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No More Pal Mickey Rentals As of Dec 1st
- Thread starter Scooter
- Start date
longfamily
New Member
That is so sad. They are so cute! We were going to try one out on our next trip. It seems like a waste to buy one (for the amount they cost) when they can't be used back at home. Might as well buy a plush
MissM
Well-Known Member
Yup, rentals are ceasing. You can still buy them outright. Though I've heard that some places are selling them discounted. (Apparently a Miami Disney Store not only had them, but is now selling them at $27.) Most Disney Stores didn't have them for sale by the way.
Not to fear. They're not going away. In fact, they've been such a success that 2.0 is coming out. So many people bought them rather then rent them - something Disney never expected - that they're shifting gears for the 2.0 release next year.
Already it's rumored that 2.0 will be more interactive as well as offer a lanyard way to carry him. He's also supposed to have a whole new wardrobe and might even be joined by Pal Pooh or such. (Other characters have been on the rumor-mill for a year.)
1.0 will still work. Though you'll need 2.0 to get the newer interactivity. No idea on price for the new one and no idea if he'll be the same size as the current one.
Currently, they cost $60, work in all four parks and he will say things at home (though it's random jokes as opposed to the location-sensitive topics he also says in the park) as well as play three games.
I've owned one since April and have taken him a dozen times to the parks. It's a lot of fun. I'm interested to see what improvements they make for 2.0 though I'm a little miffed about having to buy a second one to get the better technology. But hey, that's how all technology is. Always behind the the latest and greatest!
-m
Not to fear. They're not going away. In fact, they've been such a success that 2.0 is coming out. So many people bought them rather then rent them - something Disney never expected - that they're shifting gears for the 2.0 release next year.
Already it's rumored that 2.0 will be more interactive as well as offer a lanyard way to carry him. He's also supposed to have a whole new wardrobe and might even be joined by Pal Pooh or such. (Other characters have been on the rumor-mill for a year.)
1.0 will still work. Though you'll need 2.0 to get the newer interactivity. No idea on price for the new one and no idea if he'll be the same size as the current one.
Currently, they cost $60, work in all four parks and he will say things at home (though it's random jokes as opposed to the location-sensitive topics he also says in the park) as well as play three games.
I've owned one since April and have taken him a dozen times to the parks. It's a lot of fun. I'm interested to see what improvements they make for 2.0 though I'm a little miffed about having to buy a second one to get the better technology. But hey, that's how all technology is. Always behind the the latest and greatest!
-m
Main Street USA
Well-Known Member
I was told when I bought mine last August that I'd need to stop in and "update" him when I walked into the park this November. Is this true?
MissM
Well-Known Member
When you go through the turnstyle, make sure he is turned on and his nose is facing forward. That should sync him up with the park for the day. If you find he's "off" take him to any of the Pal Mickey locations (main street, tomorrowland, etc.) and they can do a forced link up. I've never had to take him in for any updates though since once he "knows" what park he's in, he knows what to say and the signals for the parade schedule and such.
Though I haven't been there since July, something could have changed and I just didn't hear about it.
-m
Though I haven't been there since July, something could have changed and I just didn't hear about it.
-m
Main Street USA
Well-Known Member
Thanks, I knew that he was constantly fed updated info from throughout the parks, which is why it didn't make sense to me that he would have to be updated.
I gotta admit, though, I too am a bit miffed that a new one may be coming out that will make this one obsolete. It's like punishing the people that actually decided to shell out the 60 bucks. Seems a little off.
I gotta admit, though, I too am a bit miffed that a new one may be coming out that will make this one obsolete. It's like punishing the people that actually decided to shell out the 60 bucks. Seems a little off.
longfamily said:
They still are able to be used back at home to an extent. Just not the interractive park stuff.
I have the feeling that they are going phase out Pal Mickey soon. We were driving from NJ to WDW 2 weeks ago and stopped at the St. Augustine Character Connection outlet store, they had a bunch of these for $27.00. I asked if these were refurbished units and was told no, they just are not selling like they had hoped and are looking to get rid of them.
Sorry MissM, didn't see your earlier post about the 2.0. I hope this is correct as my kids love the Pal Mickey and would like to see him stay. My son was very upset when we left Pal Mickey in the room on Halloween night. He wanted to see if there were any special updates for the MNSSHP.
longfamily
New Member
I didn't realize that they worked at home as well. I wonder if the new version will do more at home besides tell jokes...like disney trivia or something fun like that.
