Pal Mickey question.

[GrumpyMom25]

Just wondering ... I purchased a Pal Mickey on our last trip in June 2006. When I take him along next month will he talk any about the new attractions or parades? Guess I don't really know anything about how he works in the parks.
Thanks for any info you can give me.

 

[GrumpyMom25]

Nobody knows?

 

[DisneyWalle]

I asked this question when I purchased our PAL Mickey last year. I was told by Disney that he would pick up the signals that still existed when we were last there and that he might pick up new signals. They did express that the possibility of him receiving the new signals was hit or miss.

I plan on taking him back with us this September - so I guess we will find out then.

 

[carlbarry]

Here is a link to a page with links to articles about Pal Mickey.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=777203&page=2
What I gather is that Pal Mickey gets its information via infra-red transmission (not radio--a huge surprise to me), and that new information is down loaded when you enter the park at the turnstyles. Therefore, it would seem that no matter how old your Pal Mickey is, it will receive updates.

 

[GrumpyMom25]

Thank you so much!

 

[rainbowbrite812]

Therefore, it would seem that no matter how old your Pal Mickey is, it will receive updates.

from what i've read any old version of pal mickey will only receive info from stuff that was around when that version was out...if you have 1.0 it won't tell you about the newest stuff.

there would be no point in updating and making newer versions if the 1.0 could receive all new signals.

 

[carlbarry]

from what i've read any old version of pal mickey will only receive info from stuff that was around when that version was out...if you have 1.0 it won't tell you about the newest stuff.

there would be no point in updating and making newer versions if the 1.0 could receive all new signals.

It doesn't make sense to me that the signal would be encrypted in a way that would preclude some of the receivers from decoding the transmissions.
Here are two excellent links about Pal Mickey, with further links on the Wikipedia entry, including the patent:
http://www.mouseplanet.com/wdwupdate/wdw030617avp.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pal_Mickey
From reading these, I think that the likely difference in the newer Pal Mickeys is that they have upgraded memories. I do not think that this means that the older models won't receive new information, just that they may not be able to handle some of the transmissions or newer features that require more memory.
FINAL WORD ON THE SUBJECT!:
On the Disney World web site, there are questions on the "Mom's Panel" on this subject. They confirm that older models WILL RECEIVE the new information. Here's the link:
http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/find.aspx?search=Pal Mickey

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

My daughter has a Pal Mickey, we were at the parks in May. Pal Mickey worked great, it was sometimes difficult to hear him during noisy periods- had to hold him up to my ear. However, he told us a lot of interesting facts and tips- What attractions were close by and parade times. Just make sure that he is pointed forward, that is his face is visiblr and not buried in a bag or stroller. We really enjoyed having him with us, he told jokes and played games during waits for rides.