*Pal Mickey Info* - New & Improved Info Here About This Page:

[Jennifer2003]

Hi everyone!

The information in the old Pal Mickey sticky thread was getting a little outdated.

Here is the New & Improved Pal Mickey Info thread.

If anything seems to be missing, please let me know!

Jennifer

[Jennifer2003]

What is Pal Mickey?

from Deb's Unofficial Walt Disney World Vacation Information Guide - WDW Planning Guide - Walt Disney World

PAL MICKEY is an interactive plush Mickey Mouse that allows you to make your way around the WDW resort with your own personal guide, introduced in May 2003. Mickey is a 10 1/2-inch talking Mickey Mouse plush toy uses wireless communication technology to provide guests with up-to-date information about the theme park attractions, parades, shows -- he can even tell the time. Pal Mickey's 2005 incarnation includes more than 30 trivia questions, seven sing-a-longs and six games, as well as a louder speaking voice than the original Pal Mickey.

How much does he cost?

How much it costs: Pal Mickey costs $65 plus tax (as of May 2005).

As of December 2004, you can no longer rent Pal Mickey.

[bradk]

the current version (released 9/06) does not come with a lanyard.

[Jennifer2003]

Is Pal Mickey Worth It?

Originally posted by My! My! Oh My! Mickey Rocks on 06/03/2004

If anyone needs a testimony for the Pal Mickey, here it is:
PAL MICKEY ROCKS!!!!

I am so glad I bought him the day we arrived!! He was so much fun!! I didn't have any problems with my clip and I hung him off the front of my shorts, with his nose facing forward. We had more people talking about Pal Mickey and one little girl was so scared on the ToT ride, I let her hold him for the ride. She got off the ride, no more tears anywhere, handed me back Mickey and told her mom that was the BEST ride ever!!! Disney magic at it's best.....

We didn't bring our kids along, which is a good thing; I wouldn't have wanted to share my Mickey.

One word of advice, though, as we found out the hard way: Pal Mickey LOVES to jump into the photo at the last minute. You'll have to watch him pretty carefully.......

I can't wait for him to interact with DL!! This was probably the best investment I've made yet. The boyfriend wasn't too keen on him at first, but when I was writing in the Passporter that first night, one of the things he said was the best was Pal Mickey!! I even have a picture of my boyfriend carrying Pal Mickey on his shoulders when Mickey got too tired!!

[Jennifer2003]

What type of batteries does PM use?

Originally posted by Eeyore_Lover on 08/02/04

Pal Mickey uses two "AA" batteries which should last your whole trip and then some when you get home! I used him for 9 days on my trip last year and just changed the batteries recently. I like to squeeze Mickey and hear him play when I need a Disney fix!

What does PM do once you get him home?

Originally posted by dat731 on 10/10/04:

There are a few different things he does outside of the park. He tells jokes and riddles, and you can play several different games with him. I can't remember all of them, Mickey Says ( a version of Simon Says) is one. He is very cute and not only kept my granddaughter entertained. All the adults also wanted to know what he had to say. Only downfall is he is very soft spoken. I wish he were a little louder. But we can't wait to take him back with us.

[Jennifer2003]

Current edition info:

Originally posted by bradk on 04/10/07

there's only one current edition being sold at the parks and that is the sorcerer mickey edition, which i personally dub 2.5 as i've heard from multiple sources that his knowledge is the same as the HCOE / tuxedo version, 2.0. he's $65.

in addition to that, character premiere, the disney outlet in orlando may still have some HCOE editions in stock which sell for $32.99, or about $43 shipped.

they do have an upgrade program, for about $20 you can upgrade to the current edition. so i suppose if you can purchase an older one, used or not, for less than $45, you can get the current edition for under retail.

the outfits being sold for him in the park are for the HCOE and later version as they are larger than the original version.

[IdahoDisneyMom]

We have a Pal Mickey that we purchased in Dec 2004. Can he be upgraded to the current info for the $20? Or is it just the newer ones that they can update. Also, do you know how we'd go about upgrading him?

[bradk]

it should be clarified that the upgrade program i'm quoted on mentioning is only something i've heard in passing. i have no real personal knowledge of it. the idea is that any pal mickey you have can be physically exchanged for the current version for $20. but don't quote me on it.

the original version is still functional in the parks except he won't know about 2005+ attractions. technically it's possible for his software to be upgraded so he does, but disney does not officially acknowledge or support this (they want you to buy a new one). if you can find a CM willing to do it (at main street cinema), there won't be a charge for it, but don't be surprised if they tell you it can't be done either.

[IdahoDisneyMom]

Thanks Brad! I'm sure we'll take him along, and give it a go. The worst they can say is no!

[lukesmom]

Thanks for the updated info. DS has last years model (HCOE/tuxedo version)

[cherylf]

I got my Pal Mickey updated at the Main Street Cinema. I just went in and said that I was told I could get a software update there. They were very nice and it was a quick and simple process. I also have the one with the tuxedo (from 2005, I think) and was told that that was a special edition and the only one with the gold medallion on it's hand.

[PamelaK]

We purchased a PM when we went at the beginning of July. We LOVED him and yes he did jump into a few pictures. We had to take the Pal Mickey Oath when we purchased him and we did look at some of the different outfits for him. Outfit choices were: safari, old MMC uniform (complete with ears), rain gear, and one other that I can't remember off hand. His clip was awesome, but since we kept him on our waist we got tired of constantly bending over to hear what he had to say. I ended up putting him on an extra lanyard that we had with us. He is still attached to the lanyard and is already packed for our trip back to WDW this week.

[jpod523]

just a question...if i buy a pal mickey through the merchandise services, will it still be functional at WDW? i heard something about them having to activate it. i want one, and i'm upset that i didn't buy one in may, but i don't know when i'll get back to wdw.

[bradk]

he'll be fine. there's nothing special that has to be done with him in person.

[Evil_Queen]

I have all versions of Pal Mickey and I think he gets better with every version. The speaker improvement and the facts are great.

I need to get the new one but I must say I love the little guy.