Opinions of PAL Mickey

[kimmac1]

I have read several things about PAL Mickey. It sounds like a neat idea. The price is a little steep though. Not to mention transporting it around the park in June. What are your opinions on this? Should I or shouldn't I get one?
(If yes, where's the best place to buy him?)

 

[TheDizMom]

We bought one when we went in 2005 and I have to say I felt it was a waste of money. It got to be a pain to tote around with us, and he didn't really do that much. I am sure they have advanced his capabilities since then though. I just didn't feel it was worth the expense. My DH really wanted one for the kids and thought it was cool, but even he wasn't really interested in taking it when we went earlier this month. We thought the kids would really play with him when we got home and it lasted a week or so and he has remained in a toy bucket ever since. I think the only thing we have used him for was to decorate the table when we had our Disney themed dinner a few nights before we left on this last trip. I say don't bother or if you really want one see if you can get one on ebay for cheaper.

 

[justwinnie]

We bought one for our daughter when she was 3. Way too young for it. Complete waste of money! She has lots of talking toys/dolls which she likes, but she was uninterested in Pal Mickey. She's a big Mickey fan too.

We brought him back for two subsequent trips in the past year, only to leave him in the room most of the time. She's still 3-- and she's still uninterested.

PM doesn't speak loud enough most of the time, and we don't notice his "signal" so we often miss the hints/facts/etc. He also eats batteries, so bring extra AAs.

We've used both a 1st and 2nd generation Mickey. The newer one is definitely better, but still not that great. I think the newest one available (Sorcerer Mickey when we went in Feb) is the same 2nd generation Mickey "brain" as the Happiest Celebration Mickey (in a tux), just a different costume.

Oh, we paid $65 + tax, and the next time we went to Disney, found him in the outlet store for half off! ARRGH! It was less than 6 months later!

So, you may want to call the outlets and see if they still have them available. I don't have any outlet info, but you can search mousesavers.com for the info. I know the outlets will ship to your home. There was a thread on here about it a while ago... maybe on the budget board. We saw it in February in the Orlando Disney outlet. It may be too late now.

I really think there are a lot better things to spend $70 on. That amt can get you started on Pin Trading, which seems to be a lot more fun and interesting for my daughter (and nieces) than Pal Mickey ever was. She still likes to look at her pins and talk about when she got them. She talks about pin trading on our next trip and is very excited about it. She's a bit shy, so the Pin Trading heps her talk to CMs and she seems to really enjoy it. Pal Mickey just sits in her pile of stuffed animals.

I was so "pro" Pal Mickey and "anti" Pin Trading. I was surprised by my daughter. You just never know what your kids will be into.

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Have to say I agree. We bought one for our 4 year old daughter when we went in November 2004 and it was a bit of a novelty for the first day but then have to say after that he sat in the stroller for most of the holiday. I agree that its difficult to hear him and it was very bulky to wear round your neck. There are definately better things to spend your money on - you can learn more from reading these threads than you can from Pal Mickey, bless him!!

 

[latexscooter]

We love our Pal Mickey and our DD (turning 4 this week) has been playing with hers since 2005 when we got it. I don't know if I'd pay what they are asking for them now. We shopped around and were able to get a style that was being discontinued, brand new in the box, so we got him for $17 including the shipping. He keeps DD happy and doesn't ask to buy other stuffed animals when we're in the parks. She plays(ed) with him on the plane, in lines, where ever. We even take him to the Disney ice shows when they come to town and shes the envy of all the kids around her. I recommend to look and see if you can find one cheaper online because he is worth some money just not the absurd amount they want in the park.

 

[DisneyAprilFool]

Well, I'm going to be one of the odd man out here!

I bought My Pal Mickey for my HUSBAND on our honeymoon- he was so excited to see the little guy in the morning! (I snuck down to the shop and bought him before hubby was awake in the morning!).

From that point on, Mickey went where we went. He hung off of DH's pants and we heard his tips more often then not.

Was he expensive? Yeah! That's why I had told my Hubby there was NO WAY I WAS GOING TO BUY HIM!!! But after a day or two of seeing DH look sadly at all of the MPMs, I knew I had to bring one home

Now, he proudly resides in my wedding/honeymoon curio cabinet as a memento of our wonderful honeymoon

It was worth the price for us- but we're sentimental people at heart as well.

 

[Whosemom]

as the mom of more than one, I think it would be just one more thing to argue over. Not that my kids are any worse than any others, but I'm sure it would be "she had him la-a-a-a-a-st time" etc.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

We bought one a couple of years ago at the discount outlet. It was like 13.99 if I remember corectly. It was cute, but got heavy as the trip went on. It was DS and he carried it for a while, then it went in the stroller. On the last couple of days, Mickey stayed in the room. He is cute to look at . He now sits on my DS shelf. don't know if we will take him again. I would not pay full price for him.