Created in 1970 as a character that appeared in Walt Disney Educational Media Company films the Orange Bird would appear in short films about nutrition. The Orange bird was originally created as a mascot for the Florida Citrus Commission, and in return they sponsored the Tiki Room at the Magic Kingdom.
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The Funko Pop! will be released exclusively at Pin Traders at Disney Springs Marketplace and Pirate’s Bazaar at the Magic Kingdom, according to WDWinfo.com. The Pop! isn’t the only Orange Bird product that Disney is spinning out – there will be a whole line up of home decor and other trinkets – you can see photos at the Disney Parks Blog.
“The Orange Bird played a key part of ‘The Florida Project,’ since the event was a salute to the 40th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort,” explained Casey. “We created Orange Bird pins and Vinylmation, and featured him in the event dรฉcor. At that time, we were unaware that Walt Disney Imagineering had plans of bringing the Orange Bird back to Walt Disney World Resort the following spring! We eventually worked with Imagineering to brainstorm new merchandise to commemorate his return!”
From disney.wikia.com: The Orange Bird was created in 1970 as a mascot for the Florida Citrus Commission in exchange for them sponsoring the Tiki Room attraction at Magic Kingdom. Accompanied by singer Anita Bryant, the two appeared in ads for Florida oranges and Bryant narrated a record album telling the character’s story. After the Anita Bryant ad campaign was dropped in the late 70s, the Orange Bird had a solo career and appeared in a few educational shorts in the 1980s such as Foods and Fun: A Nutrition Adventure and The Orange Bird and the Nutrition Bandwagon.
