The Orange Bird is a character created by Disney for the Florida Citrus Comission (known as the Florida Citrus Growers within the park) as a mascot and was a prominently featured character in the Magic Kingdom's Adventureland at the Sunshine Terrace located near Tropical Serenade.

History

The Orange Bird was created in 1970 as a mascot for the Florida Citrus Commission in exchange for them sponsoring the Tropical Serenade in the Magic Kingdom. Accompanied by singer Anita Bryant, the two appeared in ads for Florida oranges and Bryant would narrate a read-along book telling the character's story. Eventually, the character would fall into obscurity when the FCC's contract expired in 1981.

Years later, at Tokyo Disneyland in 2004, the Orange Bird would experience a revival as the Japanese became infatuated with the character and the character received a lot of merchandising to coincide with Japan's annual Orange Day on April 14th. The Orange Bird has since returned in merchandising to Walt Disney World in time for the 40th anniversary of the resort and the character. Eventually, on April 17th, 2012, the Orange Bird made a proper return to the Sunshine Tree Terrace.

 

Personality

Unlike other birds, the Orange Bird is incapable of singing or speaking and instead communicates with orange-colored thought bubbles. He is mocked by other birds as a result and Orange Bird generally looks for friends wherever he goes.

 

Appearances

The Orange Bird also appeared in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom as a walk-around character during the resort's first decade. He would often be found roaming Adventureland, outside the Enchanted Tiki Room. A figure of the character was also perched in a spot behind the counters of the Sunshine Tree Terrace, something which has since been restored to the location after having spent years in the Disney Archives.

 

 

Orange Bird Returns to the Magic Kingdom, WDW

The story of Orange Bird

Commercial with Anita Bryant and Orange Bird

Commercial with Anita Bryant and Orange Bird

 

Song Lyrics

"Little Orange Bird in the Sunshine Tree
Won't you think of something sunny just for me?
Think funny thoughts or sunny words
That will make me happy, little Orange Bird
He thinks beautiful orange pictures and beautiful orange words
Though his little feet can't even make a squeak
All the thoughts he ever spoke appear in orange smoke
That's what makes Orange Bird unique
When you're just about green with envy
Or gonna be feeling blue
And you could use
An orange thought or two
When you start in blushing pink
Or your temper turns you red
That is when the Orange Bird
Can see you through
With his beautiful orange feathers
And beautiful leafy wings
He's a fluffy little puffy sight to see
He can turn your frown around
When you see him looking down
The little Orange Bird up in the Sunshine Tree"

 

 

Orange County Regional History Center

 

 

Other Links for the Orange Bird

Mouse Planet

Widen Your World

Micechat

Allears

Florida Citrus Growers (Commission)

My own Orange Bird

 

Walt Disney World Attraction Pages

 

BFC	On Rides	Mystery Fun House	Wonderland	Scotty's	Court of Flags

 

---

 

	Enter your search terms Submit search form
	Web www.bigfloridacountry.com

 

---

Numerous videos

Guest Book

iPhone - iPod - iPad ready videos