Anyone ever use Pal Mickey?

[ryanmilla]

We are heading down to WDW for Thanksgiving and I was curious to see if anyone has ever used Pal Mickey. I saw it last August for the first time while we were there, but did not try it out. I thought it looked pretty cool though. Our DD is now 3 yr and I thought that she might get a kick out of it, not to mention I am a Disney trivia junkie. They sell them here in the NYC store and thought about picking one up for the trip.

I would love to hear anyone's experience with it good or bad before I plop down the money to buy this thing.

 

[pezheadval]

My hubby picked up a Pal Mickey for our 3 1/2 year old daughter. We haven't used it in the park yet, but she loves it already. At home you can play a couple games and he tells some jokes (which my daughter thinks are the funniest things she has ever heard LOL). We are excited about trying him out on our trip. I'll post when we get home and let you know how it went.

 

[ryanmilla]

That is great to hear about the jokes. You gotta love that about kids. I'll be anxious to hear what you thought of it on your trip.

Have a fantastic time and say hi to Mickey for us.

 

[Amirah95]

We enjoyed Pal Mickey as a great information tool, but we didn't like carrying him around the park. We rented him and gave him back. I'm just glad we didn't purchase them. Your children are young and my DD is nine so she didn't get a kick out if like I thought she would.

 

[homeschooler]

We had SIL and MIL with us, two adults, and kids 16, 12, and 8. Mickey was fun but annoying to carry. I ended up getting a lanyard for the trading pins and carried him that way. I tried the belt link but he kept jumping off. He was fun but sometimes, we just seemed to forget he was there. I will be taking him again. (I wouldn't dream of leaving Mickey Mouse home when we go to WDW. It wouldn't be right.) I must have looked like a real tourist, fanny pack, camera at my wrist, water bottle around my neck, lanyard with Mickey around my neck, etc. Oh well. No one saw me looking like that.

 

[tjmw2727]

We got one in August of 03 and my dd's then 6 and 8 shared hime. We have returned 2x since them and PM has returned with us. It was lots of fun, we got the water bottle strap to hold him and the girls took turns carrying him. The water bottle strap was great as they could just lift him up to listen but he was safe and easy to carry.

We got some great hints and information esp at AK that we may not otherwise have had. It was nice for the lines as well, a few cute games and lots of corney jokes.

You can rent for a day and if you like him then you can put the $ toward the purchase.

TJ

 

[pezheadval]

The Lanyard or Water Bottle Straps are great ideas. I don't see the little clip that it comes with very useful for us. I put a caribeaner type clip on mickey instead. I think if we bring the stroller, I'll clip mickey to some Discovery Toys Links so my dd can play with him, but it will keep him off the ground, too. But, a laynard or bottle strap would be great for walking around. Great tip!

 

[DisFam95]

I had our PM clipped on my belt loop w/ the clip that he comes with. I can't remember what exactly happened but I got 'hung up' on something because of PM sticking off my hip (like they're not wide enough ) and they clip just bent right off!! I had just bought him and later told the clerk about it and she exchanged it for me!! Then we heard about the bottle strap technique which does make it easier to lift up.

I do remember it being hard to hear him in the crowds.

 

[Jacky]

we just purchased and used a Pal Mickey. He is annoying to carry around, but my 11 year old loved him. He was full of all sorts of interesting info and it was really cool how he always knew where he was!! My 6 year old paid no attention to him at all.

We will definitely be takiing him back to WDW when we go back!!

Jacky

 

[sphere99]

Do all disney stores carry pal mickeys?

 

[Jacky]

No, only certain stores in each park carry him. I don't know if any of the actual Disney Stores off site carry it.

Jacky

 

[Anne MN]

Pal mickey is park exclusive- you can usually find him on ebay for less- $60.00 at the park.

 

[ryanmilla]

Also, if you happen to be near a World of Disney Store, they have the Pal Mickey. They have one here at the NYC store, which is what got me thinking of it.

 

[Lori S.]

What type of water bottle strap did you get, that sounds like a great idea. I'm thinking of buying one for my kids to share, but I know they will both want him. This would be easy to swap.

 

[ennazus]

We rented one and liked it so much that we ended up buying one. Yes, it's a bit of a pain to have to carry around, but the three of us took turns. Of course when Mickey wants to talk.... my DS wants it. LOL It does have a convenient clip so I would clip it to my fanny pack. My DH would clip it to his belt & our DS usually just carried it. My DS & I love to garner little bits of trivia & information about Disney (my DH humors us )

We've even taken Pal MIckey out a couple times since we've been home & played some of the games.

I'd suggest renting him to try it out and see if you like it.

btw my DS was 9 when we went last year (and used PM for the first time)

 

[mrskay9]

you may want to check out over at the budget board. I have not read the threads but there is a few PM swaps/rents or whatever over there. Its at your own risk, but may save you a few $ if you didn't want to buy him.

 

[poet123]

We were in a dis swap in July for PM, we enjoyed having him but I wouldnt have bought him. The swap is a great idea and you get to meet fellow dissers which was a plus!!!!!!!!