Orange Bird Back at Sunshine Tree Terrace in the Magic Kingdom!

[sublimesting]

I like this...I like it a lot. It's the little things that make Disney what it is. Probably no one notices the leather hinges in Liberty Square but they add a rich detailto the land. Think back about all the little things that have been omited over the years and they add up to a lesser experience.

Replacing fountains with plants...
Keeping buildings empty....
Empty skyway station....
Characters we haven't seen in years....

Add them all back and Disney is amuch richer experience.



Also I like the Orabge Bird, he is one of my earliest Disney memories as his picture is in my childhood viewmaster reel of Adventureland.

 

[njDizFan]

Wow guys some great post and very thoughtful incite. I guess I agree with both sides of this very slim divide. The bird and the merchandice that followed is a cute little self-referential nod to Disney's past. I don't really have any connection to the Orange bird but I guess it's cool to see it back. I don't think the huge lauding by social media is quite appropriate but I'm not going to get in a tizzy about it either.

It really is a thin line between self promotion through nostalgia and layed theming. The beauty of the parks is in the detail but us "Disney freaks" see every detail as a part of the Magic. That is why we see the advent of the t-shirts with the Spanish monorail spiel and of course the classic " this area is being reimagined for your future enjoyment" shirt. The point being not everything in the part should be revered so we can't take the bird at face value, it is good to analyze this decision as either a nice little improvement of the former glory vs. an overhyped pixie dusted gimmick.

Dare I say it lies somehwere in the middle. But it does get to the point where every crack in the pavement has a backstory that needs to be treated special and kept forever so our memories of them dont fade.

 

[ILDisneyFan]

I love seeing the older things make a comeback. In my opinion, the older things are what made WDW what it is today! Sure, maybe some of it is just to sell things but I personally like to buy t-shirts and other souvenirs when I'm at WDW, who doesn't? Orange Bird must've been before my time because I don't remember him but he's cute and I like him. Also, I can't wait to try the Orange Swirl, it looks really good! So, yeah, I think it's exciting but then anything about WDW gets me excited! Love it! :sohappy:

 

[xdan0920]

Yeah they should have built an e-ticket instead.

Kind of different things. One might say they should have replaced all the bulbs on the GF instead, or maybe pulled down BAH.

I like this...I like it a lot. It's the little things that make Disney what it is. Probably no one notices the leather hinges in Liberty Square but they add a rich detailto the land. Think back about all the little things that have been omited over the years and they add up to a lesser experience.

Replacing fountains with plants...
Keeping buildings empty....
Empty skyway station....
Characters we haven't seen in years....

Add them all back and Disney is amuch richer experience.



Also I like the Orabge Bird, he is one of my earliest Disney memories as his picture is in my childhood viewmaster reel of Adventureland.

I like the OrangeBird. I have no issue with them bringing it back. It is a nice little detail, no complaints. However, given a choice, I would take the fountains back instead of the Bird, I would take Aunt Polly's being re-opened over the Bird. I would take the laughing place working again over the bird.

I guess what I am trying to say is, the Bird is nice, maybe it is a step in the right direction. But a bigger step would be to fix the glaring problems. No Orange Bird, was not a glaring problem.

 

[ryanduggers]

Still nice to see a bit of Nostalgia come back to MK..
Be even better if Dreamfinder comes back to Epcot....

this...

 

[PlaneJane]

I like it even though I had no real connection to when he was brought to us the first time.. Small additions, at least enough of them, add to the richness that Adventureland deserves.

I also think that anyone that is talking smack about Tom promoting his own blog should probably shut up and and go visit it.. If only for the extremely awesome pictures he also has a way of narrating his photos (Trip Reports) that I enjoy.

P.S. Opinions are like butt holes... Everyone has one and they all stink.

 

[Thurp]

This is a part of the Florida Walt Disney World history. It's good that it's back.

It adds another layer to the area and if it sticks around then another batch of kids (and first time visitors) will grow with this character in their lives.

 

[xdan0920]

As to Tom linking his own blog, I don't see a problem with it. Then again, I am a little biased, I enjoy his work. As long as pimping his blog doesn't become the main reason he joins in our discussions, it should not be an issue. And if all his posts became ads for his blog, I doubt he would get much out of it anyway. People would lose interest in his posts quickly if he ceased to post in his normal intelligent manner.

 

[Kamikaze]

Kind of different things. One might say they should have replaced all the bulbs on the GF instead, or maybe pulled down BAH.

I like the OrangeBird. I have no issue with them bringing it back. It is a nice little detail, no complaints. However, given a choice, I would take the fountains back instead of the Bird, I would take Aunt Polly's being re-opened over the Bird. I would take the laughing place working again over the bird.

I guess what I am trying to say is, the Bird is nice, maybe it is a step in the right direction. But a bigger step would be to fix the glaring problems. No Orange Bird, was not a glaring problem.

Bringing back something that will (hopefully - so that they continue to do things like this) bring in revenue is a lot different than everything you mentioned. Except for Aunt Polly's.

Don't know if its been mentioned - but what year were these last sold?

