Are autograph books still a big thing?

Question

When my niece and nephews were little, getting the character’s autographs was a big thing, emboldening them to go up to the characters and guaranteeing some personal interaction with the character. But in those days, you often didn’t have the organized lines and photographers waiting to take their picture one-on-one with the characters. I haven’t paid much attention to the character lines in many years, but now that a nephew is planning to take his own kids, I was wondering whether getting them autograph books would be good, or just waste interaction time with the characters? The kids would be first grade and younger.

Answer

Autograph books at Disney World and other Disney parks are still around, but the way guests interact with characters has changed significantly in recent years. With the expansion of Disney PhotoPass and organized meet-and-greet lines, the dynamic is a bit different than when autograph books were a must-have for every child.

Here’s what you should know:

Character Interaction Today:

Meet-and-greet lines are now more structured, often with photographers ready to take high-quality photos of your child with the character.
Many characters are trained to interact briefly, giving a hug, a wave, or a quick conversation, which can limit the time available for signing autographs if the line is long.
Some newer characters or popular rides have PhotoPass-only experiences where autographs are not offered.

Autograph Books for Young Kids:

For first grade and younger children, autograph books can still be a fun keepsake. It gives kids a hands-on activity and a tangible memory they can hold onto after the trip.
Autographs can encourage shy kids to engage with characters more than just taking a photo would.
However, if the goal is to maximize time with characters and capture professional-quality photos, relying on PhotoPass photographers might be more efficient, especially with limited park time.

Tips:

Bring a small, lightweight autograph book and a pen with you. Some children enjoy decorating or personalizing it during the trip.
Consider using both: take pictures with the characters and also get a quick autograph. This way, you have both a keepsake and a photo without feeling rushed.
Plan for slower times of day to meet characters, such as early morning or late afternoon, when lines are shorter, allowing more time for both autographs and interaction.

In summary, autograph books are not as central as they used to be, but for younger children, they can still add an element of excitement and personal connection to the park experience. Balancing autograph collection with professional photos is the current best practice to make the most of character interactions.

Are autograph books still a big thing?

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