Antique Mechanical Bird.... Just Like Walt's!

[Lucille1963]

I was working at a vintage/antique show this weekend, and much to my surprise, the booth next to me had this item! A mechanical bird from the 19th century! Immediately, I thought of the one that Walt owned which inspired him to make animatronics. His used to be on display in his office and is now at the Disney Archives.

Seeing a functioning example absolutely took my breath away. I had no idea how lifelike they were!! Passers by kept thinking it was a real bird (and in a way it was, the outside was taxidermy). It is easy to see why Walt was so fascinated, the sound and the movements are so lifelike and all the controls travel up the little pole that supports the perch.

I know my pictures/movies aren't great quality, all I had was my phone.

Two videos on youtube.
http://youtu.be/mlH4aR2rETk
http://youtu.be/N4v7zG3rWIc

I was completely geeking out about this for two solid days. I just wanted to share with other Disney fans.

 

[Uncle Remus]

I was working at a vintage/antique show this weekend, and much to my surprise, the booth next to me had this item! A mechanical bird from the 19th century! Immediately, I thought of the one that Walt owned which inspired him to make animatronics. His used to be on display in his office and is now at the Disney Archives.

Seeing a functioning example absolutely took my breath away. I had no idea how lifelike they were!! Passers by kept thinking it was a real bird (and in a way it was, the outside was taxidermy). It is easy to see why Walt was so fascinated, the sound and the movements are so lifelike and all the controls travel up the little pole that supports the perch.

I know my pictures/movies aren't great quality, all I had was my phone.

Two videos on youtube.
http://youtu.be/mlH4aR2rETk
http://youtu.be/N4v7zG3rWIc

I was completely geeking out about this for two solid days. I just wanted to share with other Disney fans.

I'd geek out about that too, very cool!

 

[DisMN]

Too cool for words!!

 

[FINFAN]

Oh man! I would have had to show great restraint in not buying it. Did you get a card from them or remember their name? Did they have it priced? I love that you do not hear any of the mechanics...at least not in the links you provided. My mom is in a retirement home and cannot care for a live pet but she would go nuts for this. Our( my mom and I) very favorite attraction at WDW was the older version Tiki room. I know this would bring those memories back.

 

[Buckalew11]

Too cool for words!!

 

[Aisling]

Holy smoke, that's a mechanical bird??? COOL! And I do remember seeing pics of Walt's mechanical bird. I'd LOVE to have that! Thanks for posting it!

 

[lizanne]

Oh man! I would have had to show great restraint in not buying it. Did you get a card from them or remember their name? Did they have it priced? I love that you do not hear any of the mechanics...at least not in the links you provided. My mom is in a retirement home and cannot care for a live pet but she would go nuts for this. Our( my mom and I) very favorite attraction at WDW was the older version Tiki room. I know this would bring those memories back.

Looked real to me.

Finfan, did you see this http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/Theme_P...d_Tiki_Room_to_return_to_original_version.htm

 

[Lucille1963]

Oh man! I would have had to show great restraint in not buying it. Did you get a card from them or remember their name? Did they have it priced? I love that you do not hear any of the mechanics...at least not in the links you provided. My mom is in a retirement home and cannot care for a live pet but she would go nuts for this. Our( my mom and I) very favorite attraction at WDW was the older version Tiki room. I know this would bring those memories back.

It was easy not to buy it since it was waaaaay out of my price range. I have been begging DH and he won't budge

 

[FINFAN]

Looked real to me.

Finfan, did you see this http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/Theme_P...d_Tiki_Room_to_return_to_original_version.htm

OMG!!!!!!!!!No I hadn't seen it, THANK YOU for posting that!
The Tiki Gods have finally heard!
I have to call my mom... and my DD is gonna freak too! While she wasn't able to experience the original on a trip with both my mom and I, she has always said she wished she could see it with me, start a tradition...Holy cow, thank you!
I just hope *similar* is not a teaser...man I miss that show.

 

[FINFAN]

It was easy not to buy it since it was waaaaay out of my price range. I have been begging DH and he won't budge

but what is the range? I know it must be insane, but now I have to know

 

[FINFAN]

Thanks Lucille!

 

[Lucille1963]

The bird was a bit over 2k. All I could think of was, that is the better part of a trip to Disneyland!