We had an idea regarding autographs

[joyjoy]

We are still (for now) planning on making our Aug 18-25 trip. It will be me, my adult daughter and 7 y.o. g-baby at the Poly. Today my dtr and I were talking about packing and mentioned there being no need to take an autograph book this time. (G-baby calls it the AutoBook and she loooooovvvves it). Then we had an idea. No "character" signatures, but what about other characters you meet? Like Mr. Jim, the cool greeter at PO-FQ? Or Mr. Kirk, who does concierge at Boulder Ridge? Or a super fun waiter, or extra helpful CM or even a really nice guest you meet in line or at your resort? We have friended a lifeguard (Hi Miss Randee!!!!) that we are still in touch with. I think it will make the memories even more vivid if we get a signature from some less-famours "characters". This all depends on if they'll let us pass a pen back and forth, of course. Anyway, what do y'all think? (ETA: We have in the past asked for autographs from chefs that went above and beyond and they always seem very happy to oblige)

 

[ORD2KOA]

This is a very cute idea, but????

You're going to ask CMs and strangers that you meet in line to ignore the fact that they should remain 6 feet away from you and ask them to handle a book and a pen and touch pages that others have been touching? I wouldn't put them in that position.

Again, I'm not critical of the idea, I think it's a very cute idea, but I wouldn't do it. Maybe we think differently about COVID-19, but I try to really pay attention to the 6-foot distancing.

 

[sweetpeama]

I am thinking if you had a child who would be absolutely heart broken not to have characters signatures would be to contact guest relations ahead of your trip and ask if you brought an autograph book or other item to be autographed and gave it to someone at your resort or if staying off property to guest relations in the park if they could make sure that the characters signed it for your child.
The worst they can say is no so I personally see no harm in asking, though I would do it ahead of time and not in my child's presence in case the answer is no I would not say a word about it to my child or in my child's hearing instead I would come here and say something about how disappointed you are that it did not work out or with your spouse or partner in private.

 

[valval]

Anyway, what do y'all think?

I think it's a wonderful idea!! The pen and book back-and-forth issue can easily be solved with some disinfecting wipes that you can use right before handing the pen out (for the peace of mind of the person you're asking to). I think you might have some with you anyway, nowadays.

EDIT: I wasn't aware that CMs are currently instructed not to take anything from guests. The idea is still amazing, but probably not the right time for that

 

[yulilin3]

Right now cm have been instructed not to take objects from anyone, not saying ask they won't do it but it might put them in an awkward position to want to say no but still feel bad cause they want to sign. I think best thing is to forgo the idea during this trip. Maybe some cute, social distance pics instead?

 

[Disney Frenhines]

Surely you can do one trip without collecting autographs? So your grandchild will be disappointed, surely if you took the time to explain to your grandchild that it isn't going to be appropriate to do this on this trip then they will understand. Children need to learn early on in life that sometimes you can't get what you want.
You may think I'm being harsh, but, saying no to a child never hurt them.

 

[jpolak]

Good idea but I agree the passing back and forth can be an issue.

 

[here757]

I’m thinking totally opposite..
Your putting the CM on the spot. Disney made a decision not to do meet and greets for everyone’s safety ,including your family.
I feel your not being spiteful, or intentionally breaking rules. But it does look selfish.
It’s looking a lot like mom says no, so you go around the corner and ask dad..

 

[sweetpeama]

I am thinking if you had a child who would be absolutely heart broken not to have characters signatures would be to contact guest relations ahead of your trip and ask if you brought an autograph book or other item to be autographed and gave it to someone at your resort or if staying off property to guest relations in the park if they could make sure that the characters signed it for your child.
The worst they can say is no so I personally see no harm in asking, though I would do it ahead of time and not in my child's presence in case the answer is no I would not say a word about it to my child or in my child's hearing instead I would come here and say something about how disappointed you are that it did not work out or with your spouse or partner in private.

