Chasing Character Autos in Disneyland
For those who know Nature, his love for The Hobby and creative ways to collect are part of what make him one of the most exciting voices in the space. Whether ripping packs, sharing Hobby news and stories, or finding new ways to add meaning to cards, he’s always thinking outside the box. On a recent family trip to Disneyland, Nature took that mindset to the next level—turning a stack of 2023 Topps Disney Chrome base cards into unforgettable memories by getting them signed (and inscribed) by actual Disney characters.
We caught up with him to hear all about the trip, the reactions, and if this is officially the start of a new hobby trend.
How’d you come up with this idea?
Growing up, we’d always get those classic Disneyland autograph books, right? But before this trip, I was looking at all these base Disney Topps Chrome cards I had lying around and thought—why not bring them and make some real memories? I remembered seeing one person get a card signed once, but never anything like this. It felt like the perfect way to use these base cards and involve the whole family.
What was the reaction like from the characters?
Oh man, it was priceless. Characters like Peter Pan and Ariel were so surprised—like they’d never seen anything like it before. Even the ones in full costumes, like Mickey and Donald, managed to sign the cards carefully. Donald even signed one on a trash can! They really tried to make the autographs look like how they sign them in the autograph books despite the small space.
Was the vibe the same as getting autographs from athletes?
Honestly? Yeah, 1000%. You’re waiting in lines, trying to be first, chasing down the characters like you’re waiting outside a stadium tunnel. We even split up as a family to cover more ground. It felt like a real autograph hunt.
How much fun was it for the whole family?
The kids loved it. They’ve been to Disneyland before, but this turned it into a scavenger hunt. Instead of just rides, we had this mission to find specific characters for our cards. It added a whole new layer of fun.
Did you create a new way to collect?
From the comments on my video, it seems like it! People are asking how to do it and what boxes to buy. It’s wild. We took these base cards—so often overlooked or discarded—and made them priceless with memories. That’s the best part of collecting.
