Will Disney Guests Get a Character Card Instead of An Autograph?

Are character autograph cards the way of the future at Disney parks?  Will guests no longer get to have Disney characters autograph their books?  Will collecting character autographs mean collecting character autograph cards?

I pose these questions as when we met Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (click here to read more), we were given their card—no autograph signing.  I assumed it was due to Ralph’s hands/arms that would make it difficult if not impossible for him to sign.  Same as The Beast and then Belle does the signing for him.  Mike and Sully don’t sign autographs, they used to have a stamp which was themed as punching your time card at work, but that stamp hasn’t worked in a while.  So, I wasn’t too surprised that we got the autograph card.

Then I read more about how Disney is handling special character appearances for many of the Limited Time Magic themed weeks so far this year.  When the Prince/Princess combinations were greeting guests during True Romance week, they were not signing autographs, but instead their handlers were passing out autograph cards.  Hmmm. . . .

There are pros and cons to the autograph cards and Disney enthusiasts are often vocal about changes to their beloved parks including character greetings.  Here are the pros that come to mind:

• Character interactions with guests would take less time and therefore characters could visit more guests during the same amount of time.  We have personally seen how long it takes for a family of 4 with 2 children each with their own autograph book to meet a set of characters—the more characters the time expands dramatically.  There is some “down time” while one character signs and the other waits unless the handler is more hands on and aids in efficiency.  And, then the handler could get in the way of Photopass photos.
• Speaking of Photopass, more guests meeting characters means potentially more photo sales.  And, with only autograph cards, no character autographs, adding character autographs to photos through Photopass editing may be a perk guests will want to use.
• Collecting the characters autograph cards may become the new “pin trading” or Vinylmation collecting/trading.  When the husband first saw the character card  that is what he thought. And, the autograph cards are the size of baseball cards.

Some cons:

• Disney would no longer be able to sell autograph books and pens if there is a complete movement to character autograph cards.
• We would no longer be able to have other items signed by characters such as pillow cases and picture frames.

On the back of our character autograph cards that we received there was a special code for Photopass.  I didn’t enter the number into our account as I forgot.  Our Photopass photos taken during the character meet and greet were already included in our account, so would the code given us access to bonus photos of our characters?  And, we received more than one card, each with a different number.  Would all the numbers give us the same photo content?  I wasn’t sensing that our Photopass photos taken at the character meet and greet were connected to the number on the back of the card and the handler did not bring our attention to the code either.  I’m curious about this.

So, are autograph cards the way of the future for Disney character interactions just like indoor meet and greet locations? (Click here to read more.)  Well, time will certainly tell on this one and we will keep you posted as we learn more.

Customized Pillowcase For Autographs

Custom pillow case from Inkgarden.com

Inkgarden.com offers customized products ranging from plates to mugs to tote bags to mouse pads.  And often they have great specials.

Yesterday, I designed and ordered a pillow case, which is regularly $21.99 each for just $5.00.  The shipping was $4.99 making the total $9.99.  You can see it in the photo above.  Navigating and using the site is quite easy.  Pick your product, upload photos, drag photos into position, type in your text and select text color. 

The pillow case will be used to collect autographs during our upcoming Disney Cruise and Walt Disney World vacation.

We used a plain pillow case for autographs during our most recent trip.  I wrote “Walt Disney World March 2012” on the pillow case trim using fabric markers then the characters had random spots for the autographs using different color fabric markers.  We used a piece of cardboard to firm up the autograph area as well as make sure the marker didn’t bleed through the fabric—next trip I’m considering a plastic lid—and we stored the case, markers, and cardboard in a gallon size plastic bag.  I washed the pillow case before we left and it has been washed many times since—the autographs have stayed put.

So, the new pillow case will be a more customized version of what we used last time. 

In terms of the price for the pillow case—consider how much an autograph book goes for at Walt Disney World.  The official Disney autograph book sells for $6.95 and the accompanying pen $4.95.  For less, we are getting something that can be used regularly and add Disney memories to our nighttime routines.

Disney's Newest Princess--Rapunzel!

We met Rapunzel at the Magic Kingdom during our visit to Walt Disney World in July.  Meeting Rapunzel rounded out our half-dozen new to us characters for our trip.

Rapunzel can now be found at both the Magic Kingdom in the Fairytale Garden and in EPCOT at the International Gateway.  When we visited, she was only able to greet guests in the Fairytale Garden at the Magic Kingdom.

If meeting Rapunzel is on your “must do” list, be sure to check the Times Guide with character meet and greet times listed.  The line for Rapunzel begins outside the Fairytale Garden, just to the right of Cinderella’s Castle and before the teacups—almost directly across from Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café.

We took the pathway behind the Castle, as we were enjoying Fantasyland before heading to meet Rapunzel. 

Guests are welcomed into the meet and greet in groups—similar to how guests were grouped for the Princesses and Fairies when they were located in Toontown Hall of Fame.

The children are welcome to gather around the large table in the center and color pictures, while the parents queue up.

One of the rules stated by the Cast Member before entering the Fairytale Garden is that you must not climb up or over the wall, but go around and walk up the path.

