The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual parade presented by the U.S. chain store business Macy's. The tradition started in 1924, tying it for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States along with America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit, with both parades four years younger than the 6abc Dunkin' Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia.
For many years, starting in 1934, the parade featured a variety of Disney balloons, floats and performers.
Featured Disney characters have included Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Kermit the Frog, Spider-Man, Goofy, Chicken Little, Buzz Lightyear, JoJo, and Olaf.
History of Disney in the Parade[]
1930s[]
The association with Disney and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1934, when Walt Disney and then-Parade Director Tony Sarg collaborated to create a selection of Balloons based on various Disney characters, include Horace Horsecollar, one of the Three Little Pigs, Pluto, The Big Bad Wolf, and the main attraction, a 40-foot Mickey Mouse. In 1935, a Donald Duck balloon was added, but all of the balloons would retire soon afterwards.
Mickey and the Pig would return in a Boston parade called the Santason Parade in 1938, which was the last time they would be used before being disposed off. Also that year, a balloon based on Ferdinand the Bull appeared to promote the short in both parades.
1960s[]
In 1962, A new balloon of Donald Duck was created as part of a selection of classics that would appear in the parade in years to come, like Bullwinkle and Underdog. Smaller balloons based on Huey, Dewey, and Louie were planned to debut as well, but were scrapped due to them being disproportionate compared to the Donald balloon itself.
The Donald balloon flew for years ahead, and was joined in 1968 by a one-off Birthday Cake float celebrating Mickey Mouse's 40th Birthday. The float featured the birthday mouse himself alongside twenty other Disney characters.
In 1969, three Disney-themed floats were added to the parade.
- The Disney Wagon - A circus wagon that held walk-around characters, mainly Mickey Mouse, Goofy and Pluto. That year, in addition to those three, King Louie and Baloo from The Jungle Book also rode on the wagon.
- Captain Hook's Pirate Ship - A Pirate Ship float featuring the walk around Captain Hook, Peter Pan, among other characters. It was originally created to promote the 1969 re-release of Peter Pan.
- The Three Little Pigs - A float consisting of model carvings of the Pigs. The Seven Dwarfs normally rode on this float with Snow White on foot.
1970s[]
In 1970, in addition to the previous floats, a float based on The Aristocats was added to the lineup to promote the movie. Minnie Mouse joined Mickey, Goofy and Pluto on the Disney Wagon, while Wendy Darling and Mr. Smee were added to Captain Hook's Pirate Ship. This was the first year where a Honor Band had the privilege of leading the floats and balloon.
In 1971, Walt Disney Productions and Macy's got together to produce a brand new Mickey Mouse balloon, which featured a much brighter, friendlier-looking appearance than the 1934 balloon. The balloon, which successfully had it's test-flight that year, but couldn't debut because of heavy rain and winds, which led to all the balloons being grounded for the only time in the parade's history. In order to promote the opening of the Walt Disney World Resort, A new float based on Cinderella Castle debuted that year. The Castle float was rode on by not just Mickey Mouse, but also Pinocchio, who promoted the 1971 reissue of his film. Peter Pan and Wendy Darling rode Captain Hook's Pirate Ship, while Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Pluto once again rode on the Disney Wagon.
In 1972, while the Three Little Pigs float was retired, everything else remained, which mostly promoted the 1st anniversary of Walt Disney World. The Disney Wagon, in addition to Pluto and Goofy, also held Dumbo, who promoted the 1972 reissue of his film. This was followed up with the Donald Duck balloon, who after 11 parades, was given a needed retirement. Rick Springfield appeared on the Pirate Ship float with Peter Pan, Captain Hook and the crew, while the Country Bear Jamboree performed on the Castle float with the big cheese himself riding on the balcony. The new Mickey Mouse balloon finally made its debut that year.
In 1973, the Disney floats celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney Productions. Mickey rode on the Disney Wagon alongside Pluto and Goofy, while an Alice in Wonderland float was added to hype up and promote the upcoming 1974 reissue of the film, with Alice, White Rabbit and Mad Hatter riding it. Captain Hook's Pirate Ship continued to sail the seas with the additions of John and Michael Darling, Tinker Bell and Tick-Tock the Crocodile, while the Castle float featured Robin Hood, Little John and Prince John promoting their new film. This was completed with an appearance from the Mickey Mouse balloon, who had the honor of preceding Santa Claus that year.
