The Audacity of Aurora and Belle, don't they know that they MUST sign autographs?

[mechurchlady]

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.p ... ost1817294

I cracked up laughing when I read that post.

Now I was a "friend" of the characters for 10 years at WDW so I know what is policy and what is not policy. YOU NEVER TURN DOWN SIGNING AN AUTOGRAPH IN YOUR SET LOCATION!!!

You can see the whole thing there but basically Aurora and Belle came on stage and said they were there only there to read a quick story. Lol.

[Taryn]

I'm so offended that the Princesses didn't ignore (I'm sure) all sorts of labor laws to sign autographs. They should be stripped of their titles and forced to clean bathrooms...as a matter of fact....they can take my job, and I'll gladly sign the autographs :D:

[Disneykid]

I think, from what I read, this happened at DL and not WDW so why it's posted here is a mystery??? But I could see why the guy would have been disappointed about what happened but I believe he even said that it didn't ruin the trip.

Contrary to popular belief characters are required to sign autographs when asked. It's part of their job requirements with the exception of when you are walking to and leaving from your set location. The characters do not make the rules...the greeters/escorts have a say so and then final discretion is up to management.

I can remember playing Pluto in front of the MK and not being able to see a thing because it was dark out and because I was still on set..... I had to sign the autograph. Not the best policy because it made for a really bad autograph but trust me I goy in trouble for the few times that I didn't

[mechurchlady]

You are right is was at DL not WDW. I made a mistake and admit it is in the wrong forum. i am sure a moderator can move this to its proper place. My second thread like sorry and oops.

My question to the CMs who currently are knowledged in character handling is this:
Did Belle and Aurora have to sign autographs if they clearly stated they were there only for a quick story reading?
Was it rude of guests to demand an autograph of a character if the guests were clearly informed that the character was not signing autographs?
For all other members of this site I ask:
What do you think about this? Taryn really had a great witty remark, lol, thanks for the chuckle.

I got this PM from the author of the original post:

Quote removed. Please do not post Private Messages without consent from the sender. --Admin

[mentu]

Interesting, as the author states in the original post: "We saw Belle and Aurora walk out from backstage and followed them to their set location as we got there both "princesses" told everyone that they did not have time for autographs but rather a quick story." So are we to assume anything the princesses say will not be followed?

Seems as if they already made it clear it was only story time at the very beginning. I know Snow White and the 7 Dwarves used to walk through Fantasyland and only take pictures.

[joanna71985]

There are times when the characters are capable of signing autographs and wont. The 7 dwarfs example is one of them. They are out only for photos.

[Disneykid]

what I think would have been appreciated by the author and probably the other guests that also saw mentioned princesses, and followed them to the location, is that they could have been told along the way or that there were not going to be autographs.

While I realize that Disneyland does not have as many character escorts as WDW does I believe that the princesses have a "royal escort". Where was this person and why couldn't he/she have told the guests??

Trust me as I have done greeting here at WDW if a charcter cannot sign autographs then I tell people on the way to set and I remind them constantly when walking the line. Of course you have the occasional guest who no matter what language you tell them in will still expect the autograph.

Is it rude for the guest to expect an autograph??? I don't think that anyone should expect anything while in a theme park setting. But what could have been done and I had one of my characters do this earlier last week is to have had the Royal Escort quietly mention to the family "hey I know you followed us from coming on set and if you meet us back there as we walk off I will try and get the princesses to sign your book backstage and bring it back to you" I think it also depends on the attitude of the character and how they handeled it since from what is read is that they had to tell the crowd and not the escort.

For those of you who are greeters/escorts have probably done or will have it done at some point in time.

[Disneykid]

Actually instead of debating said author about this it hit me with the perfect response and I have had a Manager use this when guests argue with her over something in regard to the characters......pull out a times guide and point to the bottom 'All Entertainment is Subject to Change'. :)

[mentu]

what I think would have been appreciated by the author and probably the other guests that also saw mentioned princesses, and followed them to the location, is that they could have been told along the way or that there were not going to be autographs.

But they were told at the very beginning; no autographs, only story time. I would rather have pictures of the characters doing things other than standing there and smiling.

[joanna71985]

[quote="mentu"]But they were told at the very beginning]

ITA! I think everyone has been programed to just get a picture/autograph, instead of just enjoying the moment. Which is why I like the new Little Ones EMH in Fantasyland. The characters can play with the guests and just have a good time. So far we have been pretty good at avoiding autographs.