It would be nice if there was a USB connection in the Pal Mickey's, well, somewhere on him, that you could hook up to your PC and download updates from a website. I think it would be cool sitting in your humble aboad and getting park information. I dont know, just a thought.......
PurpleDragon
Well-Known Member
That would be a great idea!! It would make sense too. You could install your "Pal-Mickey" Software. It would download updated info on the parks, as well as new trivia. Say you could enter the day of your next trip into the "Pal-Mickey" Software and then it would tell you what evenst will be going on in the parks during that time as well as give you a countdown each day till your arrival in WDW. It could also work interactivly with specific Disney games on your pc too. Maybe someone should suggest this for version 2.0. Or if its too late, they can use it for version 3.0!hakunamatata said:
MissM
Well-Known Member
I asked in a Pal Mickey forum whether or not he knew it was a special event night like MNSSHP or MVMCP but everyone said sadly no. Though it is one of those things that they'll probably address for 2.0
You have to understand that Disney didn't project it as being as popular as it was. They thought the majority of people would rent them, and only if they had little kids. When it turned out that more people bought them - and people without kids even (like myself!) - they started changing the direction of the project. Hopefully the culimation of what was learned from 1.0 will be put into place with 2.0 The first one really was kind of a feasability test in the real world, both for the technology and the appeal.
I've heard rumors that 2.0 is supposed to come dressed in a tux now though that seems odd, with the option to buy him tourist clothes the same you'd buy yourself. (Maybe you and Pal Mickey could both sport a matching POTC shirt or HM tee!)
His three games are kinda cute but, yeah, a little more functionality at home (or in the car on the way to Disney!) would increase it's useability. I'm not sure how much they could add to him to talk about without the trigger sensors, but perhaps expanding on what he already can do would be a good start. The USB idea is a cute one. Download more sayings or let him be interactive with a website - smart.
I hadn't heard anything about a turn-in program. I don't know that I'd want to give up my old one - he is, afterall, my Pal! - but would it make sense finacially for Disney to let you basically get newer, more expensive technology for free? I think at best, you could hope for a credit towards a new one, but I doubt a full-out exchange. Though I'm curious to see how the lanyard will work out since it can be cumbersome to unclip him from your hip every few minutes when he has something to say. Most times, I end up just holding him.
Anyway, needless to say, I'm interesting in the changes and development of Pal Mickey. Love or hate the actual plush, he's an amazing peice of technology in a really fun form. Pure Disney marketing genius if you ask me.
-m
You have to understand that Disney didn't project it as being as popular as it was. They thought the majority of people would rent them, and only if they had little kids. When it turned out that more people bought them - and people without kids even (like myself!) - they started changing the direction of the project. Hopefully the culimation of what was learned from 1.0 will be put into place with 2.0 The first one really was kind of a feasability test in the real world, both for the technology and the appeal.
I've heard rumors that 2.0 is supposed to come dressed in a tux now though that seems odd, with the option to buy him tourist clothes the same you'd buy yourself. (Maybe you and Pal Mickey could both sport a matching POTC shirt or HM tee!)
His three games are kinda cute but, yeah, a little more functionality at home (or in the car on the way to Disney!) would increase it's useability. I'm not sure how much they could add to him to talk about without the trigger sensors, but perhaps expanding on what he already can do would be a good start. The USB idea is a cute one. Download more sayings or let him be interactive with a website - smart.
I hadn't heard anything about a turn-in program. I don't know that I'd want to give up my old one - he is, afterall, my Pal! - but would it make sense finacially for Disney to let you basically get newer, more expensive technology for free? I think at best, you could hope for a credit towards a new one, but I doubt a full-out exchange. Though I'm curious to see how the lanyard will work out since it can be cumbersome to unclip him from your hip every few minutes when he has something to say. Most times, I end up just holding him.
Anyway, needless to say, I'm interesting in the changes and development of Pal Mickey. Love or hate the actual plush, he's an amazing peice of technology in a really fun form. Pure Disney marketing genius if you ask me.
-m
PurpleDragon
Well-Known Member
I have also read some articles about possibly doing a type of software based fastpass to use with the Pal Mickeys. So when it was time for you to use your fastpass, Mickey would tell you and when you enter the ride, the fastpass info would be confirmed from your Pal-Mickey via inferred. Not sure if this is something that will possibly be integrated into version 2.0 or if its still on the drawing board for future use. Anyone got any other info on that?