Have you bought and used a Pal Mickey?

[tnkbl]

We are going to WDW for DD's 5th birthday and we thought about giving her the Pal Mickey to tell her that morning that we are going to Disney. Have you had one? How much are they? Can I get one before leaving my home in Arkansas?

Thanks for the help,
Sherri

 

[Robo]

We are going to WDW for DD's 5th birthday and we thought about giving her the Pal Mickey to tell her that morning that we are going to Disney. Have you had one? How much are they? Can I get one before leaving my home in Arkansas?

Thanks for the help,
Sherri

You didn't tell us WHEN you are leaving.
Next week ?
Next month ?
Next Fall ?


(That affects whether you can order one and have him arrive before you go.)
It will cost you more to order him (postage) than if you wait until you arrive. (He's avaliable at all resorts, theme-parks, and Downtown Disney.)

He's about $70 plus tax at WDW.

We've had ours for several years and take him back with us every trip to WDW.

Some folks don't like to carry him every day, but we do on most days.

You can check eBay, but be careful, the NEWEST "50th Anniversary" model comes dressed in a TUXEDO. If the one listed on eBay does not, he's the older model (the one we have).
The newer one says a few more things than the old one, and the new one talks a bit "louder", too.

A great way to order a NEW Pal Mickey and have him shipped to you would be to order him from Disney Merchandising at 1-407-363-6200.

 

[dmaz]

Wish we could upgrade ours.
We've taken him on 2 trips.
Actually we had one and when we got back to Disney 8 mos later he wasn't working properly. They graciously exchanged him.
We love to hear what he has to say - only I wish he were a little louder.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

My DD bought hers with her Disney Dollars on our arrival in 2004 so it's the older model. We loved it!! I would steal it away from her to hear what he had to say about attractions. We still play with it and listen to jokes here at home. Looking forward to bringing it back with us this fall.

 

[Kitts21]

We also bought one of the "older" Mickeys in Jan.05' we took him back in Dec.05' and he worked fine. Hopping to get another couple trips out of him before we "upgrade". It's fun to listen to the jokes, he also tells you about the rides..what ride has short waits ,which ones are long waits. He also tells you were you can find the charcters. It's a very nice B-Day present for a surprise trip. I also wish it was alittle louder though, it can sometimes be hard to hear what he is saying in a crowded area. Oh I forgot, he also shakes when he has something usefull to say...Which is everything....after all he is "THE MOUSE"..... You can take him back to the parks anytime you go, even if there are new things added, while you were gone, everytime you enter the turnstills he reprograms himself every time you enter the parks, thats how he knows where he is at.

 

[CA Disney Fans]

We have the 50th Anniversary Mickey. We love having him around. Can't wait to bring him back in September.

 

[TSM1993]

I heard that you can upgrade the old pal Mickeys. You take him to I think the Camera shop on Main Street in MK. All they do is plug his nose into the computer and in a few minutes he is updated with new info.

 

[Fionasmommy]

We're hoping to get one for DD's 5th birthday too! And to the OP - I'm jealous that you're in Arkansas! I grew up there and would love to go back.

 

[tink1978]

We bought ours the first year he came out. We got him for $35 dollars. he is a lot more expensive now!! We have used him every year. My son loves it. Sometimes it is hard to hear in the parks. You might have to hold it up to your ears. He is fun though and your kids will love it.

 

[MarylandPizzaman]

I agree that it would be better if it were a little louder or maybe came with headphones...

 

[Robo]

I agree that it would be better if it were a little louder or maybe came with headphones...

I think I may install a headphone jack in our little Pal.

I'll make sure to be very careful during his "delicate operation".
(Don't want there to be "complications".)

A small earpiece would be just the thing to make sure he's heard when its loud around him... and make sure he doesn't "disturb the peace" in quieter areas and attractions.

 

[Robo]

I heard that you can upgrade the old pal Mickeys. You take him to I think the Camera shop on Main Street in MK. All they do is plug his nose into the computer and in a few minutes he is updated with new info.

Sorry, that's just a "too-often-repeated" rumor.

THe "update" is really just a "reboot" of the internal microprocessor.

