The Story of the Florida Orange Bird
The Florida Orange Bird was the highlight of any visitor's vacation to Walt Disney World, and the state of Florida. This little character was developed by Walt Disney Productions in the early 1970's, as part of a commercial sponsorship agreement with Florida Orange Growers. Visitors to the Central Florida area 30 years ago will remember the Orange Bird as part of advertisements, billboards, and souvenir stands they saw on area roads leading to Walt Disney World. He was the friendly face of Florida sunshine and fresh squeezed orange juice.
As part of the agreement between Florida Orange Growers and Walt Disney Productions, the Florida Orange Bird made appearances in Walt Disney World's Adventureland. His home was near the Sunshine Tree Terrace, an outdoor dessert pavillion next to the original Tropical Serenade audio-animatronics show. The Terrace was a $3 million pavilion sponsored by the Florida Orange Growers. Drinks and slushes were the main items, served under an authentic fake orange tree. Visitors during that era will remember a small replica of the Florida Orange Bird perched within the leaves of that very tree.
In those days of the early 1970's, visitors to Walt Disney World could also purchase a musical souvenir of the Orange Bird. Anita Bryant sang and narrated a full-length LP of his story and song. You could also go home with a varitey of mugs, glasses, plates, and salt & pepper shakers...all in the image of this happy character.
Sadly, by 1986 the Florida Orange Bird stopped making appearances in this delightful corner of Adventureland, as Disney's contract with Florida Orange Growers had expired. Soon afterward, the tiny Orange Bird in the plastic orange tree was removed without ceremony. By 2000, the entire orange tree had been removed.
The Florida Orange Growers were also the original sponsor of the Tropical Serenade attraction. This attraction was forever closed in 1997, and re-opened as the Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Mangagement, which still plays to this day.
Today the Florida Orange Bird lives on only in memories, or in the occasional find of item with his logo in the dark corner of Florida's small tourist souvenir stands./style
