The Orange Bird, Anita Bryant, and a Pie to the Face

Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries

In the late 60's, during the tail end of construction on Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom in Orlando Florida, the Disney Company entered into a partnership with the Florida Citrus Commission. The commission would sponsor Disney's Tropical Serenade show, while disney would make a mascot for them to help sell orange juice. This mascot was the Orange Bird, a cute little canary with an orange for a head. But, what does this cute, innocent character have to do with notorious anti-gay activist Anita Bryant?

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