If he's a "classic" (not 50th Anniv.) Pal Mickey when you take him in, he'll still be just that after the "re-boot". (No "new" info is loaded).

The CMs at the Pal Mickey "shop" on Main Street (inside what's still called the "Main Street Cinema" building) don't "plug his nose into" the computer... they just AIM his nose AT their computer (his nose contains sensing diodes that communicate via UV lightwaves.)

I had this done with a brand-new Pal who was "strangely quiet".
After a few quick seconds with his nose pressed against a small computer screen, he was talkin' up a storm.

BTW, If you don't have any TROUBLE with your Pal (old or new) you shouldn't ever NEED to have this done.

 

[°O°Joe]

My experience with "Pal Mickey" isn't the greatest... I bought mine last year around Halloween, it's the 50th one with the tux (see pic below, that's me with the little fella hooked to my belt...)

The issue we had with him, is that he wouldn't really say much... he mostly shook and just said jokes referring to an area you were presently in... no character tips, no ride tips, nothing like that... I took him to a CM and they didn't know anything about it. Took him to another CM and they said that was what it was supposed to do.

We go back in 6 days, so I'm going to take him to the store where I bought him and see if they can have him tested or something...

If I find out it's not broken and that's just the way it is - it's SO not worth the $70 IMO...

--Joe

 

[nluvwithmickey]

After longing for a Pal Mickey of my own in 2004, I finally caved in and adopted one in the summer of 2005. What can I say? He's my baby, I cannot imagine a WDW vacation without him, I will be bringing him back to the World for a 3rd time in Sept. and he will be faithfully attached to my waist....


The kids love him too but they know that he is MY special Disney souvie.

 

[Robo]

We go back in 6 days, so I'm going to take him to the store where I bought him and see if they can have him tested or something...

This is EXACTLY what I was talking about in my post above.
This is what to do.

Take him to MK.
Main Street Cinema/Pal Mickey Store.

Explain that he's not "talkative" and have them do a "re-boot".

If he still doesn't give you facts about rides and events, see if they'll give you a replacement. I've heard lots of stories that they will.

 

[catherines_mama]

I bought the old one for my DD to take on our June trip. I played with him and wanted one too, so I got myself the new one figured I'd be the one deciding where to go so i wanted to hear the GOOD stuff. She'll love it all the same, can't wait to go to the parks with them!

 

[Robo]

...so I got myself the new one figured I'd be the one deciding where to go so i wanted to hear the GOOD stuff.

But just so others don't get the wrong idea, the NEW one (50th Anniv.)
only says a FEW more things than the old one (maybe 10-15% more) and he "knows about" the newer attractions (like Soarin') that weren't around when the older one was sold.
I doubt either of them "recognizes" Expedition Everest... (haven't heard any reports about that yet.)

But the new one does "speak up" more, so that's a plus (although I'm pretty good a pulling our "classic" Pal Mickey to my ear when he's got something to tell me... I haven't missed anything so far.)

 

[ToontownPrincess]

Alot of people on here have said they bought the pal mickeys for their kids and liked them....well I'm 21 and thought they were cute but didn't know if it would be worth the money. Would anyone recommend the pal mickey to a young adult w/ no children?

 

[°O°Joe]

Alot of people on here have said they bought the pal mickeys for their kids and liked them....well I'm 21 and thought they were cute but didn't know if it would be worth the money. Would anyone recommend the pal mickey to a young adult w/ no children?

Truthfully I bought mine for myself and I'm 28... It's worth it to me if I can get it to say the things everyone on here says it's supposed to say... I guess mine needs a reboot... Wish I would have known that last time...

--Joe

Robo - I don't think the new one starts speaking unless you squeeze it's "tummy" after it shakes??

 

[Robo]

Alot of people on here have said they bought the pal mickeys for their kids and liked them....well I'm 21 and thought they were cute but didn't know if it would be worth the money. Would anyone recommend the pal mickey to a young adult w/ no children?

Actually, if you'll do a search on this board, you'll see that many adults have bought Pal Mickey for themselves.

There is a large CLUB devoted to him.

I know of several "nuts" who make custom outfits for him to wear!
(My wife and I are two of those "nuts" ourselves) .

You can BUY 4 new outfits for him now at WDW.

Adults love the little guy, too!