 

[Strangeling]

I'm very happy to see the Orange Bird! Definitely just one of those "little things" but it's one of the little things I love.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I can see this view. That is, that the orange bird was never part of a narrative -- he was always just a character to sell stuff, and now that he's back, he's doing the same thing. I don't see it that way, but I can understand it.

But he was part of the narrative of Walt Disney World.

Ultimately, it's a conscious design choice--as I believe it is here, to add the patina of park history to the area. Another example might be the windows on Main Street. True theming might have eschewed the little insider nods to the Imagineers--and the conceit that they are "credits" in an "opening sequence or closing sequence" is another meta-theming nod to the fact that "we're not really on Main Street, we're on a promenade in a Disney Theme park.

The difference, I think, come does to the original intent. The names on Main Street, USA are not just there as items of recognition. They were there to help fill out the land, to make it seem real. A small town would have a carpenter and he would have a name. The problem becomes when the the secondary meaning, as a little tribute to a designer, replaces the face-value as a thematic detail. Maybe the reference to Elias Disney on Main Street, USA was created as an intentional nod to the Disney's father, but it was never sold as such if that was the case. Now, these meta-details are sold primarily for their meta value, and that hurts the actual establishment of theme. I am going to continue my point on this in my next paragraph responding to WDWFigment.

My general point is that the little things add up (both bad and good). Details are what keeps me coming back to Disney, and it has been sad that in recent years a lot of details that might be perceived as "fat" have been trimmed from the parks. When I see things like this done to restore some of (what I perceive to be) these details or richness back to the park, I see that as a step in the right direction.

This is ultimately where you agreement departs. I too enjoy the little characters and do agree that they are what makes Walt Disney World unique and not just a DisneyPark®.

I do not see this as possibly building up to something good, but just a different negative. I think it is part of an issue throughout Walt Disney Parks and Resorts that view the parks as derivative. The Orange Bird is not there because it is part of the unique history of Walt Disney World, but because it is already recognized as being "Disney." It is nice right now, but I do not think it is a sustainable strategy so long as the underlying principles continue to take a beating. The icons only become more reliant on memories for their meaning and the experience just becomes hollow. Disneyland and Walt Disney World are criticized for being a hollow imitation of the real world, but what happens when they themselves becomes a hollow imitation of themselves?

Can we really say that any of the principles behind the Orange Bird as a symbol of Walt Disney World's relationship with Florida remain or are being reignited?

Just thinking about this further. Disneyland's fireworks show "Remember Dreams Come True" is widely loved. The entire show is, however, self-referential, celebrating the history of Disneyland. It has clips from rides that no longer exist, like Adventure through Innerspace. So we do celebrate self-referential stuff in Disney parks -- we loved the Epcot 25 gallery as well.

That is very true and in response they are also getting a second gate that will still not have that same richness of thematic texture because it is almost entirely self-referential to Disney films, history and even Disneyland.

 

[WDWFigment]

This is ultimately where you agreement departs. I too enjoy the little characters and do agree that they are what makes Walt Disney World unique and not just a DisneyPark®.

I do not see this as possibly building up to something good, but just a different negative. I think it is part of an issue throughout Walt Disney Parks and Resorts that view the parks as derivative. The Orange Bird is not there because it is part of the unique history of Walt Disney World, but because it is already recognized as being "Disney." It is nice right now, but I do not think it is a sustainable strategy so long as the underlying principles continue to take a beating. The icons only become more reliant on memories for their meaning and the experience just becomes hollow. Disneyland and Walt Disney World are criticized for being a hollow imitation of the real world, but what happens when they themselves becomes a hollow imitation of themselves?

Can we really say that any of the principles behind the Orange Bird as a symbol of Walt Disney World's relationship with Florida remain or are being reignited?

That is very true and in response they are also getting a second gate that will still not have that same richness of thematic texture because it is almost entirely self-referential to Disney films, history and even Disneyland.

I see where you're coming from, but I still don't agree with your ultimate conclusion. If all of the additions and changes to the parks were made with an eye towards synergy or marketing the past, I'd absolutely agree. As it stands, I view it as giving the park a layer of richness.

If today Disney created and introduced a character named Mr. Bananagrabber to Sunshine Tree Terrace and treated him the same way, my reaction would be similar (not quite as excited, as I like the historical component, too). It would be another layer of detail; something else of interest in the park. I am not a theme park purist who gets upset that Jolly Holiday Bakery is on/near Main Street. Heck, I really don't have a huge issue with MILF being in Tomorrowland. I'm not a stickler for thematic continuity--as long as it's loosely there. The parks being self-referential or synergistic (haven't they always been both to some degree?) doesn't really bother me--as long as the quality of the content is high and synergy and self-reference are balanced against having unique and new experiences.

I know I may sound like Mr. '04 now, but to me some of these changes in Adventureland (the STT menu, Orange Bird, Tiki Room, torches above STT) are exciting. To me, they're possibly indicative of something brighter going forward. In themselves, the changes aren't huge. It's what the changes possibly signify, to me, that is most exciting.

