Hi Leah,
Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! Meeting characters is one of my family’s favorite things to do when visiting the Walt Disney World Resort. Just this past weekend, my kiddos talked about their favorite stories with
Belle, wished Mickey and Minnie Mouse a happy birthday, and got giant snuggly hugs from
Pluto. Those are the magic moments that keep us returning time after time!
There is really nothing like seeing your favorite characters in real life in the theme parks, and it’s true that not all characters sign autographs. Sometimes, it’s a matter of crowds: when the parks get really busy, or characters are in high demand with long waits, Cast Members may hand out cards that are pre-signed by the characters. There are also characters who just can’t hold pens; at
Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, you can request an autograph card with Lady and Tramp’s paw prints.
Leah, there isn’t an exhaustive list of which characters don’t sign, but you’re always welcome to ask the Cast Member at the entrance to the character experience. Some characters we’ve met who didn’t sign include:
Kylo Ren (just too intense for an autograph, plus he was recruiting my son to the First Order so we had to get out of there!),
Chewbacca,
BB-8,
Baymax,
Buzz Lightyear, and the Cars characters.
My number one tip for having an unforgettable character experience is to ask the characters questions and have fun with them. We’ve learned the best ice cream flavor in Arendelle from
Anna, had ice power lessons from Elsa, and my friends and I once made Goofy laugh so hard he fell over and then got Donald in on the joke. These special moments made for amazing memories and fantastic pictures – don’t forget to “say Mickey” as you pose with your favorite characters!
Wishing you a magical vacation,
Robyn