Whether you’re a brand new Disney fan or have been visiting the parks for many years, you’re most likely conversant in Orange Bird and Figment. Here’s a glance into why these two characters are so beloved!
While Mickey Mouse is probably going the very first thing that involves thoughts while you consider Walt Disney World, two different “mascots” have almost simply as huge of a fan following – Orange Bird and Figment! But you received’t see them in any huge movement image or collection. These two characters are literally authentic characters created for the parks!
So, how precisely did Orange Bird and Figment find yourself in Disney World? And what’s saved followers intrigued by them ever since? Here’s what you may not find out about these two lovable Disney characters!
The Origins of Orange Bird and Figment at Disney
Orange Bird in Magic Kingdom
Orange Bird made his debut look in Magic Kingdom in 1971 when the park first opened (you possibly can learn extra about it in WDW Magazine’s Seventies Issue). The character was created as a part of a partnership between the Walt Disney Company and Florida Citrus Growers for The Enchanted Tiki Room attraction. It was (and nonetheless is) hooked up to Sunshine Tree Terrace in Adventureland. This type of sponsorship deal was fairly widespread on the time, as working with organizations like Florida Citrus Growers was a means that Walt Disney might safe funding for the development and upkeep of the attraction to finally open Magic Kingdom.
So, Magic Kingdom formally opened with Orange Bird as the large attraction at The Enchanted Tiki Room (now often called Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room) and he was type of a giant deal! He even had his personal official tune referred to as “The Orange Bird Song,” written by the Sherman Brothers of Mary Poppins and The Jungle Cruise fame.
Photo Courtesy of Disney
After seeing Orange Bird within the attraction, visitors exited Sunshine Tree Terrace, the place they might buy citrus drinks and Orange Bird souvenirs. Plus, Orange Bird even appeared right here as a personality that visitors might meet!
However, Orange Bird solely disappeared from Disney World within the early Nineteen Eighties when the partnership with Florida Citrus Growers ended.
Figment in EPCOT
Figment, then again, got here to Disney World a number of years later when a model new park was within the works – EPCOT! He was created to be a part of the EPCOT Center when the park opened in 1982. Then, he appeared as a part of the unique attraction, Journey Into Imagination. He performed the function of the enjoyable sidekick to the host for the journey, Dreamfinder. But how did Disney land on a small purple dragon for the journey?
Dragons had lengthy been part of Disney Animation, and Figment was created to pay an ode to that historical past and embody the child-like surprise that’s creativeness. He was initially deliberate to be the colour inexperienced, however Disney finally settled on purple. Disney had gotten to this point within the idea artwork with a inexperienced Figment that they even despatched out a pre-opening EPCOT Center postcard that includes idea artwork with him as a little bit inexperienced dragon!
As folks began visiting EPCOT and using the attraction, they fell in love with Figment’s enthusiasm for exploration and constructive perspective, and a rising fan base started to kind. Shortly after, Disney began utilizing him on different firm tasks, together with Disney Educational Media. This was a collection of quick movies starring Figment that was distributed to varsities nationwide. Each quick examined summary topics like sound, time, and language (very like the journey that includes Figment in EPCOT now).
Despite Disney followers’ love for Dreamfinder and Figment, the unique attraction finally closed in 1998 and was reimagined into Journey Into Your Imagination. The journey has a wholly new storyline and characters, and there was one huge factor lacking – Figment.
Orange Bird and Figment Return to Disney World
Orange Bird Returns to Magic Kingdom
For 25 years, Orange Bird was merely a personality in Disney historical past. But, he finally re-emerged in 2004…simply not in Disney World. Orange Bird was really first introduced again to a world park – Tokyo Disneyland – as a part of the Orange Day Celebrations. He ended up being such a success amongst park-goers that Disney began to promote merchandise that includes Orange Bird in Tokyo Disneyland in addition to some U.S. Disney Stores.
It wasn’t till Spring 2012 that Orange Bird formally returned to Magic Kingdom. As a part of Disney World’s Fortieth-anniversary celebrations, the unique Orange Bird statue on show at Sunshine Tree Terrace within the Seventies was retrieved from the WDI Sculpture Studio in California. The anniversary additionally marked Orange Bird’s return to Sunshine Tree Terrace signage. Plus, new merchandise, together with an Orange Bird drink cup.
Figment Returns to EPCOT
It didn’t take practically as lengthy for followers to demand that Figment return to EPCOT. Guests had been so upset along with his disappearance that Disney opted to update the journey even additional in 2002 to turn into the present Journey Into Imagination With Figment. And that was eternally the return of the little purple dragon!
Figment finally returned to extra than simply the EPCOT attraction. In 2014, Disney launched a comic book guide collection titled Figment. The first 5 points had been so well-liked that they even made extra the next 12 months.
Orange Bird and Figment Today
Orange Bird Today
Orange Bird has turn into an iconic character in Disney Parks, and his reputation has solely grown over the years. He is now frequently featured in merchandise all through the parks, and his picture could be discovered on every little thing from t-shirts to sippers. Plus, he can nonetheless be present in his authentic home at Sunshine Tree Terrace at Magic Kingdom (although the placement in Adventureland is totally different now).
Photo by Timothy Moore
He additionally performs a giant function within the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival yearly, serving as a type of unofficial mascot for the favored occasion. The Orange Bird Sipper is all the time one of the well-liked merchandise gadgets on the pageant. Disney creates an unique merchandise line for the pageant that options the Orange Bird yearly.
So, whether or not it’s having fun with Orange Birds’ signature deal with (the Citrus Swirl) or carrying Orange Bird gear from head to toe, it’s protected to say that this historic character is right here to remain!
Figment at Disney Today
Much like Orange Bird, Figment could be much more well-liked now than he was 40 years years in the past in EPCOT. In addition to being a preferred character at EPCOT, Figment has additionally turn into a popular culture icon of the Disney universe. His playful persona, mischievous nature, and infectious giggle make him immediately likable and endearing.
At EPCOT, he could be present in varied kinds, together with co-host (or, slightly, troublemaker) of the attraction Journey Into Imagination With Figment. Plus, a meet-and-greet character within the Imagination Pavilion, the unofficial mascot of the annual EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, and in merchandise collections. And followers are nonetheless flocking to all of them!
Perhaps the most effective indicator of Figment’s continued reputation is the truth that folks waited HOURS for a Figment popcorn bucket when it was first launched as a part of the Festival of the Arts in 2022. A model of the bucket has been introduced again yearly since, however now Disney makes use of a digital queue handy out the buckets so visitors can get pleasure from the remainder of the park till it’s their flip to select up a bucket.
Curious about the remainder of Disney’s untold historical past? Be certain to take a look at our Today in Disney History collection and be taught extra about issues like the opening of Journey Into Imagination and different well-liked points of interest throughout the Disney Parks!
