Pal Mickey now $60 total as of yesterday!!!

[tjkraz]

freediverdude & KMovies:

Looks like you both beat me to the punch on my comments. Why must all price hikes be immediately characterized as being solely motivitated by greed?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by F5CHASER
Don't patronize me. And who are you to comment with "nice talk"? The fact is if Michael Eisner walked up to me to shake my hand I'd probably knock him out. Eisner has ruined more than a little of the Disney magic with his greedy ways. And I doubt there are few that would disagree with me.

As for the cost of materials increasing, they have not increased enough, if any, in the short amount of time Pal Mickey has been on the market to justify a $10 or 20% increase. And your comment about hamburgers was unwarranted, unwanted, and unjustified.

Disney may not go into a downward spiral financially if I don't buy a Pal Mickey, but I guarantee they will not make near the amount of money at $60 a pop as they would at a barely tolerable $50.

Oh, violent as well as foul mouthed, you are a charmer.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by tjkraz
freediverdude & KMovies:

Looks like you both beat me to the punch on my comments. Why must all price hikes be immediately characterized as being solely motivitated by greed?

QUOTE]Originally posted by tjkraz




Because, it follows that you cannot possibly have increased costs and raise prices without being greedy. It is nice that some here understand business.

 

[crystalb]

I don't have kids and thought about buying one when we were there August.
I had decided $50 was too high as it was and passed.
Not only that, who wants to lug one more item around with them?
I think they are great for kids. $60 makes me happier I don't have little ones to buy for.

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

All is not right with the world, and somethings make me very angry...But a $10.00 price increase on a Pal Mickey is not one of those things that makes me so angry.

 

[CWIPPERMAN]

WOW!!!! There are some awful cheapskates out there. Don't get me wrong - I'm not made of money. But I'm 28 years old and I can think of an awful lot of things that cost a lot more money than a Pal Mickey - and do a lot less.

I remember when I was about 12 years old and "Teddy Ruxpin" came out. My parents spent over $100 for one of these for my little sister (and that's 16 years ago - probably the equivelant of at least $150 today).

I remember when the Razor Scooters came out a couple of years ago. They sold for in excess of $120.00 - you can now buy them for $19.99.

I remember a few years back when Furby's came out. Even with a retail price of around $30.00, I knew people that were all too happy to shell out over $100.00 for these things.

With all of this said, I can speak with experience that the Pal Mickey was well worth the $50.00 I paid for mine 10 days ago at the start of our vacation. After my sister carried it everywhere for a week and I got to see firsthand what a cool item this is - I would have gladly shelled out $75.00 for Mickey.

Look at it this way - a regular plush doll (no electronics) the same size as Pal Mickey sells for about $20.00. Now, what would you pay for an electronic game for a kid (just one of those little pocket games) - because Pal Mickey plays games. Maybe $20.00? Now... what is it worth to get cool facts and information when you approach different rides/attractions? I think the "Keys to the Kingdom" tour is around $35.00. And what is it worth to get current wait times, parade announcements, and advice of short lines?

My point is... you get an awful lot for $60.00. After seeing Mickey firsthand - and checking out the prices for other items (like $25.00 t-shirts... that cost about $3.00 to manufacture), I am surprised the price is so low.

I recommend that all of you that were going to spend the $50.00 but won't spend the $60.00 re-think your position. I think you will be very pleased that you popped for the extra $10.00. Mickey will be one of the most useful items you could buy!

 

[Minniespal]

Thanks for the information. I have been looking forward to buying my little Pal Mickey when I am in WDW next month. I know that I will probably be in the minority but it is still my intention to buy one.

 

[cindyfan]

Thanks for the heads up on the price increase.
My DD will have to figure that into her souvenir budget. It may change her mind or I may pitch in the other $10 for her.

It sounds like fun to have one.......but does it talk or anything after you leave the park? Or does it work strictly off the sensors in the parks? If it only works in the parks.....DD may decide on something else.

 

[mrsltg]

Wow! An extra $10 ? Well, there goes my entire budget! Guess I'm not going to WDW now!!!!

Really, I can understand those who were on the fence about buying one in the first place, or those who have several children who will all want a Pal Mickey, reconsidering their options now that he costs $60. I can't understand stomping your feet and blaming Michael Eisner because the cost of a plush goes up??? Are you kidding me?

Don't worry Mr Eisner, my family still will enjoy their 2 weeks with the Mouse, and we'll be buying at least one Pal Mickey!

Erin

 

[DebºoºS]

They were flying off the shelves a few weeks ago when we were there. Glad my DS got one before the increase though. We all enjoyed playing with PM including many CM's and guests we encountered. Even with the increase PM is worth it, IMHO

 

[skiwee1]

We bought our mickey when they first came out and they were only $50. I would have gladly paid $60 or even $70 for him! We are going back in 18 days and Mickey is going back too! If your budget is that tight perhaps you should save a little more. You will find that at WDW as on other vacations tight budgets don't always work. Surprise costs always seem to pop up! LOL!

