Best Autograph Books for Disney World and Alternative Ideas
Spoiler Alert: If your kid is meeting the actual Disney characters from the movies, don’t let them read this article. I don’t want to spoil anything.
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Disney World Character Interactions
Disney Character Signatures
Basic Character Signature Books
Best Character Autograph Books
Practical Alternatives to Autograph Books
Creative Alternatives to Character Signature Books
Disney World Character Interactions
Disney World is known for its attractions and shows, but many guests live for the character experience. It’s a magical experience for children meeting their heroes, and it’s even a magical experience for teens and adults enjoying a break from reality. You can capture the moment with a photo, but the signature is the best part.
My girls spent more time in character greeting lines than rides the first few times we went to Disney. They were young enough to still believe, and it took the magic to a whole new level for us. Even now they want to meet every character, especially new additions or rare characters.
All of the Children to the Right with Mickey. My daughter is ready with the autograph book.
Disney Character Signatures
Each character has their own signature. It’ll be the same every time because…it’s their signature. A few characters don’t do autographs, either because they can’t see in their costumes or because they can’t bend their arms like Olaf.
Elsa’s signature is Elsa’s signature. Always.
Buzz had a stamp, but now he doesn’t sign at all. It’s hard being a toy.
But for the rest, capturing those signatures is one of the highlights of a Disney trip. It helps everyone remember that they met the princesses, Pixar characters, Star Wars characters, Marvel superheroes, and everyone in between.
So you need to be ready. What are the best things to get signatures in?
Basic Character Signature Books
You can start with a basic Disney signature book. Of course, you can just use a spiral notebook from Walmart, but to make it special, you should dress it up. What you need is a hard cover for longevity, and blank pages for each character. Here are some great ones to choose from. (Most of these links are affiliate links, so I may earn if you make a purchase. It doesn’t cost you any more, and I’ll use the money to introduce my kids to more characters).
Basic Spiral Autograph Book
This is basic, classic, and relatively inexpensive. It comes with a lanyard pen as well.
Princess Themed Autograph Book
If you’ve got a little girl that’s just there for the princesses, this is the book for you.
Deluxe Book With Photo Album Spaces
This is a great option. Not only is it a durable hardback with a water resistant cover, it’s also got great park theming. To top it off, it comes with a nice pen and has spaces for you to put your character photos as well. Perfect for scrapbooking about your trip when you return.
Best Character Autograph Books
For my kids, they weren’t content with a basic autograph book. What they wanted was a character compendium that taught us about each character. They’ve spent years returning again and again to these books, learning all the trivia about each character. Then, when we returned to Disney World, it has become an adventure to try to get signatures from rare characters they found deep in the encyclopedia.
A bonus to this idea is that characters know what pages they are on. Several times when we gave them compendiums, they knew exactly what pages to turn to (and their handlers were even faster).
There are two character compendiums better than any other. The first is for younger kids. The second is for older kids.
Junior Encyclopedia of Animated Characters
This book is the starter. It’s written on a first or second grade level and has most of the major characters, but only the animated characters. Any live action characters like Mary Poppins have to sign blank pages. My girls loved this book. We have 4 copies. The Amazon link is to the newer addition.
Our least ripped up copy of the Junior Encyclopedia.
Pluto going to great lengths to sign this book at our meal at Chef Mickey’s. He’s pretty literate for a dog.
Disney Who’s Who
Disney’s Who’s Who character book is a compendium that contains almost all of Disney’s movies, with supporting characters, villains, and sidekicks. You’ll find all the popular characters, as well as everyone from IPs like Meet the Robinsons or The Black Cauldron.
The descriptions are more detailed and have more trivia as well. It’s written at a 4th grade level or above.
Here’s our well-worn copy of the newer Who’s Who book. My daughter has read it cover to cover several times. You can see her holding it in the cover photo for this article.
First Daughter to the Right reading from the Who’s Who book in line to meet Mickey at Magic Kingdom.
Practical Alternatives to Autograph Books
But maybe you want to commemorate the signatures with something that you can display in your house. Here are some of the best ideas for capturing character interactions. This way, you don’t have to worry about the baby tearing out all the pages or the book getting forgotten on a shelf.
Disney Pillowcase
Pillowcases are great for autographs. They can remind you or your child of their amazing trip to Disney every time they lay down.
Throw Pillow for Autographs
Another great option is a throw pillow for your couch. This can usually last longer than a bed pillow, since it doesn’t need frequent washing. I recommend purchasing just the case because it’s easier to carry around Disney World.
Disney Picture Frame Mat
Another common idea is having characters sign the mat of a picture frame. Then you put a photo of your trip: maybe a favorite character, your family in front of the castle, etc.
Note: I definitely thought this word was spelled “matte” like a non-glossy finish. Turns out I was wrong.
Backpack or Lunch Box
Another great option is using a backpack or lunch box. If the fabric is absorbent, the signatures won’t run, and then your child can show it off at school…or you can show it off in the break room at work. The bag below has great reviews and several different options
Autograph Cup
Another great, lasting option is to get a stainless steel water bottle, or something else similarly durable to have characters sign. I’ll say this again in the conclusion, but make sure you get a pen or marker appropriate for the surface being signed.
Creative Alternatives to Character Signature Books
If you want to go the extra mile, you can be even more creative with your signature. One of the most magical things you can do is match the signature with the character. Whether it’s an apple for Snow White, a glass slipper for Cinderella, or the bottom of a shoe for a Toy Story character. Here’s some extra creative ideas.
Mandolorian Helmet
Plenty of people get characters to sign hats, but you could take it to the next level by getting Star Wars characters to sign your helmet.
Infinity Gauntlet
What if all the characters signed your Infinity Stone Gauntlet under threat of being wiped out existence?
Rapunzel’s Frying Pan
My daughter brought in an actual cast iron frying pan for Rapunzel to sign with a gold paint pen. Yes, it made it through security. Yes, it was heavy, but we could fit it on the bottom of our stroller. And it was totally worth it. Rapunzel loved it in the character interaction, and then she gave my daughter special attention in the parade.
Second Daughter to the Right with a cast iron skillet. The only weapon besides a light saber allowed at Disney.
Here it mounted on the wall in her room.
Conclusion and Further Reading
One of the best experiences at Disney World is getting to experience all the authentic characters. These are the real characters. Don’t try to convince my children any differently. Even my oldest kids, who know the truth, still get lost in the magic. That’s the best part.
Don’t forget to test your marker or pen on the surface. You’ll want to make sure it will write well and stay. Also, I don’t recommend using a t-shirt or hat you plan to wear often, it will get ruined. And if you do use something flimsy like a pillow case, make sure you have something to bear down on. Now go have fun.
So if you’re looking for other amazing ways to make sure your kids have the best time at Disney World, check out my 9-year-old daughter’s list of the best rides at Magic Kingdom.
Or check out the rides that might scare your kids based on intensity or theming.
In the comments, let me know your favorite autograph idea or favorite character interaction. Here are my daughters with Sadness.
My middle kid has been freaked out by a lot of things at Disney World. Here’s her take on it.