My first thought was what an ingenious marketing ploy. The Disney marketers know that no parent is going to rip this little talking friend out of their child's arms while dragging the child wailing to the monorail and listen to them scream all the way home. This is the soft and cuddly friend that has entertained them all day — talk about causing major separation anxiety. No, any parent that fears being sued in the future by an adult child (who might happen to remember the pain and suffering of this incident) will forfeit their deposit and take Pal Mickey home.
Taking Pal Mickey home wouldn't be a completely bad experience. Pal Mickey is entertaining. He tells jokes and he plays games. Probably enough to keep the little one entertained for a time on the car or airplane ride home. However, I have to wonder how many Pal Mickey's will get a second look from the airport security screeners. I'm sure his electronic innards may raise a suspicious eyebrow or two.
Then there is that voice. Yes, Pal Mickey speaks in that loveable, cheery, but sometimes annoyingly squeaky Mickey Mouse voice. He isn't too loud — you have to hold him up to your ear to hear him in a crowd — it's just how much of that voice you can tolerate before tossing him out the car window or throwing Pal Mickey to the ground and stomping until the little voice quits. There is a switch to turn him off, but then he becomes just another plush toy.
Pal Mickey comes with a clip to attach him to belts or bags, but you know how children are about losing things. After all, there is nothing to tell your Pal Mickey from someone else's Pal Mickey. I don't know about you, but I would not be happy if Pal Mickey became lost and I spent an afternoon retracing my steps trying to find him, all the while thinking of all the McDonald's® Happy Meals $50 would buy. If you rent Pal Mickey, happen to lose him, and he is turned in, he can be identified electronically and you will get your deposit back. But, if no one turns him in, you're out the $50 deposit. I would let Pal Mickey wear a familiar hair scrunchy or something as an easy way to identify him if he is accidentally left unattended in an attraction or restaurant. Better yet, I would like to see the Disney people make this a priority and offer some type of identification tag or pin for Pal Mickey.
Another concern of mine was whether a plush toy would be sanitary if rented one day after another. I shouldn't have worried. The Disney folks thought of that assuring that each Pal Mickey is laundered and sanitized in between rentals.
So, with most of my concerns met, and all kidding aside, I liked Pal Mickey. He is innovative and fun. I can see all sorts of future marketing options — clothes, costumes and accessories — that will allow guests to personalize him and make him even more appealing. The sales price seems reasonable considering a plain plush Mickey Mouse half his size is $11 and ones close to his size $18-$24.
Is Pal Mickey a good buy? Probably. At least for those with the extra money to burn. Still not sure? Try the rental, but only if you have the unusual ability to say no to your children without causing a scene.
