Unforgettable Memories: A Guide to Autograph Options at Walt Disney World
By: Erin BuchananMarch 1, 2018The autograph book is a standard option when thinking about collecting character autographs at Walt Disney World. They are available at your local Disney Store, online and at the Disney gift shops. The question is, “What do you do with it once you get home?” Well, my kids just had to have the books on their first visit. When they got home, it was put up on the book shelf and looked at maybe a couple times over the next year. When it came time to go to Disney again I had to put on my thinking cap! I wanted to have a more useful, and durable item that would still showcase the characters autographs for my kids to enjoy for years to come!One of my all-time favorite ideas is an autographed pillow case! A white cotton pillow case starts as a blank canvas and will hold tons of autographs! You will need a clip board to run up inside the case, this serves as a hard surface for the character to write against and also keeps the marker from bleeding through to the back of the case. My best tip is to use metallic sharpie markers for the characters to sign and once home you can trace the signatures with colored fabric markers. Following directions on the marker box, you should throw the cases in the dryer to "set" the ink and violà! A practical souvenir that your kiddos can use over and over! I've also sewn on some Disney material and had my kids’ names embroidered on as an added touch!
Next on my list is the large white wooden initials. These can be found at most craft stores. Each child can get their initial and you use different colored Sharpie markers for characters to sign. Once home, you can add stickers or bling it with crystals. Remember to spray it with a clear craft spray to protect the signatures. This is a super neat way to decorate in a child's room.Photo mats are all the rage for weddings and graduations, but they are also an amazing way to display character autographs! These can be purchased at craft or discount stores in many different frame sizes. I recommend using either multi colored or metallic Sharpies for these. We carry a clip board so the characters have a hard surface to write against, but do not clip the mat (to the board) because it leaves an indentation. Once you get home you can pair it with your favorite Disney PhotoPass photo! Finally, a plain white tee shirt makes for a great autograph souvenir! Just get a white cotton shirt from the store and carry the clip board for the inside of the shirt and metallic Sharpies. Remember, characters cannot sign anything on your body. Once home, you can trace with the fabric markers. Disney T-shirts can be very pricey, so this is a fun way to have a unique and invaluable shirt that your child will remember for a long time to come! These are a few of my family’s favorite autograph canvases! The books are neat, don't get me wrong, but these ideas bring it to a new level! What are some of your family’s ideas? Thinking outside of the box really lets you have that one of a kind memento from the Happiest Place on Earth!If you are considering a Disney vacation I would love to speak with you!Please contact me at: Erin BuchananErin@wishesfamilytravel.com601-832-1561https://www.facebook.com/ebuchanan.wft