Three recently digitized historical photos of Orange Bird have been released to celebrate the Walt Disney World mascot’s 55th anniversary.
Orange Bird Photos
Walt Disney Archives shared the photos on social media, saying:
“Think orange!” 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of the Orange Bird! 🍊
This irresistible Disney character, created especially for the new Walt Disney World Resort in 1971, is the sun-shiniest resident of the Sunshine Tree Terrace. Designed by veteran publicity artist and Disney Legend Bob Moore, the Florida favorite doesn’t sing, chirp, or whistle, but instead communicates through pictures that appear in orange clouds above his head.
As seen in these historical photos, recently digitized by our partners who manage the Walt Disney World photography collections, the Orange Bird has delighted guests in a variety of ways over the years, including early character greetings at the Magic Kingdom. And while the ways fans have connected with him have evolved over the decades—including more recent appearances in comic stories and even his own Little Golden Book!—the Orange Bird’s unmistakable charm remains as sunny as ever. ☀️
These character photos are identical to the design featured on the shirt at this year’s Flower and Garden Festival.
Orange Bird is a character created by Disney in 1969 and then debuted in 1971 as a mascot for the Florida Citrus Commission. In exchange, the Florida Citrus Commission sponsored the Enchanted Tiki Room attraction and Sunshine Tree Terrace at Magic Kingdom. He cannot speak or sing but instead communicates with orange-colored smoke clouds.
In the 1970s and into the 1980s, he appeared as a roaming character at Magic Kingdom. Though he temporarily faded from the park, he made a recent resurgence in the last two decades being heavily featured on merchandise and at the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival.
In 2012, Orange Bird returned to a fully restored Sunshine Tree Terrace at Magic Kingdom.
Check out Orange Bird merchandise we’ve spotted at Walt Disney World recently, including a limited edition Swarovski figure, an Old Key West Resort collection, and a sweatshirt.
Sunshine Tree Terrace at Magic Kingdom also has a new treat: the Orange Bird Sunshine Twist. Read our full review.
Are you a fan of Orange Bird? Let us know on social media.
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
The post Recently Digitized Historical Photos of Orange Bird Released to Celebrate 55th Anniversary appeared first on WDW News Today.
