton of fun since the characters interact differently with them than they do with little ones and it's been great watching the interactions evolve over the years.

I agree.... and I think some of the characters didn't realize or know that my girls wanted just as much interaction with them as a 4 year old would. How fun!!!!!!!

 

[Memaw2Wm]

Every time we go to Disney my now 19 y.o. granddaughter has to hunt down Peter Pan. We don't get his autograph any more, but I snap photos of her interacting with him, and she'll usually get a selfie with him. This is a layout from a few years ago ...

 

[Memaw2Wm]

Oh and that's the last time she went into the parks w/o her makeup on, LOL!