Pal Mickey cost? Should I get one or not????

[D L and K's Mom]

Does anyone know the cost of My Pal Mickey off hand? There is one listed on ebay for $29.99. I think I would like to get one for my special needs son for this trip but I am unsure how much they cost. Anyone get one and didnt like it???????? I think he would enjoy it talking to him but not if it is very expensive. Thanks.

 

[hiwaygal]

we got one last year, and we enjoyed it.

be careful about the ones on ebay...I think there are some older ones that won't get the new downloads in the parks.

If I remember correctly, we had it delivered to our room and it was $70.

I'm sure you can find newer, less expensive ones somewhere...but as I said, be careful (maybe someone else knows more and can offer more advice)

 

[Robo]

There are two models of PM (and they both work in all parks).

PM "Classic" (that's what I call MINE).

PM "50th Anniversay Special Edition" (newer version). He comes dressed in a TUXEDO.

If the ones you see on eBay are NOT dressed in a tuxedo, they are the older "classic" version.

The older PM's where $50 when new (but where heavily discounted when the newer ones came out, say, to below $20) but they are not available from Disney anymore.

The 50th Anniversay PM's are about $65 (plus tax) now at WDW.

But there is not really a LOT of difference between them, except:

New PM talks a bit louder.

New PM can describe the few newer attractions that weren't open when the "classic" PM was first introduced. (Not a big deal.)

New PM has a slightly larger "library" of things he can say (and sing!)

>>>
Just a word (I have not seen anything "official" yet)...
New PM... just MIGHT become a "Classic" himself, if they issue a "PM v.3" as the "50th Anniversary" draws to a close.

 

[yearbook50]

Does anyone know if they are going to come out with a new one after the Year of a Million Dreams promotion starts?

I'm debating if I should buy one in October or wait til January to get one.

 

[Robo]

Does anyone know if they are going to come out with a new one after the Year of a Million Dreams promotion starts?

I'm debating if I should buy one in October or wait til January to get one.

That's easy.

Like with all technology,
the longer you wait, the chance that you'll get a better deal will grow.

If a Version 3.0 comes out, you can either buy THAT, or maybe get a "deal" on the older ones.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

Wow, so $29 isnt so much. Hmmm I will have to think about this as DS would probably LOVE one.

 

[Robo]

Wow, so $29 isnt so much. Hmmm I will have to think about this as DS would probably LOVE one.

I just checked and there are no Pal Mickeys listed as "Buy It Now" for $29.

There ARE some with a BID at or below that, but that doesn't mean you can BUY it for that when the auction ends.

But keep looking on eBay (and/or bidding your wanted price), you never know WHAT or WHEN things show up, or just how many folks WANT soemthing at any given time.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

Yes, that is what I meant...the first price listed was a bid of $29.00 I am sure they will continue to go up up up. Thanks for the info.

 

[torinsmom]

I have the old one, I got it used from someone here who had read that I was looking for one. My DS11 really enjoyed it last trip and wants to take it back when we go in August. I really don't think there's that big a difference in what they do. It does look like on ebay they newer ones are going for the same as the older version, around $45 used. Or maybe someone would loan you theirs, I did that with a cousin and their kids in April.

Marsha

 

[RockyMtnMaria]

I've been watching the Pal Mickey's on e-bay for a long time. They almost always sell for within $5 of buying a new one, and sometimes more. Even the older versions are going for super high prices. If we decide to get one, we will buy it in the park, unless I happen to catch a low priced "Buy it Now" or a misspelled model.

 

[Pooh fan 73]

I have the the newer Pal Mickey. I love mine. My Pal Mickey was a birthday present last year. We were at WDW for my birthday. I have to say that I enjoy my Pal Mickey. We took him with us to every park last year. He is so much fun. When you go to EPCOT he will give you all kinds of information about World Showcase. In fact he will give you all kinds of information about WDW. We would walk around and I would play all kinds of games with my Pal Mickey. In fact I still turn him on at home and play trivia games with him. In fact I plan on taking him with me on our trip next December. Pal Mickey is defiently worth the money. I have a question will Pal Mickey be updated with newer information when you enter one of the parks?

 

[Robo]

I have a question will Pal Mickey be updated with newer information when you enter one of the parks?

I don't know exactly what you mean by "newer information".

He is "programmed" (cued) when you walk into a given park, with info about that day's activities (and also cued throughout the park with location info and other things).

But he will not be "updated" about any attractions that where not in operation (or in final planning) when his particular model was built.

