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Getting characters autographs is one of the highlights for my younger kids. It a big part of the theme parks and something some kids don’t want to miss out on. So, you will need to get an autograph book for each child. I am going to share with you some of your options when it comes to autograph books.
You can go with the official Disney autograph book, these can be found at the theme parks, or online at the Disney Store. There are different versions of the autograph books and they will run you between $7 – $11. $7.00 doesn’t seem like alot, but when you have 3 kids that want to get autographs that can add up quickly.
Cheaper and more inexpensive alternatives to the official autograph books can be found any Walmart or Target that is located near the Theme Parks. The above small autograph book ran $1.99.
For an even cheaper and more personalized version, you can actually make your own autograph books. I have made my kids autograph books both years we went. Unfortunately, I forgot to pack them last year, which is why we ended up with the 1.99 Walmart version. Making your own autograph book is relatively easy, and inexpensive.
Here are the items you will need (I used items I already had on hand):
- Copy or printer paper
- Cardstock
- Letter stickers or markers
- Extra cardstock to decorate the cover
- Sewing Machine
- Adhesive
First, I cut down 10 sheets of copy paper to 10 x 7, and then folded them in half, so the measurements folded were 5 x 7. I like to make this size, because this way I can include a signature on one side and then a 4 x 6 photo on the other side if I want.
After the papers are folded, I used my sewing machine to sew all the pieces together, so they will not fall apart.
I then cut down a piece of 12 x 12 cardstock, so it was 10.5 x 7.5, and folded it in half. This will act as the cover for all of the autograph pages.
I then adhered the pages to the back of the book.
Lastly, you can decorate the cover anyway you want. You can also have your kids decorate it on their own with markers or crayons. If you daughter loves Tinkerbell, you can go with a Tinkerbell theme. My son loved Buzz Lightyear, so I will probably go with that for him. Have fun with it!
Now you have some options to choose from when it comes to the autograph books. Here is the cost breakdown of what it would have cost me if I bought all of the above books for 3 of my 5 kids (not sure why, but the teens didn’t want autograph books).
Official book $7 x 3 = $21.00
Walmart version 1.99 x 3 = 5.97
Homemade version = FREE to about $1 each = $0 – $3.00
janet says
What a great idea! How many pages do you suggest to sew through?
Kami says
When we did Disney..I bought a photo album..with some Disney Characters on it..The Walmart in Anaheim..has tons of fun ones..for cheap..and then they signed the part of the Album next to where you would put their picture in it..(they usually has lines there where you write the discription of what the picture is)…It was a great family book to have..for group/family shots..
maygan says
That’s a great idea, and it looks super cute too!
Christy says
Janet – I sewed through 10 pages of the regular copy paper without a problem. Make the fold first, so you know the line you want to sew down.
janet says
Thank you, I have 15 grandchildren! This I can do!!
Terra Washburn says
Any good alternatives to sewing the pages since I don’t sew?
Amber @ couponconnectionsnw says
Great Idea!
Pam says
When we went, we bought book called Disney Junior Encyclopedia of Animated Characters. My daughter had the characters sign on each of their own pages. Mickey has a page, the Princesses each have a page, even TImon, King Louie and Baloo, etc. We started doing this when she was 3. She is now 8 and still reads the book on a regular basis because it tells interesting facts about the characters. It was heavy to carry around (hardback) but I now see that Amazon has it in paperback.
Christy says
Terra – I think you might be able to staple it, but it would be hard to reach all the way to the middle. I will let you know if I come up with another idea.
Marie Oetzel says
We used postcards. We used a coloring books once. It kept my sister busy coloring it during ride waits and the characters signed under or over their pages. We also used an index card book (the one that has tear away pages). My mom took pictures of us with all the characters and we matched up the pictures with the autographs.
Nancy says
Love the idea of making your own autograph book! Thanks for sharing simple instructions for a lovely book!
Katrina says
I am a scrap booker. This same thing could be done with Vellum paper I would think to use in a scrapbook (or any paper for that matter) if you put a piece of cardboard under it so it wasn’t as flimsy. I was looking for an alternative to buying the books since I was going to cut the signatures out for the scrapbook. On our first trip (which was last month) we didn’t do autographs, and I really wish we would have.
The index card book is a great idea too!
Lisa says
Can I use more than 10 pages of plain copy paper?
Christy says
Lisa – I would think you could use more than 10 pieces of the plain paper. My sewing machine went through the 10 pieces without a problem. I plan on making another one soon. I will add more pages this time and I will let you know how it goes.
Penny says
This is a really neat idea. Having 4 kids, there was no way I was paying Disney price for each to have one. I bought a bunch of 4×6 card stock in bulk at a craft store for the characters to sign. I had to weed out the bad colors, but at $3 for 500 sheets, it wasn’t too painful. I found a small clipboard at the dollar store that worked perfectly to hold them while the character signed. When we got home, I bought a cheap photo album and put a picture of the kids with the character on one side and the signature card on the other. Quick, easy and cheap.
Christy says
I am loving everyone’s ideas! Thanks for sharing.
Susan says
The last time we went to Disney, we used fabric markers to have the characters autograph a pillowcase for each of my 3 children. We put a piece of cardboard in and used clips to hold the material taut. The finished product (Disney Dreaming!) has been well used and very well loved. If you want to see the project, there are pictures on my blog: https://chaosensued.blogspot.com/2009/02/autographs.html (scroll to the bottom of the post).
Cindy says
I LOVE these we have done the same thing, and my kids have kept them longer because every time we go they are different. The ones at the parks do not change much. who needs 5 of those they all look the same. These are personal! I love them!
Ashley says
My mom is taking my family and I to Disney World this summer for my senior trip. We also are taking along my grandparents and two cousins of 6 and 8. I found these books and I have started on one. It is so cute! I ended up sewing through 20 pages instead of 10, and it was fine. Thank you so much for this great idea! My cousins are going to love them!
mbf says
@Terra: You can staple the pages together with a long-arm stapler. I happen to own one, but you may be able to borrow one from a teacher or use one at a copy center. This type of binding (centerfold magazine style) is called saddlestitching.
Kerri Beauregard says
Use a binder any color & use a hole pucher & add any paper to it let your kids put what ever on front & back make shure the binder has front & back clear pockets on the outside so your child can put a picture in it. This is what I will be doing for my son. Look at walmart for binder or any where that is cheap. This will be his frist trip this summer. Have fun putting this together. Kerri need to talk Kerri Beauregard on my face book or kerribeauregard@yahoo.com
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diskusiu a ja v hľadaní Je to naozaj naozaj užitočné a to mi pomohol veľa .
Dúfam, že ponúknuť čo zasa a pomoc ostatné, ako ste
vy pomohol ma.
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