Orville Redenbacher and Walt Disney World
What makes this Eyes & Ears blurb so great is how it captures the peak 1970s Disney habit of turning sponsorship into show, especially when it came to Orville Redenbacher and Walt Disney World. It wasn’t just “we sell this brand.” Disney actually staged an event where Orville Redenbacher arrived at Lake Buena Vista Village in a popcorn-shaped hot air balloon, handed out free samples, and promoted popcorn recipes like this was a culinary world’s fair. It’s wonderfully specific, and it also underscores how important popcorn was (and still is) to the parks, with Eyes & Ears noting that Walt Disney World sold an average of 90 tons of popcorn per year at the time.
Popcorn. Disney World. What Else Do You Need?
It is hard to think of a Walt Disney World trip that doesn’t involve sharing a box of popcorn on Main Street, USA.
But you know, we didn’t always have the Orville Redenbacher that we know, love, and can smell the moment you hit Main Street. (Update: As of 2015, Pop Secret is the official popcorn of Walt Disney World.)
From the February 4, 1977 Eyes and Ears:
Walt Disney World welcomes Orville Redenbacher and his Gourmet Popping Corn as our new official popcorn. And Orville himself will be “popping” in at the Village this weekend to head up the ceremonies.
Orville will arrive in his popcorn – shaped hot air balloon at 2 pm on Saturday, February 5, staying until 5 pm; then return Sunday from 12 noon to 2 pm. Besides an opportunity to meet Orville, there will be free samples of his Gourmet Popping Corn, entertainment, popcorn recipe books, and of course, the balloon itself!
Walt Disney World sells an average of 90 tons of popcorn to our guests every year! (1977 figure)
For all of us detail-obsessed theme parkeologists, I included a scan of the photo from the issue because it shows how the boxes debuted.
That’s right. Orville flew into the Village in a popcorn-shaped hot air balloon.
Poppin’ Memories
Some Disney memories fade, but popcorn moments always pop. From buttery hands on Main Street to that first warm scoop in the park, these little moments really stick. So let’s butter this up—what Disney popcorn memory still pops in your mind? Share it below.
Not to brag or anything, but as a host in the Land Boat Ride in 1992 I was proud that Mr. Redenbacher was a Guest on my boat. I got to take him on the tour as we listened to the land…
Paul–that is fantastic!
Did Orville do anything remarkable on the ride?