We Knew It Was Coming . . .

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Crystal Palace has gone (almost fully) to handing out character cards, instead of character signatures.
2) Only a few people have complained!
3) Now, two other character meals have made provisions to just hand out cards.
. . . Tusker House (AK)
. . . Garden Grill (EP)
4) This is in place of characters stopping to sign autographs.
5) We "hear" the plan is to go property-wide with the process.
6) Stopping to sign autographs is talking too much time, as guest become more-and-more demanding.
. . . autographs for each person at the table
. . . autographs on hats, t-shirts, etc (not on paper, or in an autograph book)
7) Guests have no one to blame but themselves !!!

NOTE: As that famous comic strip character (POGO) says, " We have met the enemy, and it is us."

 

[22Tink]

What a shame. My kids loved filling their autograph books. I know we could tape the cards in the book but it's not the same.

 

[ColoradoMom12]

Any ideas when Tusker House and Garden Grill might be considering implementing this change?

I do hope CRT, at least, doesn't move to this. It is SO overpriced for the quality of the food. The only way I can justify spending so much is for the setting and character interaction, which to me includes signing my DD's autograph book. She loves collecting Disney autographs, especially her favorite princesses.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I've never been into autographs just pics.
I definitely think its crappy of them especially if its mostly to save time and turnover guests faster.
I can understand though if it also has something to do with it being difficult on the characters having to sign several autographs per table because you know little Timmy and little Susie each need a signature instead of just sharing a book that they will not look at later anyways.
Problem is the next step will be not having the characters take pics at each table. It will turn into you get a pic at the door as you walk in like with CRT and then the characters just walk through with loud music as you're encouraged to swing your napkin like at CM.

 

[FelisLachesis]

I've never been into autographs just pics.
I definitely think its crappy of them especially if its mostly to save time and turnover guests faster.
I can understand though if it also has something to do with it being difficult on the characters having to sign several autographs per table because you know little Timmy and little Susie each need a signature instead of just sharing a book that they will not look at later anyways.
Problem is the next step will be not having the characters take pics at each table. It will turn into you get a pic at the door as you walk in like with CRT and then the characters just walk through with loud music as you're encouraged to swing your napkin like at CM.

That would be my tipping point to stop booking character meals.

Each of these changes are meant to increase diner turnover, and thereby, increase revenue. If there's a point where enough guests say "it's no longer worth it" and these restaurants stop being fully booked, then Disney will have to do an about face on a policy or two.

 

[bumbershoot]

7) Guests have no one to blame but themselves !

Nope.

Disney has never been able
to figure out how to enforce moderation. If they could work that out they wouldn't have to keep destroying things that guests love

 

[angelbaby129]

I just took the time to email Disney and let them know how disappointing this is. There is no way our family is going to waste time and money at a character meal without signatures and at that point will no longer need our deluxe dining package either. I encourage everyone else to let them know they don't like this idea either.

 

[Shanti]

1) Crystal Palace has gone (almost fully) to handing out character cards, instead of character signatures.
2) Only a few people have complained!
3) Now, two other character meals have made provisions to just hand out cards.
. . . Tusker House (AK)
. . . Garden Grill (EP)
4) This is in place of characters stopping to sign autographs.
5) We "hear" the plan is to go property-wide with the process.
6) Stopping to sign autographs is talking too much time, as guest become more-and-more demanding.
. . . autographs for each person at the table
. . . autographs on hats, t-shirts, etc (not on paper, or in an autograph book)
7) Guests have no one to blame but themselves !!!

NOTE: As that famous comic strip character (POGO) says, " We have met the enemy, and it is us."

Can't say I mind this. I never understood the appeal of getting character autographs, and it takes forever while other guests are patiently waiting for a simple picture.

 

[jimmytammy]

We don't do character meals anymore since the kids are grown, but I feel bad for the future kids as they should be able to experience getting a personal autograph from their favorite character.

 

[quandrea]

People really do spoil things. Why can't Disney institute, "one autograph per guest?" Multiples on tshirts, etc is ridiculous. The cards are not special. My kids have every autograph book they've ever filled.

 

[tony67]

Nope.

Disney has never been able
to figure out how to enforce moderation. If they could work that out they wouldn't have to keep destroying things that guests love

I agree - but no matter what they do the guests would complain.
They could say that only children get autographs - but you know there would be complaints.
Personally I never understood adults wanting autographs - as someone else said they will probably never go back and look at the autograph book.

Maybe they can sell an autograph pass for those that want autographs - and everyone else gets a card.

