Is Disney Parks gonna retire character autographs?

[CarolynFH]

If there is money to be made with autograph books, they will never go away. I'd be curious to know how much money the autograph books generate?

You're right - until the autograph books are replaced by books with handy pockets the exact size needed to hold the autograph cards. Those pockets would increase the cost of the book, no?

 

[DodgerGirl]

I remember reading a while ago that they were making a few changes to autographs. First they would only sign autograph books, nothing else. No hats or shirts or even books other than the blank autograph books. I then heard they wanted to go to cards to both speed up the line and also make the character side of the interaction easier. No more having to learn the exact signature of your character and having to sign from inside the costume.

I'm not sure if either of these were ever implemented because I don't care about autographs and so far my son doesn't either but I remember seeing it reported at the time.

If Disney Parks actually does this in the future I think it would easier for kids to meet characters without autograph books and switching to cards because several times when I have gone to Disneyland Mom and I would wait and wait and wait for our turn to meet characters all because some families would bring items for characters to sign like plushies and casts and books and sometimes they would even bring toys or kids would bring their diaries for characters to sign along with autograph books and it was an annoying pain. Disney Parks should have kids just talk to the face characters and the masked characters should only be waving and taking photos and the autographs could be requested by mail and it would be so easy and better for kids

 

[MickeyMouse3!]

No they aren’t retiring autographs, they are just going to charge 2.99 per character or you can by the unlimited premium autograph package for 49.99$ + tax.

$2.99 per character? $49.99 for premium package? Bob Paycheck will move the decimals one to the right.

 

[shaggyrogersmademedoit]

Autographs aren’t over until Disney puts all the autograph books on clearance.

Too true!!

 

[shaggyrogersmademedoit]

You're right - until the autograph books are replaced by books with handy pockets the exact size needed to hold the autograph cards. Those pockets would increase the cost of the book, no?

That's something I hadn't thought of but actually that makes a lot of sense for Disney to do

 

[DreamIsaWish]

I know folks here are rooting for a more efficient character experience, but some of my fondest memories are from excellent character meetings. Like when Merida talked with my kids about archery at their scout camps. Or when I convinced Sadness to leave her greeting area to have fun in the park. Or Cinderella pointed out the hidden mice in the lobby of the castle. Or Goofy told us all about his adventures on the motorcycle via pantomime. Or bouncing with Tigger. Or playing video games in the Space Mountain arcade with Stitch (when he was on the way to or from his greeting area). Or dancing to Jungle Book songs with Baloo and King Louie. And so many more fond memories. And every time we use the plates we had autographed it brings back those fond memories. That's the extra Disney magic that keeps me coming back, and has been lacking in recent visits.

 

[AurumPunzel]

I sure hope not. But the problem is that Disney have been kicking this into the long grass, even when conditions became ideal, and I feel that if the M&Gs still don't revert to pre-pandemic conditions, then I do think there will be discontent, especially given that Universal have managed to return to 99% normality. The M&Gs are a huge part of the Disney Magic, and they must return as soon as possible.

 

[jbreen2010]

I have been hearing from my dad that the main reason that the characters aren't giving autographs is not due to the pandemic but because Disney Parks are planning to retire character autographs and replace them with trading cards of the characters. From what I learned the cards are a baseball card styled card with the character picture with the autograph printed on it and character facts on the back. To me this seems like a smart idea but I know that people will miss getting real character autographs from the characters. Will this mean autograph books will become collector's items in the future?

I would love the idea of trading cards! My son was given a big card with fake signatures from chef mickeys in august and he loves the post card! Maybe something dated or something we can keep in a binder - that would be pretty cool!

 

[TinkerPan]

I too vote for picture/autograph cards. ANYTHING to move the lines faster. I remember a few years back standing in a character line that just was not moving. Parents and kids were getting restless and annoyed. Finally, some baby/young kid somewhere in the line behind us started crying loudly. Without thinking I said out loud. "Well, someone isn't happy." Looking back, I saw a father leaning against the wall raise his hand. Others saw him too, and everyone laughed and there were quickly other hands raised, and more laughter.

 

[Dis Dragon]

I don't think there's a lot of incentive for Disney to make meet and greets more efficient... they like to tie people up in lines for crowd control.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I actually like the idea of autograph cards. We loved the monorail trading cards. I wonder if they still give those out?