I was wondering the same thing, does it cost to have him updated?
You can't get him "updated."
That's an often-repeated myth.
The MAIN "Pal Mickey Store" at WDW is in MK, in the "Main Street Cinema/Pal Mickey/VMK Store"
They can perform the so-called "upgrade" at that location.
Its not really an "upgrade", however, but it is a "re-boot" (like a computer re-start) for PM via a small IR interface with PM's nose.
>>> Scroll down to the 3rd picture in the following site to see this being done:
http://www.mouseplanet.com/wdwupdate/wdw030617avp.htm
This can fix "glitches" that might develop with PM's internal microprocessor.
I bought a PM, when they first came out, that didn't talk much in the parks.
I took him to the PM store, they did the re-boot (30 seconds or so) and he started to work perfectly... and has continued working through many trips since that time (years).
BUT...
This re-boot does not "upgrade" an older PM 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 in the past is to "trade in" your older PM for a new one at a reduced rate (don't know if they still will do that).
Do you NEED to take your PM over to MK for a "re-boot"?
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/reboot".
And, if he starts "wiggling" (vibrating) and won't stop, he's not broken... he just needs s new set of batteries. He takes 3 "Double-A (AA) batteries, Alkaline or better.
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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."
