The Florida Orange Bird was created by Disney animators in 1970 for the Florida Citrus Commission. You can now find him all over the parks, mostly in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom and in EPCOT during the Flower and Garden festival. Most importantly, this little Orange Bird is my all time favorite! He has a lot of history that we are gonna dive into today and I hope it makes you love him as much as I do!
The Early Orange Bird
In 1970, as Disney was preparing for the opening of Walt Disney World the Florida Citrus Commission agreed to sponsor the Enchanted Tiki Room. Back then it was called the Sunshine Pavilion. The Orange Bird was created to be a host of sorts that greeted guests as they came into the show. The Florida Orange Bird didn’t speak or tweet, he had little orange smoke clouds pop up when he “thought Orange thoughts”. He was portrayed as shy but always looking for new friends.
The Orange Bird song was recorded by Anita Bryant in 1971, she was the spokeswoman for the Florida Citrus Commission at the time. The song was written by the famous Sherman Brothers! You could see the Orange Bird in some Disney cartoon shorts, commercials for the Florida Citrus Commission, billboards and signs across Florida. In 1980 Orange Bird starred in Food and Fun: A Nutritional Adventure, this told the story of the Orange Bird!
There was even a costumed character of the Orange Bird in Adventureland until the mid 80’s, wish they would bring this back!! I even have a poster signed by the Orange Bird from when I went to Disney when I was about 4-5 years old!
Where Did He Go?
Sadly, in 1987 Disney and the Florida Citrus Commission dissolved their partnership and the Florida Orange Bird vanished from the parks. He made a reappearance in 2004 in Tokyo Disneyland. All the merchandise featuring the Florida Orange Bird went along with Japan’s annual Orange Day. Finally in 2012 the Florida Orange Bird came home to Walt Disney World and was reinstated at the Sunshine Tree Terrace in Adventureland!
Where Is He Now
Nowadays you can find the Florida Orange Bird back in Adventureland at the Sunshine Tree Terrace where you can grab a Dole Whip…..FYI today is Dole Whip day so make sure you get one! You can also find him around Disney Springs and at EPCOT during the Flower & Garden festival. Throughout the year you can find special Orange Bird treats. Right now Flavors of Florida is going on in Disney Springs and they have the cutest Orange Bird Dole Whip sundae!
Conclusion
If you know me you know how much I love the Orange Bird! I love that there is so much history with Disney and this character and I love that he is so happy and cheery. You can’t help but smile when you see the Orange Bird. I am so glad that he has become more popular and there are so many things with the Orange Bird now. I may end up filing for bankruptcy because they keep coming out with more merchandise but I’m glad it’s there! Hahaha! I always love when someone asks me what the Orange Bird is and I get to make them a fan. So make sure you show him some love so Disney keeps him around and maybe we can get that costume character meet and greet back!
I hope you are now a fan of the Florida Orange Bird! And thank you for reading along this week, Thursdays are always my favorite day thanks to you guys! Have a magical day!
