so...we picked up a pal mickey off of ebay. Kind of silly since I'm an adult and my son is 14, but I thought it might be fun to play with while we are there.:rolleyes:

What I want to know is this: Are there any stories out there? Do you have one? How does this go over with adults and teens (I've got it figured out for small kids!!) Will it be totally annoying to carry around, or will we have fun with it?

Anyone?

I'd love to hear your take on it and any helpful hints you may have!
Terri

A quick search resulted in this past thread. (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=88855&highlight=pal+mickey) Give that a shot for starters.

that was very educational Gusman! Now...where do I find a pal mickey doctor to upload the new information, etc? Are they easy to locate at the parks and do I have to do it at each park, or can I just do it once when we get there and have it updated everywhere?

The Camera shop on Main Street in the MK...you will see the signs outside. They will stick his nose in a little thingee and fix him right up. He will work for all the parks. For a good laugh, take your Pal Mickey on Tower of Terror...but hang on to him, obviously. Let' just say Pal Mickey doesn't like TOT very much.

My family went to WDW in January, and we picked up a Pal Mickey on Main Street in MK on day 1. I thought the concept was so cool, I think I think I enjoyed him more than anyone else. My DD, age 8+++++ at the time, liked him, but not enough to actually hold him in the parks. So she didn't get quite the thrill I was hoping for, and I did most of the holding.

Speaking of holding, there is a belt clip thingy that I "used" to clip Mickey into one of my front pant pockets, but he accidentally fell off once or twice (2 1/2 foot drop or so). I clipped him there to make it easy to unclip him in case he wanted to talk, but we couldn't hear him unless we held him up to our ear, as others have mentioned.

Anyway, he seemed fine at the time, but 2 days later he stopped working. We were in Epcot at the time, I took him to a shop under the giant geodesic dome (I think it was the Camera Shop). We bought new batteries in the shop, that seemed to solve the problem until we walked about 500 yards or so, then he stopped working again. Went back to the Camera Shop, and they gave me a new Pal Mickey per my gentle insistence. They weren't thrilled, but they did replace him, and I was very grateful.

I was determined my new Pal would be handled with kid gloves in case the mild droppping had damaged the first guy. I bought a water bottle holder (available pretty much wherever you can buy water/soda), slipped that around Mickey's neck and pretty much wore him as a necklace. All went well until we attended a character breakfast. Mickey was left on a chair at the table while we gathered food from the buffet. When we got back, I watched as a small child unrelated to our family couldn't resist picking up Mickey. The little guy was probably two or so, and i kind of watched in slow motion as he (you guessed it) dropped poor Mickey (1 1/2 foot drop or so). And a little while or so later, that Mickey stopped working too.

Perhaps my experience was unusual, nobody else on the previous threads seem to mention any issues. Considering that the target audience is small children, I feel that Mickey should have been designed to withstand the bumps and bruises that a small child might inflict. In my experience, that doesn't appear to be the case. As I recall, there weren't any "Be Careful!" warnings on the box either.

I still think that Pal Mickey is cool, but I recommend that you be very, very careful with him. Have Fun!

We bought one for our week trip in January. It was cute, but a bit of a pain. We experienced the same problems with the belt clip not being sufficeint to hold him, but fortunately he kept working after being dropped. Eventually, we bought a metal "carbiner" (the metal clamp that rock climbers use). They sold them at Mouse Gear in Epcot. We hooked that to Mickey, and hooked the carbiner to a backpack strap, and he was secure. Unforutnately, he was still annoying. The comments about him talking too low to hear are very accurate. And most of what he had to say wasn't useful. He told lots of jokes, but the main reason we wanted him was to hear usefull things, like "there's a short line at Space Mountain". In an entire week, in all four parks, the only useful thing he said was that there was a short wait at the Pooh ride. He said this as we were entering MK at the park's opening. So it really didn't help. He didn't point out where we could find characters (something that the advertisements claim he does). In Animal Kingdom, he wouldn't shut up. It seemed like he wanted to share some trivia about every animal in the park. It was cute for a few minutes. People give you lots of funny looks when something in your possession keeps saying "Oh Boy! Golly!", and giggling.

On our next trip, we'll probably take him again, but only carry him for a couple of days.

I think mickey may be fun - especially if I don't expect much from him! I'm really looking forward to taking him on ToT - my son will love it!

"The Camera shop on Main Street in the MK...you will see the signs outside. They will stick his nose in a little thingee and fix him right up. He will work for all the parks. For a good laugh, take your Pal Mickey on Tower of Terror...but hang on to him, obviously. Let' just say Pal Mickey doesn't like TOT very much."

