Credit: Zach Riddley on IGA perky post on Instagram caught our attention this morning. Everyone’s favorite zesty avifauna is now featured in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland in a large art form. The Orange Bird mural, shared by Walt Disney World Site Portfolio Executive and Imagineer Zach Riddley is related to the much-anticipated Disney Springs brick side mural near Amorette’s Patisserie. If you’re in the Most Magical Place on Earth this week, stop by to see the shiny new artwork!
New Orange Bird Mural
The Magic Kingdom opening day bird has been in Adventureland since its 1971 Orlando inception, making him almost 50 years old, too! The Orange Bird Mural was designed by Senior Concept Designer Chris Gardner and hand-painted by Artist Abdul Delgado.
You can see the new life-sized artwork in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland. We’re suspecting it will be somewhere around his home, the Sunshine Tree Terrace, where you can grab his signature treat, the Citrus Swirl. Coming in many forms, the Orange-flavored soft serve can be dairy-free or much like ice cream, come swirled with vanilla, or even topped with Fanta, juice, or other combinations. The floats are our favorites!
Here’s Zach Riddley’s full caption on his Instagram post, sharing the details of the new mural.
I’m excited to share a sneak peek at a new mural debuting today at Magic Kingdom featuring one of our original Disney Parks characters – the Orange Bird! Designed here in Florida by Sr. Concept Designer Chris Gardner and painted by Artist Abdul Delgado, we hope this mural spreads some Orange Bird cheer to our guests and makes their day a little more sunny!
For those history fans, the Orange Bird has been a Magic Kingdom original since it opened in 1971. He was designed by our Disney artists after the Florida Citrus Commission became one of the first sponsors to sign on to a @WaltDisneyWorld attraction: the Sunshine Pavilion, which included the Tropical Serenade (known today as Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room) and the Sunshine Tree Terrace.
And although in recent years he’s used his leaf wings to fly over to EPCOT to share his sunshine for the International Flower & Garden Festival, his home is the Sunshine Tree Terrace in Adventureland where everyone can wave “Hi!” and grab a Citrus Swirl! – Zach Riddley
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Walt Disney World Guests continue to be big fans of Orange Bird. The 1970’s Orange Grove Mascot still has an emotional and palatable connection to Disney fans, and that’s evident by the long lines to pick up the latest Orange Bird sippers at EPCOT’s International Flower & Garden Festival. Fanart like the Orange Bird Succulent planter and other commissioned pieces persist in popularity, and hopefully, we will continue to see Disney producing Orange Bird merchandise.
When you’re ready to plan your Disney World vacation to Walt Disney World, contact the travel professionals at Academy Travel. The Earmarked Diamond staff will share their favorite Disney park map with zesty experiences and guarantee an orange adventure you’re sure to sip thoughtfully. You can contact them by calling Academy Travel at 609-978-0740 or by choosing your preferred destination on this page.
Have you seen this Orange Bird Mural? Leave us a comment with your thoughts!