Gathering autographs....

[ToyStorygirl]

Hey at 18 on a graduation trip to Disneyland I got my picture taken with Dug from Up. How was that weird? Or when Alice in February right after the Ravens won the Superbowl came up to me and asked if the Mad Hatter made me my Ravens hat (I told her yes)?

Also, I would love to meet Flynn Rider and Aladdin. I usually don't wait in line though. Not worth it to me. The characters I meet usually just happen to be there.

Also, I think the "creep" factor would depend on who is meeting them. Creeps will come off as creeps no matter what they are doing.

You're actually pretty much saying what I did. I have stood with characters but it's to get my photo with a character. Not to have a chat with someone in a suit being paid to pretend to be a fictional character. That's the difference for me. Stopping for a quick photo fine. Wanting to "meet", get autographs and converse with a character as an adult=creepy.

 

[Gabe1]

I could never wrap my brain around this autograph ritual. I barely grasp standing in line for character photographs, but an autograph? Both my kids only had the autograph desire for about 2 years and abandoned all desire to stand in queues for a picture or an autograph.

I counted myself blessed.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I could never wrap my brain around this autograph ritual. I barely grasp standing in line for character photographs, but an autograph? Both my kids only had the autograph desire for about 2 years and abandoned all desire to stand in queues for a picture or an autograph.

I counted myself blessed.

My kids were totally uninterested in characters and that was before lineups. They never cared if the characters were even there. I count my self equal to being in heaven. I do have a granddaughter with an autograph quest, better them then me.

 

[hull327]

My kids had their first trip when they were 9 and 7. The stood in the autograph lines and got all the character autographs they wanted which was fine with me because it was largely their trip. However, we're talking about returning in 2014 and they both have absolutely zero interest in getting more autographs. Maybe they got my cynicism but they're both like, "Ok, I got the autographs once already and they're just people in suits anyways. Let's go ride Tower of Terror again..."

 

[BrittanyRose428]

There is no forging, lol. The characters don't actually exist and therefore cannot sign anything.

Waiting in line for some college kid to do it for you isn't more meaningful than doing it yourself. It is just less efficient.

If you're going to pretend the characters are real with your child, you might as well pretend you stood in the line, too. Nothing wrong with it, certainly. We leave cookies and milk for a fat man who gets into every house in the world in one night, thanks to his flying reindeer. Why not hand over autographs from characters? I see no difference.

I think it is more meaningful... If I just found out (as a 21 year old) that when I was 4 and my parents were at WDW without me, they took the time to go and meet characters and get autographs for me because that's what I wanted, I would think that's very thoughtful of them. If they told me ,"Yea so you wanted autographs, so we just bought the book and signed them ourselves cause they're not real and you'd never know anyways..." I'd be kind of disappointed, not because the characters are not real, but just because the process of them getting the signatures seems more thoughtful to me. I mean, if wouldn't be a big deal either way, that's just an example of what I meant.

 

[Gabe1]

I think it is more meaningful... If I just found out (as a 21 year old) that when I was 4 and my parents were at WDW without me, they took the time to go and meet characters and get autographs for me because that's what I wanted, I would think that's very thoughtful of them. If they told me ,"Yea so you wanted autographs, so we just bought the book and signed them ourselves cause they're not real and you'd never know anyways..." I'd be kind of disappointed, not because the characters are not real, but just because the process of them getting the signatures seems more thoughtful to me. I mean, if wouldn't be a big deal either way, that's just an example of what I meant.

Me, if the parents are going to do an adult trip (yay!) do adult things they want to do. If they are going to stand in lines to get autographs 'cause the kid that wants them so, bring the kid.

My kids were totally uninterested in characters and that was before lineups. They never cared if the characters were even there. I count my self equal to being in heaven. I do have a granddaughter with an autograph quest, better them then me.

Amen. I guess what I fumble with too is going to WDW since it opened, the characters just wandered, you found them under a tree unexpectedly, got a quick photo or an autograph and on your way. Now a meet and greet is a substitute for an attraction and many are listed as such. It was kinda cool to unexpectedly and unscheduled to see the classics dressed up in space gear beneath SSE a magical mini surprise vs having to get a FP+ and march off to Character Spot and accept that is the 21st century idea of a Disney attraction. Some experiences are better off without queues and FP+s.

 

[Matt_Black]

Me, if the parents are going to do an adult trip (yay!) do adult things they want to do. If they are going to stand in lines to get autographs 'cause the kid that wants them so, bring the kid.

And that's fine. But don't lie or patronize the kids; tell them, "I'm sorry, but we never had the opportunity to get autographs from the characters." Truthful and phrased in a tactful fashion.

 

[Gabe1]

And that's fine. But don't lie or patronize the kids; tell them, "I'm sorry, but we never had the opportunity to get autographs from the characters." Truthful and phrased in a tactful fashion.

Hmpf. I didn't say lie or not be truthful.

 

[disneypearl]

Maybe just use one autograph book and make it a family book instead of multiple books? That may make it faster if your worried about time with the characters. I think they sell books with a space for an autograph on one side and a photo on the other. That may be fun for your kids to see the pictures of their favorites along with the autograph. It would also take away space for a book full of signatures and you may get away from having to see too many characters?
Don't feel bad about your time with the characters though. You will see many people of all ages in line to meet them. It's part of the fun of being at WDW.

 

[Fable McCloud]

I went through this gathering autographs for myself. You, aren't taking time away from the kids, you are allowed to see the characters and get autographs. If anyone says otherwise, you paid to get in just like they did and are entitled to the same experiences.

 

[Spikerdink]

Every trip I go I will get on a line to get a pic with a character or two - as evidenced by my pic on the left!

I will 'talk' to the character, always telling Mickey what a fine establishment he is running and that I am glad to be in his park....to me it makes the whole experience an experience. Yes, I know its a person playing the role, but I look at it the same way as greeting my cashier at the supermarket. I always say hello and thank you. Sometimes I will even talk about the weather, something about themselves... just passes the time.

For those who think I am weird, or even worse, creepy, so be it. I have had my lifetime supply of people who have judged me and do not feel the need to fit into your definition of normal or acceptable.