Can Pal Mickey be Updated?

[FloridaPhill]

We bought our Pal Mickey in 2006 on our last trip to WDW. A friend told me that I can have him updated in the parks?

Is this true?
Where do you have it done?

Any info?

Thanks

 

[Jerm]

It can not. They have a set of speils that Mickey does programed into him. He can not download anything. He is triggered by the sensors in the park that are set to one of the pre-set spiels. I have the v.1 Mickey and when I walk by Stitch he still gives me info about AE. You will hear people say just go to any location and get him "uploaded" with the new info, that can not happen. If he is out of date you have to buy a new one, which is one of the major down sides of Pal Mickey.

 

[the-reason14]

It can not. They have a set of speils that Mickey does programed into him. He can not download anything. He is triggered by the sensors in the park that are set to one of the pre-set spiels. I have the v.1 Mickey and when I walk by Stitch he still gives me info about AE. You will hear people say just go to any location and get him "uploaded" with the new info, that can not happen. If he is out of date you have to buy a new one, which is one of the major down sides of Pal Mickey.

So true, and IMO very selfish of disney. I have a v1 and v2, and when I had the v1 they claimed(CMs) that I could get him updated. It didnt happen. Even the v2 one said the same stuff the v1 said and didnt mention anything about the new stuff like soarin and the (at the time) newly refurbished IASW and all the other HCOE additions. They should atleast let you trade the old ones in for newer ones. I think they are up to a v4 now, but I aint wasting money on it, unless they let me trade in my old two ones for free.

 

[mitchk]

Like others have said, he cannot be updated. I thought they were on version 3 :shrugI have all 3). I don't mind buying a new one because it's really the only money I spend on myself (my wife needs at least one snow globe per visit, of course I pay for them). Is there more than 3 versions of Pal Mickey? :lookaroun

 

[the-reason14]

Like others have said, he cannot be updated. I thought they were on version 3 :shrugI have all 3). I don't mind buying a new one because it's really the only money I spend on myself (my wife needs at least one snow globe per visit, of course I pay for them). Is there more than 3 versions of Pal Mickey? :lookaroun

Im not sure, I thought this one I saw recently in the parks was the 4th version, but Im not really sure. I think its 3, but I thought otherwise because I remember that one having like a sorcerers costume, the one I saw in the stores didnt. I realize they sell all the different outfits and stuff(many other oppurtunities for money thrown in the pot), but I dont know. Either way, I wasted some mula, on teh v2 thinking it was gonna be drastically different. The newer one says 700 things I think while the other ones were alittle less.

 

[MissM]

Just wanted to fifth? sixth? the previous comments that he can NOT be upgraded. (And send HUGE thanks and applause to people for posting the correct information. This is one of those big internet myths and so many people are convinced of wrong information.)

Anyway, as far as I know, there's still only three. I was just there last Friday (the 25th) and it was still Sorcerer Mickey ones in the store. V1 was the original without a costume, just Mickey in standard Mickey outfit; v2 was the Happiest Celebration on Earth edition and featured Mickey in a tux and an embedded "glow medallion" in his hand and v3 is the current Sorcerer Mickey outfit. The newer versions have more sayings and more games but all are versions are very similar. He also has several clothing outfits (safari, pin trader, rain poncho, tourist, pirate captain and santa that only tends to be in stock during the holiday season) but those are sold separate and can be put on any of the three editions. Of course, you can also take his other clothes off (like the tux or the robes.)

Original versions will still work, their info will just be a little outdated in some places. (Like mentioned, you'll get Alien Encounter comments when triggered at the Stitch sensor still.)
-m

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Huh...I always thought you could update them!I've been tempted to get one but not now.

Thanks for shattering yet annother rumor.

 

[WaltsApprentice]

It can not. They have a set of speils that Mickey does programed into him. He can not download anything. He is triggered by the sensors in the park that are set to one of the pre-set spiels. I have the v.1 Mickey and when I walk by Stitch he still gives me info about AE. You will hear people say just go to any location and get him "uploaded" with the new info, that can not happen. If he is out of date you have to buy a new one, which is one of the major down sides of Pal Mickey.

I was tempted to get a new one...but I think I shall wait until after the summer only because TSM, PBPB, and other attractions are soon to be opened and I don't think those will be on the current edition...but once I get the new one they will have more attractions ahhhh...they should come out with a dream one...I'm surpised they haven't yet.

 

[disney111]

So true, and IMO very selfish of disney. I have a v1 and v2, and when I had the v1 they claimed(CMs) that I could get him updated. It didnt happen. Even the v2 one said the same stuff the v1 said and didnt mention anything about the new stuff like soarin and the (at the time) newly refurbished IASW and all the other HCOE additions. They should atleast let you trade the old ones in for newer ones. I think they are up to a v4 now, but I aint wasting money on it, unless they let me trade in my old two ones for free.

