"The Orange Bird" in Front of the Tiki Room 8/20 Update;Pics From Opening Day,Pg2

[Joshua_me]

(...as mentioned on The Podcast)

http://www.omniluxe.net/wyw/stt.htm

^ "Widen Your World" is a wonderful web site in general, and this page is dedicated to the "old" Tiki Room, (which is now the NEW Tiki Room, not to be confused with the old, new Tiki Room... Oh, never mind. ) And more specifically, "The Florida Orange Bird", which used to be an integral part of the beginning of the original Tiki Room.

Yes, "he" was nothing more than a corporate shill for the Florida Orange Juice Council, (and later - specifically Minute Maid, I believe.) I'm not 100 percent sure about that, on account of I'm old and mildly befuddled.

But, as a young child, there was something absolutely enchanting about this darned orange bird ! It somehow added to the overall experience of the attraction, and for whatever reason it's right up there with "If You Had Wings" as some of my earliest and most vivid memories of the MK.

There have been LONG standing rumors that the "powers that be" are going to bring the character back. (Occasionally, pins and T-Shirts pop up with his image on them scattered around the park) Perhaps with the (old, new, new-old) Tiki Room reopening, this will finally come to be.

Now, if we can get Bingo: The Ground Round Clown back in circulation, all will be complete.

P.S. I'm moderately bummed that the rising fountain portion of the show has been cut. I don't fully realize the thinking behind that....

P.P.S. I'm convinced that the Anita Bryant connection exists primarily for my own amusement !
Don't miss her audio clips ! They're *fabulous*

 

[kaligal]

I remember the bird, but have no feelings toward it. I don't remember thinking of it as anything other than a commercial bird and wasn't even as interesting as that owl who bit the Tootsie Pop. I do remember "little orange bird" and not "Florida orange bird", but it was a long time ago. Anyway, it wasn't like it was The Wonder Twins or anything.

Would like the fountains, but am just so glad it won't be screeching any longer that I'll take what I can get.

I liked Kevin's comment. BRING BACK THE CHRISTMAS COUNTRY BEARS!!! Why they got rid of them, I just don't know.

 

[Joshua_me]

I do remember "little orange bird" and not "Florida orange bird", but it was a long time ago.
I liked Kevin's comment. BRING BACK THE CHRISTMAS COUNTRY BEARS!!! Why they got rid of them, I just don't know.

You may be right about the "little orange bird" part, I could be remembering it incorrectly.....

AS for the "Christmas Country Bears", I'll bet that they never got around to converting those stacks of analog discs (that controlled both the animatronic movements and the audio) into, what frankly could probably be controlled these days by a 4 GB flash drive...

I hope they preserve that Christmas show before it's too late...

But, if I had to guess... They're going to "update it" with current country stars like Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton and, oh..what's her name...

The marketing potential is HUGE.

 

[MonkeyPants]

wow...flashbacks

 

[loriandmatt]

didn't they used to sell orange juice (or orange drink) that came in a plastic cup shaped like that orange bird? for some reason i remember buying one of those many moons ago and keeping the orange bird as a souvie.

 

[Cherinva]

I hate to admit this, but I have never seen this show....don't know why either...I had every intention when I was there in April, but it was closed because of the fire.

I WILL see it next month for sure.

 

[safetymom]

Everyone needs to take the time on their next visit to see the "new" Tiki room. I think you will enjoy it.

 

[DisneyDebRob]

I remember going back in the 70's with my parents and my mom dragging me into the tiki room.For some reason as a child,it stuck with me.Was so disappointed when all the changes happened under the "New Management" era.So looking forward to it when we return again this november!!

 

[MonkeyPants]

didn't they used to sell orange juice (or orange drink) that came in a plastic cup shaped like that orange bird? for some reason i remember buying one of those many moons ago and keeping the orange bird as a souvie.

I think they were shaped like oranges

 

[RIDizney]

The Orange Bird was the logo of the D23 Destination D event for Walt Disney World's 40th Anniversary this year...They had pins, T-Shirts, etc.

 

[wishspirit]

I never saw the 'old' version, just the 'under new management version' and I intensely disliked it! I can't wait to see the new old version next time I head to the World!

 

[Paul in CT]

Did they do away with the pre-show that featured Phil Hartmann voicing one of the birds?

 

[Joshua_me]

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[kaligal]

Orange Bird was obviously not gay.

Anita Bryant is a (#(%^&

 

[CAJUNWDWFAN]

Wouldn't it be awesome for the 40th Anniversary for the Orange Bird Mascot to be walking around Adventureland!!! I think I'd flip out!

Disney get right on that and make it happen!

 

[1Grumpy9]

Everyone needs to take the time on their next visit to see the "new" Tiki room. I think you will enjoy it.

I can't wait until I get to see the "new" Tiki room!!! I am heading there this fall. I didn't see the "old and hated" Tiki room Under New Management...It wasn't, from what I heard, the original that I remembered from my childhood and I didn't want to ruin my childhood memories.

 

[Joshua_me]

http://jefflangedvd.com/

^ Some more pics...

Wow ! Looks like the opening is playing to packed houses !

Lines OUT THE QUEUE and into the blazing sun ? When's the last time you saw that for The Tiki Room ?

Umm... I'm guessing *never*.

Not that this excitement is going to last, but it does my ol' Disney-lovin' heart good to see things like this.

"Welcome to our tropical hideaway, you lucky people, you...."

 

[Joshua_me]

^ Having just watched the video of the new show on the site above, getting rid of the rising water fountain was a *huge* mistake !

Didn't it used to actually "rain" outside the windows during the "thunderstorm" was well ?

(sigh)

It seems like a major part of the experience has been taken away.

Maybe the "Gods weren't angered by all the celebrating" so much as they were miffed by all the obvious cutbacks.

 

[PinkBudgie]

How sad the left out the fountian and a song. True, no one ever sings along with it anymore, but still... If you want to see the original "old" Tikki Room, come on out to Disneyland.

I had never heard of the little orange bird until my mom gave me a pin of it for my birthday last year because I like birds. She told me he was from WDW. I think he's cute.

 

[kbelle8995]

I actually used to have an Orange Bird bank. I also remembered loving the "Enchanted Tiki Room" when I was a kid. I still have fondness for the original show. I definetely have plans to visit it next time I come to WDW.

I would love to see more Orange Bird merchandise. Does anyone know where you can find it currently? If there is any?