Can I Have Your Autograph? Ten Ideas for Disney World Character Signatures

Part of the fun of any Disney World vacation is meeting all of the awesome Disney characters. From Mickey to the Mad Hatter and everyone in between, there are dozens of Disney characters available to entertain you throughout the parks and at some of the resorts too. Ariel greets you in her Grotto at the Magic Kingdom, sitting in an oversized clam shell. Snow White waits for you in the Germany pavilion in Epcot, standing near her wishing well. Olaf hangs out on a sunny beach in Hollywood Studios, complete with a fruity beverage. You get the idea. The themes in the character meeting spaces are meticulously executed and the characters themselves play their roles like they just stepped out of their respective films. “Did you fly here by umbrella?” Mary Poppins might ask you.

The character meetings are silly and fun and a great way to loosen up and get into the “magical” mood of Disney World. I usually plan a character meeting near the beginning of each our trips for these reasons. Where else would you willingly wait in line to get a picture taken with a giant mouse?  Better yet, ask for his autograph?

Collecting autographs is part of the fun. Each character signs with a penmanship consistent with their film. For the few characters that don’t sign, like the Beast or King Louie from the Jungle Book, Disney cast members provide in-character reasons for not doing so. “The Beast is still learning how to write,” a Disney cast member may whisper to you. “King Louie doesn’t understand the ways of humans,” you may also hear.

Whether your goal is to collect every character autograph you can, or you just want a few of your favorites, it’s a fun way to experience the uniqueness of a Disney World trip. After your visit, the character autographs serve as fun keepsakes.

So what are the best ways to capture these autographs? Fortunately, you have plenty of options. Some require a little planning ahead, and others you can easily try after you arrive in Orlando. Keep in mind that some of the larger items might be easier to use at character meals within the resorts, rather than the meet ‘n greets at the park, so you won’t have to carry them around all day. Breakfast at Cape May at the Beach Club or any meal at Chef Mickey’s for example, offer the opportunity to collect four to five character signatures in one setting. (You can read more about character meals in my “Dinner with Friends” post.)

Got your favorite pen ready? Here are ten ideas for collecting Disney World character signatures:

(1) Autograph Book

The most popular option for collecting character signatures is probably an autograph book. The “official” Disney autograph books are great because they are easy to carry, relatively inexpensive ($8) and readily available before your trip at the Disney Store or after you arrive at numerous Disney gift shops. The books include fifty white pages, which means you will have ample room to collect as many signatures as you want and you won’t have to keep track of a specific pen to use with them. Some travel agents may even throw in a few of these books as part of your vacation package.

Obviously you can use any other type of book for collecting character autographs too. I’ve seen guests with simple spiral-bound notebooks, elaborately decorated scrap books, gigantic binders and even customized Shutterfly books for the characters to sign. These are all fun options, and depending on the size of your choice, fairly easy to cart around in the parks all day. Once you collect the autographs in a book, you can always turn them into keepsakes later.

(2) Note Cards

Note cards are another option which are even easier and less expensive than autograph books. Just bring a stack of index cards for the characters to sign.  Once you’re home, you can incorporate them into a scrap book or a photo book with sleeves. Consider placing the cards on a key ring to make keeping them together even easier.

(3) Photo Mats

Photo mats are another popular choice for collecting autographs at Disney World. The primary appeal is the ability to easily display the signatures along with a favorite photo once you’re home from your trip. Depending on the size of mat you choose, it can also provide space for a lot of autographs. The downside of this option is trying to keep the photo mat dry and unbent throughout your trip. You can do it, but it takes a little more effort than storing a small book.

(4) Pillowcases

Pillowcases are a fairly popular option for collecting autographs as well. They are easy to carry and easy to use once you get home. You just need to make sure you use a permanent fabric marker for the signatures, so they won’t disappear in the washing machine. You could choose a Disney-styled pillowcase or a plain white one with embroidery (initials, travel dates, etc.).  You’ll probably also need to carry a small piece of cardboard or other hard surface to make it easier for the characters to sign.

(5) Baseballs

Baseballs are another good option in terms of cost, ease of carrying and ease of displaying once you’re home. They are lightweight enough to bring with you, or you can pick them up in the Disney gift shops for about $10.  The downside is the limited space available for signing. You’ll also need a Sharpie for the characters to use. Still they could be a fun option, particularly if you’re visiting Disney World during Spring Training or as part of a baseball tournament. Maybe you could have Mickey sign one as a thank you gift for coach?

(6) Mickey Ears

Mickey ears are another fun choice for collecting signatures. The smooth, plastic ears provide an easy surface for signing with a light-colored Sharpie. Fabric markers work on the base of the hat or on any traditional baseball cap too. It’s one of the easiest options to carry with you, because you can wear it between signings! It’s also easy to display at home, by placing in a shadowbox like I did in this previous post.

(7) T-shirts

T-shirts are another great option that are easy to carry. You can ask multiple characters to sign a Disney World tee or ask a few of your favorite characters to sign a shirt dedicated to them. Whichever type you choose just make sure you carry it with you, because I’m pretty sure the characters are not permitted to sign something you’re wearing.  Similar to the pillowcases, you’ll need to take a permanent fabric marker and some sort of surface to support the shirt so the characters can sign it. If you want to display the shirt once you’re home, you could frame it, place it on a stuffed animal or turn it into a pillow.

(8) Wall Art Letters

This one gets a little crazy, but if you’re okay with hauling around a 10″ metal letter (and a Sharpie!) you could create a really cool memento from your trip. At least it’s waterproof!  The one in the picture is from Hobby Lobby, but there are similar options available at Michael’s, Land of Nod, Jo-Ann’s, etc. You could hang a letter like this in a Mickey-themed nursery, a princess-themed toddler’s room, a play room, etc. If you’re visiting Disney as part of a family reunion, consider having all of the family members on your trip sign it too.

(9) Postcards

Another fun option is to pick up a few postcards at Disney World and ask various characters to sign them for you. Then you can mail them to friends and family (or yourself!) for a personalized, magical greeting. You could send them to a travel partner who may have had to cancel at the last minute or friends that are planning to visit Disney World in the future (See ya real soon! – Mickey) Postcards are a low cost, low planning option for collecting character signatures that provide a fun memento once you’re back home.

(10) Picture Book

Another great, low-cost option for collecting character signatures is a Disney picture book. Take your favorite Disney book (or Marvel book!) for characters to sign or pick one up in the many gift shops at Disney World. You could ask Alice and the Mad Hatter to sign a copy of Alice in Wonderland or your friends from the 100 Acre Wood to sign a copy of Winnie the Pooh. The signatures provide a special touch that could make a great gift for others back home or a personalized keepsake for your family.

And that’s it. Ten ideas for capturing Disney character signatures at Disney World. What do you think? Feeling inspired?

You don’t have to bring anything special to have a good time meeting the characters at Disney World, but if you’re looking for something different and want a way to display the signatures once you’re home, I hope this list gives you some ideas.

Also, if you’ve already been to Disney World and have autograph books in a drawer somewhere, consider reading my post on turning autographs into keychains. I’m working on other ideas for future posts too.

Until then, sign on the dotted line and add a little magic to your world!