D23 Expo

[Daniel]

What's with the Orange Bird resurgence?

He started making a comeback originally in Japan a few years ago, then slowly they started reintroducing him at Walt Disney World. Well-deserved comeback!

[Ben]

Orange Bird = more money. Brand recognition. Or, at least, a wholly owned character that they have never really exploited. That little bird is going to be turning up more and more, me thinks, perhaps particularly as a pre-school or comedy cartoon character depending on which direction they go with it.

[EricJ]

Orange Bird was a sentimental icon of the park's first 1971 opening, created for Florida Orange Juice's sponsorship of the Sunshine Tree Terrace in Adventureland.

Naturally, he's a big staple of the 50th Anniversary marketing, but for old-school nostalgists who still remember the 70's park, he also represents Adventureland's true original Citrus Swirl--soft-serve vanilla swirled with frozen orange juice--before cheapsters Paul Pressler and Bob Chapek decided to save money with just soft-serve vanilla and orange Dole Whip.

(One of my clearest memories from that first 70's trip was a hot summer day being saved by orange juice in those plastic-orange sippers... )

[Ben]

I still have an Orange Bird drinking flask/cup from back then, brought back by my aunt and uncle who had been out there in '74/75 I think. The Florida Juice connection made me think of that; I’m sure it’s still about somewhere…!

[Daniel]

That will make me happy if he got more exposure, but on the other hand that's what makes the Orange Bird unique!

[Dan]

Guess since we're talking D23 Expo in general folks can check out my recap that's now live on the front page.
https://animatedviews.com/2022/d23-expo-2022-exclusive/

[Ben]

And a brilliantly worthy read it is too! Great coverage Dan! Have renamed the thread to account for this and, hopefully, future D23s to come!

[Daniel]

Awesome piece! Loved the cosplay pics. Shame you weren't able to buy any merch. Did you get the Herc pin freebie?

[Dan]

Thanks!

Wasn't able to get the Herc pin, I'm afraid. Can't remember which booth I needed to be at for that.