Subsonic Radio

I was told that Pal Mickey (The interactive plush that was introduced in 2003) will be discontinued. Existing plushes will continue to operate in the four theme parks as they do today although I was not informed of future plans. They will continue to be sold until current stock is depleted.

It was a clever idea but never one that would have the mass appeal Disney demands.

never experienced the pal mickey thing... anyone else know what happened as you took the plush around the parks?

I got one. It was a pain to carry the darn thing. And you couldn't hear it because of the crowds. You have to make it replay, and hold it up to your ear.

To me, it seemed like it was a lot of money for what it was (I think it was like $50, but that was a couple of years ago). But then again, I knew more about the parks than most people...

I had one when they first came out. It was fun, but I'd second the 'pain to carry around' thing.

Akyriel - it was triggered by sensors in the parks to give you information (sometimes) or tell jokes (which you can hear on here). Liiiiike ... at 2:50, if you were in the MK, and close enough to a sensor, it'd pipe up about the parade being about to start. I found he was most entertaining walking around World Showcase, because he had something to say about each country. I also like the corny jokes.

I really don't see how it would ever have been too effective for someone who actually -needed- the information. I still think it's cute, but it doesn't surprise me that it wasn't a hit.

DisBeamer wrote:I had one when they first came out. It was fun, but I'd second the 'pain to carry around' thing.

Akyriel - it was triggered by sensors in the parks to give you information (sometimes) or tell jokes (which you can hear on here). Liiiiike ... at 2:50, if you were in the MK, and close enough to a sensor, it'd pipe up about the parade being about to start. I found he was most entertaining walking around World Showcase, because he had something to say about each country. I also like the corny jokes.

I really don't see how it would ever have been too effective for someone who actually -needed- the information. I still think it's cute, but it doesn't surprise me that it wasn't a hit.

I was shocked this thing never took off. It seemed to get a pretty good response when it came out. I remember it was brand new when I was there in 2003 and everyone was carrying it around. I guess as time went on people got tired of having to carry a Mickey with them in the heat and on and off of every attraction. I know carrying a little bag with your autograph book and a pen can get pretty annoying sometimes when you just want your hands to be free. It was a very ingenious idea and kind of regret not getting one now. But, I think we all on here know as much IF not more than Pal Mickey.

I thought Pal Mickey was adorable but a bit too pricey and I didn't want to carry him around with me.

We carried ours for the first evening on our first trip with my son. He never went back again. For our second trip we brought him but he ended up staying in the room the whole trip! Poor guy. My son plays with him at home but like other posters have reported it is hard to hear him in the parks and such a pain to carry.

Ditto -- just one more thing to haul around the parks!

Len90 wrote:I was shocked this thing never took off. It seemed to get a pretty good response when it came out. I remember it was brand new when I was there in 2003 and everyone was carrying it around. I guess as time went on people got tired of having to carry a Mickey with them in the heat and on and off of every attraction. I know carrying a little bag with your autograph book and a pen can get pretty annoying sometimes when you just want your hands to be free. It was a very ingenious idea and kind of regret not getting one now. But, I think we all on here know as much IF not more than Pal Mickey.

I don't think they ever positioned it right (in a marketing sense, not like ... making him easier to carry or giving him bow legs or something).

If you just wanted a toy that played games where you squeeze his hand and tells jokes and stuff, $50 is pretty steep. If you want an actual useful tour guide to assist you in getting around the parks and seeing things - which would be worth $50 to a lot of people, he pretty much stank at it (sorry Mickey, but it's true).

If they'd really gone out of their way to make him spew out useful information, or maybe a 'points out hidden Mickeys' setting or something that would give real 'inside' information, I think it would have been a hit.

We love our Pal Mickeys, we got the original one and the Happiest Celebration on Earth version. My kids play with him quite a bit and he always accompanies us around the parks. I'll be sad to see him go.

I know the PAL Mickeys were cumbersome for us adults to carry. While the starting design for interactive, live information as you plan your day, I can't wait for what will be next:

An interactive map that is housed in the Nintendo DS!

http://www.dsfanboy.com/2008/01/22/taki ... -ds-guide/

I was actually surprised to read that these were still in existence. The last time at WDW I don't remember seeing anything about them. They were expensive and seemed that they were going to end up as something the parents would have to carry around all day and invariably forget somewhere.

I think the thing was perfect for first-time tourists but it is a shame that it's going to be discontinued though I'm sure everyone is sick of lugging that doll around. I don't blame you guys.