Updated October 1, 2019
One of the most popular activities on a Disney World vacation is getting autographs from your favorite Disney Characters. You will find Disney Characters at the Disney Parks, Disney Water Parks, Disney Resorts, and even Disney Springs. The Disney Characters are really everywhere at Disney World.
If you see the Disney Characters, you will probably see a long line to go along with them. You are at Disney World to have fun, so you do not want to spend all of your time waiting in lines.
As Florida locals who have been to Disney World over 1,000 times, we know how to get Disney World Character Autographs without the wait. We are excited to share some of our favorite places to get Disney Character autographs at Disney World.
Disney Character Autographs During a Meal
The best way to get Disney Character autographs is by enjoying a Character Dining Experience. You can have breakfast, lunch, or dinner with some of the most beloved Disney Characters. This is our favorite way to get Disney Character autographs, because there is no waiting. You are eating your meal and the characters come right to your table. They will play with your kids, get pictures, and even sign your autograph books.
You can watch one of our videos from Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios above. This Character Dining Experience is called Play & Dine with the Disney Junior Characters. This is a perfect restaurant for families with younger children that watch Disney Junior on the Disney Channel.
They will see their favorite Disney Junior Characters and even dance along with them. It is a lot of fun! The best news, you can have fun and get your Disney Character autographs during your meal. Without a wait!
Eating a Character Dining Experience is the best way to get character autographs, without the wait. Be sure you make an Advanced Dining Reservation for your Character Dining. These are super popular and do book up early.
Money Saving Tips:
If you booked a Disney Dining Plan, book a dinner for your Character Dining. You will get the most value for your Disney Dining Plan when you eat a dinner for your Character Dining Experience.
If you did NOT book a Disney Dining Plan, book a breakfast for your Character Dining. These are the least expensive dining experience with characters.
Disney Character Autographs at a Disney Visa Cardholders Meet & Greet
If you have a Disney Visa Card, bring it with you to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney offers a Meet & Greet at Epcot from 1-4 PM in Innovations and at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the Star Wars Launch Bay.
This is a bonus freebie for guests that have a Disney Visa Card. You just have to show your Disney Visa Card for entrance.
You are taken to a back room where you will have one on one time with one or more Disney Characters. The Characters do change, but this is a great way to meet Disney Characters with your family, without the wait or crowds. There is even a Disney PhotoPass Photographer taking pictures for you. At the end of your photo shoot, you will get a free 5 x 7 photo.
We love this free perk, as a Disney Visa Cardholder. If you have a Disney Visa, be sure you add this into your schedule. It is a great way to get a bonus freebie and get time with the Disney Characters, without a wait.
Epcot Character Spot
I rarely use my FastPass+ reservations for Character Meet & Greets. If you do use it, the Epcot Character Spot is a good one to do. In one line, you will get the opportunity to see many Disney Characters. You will see Goofy, Minnie, and Mickey Mouse. This is a great timesaver!
Be sure you book the Epcot Character Spot as a FastPass+ reservation, before your Disney World vacation. You can book it through My Disney Experience on your computer or by the MDE app on your smart phone. By booking the FastPass+ reservation, you will save time waiting in this line.
If you did not book a FastPass+, be sure you get to Epcot early. If you go to the Epcot Character Spot as soon as the gates open, you will have a shorter line.
If you have to wait in a line to meet your favorite Disney Characters, this is the spot to do it!
Family Magic Tour at Magic Kingdom
Disney offers some behind the scene tours where you get an opportunity to see some Disney Characters. One of my favorite tours is the Family Magic Tour at Magic Kingdom.
This is a tour around Magic Kingdom with your family and some other families. I like to think of this tour as a big scavenger hunt around Magic Kingdom. Plus, you get to ride a few rides with your tour guide.
It is a lot of fun for families. At the end of this tour, you will get to see Peter Pan. This is a great way to meet your favorite Characters, without the crowds. It is just you and the guests on this tour, so you get some quality time with Peter Pan.
These are our favorite ways to meet the Disney World Characters. I also wanted to share some tips on how to get those Disney Character autographs.
Tips for Getting Disney Character Autographs
Here are some bonus tips on how to get those Disney Character autographs.
Bring a Big Pen
Many of the Disney Characters have big gloves. Can you imagine signing an autograph with a big Mickey Mouse glove?
To make it easier on the Disney Characters, be sure you have a fat or big pen. This makes it easier for the character to grab the pen and create the autograph.
As a past character, it makes it a lot easier. We love the thick Sharpie pens. If you use a skinny pen, it is harder for the Characters to grip and write their name on the autograph book.
Open Your Autograph Book
While you are waiting in line to meet the character or at your table preparing for Mickey Mouse to pop over, be sure you open your autograph book to a clean page.
You also want to make sure you pen is open or ready to go.
The Character will not be able to open the pages of your autograph book (remember big gloves). You will need to have it ready for them. Sometimes a lead will be able to help you. I recommend you just be prepared and have the autograph book open and pen ready to go.
Where Do I Get An Autograph Book?
You can always create your own autograph book or purchase one at Disney World. Disney sells Disney Autograph Books at every merchandise shop at the Disney World Parks, Disney World Resorts, and even Disney Springs. You can also purchase them online (before you leave) at Disney Shopping.
What Can I Get Autographed?
The most common thing to get autographed by the Disney Characters is an autograph book. However, they will sign almost anything. I love using creative items to autograph.
Some of my favorites include t-shirts, hats, or white mats for picture frames. The characters can autograph on the mat and then you can add your favorite picture from Disney World.
I also like to get pillow cases autographed by all of the Disney Characters. My kids still use their pillow cases that were autographed by the Disney Characters. You will want to use the Sharpie permanent pens for these type autographs.
When Can I Get Autographs?
Make sure you get autographs at the appropriate times. Some shows like Enchanted Tales with Belle do not give autographs.
The best time to get autographs is during meet and greets or Character Dining Experiences.
We hope these tips on how to get Disney Character autographs help for your next visit to Disney World or Disneyland.
Do you have a favorite Disney Character that you like to see when visiting Disney?
