When you enter the parks he is activated by a sensor in his cute little black nose. There are infra-red beams that cause him to vibrate madly whenever his nose picks one up. These beams are found throughout all the parks. When he vibrates he is telling you that he has info to pass on. You squeeze his belly and he gives you info about different attractions, parade times and locals and character meet and greets. He also tells corny jokes. I'm not sure about a certain age group he is appropriate for because DH and I both loved carrying him last year and we were 35 at the time. DD8 also loved hers and even plays with him at home, she loves the corny jokes. DD4 thought he was ok but we ended up "fighting" over who was going to carry him around after she got tired of him. DD9's Pal Mickey is already waiting patiently in the suitcase with fresh batteries in his back and DH and I are planning on picking up our own tuxedo wearing Mickey when we arrive this year, and once again we will be "fighting" over who gets to carry him. I did notice that he was most active in Animal Kingdom. He gave out tons of info about the different animals.