Is there a place in all the parks like this? We're going to Animal Kingdom first, then epcot, then magic kingdom, then disney studios, epcot, and finishing up at magic kingdom. (I grew up in Anaheim, so I want to see something other than the magic kingdom first...to be different!)

Thanks everyone! I now know to bring a large clip and wear mickey near my shoulder...and to try and not drop him! This'll be fun!

I think mickey may be fun - especially if I don't expect much from him! I'm really looking forward to taking him on ToT - my son will love it!

"The Camera shop on Main Street in the MK...you will see the signs outside. They will stick his nose in a little thingee and fix him right up. He will work for all the parks. For a good laugh, take your Pal Mickey on Tower of Terror...but hang on to him, obviously. Let' just say Pal Mickey doesn't like TOT very much."

Is there a place in all the parks like this? We're going to Animal Kingdom first, then epcot, then magic kingdom, then disney studios, epcot, and finishing up at magic kingdom. (I grew up in Anaheim, so I want to see something other than the magic kingdom first...to be different!)

Thanks everyone! I now know to bring a large clip and wear mickey near my shoulder...and to try and not drop him! This'll be fun!

I'm wondering the same thing. We plan on visiting Epcot the first day (well, technically DT Disney the VERY first day). I'm hoping to get a Pal Mickey off of Ebay (wish me luck!) I know he'll need an update.

I'm wondering the same thing. We plan on visiting Epcot the first day (well, technically DT Disney the VERY first day). I'm hoping to get a Pal Mickey off of Ebay (wish me luck!) I know he'll need an update.

I got mine off of ebay - with shipping, I think I paid about $48. I ended up using the bid assistant. First you have to move all the ones you are interested in bidding on into your "watch list." Once they are there, you click on bid assistant and follow the instructions. You can set a blanket bid amount or specify a different bid for each item. I think you are allowed 10 items at a time. It took me about 3 groupings, but I got one under $50 and that was my limit. To be honest, the one I got is wonderful. I'm having fun with it and we aren't even at the parks!

I took my PAL Mickey to WDW in January with my hubby. I made sure he was in all the ride pictures! My hubby told me," I have been replaced by a mouse!" I thought he had figured that out by now?! Anyways, his poor hand is dirty from my pushing it so much. I am going again in Aug. and will make sure I take him to get an update. I took him on TOT and he didn't say anything. PAL Mickey is just the bomb! I love the ride updates the best!

Marla- DL addict and mom to three:fez:

how much is a pal mickey at one of the parks I don't want to be shocked . I want to get one for my 20 month old daughter when we go sept 08.

thanks

Here's the MousePlanet article that ran when the toy was first introduced in 2003:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/wdwupdate/wdw030617avp.htm

Obviously some of the information is outdated, but it's a good starting point.

AVP

I got mine off of ebay - with shipping, I think I paid about $48. I ended up using the bid assistant. First you have to move all the ones you are interested in bidding on into your "watch list." Once they are there, you click on bid assistant and follow the instructions. You can set a blanket bid amount or specify a different bid for each item. I think you are allowed 10 items at a time. It took me about 3 groupings, but I got one under $50 and that was my limit. To be honest, the one I got is wonderful. I'm having fun with it and we aren't even at the parks!

I got mine this weekend! I paid $48 for it on Ebay "buy it now". It was great! I bought it last Wed and it arrived on Saturday! (overstressedmomof2 is the seller - I highly recommend her!) She sent some little extras with it and I also bought a Mickey fan, so she combined shipping.

I love the fact I got him for $48 and didn't have to pay $70. This guy looks NEW (but he's missing the clip - easy enough to replace). Best of all, I earned the money from doing product reviews on another site and so in a way, he feels free! WOO HOO!

ANYway, our Pal Mickey is so cute and so far, we're enjoying the games and trivia at home. I can't wait to see what he does at the parks. I'll make sure to take him to the Camera Stop in Epcot to get updated. Nov 27 can't get here fast enough! ;)

Adrienne - I read the article . . . GREAT info. I'm wondering how much of the "coming in the future" stuff actually came true? I know there is no Pal Goofy or Minnie, but other stuff like being able to remind us of ADR's or Fastpass info. Did this ever happen?

I feel like I'm sort of holding this little mystery in my hand and I don't know much about what he's going to do once we get to the parks (other than the basics). I guess I'll just be suprised!