Don't think either versions of PM "know about" EE.

 

[LSUmom4kids]

By the way, I am looking for the latest & greatest Pal Mickey to take on our 1st family vacation to WDW in 24 days!

I will keep checking on ebay, but I'm officially putting out the word to my DIS-FRIENDS to keep me in mind if you are willling to allow your unused 50th Anniversary Pal Mickey to be adopted by a loving family with 4 kids - 3 under the age of 10! Our budget is tight, but I'm sure Mickey will have lots of fun with our kids, will probably not be able to get a word in edgewise, and will even get to travel through 4 states on our 10 hr. drive to WDW!

If you're interested in sharing the magic , please send me a PM with your adoption costs and procedures...

 

[LSUmom4kids]

By the way, I am looking for the latest & greatest Pal Mickey to take on our 1st family vacation to WDW in 24 days!

I will keep checking on ebay, but I'm officially putting out the word to my DIS-FRIENDS to keep me in mind if you are willling to allow your unused 50th Anniversary Pal Mickey to be adopted by a loving family with 4 kids - 3 under the age of 10! Our budget is tight, but I'm sure Mickey will have lots of fun with our kids, will probably not be able to get a word in edgewise, and will even get to travel through 4 states on our 10 hr. drive to WDW!

If you're interested in sharing the magic , please send me a PM with your adoption costs and procedures...

 

[HolidayRose]

My children bought there old, very cheaply purchased Pal Mickeys to WDW for the first time last week. They had them 'updated' at the Virtual Magic Kingdom shop. The CM hooked them up to some device and then they talked louder and talked about attractions (like Soarin') that were not there when they were built. I'm not sure whether they played new games or not. Also, they are now selling outfits for Pal Mickey at some of the stores in WDW. I know there was a rain suit. I'm not sure what else, but there were a couple of other outfits.

 

[Robo]

 

[PrincessPaczki]

Hi!

We bought one 2 years ago and love it. It is worth the price of $50.00 ( or that was what we paid). Last year when we entered Disney the first day, we took him to the souvenir shop and had him updated. They took him and scanned him. Does this mean that he will work on EE?

 

[Robo]

Hi!

We bought one 2 years ago and love it. It is worth the price of $50.00 ( or that was what we paid). Last year when we entered Disney the first day, we took him to the souvenir shop and had him updated. They took him and scanned him. Does this mean that he will work on EE?

Sorry, but I must step in to say that there is NO "Update" for an older Pal Mickey (other postings to the contrary).

The only thing that happens in the "Main Street Cinema/Pal Mickey-VMK Store" in MK is they can "re-boot" (like a computer re-start) the PM via a small IR interface with PM's nose.
>>> Scroll down to the 3rd picture in the following site:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/wdwupdate/wdw030617avp.htm

This can fix "glitches" that might develop with his internal microprocessor.

BUT...
it does not "upgrade" him to the capabilities (or audio volume) of a "50th Anniv. PM".

This incorrect info has become an "Urban Legend" of sorts when it gets repeated on websites so often.

What Disney HAS offered is to "trade in" your older PM for a new one at a reduced rate (don't know if they still will do that).

If your PM (like the vast majority of them) is still "wiggling and giggling" and telling you facts in the parks, he does not need to be taken to the MK for an "upgrade".

-----------------------------------------

Additional info on this is at

http://palmickey.net/

Click on the "NEWS" button:

QUOTE:

Note About Older Versions of Pal Mickey: Due to the misinformation on certain message boards, I called the Main Street Cinema at the Magic Kingdom to verify. Cast Member John has CONFIRMED that the older Pal Mickey (any version prior to the HCOE version) can only be "updated" with the park's daily information (parade and show times, etc. - as stated in the instruction booklet) and can NOT be "updated" in any other way. In reality, their use of the term "updating" means to "re-set" him to enable him to receive signals from the emitters and to properly respond. However, the older Pal Mickeys can NOT be made to provide information on any of the newer attractions (Soarin', LMA, Everest, etc.), or to have the latest features (singing, louder voice, new games, trivia, interacting with the Glow medallion). These are the facts. I hate to see people buying the original at a huge discount and being disappointed that he won't do what they thought. The original Pal can still be fun (both of mine "do the parks" together often), but has limited capabilities. If you have an older Pal and would like to "trade up" to a new one, you can at this time do that at the Main Street Cinema for $40 with your trade in. They did not have that offer when the new Pal first came out, but I am sure this will be for a "limited time only."