The Orange Bird

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The Orange Bird

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The Orange Bird

The Orange Bird was created for the Florida Citrus Growers when they sponsored the Sunshine Pavilion, which featured the Tropical Serenade (Enchanted Tiki Room) and the Sunshine Tree Terrace juice bar. He was designed by Bob Moore. The bird didn't sing or speak, instead he would think "orange thoughts" that would appear as orange smoke above him. Orange Bird sometimes appeared as a walk-around character and a figure of him could also be seen perched on his Sunshine Tree behind the counter of the snack bar. He also appeared in animated form in commercials with Anita Bryant, a former Miss Oklahoma who is mostly remembered today for her homophobic hate campaigns. Bryant recorded a story album for Disneyland Records about the Orange Bird and a 45 record featuring "The Orange Bird Song" with "Orange Tree" as the B side was given away at the park. The songs were written by the Sherman Brothers. Orange Bird was gone from the park by the mid 1980s when Florida Citrus Growers ceased their sponsorship but he has staged a comeback in recent years. On April 17, 2012, he appeared in the Sunshine Tree Terrace again on an orange crate and there is Orange Bird merchandise for sale in the parks. Aloha Isle Refreshment and Sunshine Tree Terrace switched locations in March of 2015.

The Record Album (And The Film Inspired By It)

The record contained the story of how the Orange Bird found a family. The story was narrated by Bryant and featured the voices of Ron Howard (yes, that Ron Howard), Sam Edwards and Robie Lester. The song "I'll Fly the Skyway" was originally written as a song for Thomas O'Malley in "The Aristocats" and called "My Way's the Highway". In September of 1980, Orange Bird starred in an educational film called Foods and Fun: A Nutrition Adventure. The film borrows several plot points from the record. In the movie, all the birds are preparing to go south for the winter. Orange Bird tries to join the birds in a song and they laugh at him. He goes to see an owl who is a doctor, and he tells Orange Bird that exercise and nutrition will help him get strong enough to fly south. Once he arrives there, he meets a family and wants to stay with them but the father doesn't want him to join them. He changes his mind when Orange Bird creates a stop sign that prevents him from falling off a fishing pier. The film featured original Carousel of Progress father Rex Allen as the narrator and June Foray also provided voices in the film.

The Orange Bird Song

Little Orange Bird,

(Little Orange Bird),

in the Sunshine Tree.

(in the Sunshine Tree.)

Won't think of something sunny just for me?

Think of funny thoughts.

(Think a funny thought.)

Or a sunny word.

(Or a sunny word.)

That will make me happy, little Orange Bird.

He thinks beautiful orange pictures,

and beautiful orange words.

Though his little beak,

can't even peep a squeak.

All the thoughts he ever spoke,

appear in orange smoke.

That's what makes the Orange Bird unique.

Little Orange Bird,

(Little Orange Bird),

in the Sunshine Tree.

(in the Sunshine Tree.)

Won't think of something sunny just for me?

Think of funny thoughts.

(Think a funny thought.)

Or a sunny word.

(Or a sunny word.)

That will make me happy, little Orange Bird.

When you're just about green with envy,

or gonna be feeling blue,

you can use a little orange thought or two.

When you start in blushing pink,

or your temper turns you red.

That's when the Orange Bird can see you through.

Little Orange Bird,

(Little Orange Bird),

in the Sunshine Tree.

(in the Sunshine Tree.)

Won't think of something sunny just for me?

Think of funny thoughts.

(Think a funny thought.)

Or a sunny word.

(Or a sunny word.)

That will make me happy, little Orange Bird.

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 Orange Bird up in the Sunshine Tree.

Little Orange Bird,

(Little Orange Bird),

in the Sunshine Tree.

(in the Sunshine Tree.)

Won't think of something sunny just for me?

Think of funny thoughts.

(Think a funny thought.)

Or a sunny word.

(Or a sunny word.)

That will make me happy, little Orange Bird.

Little Orange Bird,

(Little Orange Bird),

in the Sunshine Tree.

(in the Sunshine Tree.)

Won't think of something sunny just for me?

Little Orange Bird,

(Little Orange Bird),

in the Sunshine Tree.

(in the Sunshine Tree.)

Won't think of something sunny just for me?

Little Orange Bird,

(Little Orange Bird),

in the Sunshine Tree.

(in the Sunshine Tree.)

Won't think of something sunny just for me?

Orange Bird Merchandise

There were many items produced with the Orange Bird in addition to the record, including ceramics, banks and vinyl toys. Most of them were produced for sale as souvenirs for Florida gift shops and roadside stands. In 2004, Orange Bird merchandise was introduced in Japan and there is now also some Orange Bird merchandise (Vinylmation, pins and antennae toppers) at Walt Disney World.

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See ya real soon!