Friday, August 19, 2011

Parting is such sweet sorrow....

Pirate Parrot concept art by Marc Davis

Marc Davis, himself, with an early version 
of the Pirate Parrot animatronic.

Our replica of the final WDW figure for the D23 Auction tonight.

By tonight, our little parrot figure will have a new owner and be off on exciting adventures that the rest of us landlubbers can only imagine.  Jody and I became pretty attached to this little guy while we had him in our studio.  So much so, in fact, that Thursday night we carefully snuck him with us into Trader Sam's where some surprised folks lifted their "Lost Safaris" and "Shipwrecks" in his honor. (Several people took pix, which I'm sure we'll discover on facebook sooner or later!) 

At any rate, he's now in the hands of D23 and will go on the auction block at 8PM this evening.  If you happen to wind up being the lucky bidder, Jody and I will divulge to you the secret of what's inside the sealed barrel that he stands on! 
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UPDATE:  The auction results are in.  Our salty ol' parrot sold for $5000.00 worth of solid gold doubloons.   Not too shabby for a bird with only one leg!  

14 comments:

Mike Sommer said...

Wonderful job boys.

Who would have guessed, you two put a little booty in the barrel.

JennySRP said...

toodaloo pirate parrot! I am sure he will find a fabulous new home!

Major Pepperidge said...

Oh man! I want to know the secret. I'm going to guess and say that there is some small piece from the original ride. Or else you guys left half a sandwich inside by accident!

Dan Alexander said...

I think your parrot looks better than the real animatronic did! How about a replica of the America Sings Eagle for your next project?

Bob Logan said...

Great work!

Disney Showcase Key said...

Please Kevin, tell us the secret of what's inside the barrel !!!

By the way, I know the lucky bidder bought it for 5000$ ;) .

finky the kid said...

Wow, that looks fantastic! Is it sacrilege to say this version looks better than the original? I know the original was working animatronic, but still... Would have loved to be at Sam's last week when you came in with this guy. Any chance you can get approval to tuck a new animatronic like this some place in Trader Sam's? I love Sam's but this would be a really fun addition.

heylownine said...

I was very excited and surprised to see you, Jody, and the Pirate Parrot in Trader Sam's when I walked in to meet the rest of my party at the bar. He looks even better in person, and thanks for bearing with me as I tried frantically to work my camera (I just bought a new one and am not at all familiar with it!).

I posted 2 photos on flickr.

Noe V. said...

I was the second to last person to bid on it. Darn my meager savings. It would have been a centerpiece in the Tiki Den that my wife and I are building. Oh well, Kevin and Jody are still welcome when it's ready.

davidbird said...

We missed having you and Jody there at the big auction! Well done on the fine feathered Pirate Bird!

Connie Moreno said...

You did a truly beautiful job.

PardisePeer (Colin Buchanan) said...

I was at the auction that night. I had hoped you guys would be there to present it in person so that I could say hi. It is such a beautiful piece. For me, this lot was as exciting as both the Peter Pan vehicle and the Hitchhiking ghosts! Thanks again for sharing such a great piece. See you in Orlando for the WDW 40th!

Patti Sweede said...

MINE! I guess not yet-glad you sold him and got a fair booty! What was in the barrel???

Kevin Kidney said...

Patti: What was in the barrel? That's only for us and the owners to know! ;-) We got to meet them recently, and that was their first question. What's inside the barrel, stays inside the barrel!