 

[loriandmatt]

At least 5 times (maybe more) over the two weeks we were there in mid to late August, we saw someone returning their PalMickey in a shop we happened to be visiting. The complaint was generally the same - "it isn't doing what it's supposed to, even though i am following the directions." In each case the CM would take the old one and tell the guest to get a new one off the shelf.

I am not claiming to know what Disney's reason(s) is(are) for increasing the price of PM, but reclaiming some of the cost of the returned, non functional units may have something to do with it.

I didn't buy one then because of a combination of:
- the cost seemed a bit steep
- most of the info PM spews (admittedly very cutely) is info i already know (being a WDW fanatic as it is)
- i didn't want to lug around one more thing (i am already complaining about being the family "bag master")

- lori

 

[Kaitysmom]

I will probably get one too - it is too bad that they don't sell them at World of Disney so that you could get the DC discount... Not the first time that this has happened when buying souvenirs - I'm just glad that I found out now and won't be disappointed later. I am curious as well about what he does outside the parks.

Also, how many batteries/what kind does he take? Does he have an on/off switch? Wondering if the batteries will hold up for a week long trip. Those light up pins didn't last long at all - really disappointing - plus you couldn't see them go off unless you walked around looking at your chest. lol

 

[WendyCFG]

cindyfan -

At home he plays games and tells jokes.... He's really adorable

 

[Kaitysmom]

I'm jealous WendyCFG - I wish my countdown clock read what yours does Have a great trip

 

[WendyCFG]

Kaitysmom -

He uses AA Batteries and he does have an OFF switch on his back. I don't think the Batteries would run down in a week. My mom has had her's in since May with one set of batteries, and she plays with it all the time. She even takes it places to share with other Disney Nuts .... Scrapbook Parties, the Office, Etc. He's really cute However, I don't know if his batteries could drain faster at the parks, since he does more. Anyone know??? And he'll make you miss WDW when you're not there. As I said, at home he plays games and tells jokes. He has a huge vocabulary. By the way, I have heard they sell him at "Once Upon A Toy" at DTD

Hope this helps

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by WendyCFG
Kaitysmom -

He uses AA Batteries and he does have an OFF switch on his back. I don't think the Batteries would run down in a week. My mom has had her's in since May with one set of batteries, and she plays with it all the time. She even takes it places to share with other Disney Nuts .... Scrapbook Parties, the Office, Etc. He's really cute However, I don't know if his batteries could drain faster at the parks, since he does more. Anyone know??? And he'll make you miss WDW when you're not there. As I said, at home he plays games and tells jokes. He has a huge vocabulary. By the way, I have heard they sell him at "Once Upon A Toy" at DTD

Hope this helps

We used our mickey for 11 days at the parks without changing batteries. We still use him at home from time to time to play trivia with and have yet to change batteries.

 

[WendyCFG]

Kaitysmom -

Hi again!

I just wish this weekend was Disney!!! We started planning our Christmas trip in April and I have wish away Spring & Summer 2003... Still wishing away Fall!!! ~haha~

I'm sure IOA will be fun. I'll be with my Boyfriend, and he has Disney burn out. I have been to WDW 5 times in the last 4 years, and he did 3 of those trips with me. He won't be going with me in December... as I said... he has Mickey Fatigue. We're going to be in Orlando for a Seminar on Saturday, so we're going to do the roller coasters in IOA on Sunday. Sadly, I'm sure I will be thinking the whole time just how "close" the Mouse is, yet so far away! ~haha~

Maybe I should carry Pal Mickey around IOA... haha.... maybe not

 

[LvsTnk]

He is very cute and I am glad I bought him but after about the first half hour my kids were done and I had to keep a close watch on him so we didn't loose him. Then after about the 3rd day I left him in the room. This was on 2 different trips. He just didn't seem to say anything we didn't already know.

 

[xmatt0926x]

I never go to either extreme with stuff like this. I dont side with anyone going into a rage because the price of an item went up $10. I also dont side with the naive people who swear that Good Ol' Disney would never, ever raise prices just for profit because gee whiz, it is Disney after all. Disney is a business and they sell goods and services at a price and you can either buy it or not, whether the price stayed the same for a long time or if they changed the price the day that you arrived at the store. Any business is all about maximizing profit. Disney is very expensive. Always has been and always will be and they will always try to take as much money from me as possible. Thats business. It doesnt make them criminals. Its my choice whether to buy it or not. and I will likely always buy it because at the very least I feel they offer an excellent product. My only concern is whether that particular item is worth whatever the price happens to be when I go to buy the item. I still think $60 is worth it to watch my daughters eyes light up because she believes some type of magic is allowing this doll to speak to her. That thought process doesnt change for me just because the time they chose to raise the price happens to be right before I planned to buy it. But at the same time, I can afford it while for others it may represent a huge purchase. I dont know why they happened to raise the price for the doll and I dont really care to know why. They did and thats that. If its not worth it for your particular situation, dont buy it. Its that simple. Theres no big secret plot out there. Its no different than going into one of their gift shops and deciding whether that cool snow globe is woth it to you or too expensive. Its funny. If they would have started out from the beginning charging $60, there would never have been an issue. I guess its all in the perspective that you choose to look at it. Just my 2 cents.