 

[NJlauren]

I have seen the signatures get out of control and really hold up the characters making the rounds. As long as I still get pictures I'm not sure I mind.

I will say I hope they don't take away signatures in the parks, that still allows people to get them if they want them.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I can't get over how expensive character meals have become, and now you can't get an autograph if you want one.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Blame the guests?? Welcome to the new Disney. After all, a happy compromise would have just been to say "we only sign paper" and move on, but instead we decided to blame the guests for our cost saving move.

 

[smiths02]

1) Crystal Palace has gone (almost fully) to handing out character cards, instead of character signatures.
2) Only a few people have complained!
3) Now, two other character meals have made provisions to just hand out cards.
. . . Tusker House (AK)
. . . Garden Grill (EP)
4) This is in place of characters stopping to sign autographs.
5) We "hear" the plan is to go property-wide with the process.
6) Stopping to sign autographs is talking too much time, as guest become more-and-more demanding.
. . . autographs for each person at the table
. . . autographs on hats, t-shirts, etc (not on paper, or in an autograph book)
7) Guests have no one to blame but themselves !!!

NOTE: As that famous comic strip character (POGO) says, " We have met the enemy, and it is us."

I suppose I am part of the problem. Now, we have 3 kids (5 people dining) and get 2 autographs total (one for each of the little kids). I am usually not an entitled, "I paid for it" person, but if I pay for each member of my party to have character interaction, then I think we should each get character interaction. And, yes, my family of 5 will take more time than a family of 3, but we also paid more. Technically, for the price we pay, I think Disney should be willing to spend the time for us to get 1 autograph and 1 picture from each character per person at the table. Again, we don't do that, generally 2 autographs and maybe 2-3 pictures per character.

ETA: We will definitely cut back on character meals on any future visit if this is the case. We'll just do meet and greets in the park and maybe one character meal.

 

[BuzzyBelle]

I'm surprised by this because I would think Disney makes quite a bit selling $20 autograph books and $10 pens. Why would anyone purchase these if the characters aren't going to sign them?

My kids had a great time this past trip having CMs personalize their Duffy around World Showcase. However, some of the Kidcot stops got pretty crowded. I can see them stopping this activity soon now, too, since it's "free".

 

[alltwelve]

Blame the guests?? Welcome to the new Disney. After all, a happy compromise would have just been to say "we only sign paper" and move on, but instead we decided to blame the guests for our cost saving move.

This is being done as a cost-saving move? I can see why some kids would be upset, and that some parents would get the feeling they are getting less than what they paid for, but how is Disney saving costs by printing autograph cards themed to each restaurant? Not wanting to be in a debate or anything; I'm genuinely asking.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

This is being done as a cost-saving move? I can see why some kids would be upset, and that some parents would get the feeling they are getting less than what they paid for, but how is Disney saving costs by printing autograph cards themed to each restaurant? Not wanting to be in a debate or anything; I'm genuinely asking.

Cards cost a LOT less than employee time. Employee time as costumed characters includes both training (to sign with character consistency - every Aurora has to have the same signature, every Pooh, etc.) and time at table (sign 3 books, a pillow case, a quilt square and this template for Bob's tattoo).

A card, printed by the zillion? Less than a nickel each and that's if they do full color glossy. Includes one-time costs of design.

 

[RangerPooh]

I have mixed views on this but can understand why this move has been made. We have waited way longer than necessary because families where each child/adult has an autograph book has taken up way too much of the characters time. We don't do autograph books very often and when we do it's one per family not each of our 4 kids. I respect other families time and realize that just as we've been waiting they're waiting too.

I do wonder if the move also has to do with staffing and training the CM how to do the signatures. By not having them sign it probably allows for more CM to assume the role as there might not be enough CM available who can correctly replicate the signature. We've visited with characters who were unable to sign, pictures only for what I assume is this very reason.

 

[JerseyJanice]

This is being done as a cost-saving move? I can see why some kids would be upset, and that some parents would get the feeling they are getting less than what they paid for, but how is Disney saving costs by printing autograph cards themed to each restaurant? Not wanting to be in a debate or anything; I'm genuinely asking.

Not cost saving so much as an increase in the revenue stream. Getting the guests out of the restaurant faster equals more guests served and more revenue for Disney.

The more I think about this, the more irrationally angry I get about it. (I say irrational because I don't have little ones of my own anymore.)

You pay a premium to eat at a character meal so that your party can have time to interact with the characters, presumably getting more time than you'd get from just Meet & Greets.

If part of the time that you're paying a premium to receive includes getting an autograph, how can anybody say that you're not entitled to get that autograph?