Adrienne - I read the article . . . GREAT info. I'm wondering how much of the "coming in the future" stuff actually came true? I know there is no Pal Goofy or Minnie, but other stuff like being able to remind us of ADR's or Fastpass info. Did this ever happen? Sadly, no.

AVP

We purchased a Pal Mickey in July 2003... I think.
To this day my cousin still swears it was possessed. It woke us up in the hotel room saying " It's time for the Parade" (It was 2 AM)

I still find him entertaining, but we learned to take his batteries out when we wanted to sleep...

We purchased a Pal Mickey in July 2003... I think.
To this day my cousin still swears it was possessed. It woke us up in the hotel room saying " It's time for the Parade" (It was 2 AM)

I still find him entertaining, but we learned to take his batteries out when we wanted to sleep...



I love it! Years (and years!) ago, my sister sent a talking big bird to my son for christmas. Late at night...I was doing the santa thing and putting out the presents under the tree - all by myself. Then something said "hello." no one was there. I figured I was hearing things, so I went back to santa-ing. then "hello." I freaked. I had NO IDEA who was talking to me, but it wasn't my imagination! It took about 3 more "hello's" before it dawned on me it was coming from a wrapped present under the tree!

I love the idea (call me nuts!) of Mickey waking me up to tell me to go to a parade or the lines are really short at Pooh!

August will never get here!

My little guy has an "off" switch . . . I'll make sure to make him "sleep" at night so he doesn't bother us. :)

I'd turned my Mickey off before watching American Adventure (Is that what its called?) but half way through he came on and told a joke and everyone near me just turned around a looked at me. It was kind of creepy. And embarrassing!

I love my Pal Mickey. I too, figured out the best way to carry him is to use the necklace-y-thing for water bottles and put it around his neck. My Dad and I bought them when we went back in 2005 and will be bringing "the boys" back in July. I have not had any possession issues with mine or my Dads, and he still plays with him (he's 79!).:D

Has anyone bought a Pal Mickey? Let me know your thoughts on whether he was worth it. What you liked/didn't like. My son thinks it would be cool to get one this time. Thanks!
Only 38 more days until WDW! Yeah!!!!!!!!!:D

MickeyMom5 - I merged your thread with another recent one about Pal Mickey. I hope it helps answer your question!

MickeyMom5 - I merged your thread with another recent one about Pal Mickey. I hope it helps answer your question!

Thank you! I tried to find a "thread" before I posted my question, but I didn't find it! Thanks again! 38 days until WDW!
So far, Pal Mickey sounds like fun even if he wakes you up at 2 am ready for the parade! :D

Both hubby and myself went to WDW in May and I had to have a Pal Mickey... Well I loved him, he went everywhere with us and I didn't have any problems with him once I learned that I need to carry extra batteries especially for Epcot. If by chance you do run out of batteries just run into a store and ask for help. The first time it happened he started acting weird and I thought he was broken but it turned out all he needed was fresh batteries which the cast member gave me for free.

Since many people mentioned he is kinda hard to hear I got a lanyard from Walmart (just a cheap black one with adjustable button) I put the bottom end around Mickey's neck and slid the lock part down so he wouldn't fall down. I then glued the back part so that it wouldn't detach by accident on a ride or while walking. It's looked like he was hanging/or choking but he didn't seem to mind ;-) cause at least he was safe. Then I wore the lanyard with my Mickey around my neck. I could then feel when he shakes and it was easy enough to lift him to my ear and listen. He did start to get heavy especially since I also had a pin lanyard around my neck but I loved the convenience and also the security of not getting him lost. If this doesn't make sense let me know I'll try to explain better.

When I rode the rides I put him in front and just put the seat belt around both of us. Never had a problem. On the water rides I did put him in his raincoat and also in my backpack for extra security.

Mickey would comment when near water rides, when near scary rides (Haunted Mansion) and also near Roller Coasters. It was really fun to listen to him, even hubby got a laugh. At Epcot he would say a little something about each land that we entered. I though it was pretty educational along with fun.

Although he is a little costly I feel he was one of the most enjoyable parts of the trip.

Aloha-

Well I loved him, he went everywhere with us and I didn't have any problems with him once I learned that I need to carry extra batteries especially for Epcot. If by chance you do run out of batteries just run into a store and ask for help. The first time it happened he started acting weird and I thought he was broken but it turned out all he needed was fresh batteries which the cast member gave me for free.

Thanks for the reminder! I need to pack batteries when I get home!