Pal Mickey - Good or Bad

[goldilocks_63]

I'm trying to decide on whether I should get PAL MICKEY as a XMAS gift for DD-6 1/2.

It seems kinda cool, but not sure I want to lug even more stuff around the park.

Would it hook up nicely to the stroller, and do you think it'd be stolen if we left it there (or have to carry it everywhere).

If it adds lots to the trip (like oh, here comes Minnie for autographs), because my daughter loves meeting characters, and we never know where to go, and other useful stuff, we'd be interested.

Or, is it just dead weight for somewhat experience park goers?????? (go 2 times a year).

Opinions please...

Goldi

 

[gonzalj1]

Although I thought it was pretty cool I decided not to purchase Pal Mickey when were there in September.

We rented Mickey for the day. He turned out to be a pain to lug around. I was not comfortable leaving him on the strollers during rides and he kept falling off my belt with that cheesey belt clip they give you.

He did give us some interesting tips... what rides had short lines etc. But sometimes this can eb a real pain. For instance, in the 20 minutes leading up to Wishes Mickey must have told us 10 times that there was no wait at Buzz.

 

[spiceycat]

go look at this post on the budget board

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=667919

 

[I_Know_You2!]

In all honesty, a pain to lug around, and ours was stolen from strollar, (our fault!).

 

[2tinksmom]

My DDs got Pal Mickey from Santa last Christmas and have taken him twice to the parks since and will be taking him back when we leave on Friday. We found that the water bottle holders work great when looped around his neck (he doesn't seem to mind!). The girls don't mind carring him at all! My DDs are 7 and 11.
Michele

 

[eileenfk]

The idea is cute, the implementation is full of flaws.

If you are placing any value, on what the Pal will do outside of WDW, you will probably be disappointed.
The games are hard to play. If the child does not squeeze the hand in exactly the correct place, Mickey tells them they are wrong (which is frustrating to a child). The same joke is repeated over and over in joke mode. This is a side effect of the attempt to allow Mickey to repeat the last thing said, if his hand (or tummy) is squeezed within so many seconds after the last thing he said. I find the games and joke mode so poorly implemented, that I think that these features add zero (if not negative) value.


My Pal has not yet been to WDW, but he is looking forward to our trip in December. I can not comment on his value, inside the park, until after my trip. I do expect him to be entertaining enough to carry, at least 1x, to each park.

When I read the description of the doll I thought it was an adorable idea, and couldn't wait to get my own Pal, so that I could start making him outfits to wear to WDW.
I am hoping that the newer version (due in May 2005) will correct many of the flaws.

Below is a picture of my Pal Mickey dressed to greet visitors in Toon Town.

- Eileen

 

[WaltD4Me]

Interesting, I'm trying to decide about buying a Pal Mickey too and these are the first "negative" comments I've read about him.

I think it'd be great to have something that tells what rides have no lines and tell you neat little things about the parks, but I worry about lugging him around too.


Lisa

 

[sydsdad]

Personally I think it's one of the best kept secrets @ Disney....

True...... the clip they provide stinks, but we brought an extra key chain and lanyard to hold it around my DD's neck or clipped onto
my waist.

1)-The information he put out as we toured the various parks was
way more then I had off the top of my head
2)- he kept her amused while waiting for PS' and ride lines
and
3)- he beat me to the punch on a number of occasions so my DD
felt like a big shot

Yes, the jokes are corny and it might be frustrating to 5 year olds,
but I think for the right age child it helps take pressure off of the adults by offering a bit of insight throughout the day.

We haven't really used it at home but we will most certainly be bringing it back on this trip


Enjoy!

 

[Ilovestitch]

My bf and I bought one (we share custody ) and we like it. I don't carry it around the whole day- sometimes I put him in my bag, but it is cute. One night my bf and I were walking out of MGM and the park was empty. We went by the Indiana Jones show and Pal Mickey told us to pull the rope next to the well. I totally forgot about that secret! I also think its neat that he points out certain animals at AK that I otherwise would have walked right by. -Steph

 

[i like stitch]

By far, purchasing Pal Mickey was the best investment recently made by DD. She hooked him to her belt loop 3/4 of the time and carried him the rest. He entertained us both while walking and waiting in the parks. Plus, the CMs gave her extra attention for having Mickey at the rides---they usually added him into the head count! I had thought it would be a pain to tote him around but he's small and light, and it's really no bother.

I had so much fun with him, I'm thinking of getting my own....