Can somebody explain what a Pal Mickey is?

[emacman]

I have not heard of this before.
Thanks!

 

[nezy]

I haven't used it or seen it, but from what I understand it is like a "stuffed" MIckey that you can rent at WDW(MK-I am not sure about the other parks). He provides info and park tips throughout the day. It must be triggered by some computer chip or something when it is in certain locations w/in MK. Mickey talks to you and gives you inside info on shorter lines, show and parade times.
You may also purchase Mickey. From what I understand his message changes. There have been other postings w/more info on the boards, I am sure.

 

[Merilyn]

It is what the nezy said. They say it will update each time they change the computer info in the parks. You can bring it back each trip and it will be updated in the parks. I believe it is about 50 to buy and 10 to rent? I am sure others will have much more info. I plan to buy on in Sept.

 

[Doug Wolfe]

Pal Mickey is new and has only been out a few weeks. It sounds like a great idea.

Just what I need. My kids talk me to death all day and now I can have Mickey Mouse adding to the fun!

 

[FredS]

Pal Mickey cost us $41.50 to purchase, as they gave us credit for the one-day rental value. As mentioned, he is triggered by certain things to make comments, such as when you near a certain pavillion in Epcot, he will tell interesting facts about the country, or when we got near the Tower of Terror in MGM he told us in no uncertain terms that he did not like T of T!

Also, he will play games, such as one where he will name an attraction and you will have to tell if it is in a particular park (by pressing his hand if yes, his tummy if no) or other yes/no type questions, such as if a particular character is a villain, or can fly. Many are for younger children, but some get fairly complicated and he is entertaining for adults, too.

He will "go to sleep" at times if you do not respond to him, which is nice. We didn't really have a problem with him annoying anyone, though, probably because the Disney designers have him shake a little and giggle if he wants to talk, but you have the option of ignoring him and he will be quiet, or of pressing his hand or tummy to find out what he wants to say. (Sometimes they are extremely corny jokes!)

He is fairly small, but a bit heavy due to the electronics. I thought we'd just rent to experience him and not buy, but my son really wanted him and after a day I saw that he was worth the purchase price to us, particularly if he is updated as planned, as we already have two more trips planned to WDW in the next few months.

Hope this helps!

 

[nezy]

What happens when Mickey comes home? Is he quiet or does he tell jokes, but of course, not interact w/ his surroundings?

Also, have you heard if there are plans for Pal Mickey to respond on the cruise?

 

[Terry S]

I loved one of the things Pal Mickey said after my kids got off the Tower of Terror. He asked if we could take the stairs next time because he left his stomach on the 5th floor.

He does play 3 different games at home. One which is kind of neat, he will name a park such as Magic Kingdom and then test you by saying, okay, if what I say is in MK, squeeze my right hand, if its not squeeze my tummy and he will start naming attractions.

Another game he played he said okay, if I name a villian, squeeze my right hand if I name someone who flys squeeze me left hand, if none of the above squeeze my tummy.

 

[Snowgod]

From Intercot

New Interactive Toy Debuts at
Walt Disney World
He has the inside scoop at Walt Disney World._ He's cuddly and offers great touring advice and park tidbits. He'll keep guests entertained and informed by recommending theme park attractions, offering reminders about parades and show times, sharing stories, playing games and helping locate Disney characters within the parks. Who is he?_ Pal Mickey!_ Pal Mickey is a new talking Mickey Mouse plush toy available for rental or purchase beginning in April. Guests can rent Pal Mickey daily for $8 per day and a refundable deposit. Mickey can also be purchase at merchandise locations in each of the Walt Disney World resort hotels starting in April for $46.94._ Pal Mickey will also be offered at select locations in Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and Disney?s Animal Kingdom beginning in May.

 

[Niagara2]

Be careful with it - my 7 year old left it on Buzz in MK and when we went back it was gone, we were out a pal that we truly enjoyed, $50 but the worst was my son who was in tears. Put your name in it and maybe a string. You pass it around to each other and you need to keep track of Mickey just like a child. Can't believe that someone would keep him - wonder what they thought when he started to shake.

 

[emacman]

Pal Mickey sounds worth a try. I do believe it will be important not tio leave him behind. In todays world...
The innovation never stops does it?
Ernie

 

[Tom and Jen]

Here is a thought........

If anyone is familiar with "Build A Bear" products they know what I am going to say.......

"What if" when you purchased the bear, you register it. It gets scanned and a serial number assigned to it. So in the event it gets lost it can be returned to it's owner. Since It's all electronic, you can report it lost to a castmember and they can send out a signal to it:

" Hoo Hoo.... Hey you Villian return me to any cast member so I can be returned to my little friend............"
and they can play it over and over and over and over........

another side note........ after achild has been nibbling on PAL mickeys nose all day, then returns it...... is it cool for the next child to use?........ they have to be able to clean him some how..........

Tom

 

[dcfromva]

Originally posted by Tom and Jen
another side note........ after achild has been nibbling on PAL mickeys nose all day, then returns it...... is it cool for the next child to use?........ they have to be able to clean him some how..........

Tom

I read somewhere that they wash Mickey after each use--but, it can't be how I imagined--Mickey has a zipper in the back and I thought they would unzip him and throw him in the washer....however, the wires that are attached to his arms and tummy stay attached, and the tag on his leg says, "Do not immerse in water"..... So, I guess he must just get a surface cleaning (I wonder what type of detergent they use?)

-DC

 

[disneyberry]

Safari Steve, a CM who frequents some of the other DIS forums, mentioned in a chat that they disassemble Pal Mickey and thoroughly clean him before rerenting him.

there are also plans to create foreign language versions of him. Spanish is the first one in the works.

stay tuned for pics of Pal Mickey from my recent trip!

 

[Safari Steve]

He does tell jokes and play games when not in the parks, and he works at all 4 WDW parks.

 

[Abbeysdaddy]

Does anyone know if Pal Mickey "talks" at the Disney resorts?

thanks!::

 

[lomillerin]

How do they keep people from renting him and then taking him home?

 

[mb168]

The $50 deposit makes it irrelevant as far as people taking him home, he only cost $46. He's only interactive in the parks too. He doesn't "automatically" update either. I was told that every time I return, I should bring him to a Pal Mickey kiosk where he is sold and they will update him with a PDA, takes a few seconds.