Replying to my own post with
I am guessing it will end up at least at this time being a no, but you never know if you say thank you for your time and I understand this might just be something that you would get a little magic to find something waiting for you. I have no connection to Disney other than being a fan who would love to be able to go on a regular basis (right now I would take every 3-5 years at least it would be something) but I do know that my family received several magical moments from park hoppers on our passes at no charge for all 12 of us in our party to a private meet and greet with Tinkerbell and two of her friends after a cast member heard that another guest was being critical of our having a special needs toddler in a stroller in the line.
I am sure with the other guest loudly complaining about our using a stroller the cast member who came and got us and the supervisor who told us that someone would come and take us to a different door (where we got told it was a private meet and greet) had not planned that we are going to do this for every family who has a child that is using a stroller as a wheelchair, but the other guest was being quite vocal about it (if it had been at Epcot and not at Magic Kingdom I would have thought a little too much sampling of drinks around the world-yes. This was back in 10 so the places that serve alcohol in MK were not open. We had other guests both in front of us and behind us telling this you can't use a stroller to us guest that look they have a special tag and they would not have been allowed in the line with it if it was not allowed.
I am sure a cast member overheard this and thought that has got to be a not nice memory for that family who obviously has a child with special needs lets figure out something magical for them and do it. While I do remember the person complaining I also have the memory of my family getting that private meeting where we were able to get a number of photos and some great interaction with 3 fairies.

 

[FeetOffTheTable]

Unfortunately as others have said I do t think this is the best idea right now

I will however say that my son has done it in the past though, specifically on a cruise we went one and I remember our room stewards face lighting up when he asked for his autograph. I think it is a cute way to make others feel a bit special, unfortunately at this time it’s not a good idea

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I expect this idea has been posed before, but it seems at a time like this, Disney could have some pre-made photos of the characters that are already autographed - kind of like they do with some of their birthday cards for kids at the restaurants. Instead of collecting autographs, the kids could collect photos with the autographs at character areas. Seems like a lower risk option.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Agree this is a cute idea but not a practical one in these times. You are putting a CM on the spot, setting granddaughter up for disappointment and going against everything about social distancing and safety. CM has no clue pen has been sanitized. Will a 7 year old understand a CM saying no as being for their own safety? Or will 7 year old think CM is mean?

Please rethink this at this time. Agree this is selfish idea because if they stopped character meet and greet why would a CM meet and greet thought up by you be appropriate? Best way to show appreciation- social distancing photo with CM and a tweet-

CM recognized and your granddaughter can save photo or screenshot from Twitter! Not putting anyone on spot, maintaining social distancing.

 

[MinBz]

I wouldn’t do this for your August trip but it’s a cute idea for future trips when it’s safe to do so. My daughter loves getting autographs too and being able to get hugs from the characters. I’ve been explaining to her (Prepping her Ahead of time) that we can’t do meet and greets during our September trip but we will still have fun riding the rides. I heard Riviera Topolino’s breakfast gives pre-autographed cards (Like Hollywood and Vine did) so I’m going to try to make a reservation for that. Again I’ve been prepping her that she can’t run up to the characters which is a habit she has. It’s going to be a different trip this year but it will be fun and definitely memorable.

 

[Geomom]

I agree that unfortunately now is not the time for any autographs from anyone. I know it's hard. We've been doing autograph books for at least 12 years, my girls still love doing it even though they're 16 and 20...it ends up being a memory book of each trip with photos that is all their own. I already had books ready to go before the pandemic started, and I was a little sad when I realized we won't use them this year. Instead of doing autograph books this year, maybe take pics during the trip and make your granddaughter a memory book afterwards. It can be something simple.

 

[upbeatred]

Why don't you get some really cute Disney Stickers. If you can find the characters even better and when she sees someone she can put a sticker in her autograph book. You could with a lot of effort and advance planning find exact pictures of all the character and glue them in the book every night based on who she saw. I do not think I would be happy if some cute child asked for my autograph, it would be very hard to say no, but I wouldn't want to do it and I bet everyone else will feel the same way.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Considering the spread of infection in Florida right now, I would absolutely not put a CM in the unfortunate position of disappointing a little girl by refusing to touch a guest's pen. That said, I think this is a great opportunity to do something fun and new (though along a similar line to your customary tradition) .

What about getting a box of large alphabet flash cards (which should be no less cumbersome to tote around than an autograph book) and do an "A-B-C of Disney" (or "A-B-C of Vacation") photo book? Your mission would be to accumulate 26 photos over the course of your visit, one for each of the letters in the alphabet. Take a photo of your granddaughter holding up the corresponding card for each of the photo subjects and put the pictures all together, chronologically, in a photo book after your trip (I highly recommend Picaboo....they are easy to put together, the finished product is LOVELY, there are various size options for the books, and there is ALWAYS a deep discount available on Groupon).

So, you could have a photo of her at the airport for "A". Riding Splash Mountain for "S". Eating a Zebra Dome for "Z". Or, if you want to focus on a specific theme, go for all food pics (with a giant bag of cotton candy for "C", a popcorn bucket for "P", etc.) or even people (perhaps you could get a photo of her in front of the balloon CM for "B", a picture in front of the Walt statue at MK for "W", with a lifeguard in the background for "L", with a personable Photopass photographer for "P", etc.). I am sure, as long as she remains 6 feet apart from the CM's, many would love to pose for a photo as long as she stays in the foreground and they are in the background......and how fun would it be to get, say, a pic with the ferry and a ferryboat captain behind her?

