Woody Woodpecker Walkaround Costumes

 

Since his creation in 1940, Woody Woodpecker had brought laughter and joy from his own laughter all over the world becoming one of the most popular cartoon characters at one point in time.  While not as popular anymore due to waning television airings he still would sometimes get around even in Universal and Portaventura theme parks.  In honor of Me TV bringing Woody Woodpecker back to television, here is a lookback on some of the walkaround costumes used over the years

Please note that this is not comprehensive, and some of the costumes may not be official.  Names of each costume is given by me; no official names have been given for any of these costumes.  Dates are approximate as track records of these costumes were lost to time.

Universal Studios Tour (early 1970's at least-late 70's early 80's)

It is unclear what the earliest of these costumes were and what year, but as far back as 1972 we found this from an old postcard from back when Universal was just a Studio Tour and entertainment center.  Woody looks a little bit plasticy probably with the head made out of paper mache.  His suit is very baggy.  Not the best looking woodpecker, but being among the earliest, not too bad.

 Old Chicago Woody (1976)

In 1976, Woody Woodpecker appeared during the holiday season at Old Chicago Amusement Park along side Santa Claus.  This is a very good Woody costume; he's much more furry and not baggy.  His head has distinct features.  It's unclear if this costume was used anywhere else nor is it clear if this is an official costume or not

Creepy Woody (early 1980's-late 1980's)

Universal Studios found the need to redo the Woody costume at its studio tour, but it looked bad.  While Woody looked much furrier his head is much smaller.  It literally looks like a man in a woodpecker suit.  Now to be fair, I'm going by this picture alone, but there is another one from 1987.

This makes the costume look much more decent, but by how much?  It still looks a bit cheap.  At least his head looked slightly detailed

Classics 34 Woody (1981-mid 80's)

When Woody turned 40, Walter and Gracie Lantz appeared on a local PBS show called Classics 34 which showcased old movies.  As part of the interview, Woody Woodpecker made an appearance on set.  The costume is really well done.  Similar to Universal's, but much more elaborate.  Woody's got a bigger head with bigger eyes and is much more furrier.  His top knot is much fuller.  This is an official costume since it appeared with Walter and Gracie Lantz on set.  

If you want to see it in action, I recommend the Thunderbean DVD A Conversation with Walter and Gracie Lantz which has the show with the interview.  This costume also appeared in Walter, Woody, and the World of Animation in 1983.  It must have toured with Walter and Gracie whenever they went somewhere or did something on camera.

Universal Studios Woody (late 1980s-late 1990's)

With the new Universal Studios Florida opening up in Orlando, it was time to update Woody again.  He had a pointier beak, skinnier eyes, and bigger smile.  He is no longer cheap looking than he was at Universal beforehand and is accompanied by Winnie, Chilly Willy, and Andy Panda.  This costume would be used for years and seen on shows such as Coach and Kids for Character as well as a special video to promote recycling.  

BONUS: Restored version of the costume

Sometime recently, someone was able to dumpster dive from Universal and found the head of the costume.  They restored it, fixed it up, and made a new body to go with it.  While not exactly how it was in the 90's, this version of Woody now looks better than ever and gives an idea on what he looked like if it were made today.

Universal Studios Woody ver 2 (around 1994-late 1990's)

Another version of Woody was refined in the mid 90's, but it wasn't seen as much.  His eyes are much bigger and his head is more detailed, but it lacked the friendliness of the previous costume.  This would be retired shortly

New Woody Woodpecker Show/Kidzone Woody (1999-present)

With the new Woody Woodpecker Show airing on Fox Kids and with the opening of Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone, it was time to update the costume to make him more refined.  As a result of the character design for the show looking similar to what he did in the 1940's, his costume would be designed the same way.  His top-knot is bent back and the character has distinctive features such as a birdlike grin on his beak, very detailed eyes which were somewhat skinnier, and he also got a little more fat.  Winnie would also have updates too.  This costume would be used in Universal Parks as well as Portaventura in Spain.

Islands of Adventure Woody (1999-late 2000's)

Likewise with the opening of the new theme park, Islands of Adventure, a similar Woody was made for the park only this time in his safari gear and a skinnier top-knot so that it could fit through the hat.  Woody doesn't appear much at this park anymore, and when he does, it's usually the standard version without the Islands of Adventure gear.