Any information on "Pal Mickey" smart toy?

[The House of Mouse]

I had never heard of pal mickey until I was reading the Fodor's with kids 2004 guide. Apparently you rent a stuffed animal, not sure of size, and he gives you info about the parks as you are travelling around. Has anyone done this before?

 

[jordgubben]

Pal Mickey gets a lot of board time here. I'm sure if you did a search you would find a lot. We bought a Pal Mickey when we were down last. He's a good size. I think they say he's about 12" which sounds big but really isn't. We hung him from a bottle strap to carry him around. He gives you tips about where you might find characters or short lines and tells a lot of cheesy jokes. He also plays a few simple games. We thought he was fun to have around and plan on bringing him back with us in October.

 

[Carrieberry]

So he will work every time you go back?

 

[ptrbryant]

Yes, everytime you go back, he'll work and, since he reads his info from a central computer at WDW, we were told he'd automatically be updated on each visit. We bought one for our DS...was hesitant, but DS isn't a kid who asks for much...7 days at WDW and the only 2 things he asked for was a Pal Mickey and a Star Tours toy. Anyway, we figured that the $60 over 7 days wasn't unreasonable. He really loved it and keeps it next to his bed, just waiting for the next trip!
Karla B.

 

[keriannhoward]

We used it 2 weeks ago when we went, our inlaws bought it a year or so ago for their dd's. He worked most of the time, but for some reason we could barely hear him in crowded parts of the park and we couldn't find a volume button. We did hear him just fine in quieter parts of the parks. I'd say it would be well worth it for a child. My ds that is 15 months just threw it out of the stroller mostly, but my neices love him!

 

[The House of Mouse]

bump

 

[cindy_k]

As for the size... Here's a picture of my 10 year old holding him:

<img src=http://www.wincehelp.com/DisPages/MickAlex.jpg>


He's a lot of fun to have in the parks. And he tells corney jokes when you are not. I liked to listen to the jokes while waiting for the bus.

We've brought him back twice and he worked just fine.

Cindy in NY

 

[Atotty]

We're taking ours back this May. I heard on another board that you need to take it back to where they are sold to get it upgraded.

I thought it automatically did this when you go in the park.

Anyone know anything about this?

My best suggestion for Pal Mickey--do not use the belt clip he comes with...he falls off all the time. Buy a $3 bottle strap and put him in feet first (his head will not fit through the hole). Easy to carry...won't get lost.

 

[Baloo]

Here's some more info on Pal http://allearsnet.com/tp/pal.htmMickey.

I think PM is really great! My step son, Jonathan, couldn't come with us on our last trip in Oct,so Pal Mickey kept my 10yr old ,Erich,company.We all had a really had a good time with him.Sometimes in a big crowd he's hard to hear but you can press him and he'll repeat what he said.Put him up to your ear and you should hear him just fine!

We sometimes play the games with him here at home when we get homesick for WDW!!!

 

[funhouse8]

We rented him on our last trip and he was alot of fun. I just had to share - When I was walking down Mainstreet he started to talk so I held him up to my ear. Someone walking by said look at that ladies phone! When you need him to repeat something you just press him again. This way everyone can hear his corny jokes. Gina

 

[Daisie]

We love our Pal Mickey! We tied him to our backpack strap, that way he was up high enough to hear him. He vibrates when he has something to tell you!

 

[CaseyJr]

We also put our PM on the backpack strap and it was a good spot. I think I'll try the "bottle holder strap" idea next trip, though.

 

[hellokitty]

guess my BIL would be in the minority, he was ready to
strangle his mickey, it kept acting up!! and falling off his wife's
fanny pack. she wouldnt let the kids touch it!


we call him all the time and say "hi this is pal mickey"
he cringes.

 

[johnsonet]

Cindy - your son is so cute! Thanks for the picture.
I'm looking forward to getting a PM for DD (7) next month. We can't wait to hear his corny jokes!!

 

[IndyDisneyFan]

We love our Pal Mickey! We bought him when he first came out in July, and have taken him back to the parks a few times. We have never had trouble with his clip, and each of us take turns carrying him around. Who knew that drinking fountains could talk! We would have never found that out if Mickey hadn't told us. On our Thanksgiving trip we bumped into one of the creators of Pal Mickey on the monorail. She told us that since Mickey was doing so well, she was in the process of adding Goofy and others sometime in the future if sales continued. Who knows, maybe someday other pals will be talking as well. Anyway, Pal Mickey is definitely worth the money, and DS 7 still plays with his often. He will be back with us in July.

Laura

 

[Carrieberry]

Can you still play with him once you are back home? Will he still do the trivia and games, or is it pretty much put him away until the next trip?

 

[Maude4Disney]

How much is it to rent a Pal Mickey? DS 10 has asked about one of these...but not sure he'd really like it. Thought we may rent one first.

 

[rpbear]

Wow, reading all this positive comments has convinced me to buy a Pal Mickey for my 10 year old when we arrive next Saturday. This is her first solo trip with just mom and dad. Her 16 year old sister is going on a ski trip. I am trying to make this trip extra special for her and that sounds like a great addition to it. Have plans to go back in July and hopefully in October too so he will get alot of use.

 

[DizBelle]

Rent for about $8 per day. Purchase for about $60.

You can rent one which requires a deposit. If you return it you get your deposit back. If you love it so much, you can just keep it and they keep your deposit. The total will be the same as purchasing in the first place.

 

[DizBelle]

AND I wanted to get one for myself (I'm a 34 year old kid) but I thought it just cost too much. I gladly paid the $15 for the magical moments pins but $60 for the Pal Mickey was just too much. I would have found $30 - $35 much more agreeable.

Does anyone else agree?