Yeah, right.  That wall is directly between parents and children.  When the parents get closer to the Princess, the direct path to get to your family is up and over that wall.  We even saw adults taking that one big step rather than go around and walk by other guests to get up the path.  Not very good planning, Disney!

The meet and greet is also supposed to be a “meet, greet, and play.”  I’m guessing the crayons and coloring pictures are meant to be the “play” portion of the interaction.  Instead, our boy found a worm while waiting in line and that became his “play.” (See video below.)

The Fairytale Garden is decorated just for the Princess with lanterns draped above and throughout the garden.  Her royal crest is displayed as well.  And, if you watched the video above, you can hear the music that is for the meet and greet as well.  Another fine example of Disney theming!

The Princess was lovely, gracious, and we were happy to meet her.

As we exited, the boy discovered Rapunzel’s sidekick and friend, Pascal, the chameleon—a stuffed version of course. A Cast Member happily placed him on the boy’s head for a photo.

When this character meet and greet first appeared in May of 2011, Flynn Rider was also included.  He is no longer included and was not included when we were there in July.  Guests can find Flynn Rider during special events such as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.  We were treated to some surprise photos of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider on our Photopass CD.  See photos below.

When interacting with Disney characters, it can be fun to converse with them as their character.  Ask Rapunzel what she is painting and see what she might say.

Note:  The date of this post is October 2, 2011.  The Princess is having her Royal Coronation at Buckingham Palace today. 


The Fairytale Garden was previously the home to Story Time with Belle--click here to read all about Story Time with Belle.

Collecting Character Autographs

 One of our favorite things to do while visiting the Walt Disney World Resort is to meet various characters and get their autographs. We have been doing this since our very first resort stay.




The first few times we went, I made our autograph book out of pieces of construction paper. I cut various colors to the size of 4X6, punched holes in the top, and put them together by two metal rings—you know the rings that open and close. Each time we met a character, they signed on a new piece using a large felt tip permanent marker. When we returned home, I took the book apart and slide the 4X6 piece of construction paper with the autograph into the photo album next to the photo of the character. Worked like a charm!



Then we moved on to digital photo albums. No need for the 4X6 pieces of construction paper anymore. So, I made our first digital autograph book. I use Picaboo.com—a free download—to create our digital books. There are many other online scrapbooking programs. I just prefer Picaboo. (One reason is that after you create a page or pages for a book, you can print them using your at home printer and this makes for wonderful collage opportunities!) Since the books is saved using the Picaboo application, when I return home, I just upload our new character photos for an on-going product. I then order that book and it is mailed to me for our next trip. And, I don’t have to start from scratch each time!

The characters love to see themselves in our book.  We have gotten lots of interaction time with the characters as they look at their photos or the photos of their “friends.”  Photopass photographers often comment or ask questions.  One thing they want to know is if the books is one of “theirs”—meaning Disney Photopass.  My reply is that “they” don’t make that size.  I usually get nods and knowing looks at this point. (Click here to read about Disney's Photopass Service.) Other guests comment too, and now even the boy can explain where to go to make your own autograph book.

 No matter what type of autograph book you use, here are some tips for meeting the characters and getting their autographs:


• When you see a character, pay attention to any line or queue that may have formed. If you aren’t sure, ask a Cast Member handling the character. Those Cast Members wear light blue shirts, tan bottoms, and navy coats if it is cold. They can tell you where the line is and if you will have enough time to meet the character.

• Be prepared to wait in line to meet characters. This is great time to visit with your family or other guests around you. We have visited with very interesting people from all over the world while waiting in character lines. On our last trip, there was a mom and kids from Britain in front of us. The smallest child was in a stroller and had a bit of sunburn on her nose. The boy entertained the baby for quite some time—it kept them both entertained!

• If you or someone you are traveling with has their heart set on meeting a certain character, check at Guest Services to find out if that character will be “visiting” the park that day, when, and where.  This will help you plan and potentially avoid disappointment.

• Keep your autograph book in a large, closable, plastic bag. There are sudden rains and water rides at Disney and books can get wet fast.

• Use large felt tip permanent markers. Disney doesn’t sell these with their autograph books that you can buy on property—so bring your own. The larger markers can be easier to handle for those hands inside that large costume! Store the markers in the same plastic bag as the autograph book.

• Take the lid off the marker before handing it to the character and give the marker to them so they are ready to write. It can be difficult to see in the costumes and they definitely cannot trade hands or adjust the writing utensil. Try to make it easier for them.


 • Have your autograph books, pens, and cameras ready! This will save time. You will appreciate it when the people in front of you do the same and the people behind you in line will appreciate you for doing the same.


• Interact with the characters as their character. We ask Pooh if he has had any honey. He will nod excitedly. We ask Belle if she has read any good books lately and she will talk about visiting the library. It’s Disney! Have fun!

 

• Know that the characters will only sign something you hand to them—it has to be no brand or Disney brand and sturdy. Don’t expect them to sign your shirt—unless you are carrying around a spare Disney shirt and have something sturdy in it so that they can sign. The most interesting autographed object we have seen was pillowcases. The family used embroidery hoops and cardboard to give the characters a firm place to write. Clever!




We have our autograph book made for our next trip.


Click here to see our new autograph book.