Rolly Crump's Casino Enchanted Tiki Birds!!!

After reading Rolly Crump's amazing book "It's Kind of A Cute Story," I became interested in the Tiki Birds 2.0 that Crump designed for Steve Wynn. Crump knew the show had been moved from Atlantic City to Laughlin, Nevada. To learn more about them and see pictures, check the book out. But to make a long story short, here is my e-mail to, and response from the current hotel manager:

Q.

"Years ago you had an animatronic singing-birds show. The show was called "The Birds in the Gilded Cage." I'm a fan of Rolly Crump, a Disney artist who designed this show for Steve Wynn for a casino back in Atlantic City, New Jersey. When Steve sold that property, he brought the show to your Laughlin property.
My question is, what ever became of that show? If I go to your property, would I be able to see the birds? Is the show still playing? Thanks!"

A.

Dear Louis,

Thank you for thinking of the Golden Nugget Laughlin. Unfortunately, we retired the birds several years ago, as the mechanics within the birds stopped working. The cost of repairs were astronomical and during a time that cutbacks were necessary, so the decision was made to retire them. Very few people remember how special they were and always pleased when people, such as yourself, ask about them. You never know, maybe one day they will be resurrected, if our owner in Houston receives enough requests.

We hope you will come to visit, anyway, as we have many new and exciting things going on.

Kathy Imboden

Executive Office Manager

GOLDEN NUGGET LAUGHLIN

2300 S. Casino Drive

Laughlin, NV 89029

• So there you have it. It sounds like these mechanical birds are still around somewhere. I wonder if they would be willing to show them to a group?

Louis

"Even though your body will shrink, your mind will expand!"

[ Edited by: Atomobile 2014-03-15 14:49 ]

Nifty!

Found video with a very small part of the show: http://youtu.be/P6xMpcchfHw

And a newspaper clip about the birds opening day:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VphhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tFMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=256,9608019&output=html_text

[ Edited by: Hakalugi - link fixed - 2014-03-17 08:58 ]

Wow...great YouTube....they are certainly cute. Wouldn't they be awesome in a Tiki Lounge!!!

That was great that you were able to get a response from the casino like that.

And perhaps if one were to ask the Disney/Tiki legend himself, Rolly Crump, about it. He has made appearances at Disney conventions this last couple of years. Wouldn't it be great if he were to be at one of the big Tiki events that happens during the year? Nah, too good to be true so it could not happen. :wink:

On 2014-03-17 00:10, King Bushwich the 33rd wrote:
That was great that you were able to get a response from the casino like that.

And perhaps if one were to ask the Disney/Tiki legend himself, Rolly Crump, about it. He has made appearances at Disney conventions this last couple of years. Wouldn't it be great if he were to be at one of the big Tiki events that happens during the year? Nah, too good to be true so it could not happen. :wink:

You mean like Tiki Oasis? Otto said to write to down your questions since Rolly will be doing a Q&A.
If TO isn't on your agenda you could try asking on the Facebook page It's Kind of a Cute Story. It's run by Jeff Heimbuch who helped write the book with Rolly.
http://www.facebook.com/rollycrump

Sorry Lori TikiLongBeach. I was being a little silly. I saw the comment under your Facebook post and Mr. Crump booked at Tiki Oasis is exciting news. And his non-Disney artwork will fit right into this years beatnik theme.

And I hope somebody asks him why Walt Disney was anxious about birds pooping on Disneyland's guests food. I never tire of hearing that story :wink:

YouTube: Rolly Crump on Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room

You never know, maybe one day they will be resurrected, if our owner in Houston receives enough requests.

The Nugget being owned by Landry's who also own Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex restaurants...I suppose they could come back some day...being they are in the animatronic entertainment business.