Should all character "autographs" be a stamp to save time?

Jo DeVil

Jo DeVil

Well-Known Member
I know you have had a lot of flack for asking this, and I bet you didn't think you would get this much hassle for asking a a simple question1 We like to get autographs, have photos and interact with the character. I can understand how this could appear to be quicker option, but I have noticed that the time is about the same, you still get the same time to interact with the character whether you have a written signature or a stamp. TTFN Jo
 
bsiev1977

bsiev1977

Well-Known Member
Jo DeVil said:
I know you have had a lot of flack for asking this, and I bet you didn't think you would get this much hassle for asking a a simple question1 We like to get autographs, have photos and interact with the character. I can understand how this could appear to be quicker option, but I have noticed that the time is about the same, you still get the same time to interact with the character whether you have a written signature or a stamp. TTFN Jo
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OP didn't get "flack" or "hassle".
OP stated an opinion, asked a question, then got all upset because people didn't agree.
If people are going to get all bent because people disagree with them, they shouldn't publicly state an opinion.
 
Weather_Lady

Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
I don't see stamps saving much time, and the personal touch of an autograph (and the individuality of each character's autograph) is what makes it special. Seeing as people have generally waited in line for awhile to reach the character, shortening the interaction might make them feel that meeting [favorite character] just wasn't worth the wait.

That being said, I'd like to escort us from the sublime to the ridiculous, and introduce the Next Gen solution to slow lines at character meets, as conjured in my head just now: no longer will there be those outdated "autograph paper books" or "old-timey" pens or stampers, which we all associate with a dark, uncivilized period in history. Instead, each child will stand on a state-of-the-art omnimover that shuttles them past each character, one by one, with scanners reading their Magic Band. Each character will shout "personalized greetings" at the child for precisely five seconds of "guaranteed interaction" as they pass by. Simultaneously, the character's "digital signature" will "magically" appear in an online autograph book that the child can later access and download -- for a mere $299.00 apiece. Next Gen -- splattering dark, pungent magic all over the place since 2013!!! ;)
 
disneyfan1995

disneyfan1995

Well-Known Member
I think that the autographs should be kept the way they are now. I don't really think it takes up extra time and it's not unfair to the kids that come into the line at the wrong time. It has nothing to do with it. They close off the line probably about 15 minutes into the characters set, so if you're in the line then you're pretty much guaranteed an interaction with the character.

Another thing (as many mentioned), the autographs are more personal as opposed to the stamps. I've had characters personalize autographs and I've even had some write out little notes if we've done a character meal.
 
NormC

NormC

Well-Known Member
dcibrando said:
I just feel sorry for the characters that have to do this in costume and I feel sorry for those kids who can't get in line before the character leaves due to time lost having to sign autographs
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Why feel sorry? I would love to do that job! So do the cast members in the costumes. The smiles on the children's faces is a great reward and makes up for the grumpy impatient parents every time.
 
The Empress Lilly

The Empress Lilly

Well-Known Member
There has to be a reasonable amount of time a character spends with a guest. Somewhere between 'all day with the first guest to arrive', to 'industrialised and impersonal' at the other end.

The OP asks a perfectly fine question about the most meaningful balance ('should they spend twenty seconds fiddling clumsely about with a big marker?'). I do think several replies here have been unfriendly put-downs.
 
asianway

asianway

Well-Known Member
The Empress Lilly said:
There has to be a reasonable amount of time a character spends with a guest. Somewhere between 'all day with the first guest to arrive', to 'industrialised and impersonal' at the other end.

The OP asks a perfectly fine question about the most meaningful balance ('should they spend twenty seconds fiddling clumsely about with a big marker?'). I do think several replies here have been unfriendly put-downs.
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Im happy to wait in line, now that I will have Starbucks to enjoy whilst I pass the time.
 
Lord_Vader

Lord_Vader

Join me, together we can rule the galaxy.
We have migrated from autograph books for the kids to autographed plush items, Mickey Mouse, Donald, Minnie, etc. and now to Mickeys shoes and gloves. If they did away with hand-signed autographs it would take a bit more of the fun out of the entire experience and make it a simple photo op. for the masses.
 
bethymouse

bethymouse

Well-Known Member
I guess I'd have to say no on the stamp. We've never gotten autographs because I do think it does take up a bit more time. I felt bad when Snow White & Mary Poppins were talking to my boys so much! Others looked kinda annoyed in line. But, it was so sweet of the 2 of them to take so much time w/ them.;)
I understand that the OP was just making a suggestion. So... we disagree. But, I do hear the OP's concern about how much time it takes up. If it's a larger group, then it does make the wait longer. I guess that if you're standing in line waiting for a M & G , then you just have to prepare yourself for those situations!;)
 
Lord_Vader

Lord_Vader

Join me, together we can rule the galaxy.
When in lines for a meet and greet we rarely feel like someone in front is taking more than their fair share of time, the characters have always provided us with the same and sometimes more. It only takes a moment or two in general, the characters do interact with the children before, during and after the autograph is given and make the entire experience great. A few years ago my son handed Donald a plush Mickey Mouse to sign, he promptly refused until my son would say Donald was #1, then signed as large as possible Donald Duck #1 to the stuffed Mickey. It is the small events, the moments like these that we all pay for and if these meet and greets were limited to quickly posing for a picture and moving alone it would remove much of the, please forgive me, magic that Disney brings.

Part of the experience is not only your children but that visitor in front that has never been and having their favorite character make it an experience they will not forget like Chip & Dale, Stitch or Goofy playing around with not only your child but maybe others.

If we boil everything down to how much we did instead of how much we enjoyed what we did then part of the experience is lost IMHO.
 
Figments Friend

Figments Friend

Well-Known Member
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I would say no, i think that the characters who are able to sign live in person should continue to do so.
Having them all just use a stamp would make the experience seem very impersonal and contrived in a rather out-of-character distasteful way.

Celebrities, such as the Disney characters, should sign *for real* when doing personal appearances like a M & G.
Save the stamps for those that cannot hold pens/markers.....or for the Corporate Christmas card...!

:)
 
HatboxGhost

HatboxGhost

Well-Known Member
I think its cool to have an actual autograph vs a stamp unless I am in back of that family that has 5 kids and they ALL need an autograph. :eek:
 

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