If your vacation is dwindling down and you still have a few letters you haven't been able to find, I bet Guest Services would have some spectacular ideas for you if you drop in and tell them what you're trying to accomplish. And you could always plan ahead on a few of the trickier letters by posting here on the Dis for ideas before you leave.

Hunting for characters has been one of our favorite things to do on our trips, so that aspect will be sorely lacking this fall (assuming our fall trip actually happens.....with the state of things lately, I'm no longer holding my breath). I'm even considering of doing something similar to this on our own trip this year, especially with Food & Wine (I'm thinking the ABC's of Orlando - Food Edition might be quite a fun challenge!). In the end, your granddaughter would have a fabulous souvenir and I bet she'd come up with some amazing ideas for each of the letters.......kids think entirely differently than adults, and her creativity might make for some spectacular moments!

I'm not sure of your budget, but if you were looking for some splurge opportunities, this would be a cool way to incorporate them. Instead of A for airport, what about A for an amphicar ride at Disney Springs? (assuming they have reopened, I honestly haven't checked) Or, enjoy a ride on the Characters in Flight balloon (for "B") or a round of mini golf (for "G" or "M").

 

[Southernmiss]

I think this is a pandemic trip to a hotspot.

Kids get that things are different and need to be for everyone's safety.

 

[lil mermaid]

No. It isn't fair to put a cast member in that position.

 

[joyjoy]

Considering the spread of infection in Florida right now, I would absolutely not put a CM in the unfortunate position of disappointing a little girl by refusing to touch a guest's pen. That said, I think this is a great opportunity to do something fun and new (though along a similar line to your customary tradition) .

What about getting a box of large alphabet flash cards (which should be no less cumbersome to tote around than an autograph book) and do an "A-B-C of Disney" (or "A-B-C of Vacation") photo book? Your mission would be to accumulate 26 photos over the course of your visit, one for each of the letters in the alphabet. Take a photo of your granddaughter holding up the corresponding card for each of the photo subjects and put the pictures all together, chronologically, in a photo book after your trip (I highly recommend Picaboo....they are easy to put together, the finished product is LOVELY, there are various size options for the books, and there is ALWAYS a deep discount available on Groupon).

So, you could have a photo of her at the airport for "A". Riding Splash Mountain for "S". Eating a Zebra Dome for "Z". Or, if you want to focus on a specific theme, go for all food pics (with a giant bag of cotton candy for "C", a popcorn bucket for "P", etc.) or even people (perhaps you could get a photo of her in front of the balloon CM for "B", a picture in front of the Walt statue at MK for "W", with a lifeguard in the background for "L", with a personable Photopass photographer for "P", etc.). I am sure, as long as she remains 6 feet apart from the CM's, many would love to pose for a photo as long as she stays in the foreground and they are in the background......and how fun would it be to get, say, a pic with the ferry and a ferryboat captain behind her?

If your vacation is dwindling down and you still have a few letters you haven't been able to find, I bet Guest Services would have some spectacular ideas for you if you drop in and tell them what you're trying to accomplish. And you could always plan ahead on a few of the trickier letters by posting here on the Dis for ideas before you leave.

Hunting for characters has been one of our favorite things to do on our trips, so that aspect will be sorely lacking this fall (assuming our fall trip actually happens.....with the state of things lately, I'm no longer holding my breath). I'm even considering of doing something similar to this on our own trip this year, especially with Food & Wine (I'm thinking the ABC's of Orlando - Food Edition might be quite a fun challenge!). In the end, your granddaughter would have a fabulous souvenir and I bet she'd come up with some amazing ideas for each of the letters.......kids think entirely differently than adults, and her creativity might make for some spectacular moments!

I'm not sure of your budget, but if you were looking for some splurge opportunities, this would be a cool way to incorporate them. Instead of A for airport, what about A for an amphicar ride at Disney Springs? (assuming they have reopened, I honestly haven't checked) Or, enjoy a ride on the Characters in Flight balloon (for "B") or a round of mini golf (for "G" or "M").

FABULOUS SUGGESTION. Thank you, I think we'll do this and post on the DIS our results. Thank you!

 

[joyjoy]

Thanks, everyone. You're right. Now is not the time. I was thinking that it would be a low contact experience, but I realize now that's not the case. A few of you have given some great alternative suggestions -- thank you!