In 1971, Walt Disney World introduced a new character: the Orange Bird (via disneytouristblog.com)
He was a little bobbleheaded bird who couldn’t sing like the other birds. Instead, when he had a thought, it would appear in a cloud of orange smoke over his head.
That didn’t make things easy for the orange bird. The Legend of the Orange Bird says that the other birds mocked him because he was an oddball.
There was even a storybook and record that told his tale. He eventually decided to hit the road to look for better friends.
He eventually ended up in sunny Florida, where people were friendly and he settled at Walt Disney World. Of course.
Anita Bryant narrated the record, by the way. Not very friendly, at least if you weren’t straight. But anyway …
The Orange Bird character was endearing, but he was, interestingly, also a marketing ploy. He was developed by Disney for the Florida Citrus Commission.
Disney developed the bird for the citrus growers in exchange for their sponsorship of the park’s Sunshine Tree Terrace. Here’s a newer view of the terrace. (via attractionsmagazine.com)
Here’s an older one, with the costumed Orange Bird character posing outside. (via disneyparks.disney.go.com)
The bird appeared on billboards and marketing materials, and he also posed with various Miss Florida Citrus queens. (via imagineeringdisney.com)
The bird with a Miss Florida Citrus. (via imagineeringdisney.com)
Here he is with another one. (via imagineeringdisney.com)
In the late 1970s, Anita Bryant, who was the Florida Citrus Commission spokeswoman, ended up becoming a controversial character. She went on a vocal anti-gay crusade in her hometown of Miami, which cause a boycott of the Florida citrus industry. They dropped her as a spokeswoman. (via disboards.com)
But they kept the bird, who continued to advertise for them. (via flickr.com roadsidpictures)
An early shot of the Orange Bird at downtown Disney. (via disneyparks.disney.go.com)
Here he is greeting some adoring fans. (via awmok.com)
The bird was a regular at Sunshine Tree Terrace. (via land.allears.net)
In some old photos, the bird has a shiny, plastic-looking head. (via magicmusic.net)
In others, he’s got a soft, plush head. (via imagineeringdisney.com)
No matter which costume the bird character wore, though, people adored him. But in 1986, Disney and the citrus growers parted ways, and the bird was no longer a staple at the park. (via imagineeringdisney.com)
In 2012, Disney decided it was time to bring the Orange Bird back. (via moresay.com)
via disneytouristblog.com
Disney vistors can once again order the bird’s signature sweet, the citrus swirl. (via disneytouristblog.com)
New merchandise was introduced to welcome the bird back.
Intrepid fans made up their own Orange Bird themed stuff to sell, too. (via mickeywafflesbows.com)
People have designed outfits based on the Orange Bird character (via disneydesigns.com)
More than one person has done this, incidentally (via disneybound.com)
You can buy adorable Orange Bird sippy cups.
People have made fan art of the orange bird (via tooiedraw.tumblr.com)
Lots of fan art (via tumblr.com)
Even in vinylmation (via tumblr.com)
The Orange Bird has a little display at the Orange County Regional History Museum, too (via yesterland.com)
How can you not love the little Orange Bird? (via awmok.com)
With his little bobblehead. (via awmok.com)
Good to see you again, Orange Bird!