They DO let you trade the old ones in for newer ones.

 

[dolbyman]

on earlier threads there were tons of rumors on how if it could be updated .. but all techniques were pretty much not doable ... so my answer is also 'No'

They DO let you trade the old ones in for newer ones.

for discount on the new one or exchange free ?

 

[disney111]

for discount on the new one or exchange free ?

At the emporium they just gave a brand new one.

 

[mitchk]

At the emporium they just gave a brand new one.

Really

 

[Unplugged]

At the emporium they just gave a brand new one.

Can anyone else confirm if they are still doing such exchanges and if it can be done at other locations (i.e. resort stores or WoD)?

Also to add my two cents on the technology. The confusion comes in that he can be re-flashed, that is the firmware can be updated or re-written. HOWEVER, due to the addition of more content, the version of software thus far is locked to the version of Mickey (didn't want to say hardware). I have a v1 that errored out in a bad way and left him unfunctional. They did not replace him, but simply re-flashed his memory at our resort store, which took some time. This took place shortly after we bought him some odd years ago. So from a technology stand point, he could theoretically be updated. AGAIN, they cannot or at least have chosen NOT to updated older version Mickey's with new software due to compatibility issues and available memory for the amount of new content.

For those not familiar with re-flashing firmware on computing devices, think of it as a PC (this is a stretch but should convey the concept). You can always re-install the same version of Windows (not that it's common or anything :lookaroun) when it fails on your PC. However, as new versions of Windows are released, sooner or later your PC must be replaced as it just can't keep up with the requirements. Example, my PC runs WinXP great, but is not up to snuff to run Vista (not that I'd want to :lookaroun).

In the case of all of our PALs, the device and capabilities are soooo limited to keep costs down, that an Upgrade type-of-update is not a capability. A re-install of the same version type-of-update is (or was at the time of my device purchase a few years ago) possible.

Now here's a thought as well. Since there are no upgrade updates, it is safe to say that PAL Mickey did not go the direction originally intended (with flash-able upgrades). Thus, due to costs, they have (I'm pretty sure) pulled the update/flash units from the stores as it's no longer feasible.

This I believe has been confirmed by postings on other threads over the years of people stating there are no "devices" behind the counter. I will say there were originally as PAL was rolled out to very limited locations. Had I knew this topic would still be brewing years later, I would have snapped a photo. Sorry all!

 

[disney111]

Really

Yep. They said it couldn't be updated but let me trade it for a brand new one.

 

[mitchk]

Yep. They said it couldn't be updated but let me trade it for a brand new one.

Good for you, that certainly saves money, I had no idea they did that :wave:

 

[WaltsApprentice]

Yep. They said it couldn't be updated but let me trade it for a brand new one.

I'll test this when I go up in Feb. 14th, and try and trade my v.1 in... and I'll let everyone know ...I just kinda nervous...think may sound crazy...but I almost feel bad getting rid of this one, so many memories with it lol I know I crazy, but I felt this when I did the pliot version and had to give it back lol I was like saying good bye to a good friend and pal...I know its just a doll...but its sad lol, okay here comes the flames reminding me on how crazy I am. lol

 

[mitchk]

I'll test this when I go up in Feb. 14th, and try and trade my v.1 in... and I'll let everyone know ...I just kinda nervous...think may sound crazy...but I almost feel bad getting rid of this one, so many memories with it lol I know I crazy, but I felt this when I did the pliot version and had to give it back lol I was like saying good bye to a good friend and pal...I know its just a doll...but its sad lol, okay here comes the flames reminding me on how crazy I am. lol

I don't find you crazy at all. Even if I knew about the upgrade trade in, I still would have kept the old one, and bought a new version. There kinda like my Mickey doll collection, plus they talk, so you can relive all your old memories of past attractions. It's actually really neat, when you think about it :animwink:

 

[WaltsApprentice]

I don't find you crazy at all. Even if I knew about the upgrade trade in, I still would have kept the old one, and bought a new version. There kinda like my Mickey doll collection, plus they talk, so you can relive all your old memories of past attractions. It's actually really neat, when you think about it :animwink:

Thanks for the support! :wave:

 

[the-reason14]

They DO let you trade the old ones in for newer ones.

Well back in 05 they didnt. Or they lied to me. Either way, I hope someone can check this out and maybe I can trade the old version in and sale the other one I have on ebay.

 

[Jerm]

At the emporium they just gave a brand new one.

If you were able to do this, you got very very lucky. You can not trade them in because it is different v.1 and v.2 were different in more then a few ways. Also they are only on v.2 which is still the 50th HPCOE version but they have changed the box and outfits for Mickey. I doubt they will be coming out with a v.3, due to Pal Mickey falling off the radar of Disney merch (i.e. he is not selling to well). Plus with the DS testing that will be the next step most likely.

J