This is such a personal descion! I read all the threads on Pal Mickey, finally thought why dont I at least try the Pal Mickey Swap (I have a dd7) lol, I waited too long - hesitated - $60 is a lot for a stuffed animal that will sit around...
some of the complaints were it was heavy to carry (not real heavy, just think the battery pak) it isnt real loud - with crowds you'll need to put it up to your ear... oh and sometimes (usually at Epcot I believe) it is out of synch and you have to take it to the specified store for instance ours seemed out of synch at Epcot, we did a trip over to MGM so I asked at guest services the store that has the Kodak on the corner was the place to take it... and Mickey worked perfectly!! (the left hand wasnt sensing ) so the next day we went to Epcot to see if it happens only there - never happened again!!
I went ahead and purchased it, knowing if I 'rented' it, dd wouldnt give it back, so I didnt want the hassle of standing in 2 lines (the rent line, and the purchase line)
DD loved the corny jokes, dh and I hated having to "explain" the idioms to her, and yet, I think that is why I really liked it, our DS is hard of hearing and idioms are really hard to comprehend!
Right now MM just sits on a special chair- but gets hugs at least once a day!!
We also hope to return very soon to WDW, so I think for us MM was worth it...
PSS Yes, Mickey did give parade and show times, and told you if you wanted a good seat we should head over.... DD loved the jokes best... at Magic Kingdom Mickey told some trivia that dd let me hear, mostly Mickey was hers, she had a kid sized back pack that she put mickey in during the rides... or I got to hold Mickey!!