Pal Mickey Production Discontinued

Figment! · #1 10-09-2008, 03:24 PM

Walt Disney World Resort Announcement
October 9, 2008

As a result of our efforts to evaluate product offerings as technology continues to evolve, Pal Mickey, the interactive plush that was introduced in 2003 for use at the four Walt Disney World® Theme Parks, will be discontinued. Although Pal Mickey will no longer be available for purchase, the interactive plush will continue to operate in the four theme parks as they do today.

We anticipate the Pal Mickey plush toy to be available through the next couple months as merchandise locations sell existing items in stock. As merchandise locations sell through their existing stock of the Pal Mickey plush toy, the remaining Pal Mickeys will be available for purchase while supplies last at the following locations:

Island Mercantile at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
The Dark Room at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™
Epcot Camera Center and MouseGear at Epcot®
Emporium at Magic Kingdom® Park
World of Disney® store at Downtown Disney® Marketplace

Mackflava99 · #2 10-09-2008, 03:30 PM

We have 2 - i found them useful at times but i think they are more of a novelty- but i can say- one time we left ours on the curb at MK and it was returned to us ( via lost and found) bececause we had our name inside-
My kids adore them-

mouseketeer mom · #3 10-09-2008, 03:39 PM

We have ours, but don't use it. I know its a mouse

, but its so very soft and squeaky when it speaks!! You really have to "tune in" to hear it, and with all the sights and sounds as you walk around the parks, its very hard to do that. We didn't feel it useful at all.

snuggs30 · #4 10-09-2008, 03:48 PM

It's very cute, but we could not hear it so we stopped taking it! Now it just sits in my son's closet.

DisneyBabies · #5 10-09-2008, 04:25 PM

NO! We love our Pal Mickey and we wanted to get one for our DD's trip in 2011, but I guess she will have to share her DB's. Are they going to discontinue the outfits as well? At the very least, I would like to get a new outfit for DD to take on her trip.

very sad announcement for our family.
(Even DH loves Pal Mickey)

Ian · #6 10-09-2008, 05:37 PM

We bought one, used it for like 10 minutes, found it pointless and incredibly annoying and it's never seen the light of day since.

Good riddance.

tracibell · #7 10-09-2008, 06:34 PM

My nephew and I adored listening to (and playing with) my Pal Mickey last June. I'm glad he will still work in the parks even though the stores won't be selling them anymore. I am looking forward to bringing him back with me in May.

I wonder what the chances are that there will still be outfits available for him. I was hoping to buy one to give him a refreshed look.

scoot241 · #8 10-09-2008, 07:51 PM

I was hoping to get one for my DD when we go. I guess I'll have to find something else (won't be hard

).

Is PM being discontinued because they plan to increase the Nintendo DS program?

JPL · #9 10-09-2008, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scoot241

Is PM being discontinued because they plan to increase the Nintendo DS program?

I pretty sure it has to do with the DS program as well as the cellphone technology they are using in Paris. I also think the novelty wore off and sales have dropped over the last few years.

For those of you still wanting to purchase one you can usse WDW Mail Order by calling Walt Disney World Merchandising 407-363-6200 I'm sure you could also order the costumes they have available.

GrumpyFan · #10 10-09-2008, 10:36 PM

Wow! I knew it was only a matter of time, but I didn't expect it to be THIS soon. I have a version 1 Pal Mickey, and we've taken him almost every trip since we bought him. Admittedly, he can be annoying some times, but he's fun too.

Tinkerfreak · #11 10-10-2008, 08:06 AM

Our DD's loved theirs at first but after a few trips they just find it a pain to carry them around now so he usually stays in the room. I'm not even sure we are taking them this trip. We need the extra space in the luggage for more souveniers

big blue and hairy · #12 10-10-2008, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

We bought one, used it for like 10 minutes, found it pointless and incredibly annoying and it's never seen the light of day since.

Good riddance.

Good Riddance? To Mickey?!!

For SHAME!!

azcavalier · #13 10-10-2008, 09:04 AM

Don't own one. But, if they had come out with a pal Stitch, then I might have been tempted! Or even better, a pal Jessica Rabbit!

MickeyMousse · #14 10-10-2008, 09:18 AM

Ours was never a nuisance, just another thing that our oldest DS got tired of carrying.....so it would always get handed off to me. But it definitely came in handy on long lines (the trivia made time go by faster) and the info given on parade/ride lines was helpful.

My older DS has since handed it down to his little brother, who loves it. So it was a good investment for us.

I'm glad to read that they are keeping the interaction within the parks up and going. If not, that would really stink.

Momof2boys · #15 10-10-2008, 11:09 AM

Thankfully the boys never saw the need for one -- even asked 'what do we do with it after we know all his jokes?'

LauraleeH · #16 10-10-2008, 11:32 AM

I never got past the fact I'd have to carry a stuffed Mickey around with me

buzznwoodysmom · #17 10-10-2008, 12:02 PM

Way back when they first came out with Pal Mickey we rented one for the day. We had every intention that we would end up buying him. Not so. I couldn't wait to get back to the resort to return him. We felt that it was not at all helpful and just plain annoying. I am not surprised to see this being discontinued.

MomOfAPrincess502 · #18 10-10-2008, 12:21 PM

I just returned from a week visit and noticed that the pal Mickey outfits were marked down to $5.99. Now, I wish I would have bought the rain coat outfit for my son's Pal Mickey.

GrumpyFan · #19 10-10-2008, 02:50 PM

I find it interesting how many people here (on a Disney fan site) were annoyed by Pal Mickey. I can't say I was ever really annoyed with him to the point of not wanting him.

Ian · #20 10-10-2008, 03:08 PM

He served no purpose, though. I mean he buzzed every three seconds, forcing you to stop what you were doing and hoist him up to your ear like a phone so you could make out what he was saying ...

Only to be greeted by some stupid joke like, "Why did Dumbo cross the road?" or something equally inane.

I mean I just saw absolutely no use for him at all. I thought from day one it was a ridiculous idea and a sure-fire waste of money for Disney ... looks like I was right.

And you know, I wish they would just stop wasting so much time and energy on dumb stuff like this that probably draws absolutely no one to the parks and just build some new attractions!