At the same time, I wholly understand how other people could interpret it differently. I don't think your view is necessarily "wrong," it's just not the perspective from which I approach this.

 

[wdwmagic]

Wow lazyboy97o, some deep analysis there. Very thought provoking - good stuff.

 

[WDWFigment]

Wow lazyboy97o, some deep analysis there. Very thought provoking - good stuff.

I'd be curious to hear more from you on this topic. It seems in another thread that you previously implied (I think?) that much adieu was being made of nothing.

It's interesting to me because, back around Christmas, I stated that I thought Disneyland was doing a lot of the more "little things" right (I think the context of the conversation was Christmas decorations), and this was making me want to spend more time there. You disagreed, pointing to the overlays at the various parks.

Anyway, it's interesting, because I see this and many other recent changes at Walt Disney World (Storybook Circus, Main Street, even menus, signage, and merchandise) as granular improvements that I think won't in any way pad the bottom line--they probably actually cost more--but will improve guest experiences.

I guess I see these as the "little things" that Walt Disney World is finally doing right. :shrug:

 

[BrittanyRose428]

I never had a chance to see the Orange Bird in the parks, and I'm really excited for this. Its mentioned in a couple of WDW books I have, but thats the extent of my knowledge about it, so I would love to see it in person.

+ for the record, in a company as large as Disney I highly doubt the people who decided to bring back the Orange Bird are the same people who decide to create things like new E-ticket attractions anyways... I don't think something like this was a one or the other situation.

And details are definitely important, even for those of us (me) who don't remember all of the "nostalgic" little details about WDW. This is one of the things I've always wanted to see but couldn't because it was gone before I ever went.

 

[MKCP 1985]

All Disney has to do is promote the sale of some Florida orange juice and some citrus swirls and they will have met the original intent of the orange bird. His promotional appearance will be as on target in 2012 as it was in 1972. And who doesn't like orange juice? :slurp:

It isn't like Orange Bird was equivalent to Figment at Epcot or anything but because the Magic Kingdom park was originally so small, he was arguably semi-iconic in Adventureland. So now he's come back to Adventureland, and his message is "Drink Florida Orange Juice." So drink up, WDW! :king:

 

[Atomicmickey]

I was going to make a similar point--that originally, the Orange Bird was essentially a marketing icon--something that Disney did as a result of their relationship with the state. Oh, and to sell Orange Bird stuff and Orange Juice as well.

Given that--it would seem that the original appearance "broke through the theming wall" at the start. Is this, then, a case of "well, they didn't do it right the first time, I'm glad the bird is gone and he should stay gone"?

Lazyboy . . . would I be correct in surmising that you see AK's Asia and Africa as pinnacles of Theming? I know I certainly look at them that way.
I took some strategic pictures in Asia (cropping out strollers and mouse ears and such) and managed to make a relative who has spent extensive time in India do a double take, as in "whoa, why didn't you tell me you were going to India?" Now that's something that'll never happen in Tomorrowland!

Other examples include those spots in Epcot, Morocco most notably, where you cannot see that you're in World Showcase anymore. Those are very cool.

I guess I'll have to land where I did before. I see, and appreciate both sides.
That having been said, don't get me started with DUFFY--being an egregious example of where the slippery slope can and never should lead.

 

[wdw71fan]

I'd be curious to hear more from you on this topic. It seems in another thread that you previously implied (I think?) that much adieu was being made of nothing.

It's interesting to me because, back around Christmas, I stated that I thought Disneyland was doing a lot of the more "little things" right (I think the context of the conversation was Christmas decorations), and this was making me want to spend more time there. You disagreed, pointing to the overlays at the various parks.

Anyway, it's interesting, because I see this and many other recent changes at Walt Disney World (Storybook Circus, Main Street, even menus, signage, and merchandise) as granular improvements that I think won't in any way pad the bottom line--they probably actually cost more--but will improve guest experiences.

I guess I see these as the "little things" that Walt Disney World is finally doing right. :shrug:

Not too quote a movie here, but "Some people just want to watch the world burn."

Some people aren't happy with anything.. It's easier to tear things down and belittle them, then it is to enjoy them, for some, anyway..

And if you join those who are love changes, and bold new visions.. Then you are branded a 'fanboi' so they can tear you down for being happy instead...

For those that still find all the joy, wonder and amazement that Walt Disney World has to offer, it puts us in a difficult position.. If you go along with the half-full crowd, then you are 'safe' but not able to enjoy things as much, if you go half-full, or full, then you are chastised for having a 'faiboi bias' opinion , which obviously means you can't possibly be 'right', just jaded by your fanboi lusts...

For what it's worth, I love seeing the Orange Bird, and will probably make it to the terrace this week to pick up my first sipper!

 

[invader]

When the Orange Bird isn't around - "We want Orange Bird back!"
When the Orange Bird comes back - "The Orange Bird is stupid (essentially what some people here are saying)"
Some people are becoming too opinionated about the small things that make WDW what it is..

~ FD

 

[Mickey_777]

The Orange Bird is like Tim Tebow. All he does is win.