In 1974, The Disney Wagon saw Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto taking stage once again, with the Alice in Wonderland float following and then the honor band - the Highlands High School "Varsity" Marching Band, Majorettes, & Color Guard. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs led the way for the Castle float, which featured special guests Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods, who sang their song "Billy, Don't be a Hero". This then preceded the way for the Mickey Mouse balloon. Captain Hook's Pirate Ship on the other hand (with the same characters as previously), appeared much later on the route, instead preciding the Bullwinkle balloon.
In 1975, the characters were slightly reduced, with the removal of the Alice in Wonderland float. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs led the way for the Castle float once again, which featured a performance from the Rhodes Kids. Following the castle was the Disney Wagon, featuring Mickey, Goofy and Pluto once again, and the Mickey balloon. Following the Mickey balloon was Captain Hook's Pirate Ship once again, featuring Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, and Tick-Tock.
1976 saw the Mickey balloon lead the other floats for the first time. Donald Duck made his first costumed appearance in the parade, as he joined Mickey and Minnie on the Disney Wagon, while Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs led the way for the castle, featuring Goofy and Pluto and special guest The Shaggy Dog, who promoted his then-new film The Shaggy D.A.. Captain Hook's Pirate Ship once again followed, this time promoting the 1976 reissue of Peter Pan, and having Peter Pan, Wendy, Captain Hook, and Mr. Smee riding the parade seas.
1977 saw Captain Hook's Pirate Ship taking to the parade seas for the last time before being transformed into a generic pirate ship. The Trammps performed alongside the other characters. Nearby, Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs once again led the way for the Castle float, which featured the elegant cast of Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto on the front, and Miss Bianca and Orville from The Rescuers on the balcony, as they promoted their new film. The Kids of the Kingdom also appeared alongside the float, which led the way for the usual appearance of the Mickey balloon
1978 saw the double-act Shields and Yarnell joining Mickey and Minnie on the Castle float, while the Mickey balloon appeared behind once again.
In 1979, the Castle float promoted the re-release of Sleeping Beauty, with the float entirely consisting of characters from the film, with Aurora, Prince Phillip, Maleficent, and Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather on the float, while the cast of The New Mickey Mouse Club led the float down the route, as the Mickey balloon appeared behind.
1980s[]
The Mickey balloon led off the parade in 1980, followed up with the Castle Float, which promoted the 1980 reissue of The Aristocats. Mickey Mouse and Goofy stood on the top balcony of the castle, while select characters from the film - Scat Cat, Shun Gon, Hit Cat, Peppo, & Billy Boss appeared on the bottom of the float.
In 1981, Macy's own showboat float was redecorated as a special float for Walt Disney World's Tencennial Celebration, with Mickey Mouse taking to the ship, alongside. The Kids of the Kingdom sung the new "Disney World is Our World" song as the float reached to Macy's. This year, the Mickey balloon was not seen near the float, rather after the band that appeared after the float.
In 1982, the Mickey balloon flew on his own without any Disney-related float preceding. However, the high winds effecting the parade led to the balloon being swashed around on the ground at Central Park West, but the balloon survived and made it through the rest of the parade without incident.
The Mickey balloon returned again in 1983, but never made it on route after the balloon was severely damaged during inflation after his hand was ripped off, which caused the balloon to explode.
Due to Mickey's damages, in 1984 the Donald Duck balloon was brought back from retirement to celebrate his 60th Birthday, and preceding a brand new float made to celebrate Disneyland's then-upcoming 30th Anniversary, titled "The Disneyland Celebration", the float featured a three-story-tall replica of Sleeping Beauty Castle and a 22-foot long carousel. The float featured Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, Chip 'N' Dale, and Pinocchio as they all danced to the "30 Years of Magic" song.
In 1985, although the Donald balloon didn't return, the float returned, pulling Mickey and Friends (except for the chipmunks and with the addition of Daisy Duck) and Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore. The main promotion for the float was for Disney's first ever animated television programmes - The Wuzzles and Adventures of the Gummi Bears, respectively featuring from each show Bumblelion, Butterbear and Hoppopotamus, and Cubbi Gummi, Tummi Gummi, Grammi Gummi. Following this appearance the float was retired.
1990s[]
In 1992, to promote the home media release of Beauty and the Beast, a Walt Disney World-sponsored float based on Belle's Castle was added. On the float was the then-cast of Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage at Disney-MGM Studios, who performed "Be Our Guest". Also that year, near the float, a Goofy balloon entitled "Santa Goofy" was produced and flew over the streets of New York to celebrate his 60th anniversary and to promote the new Disney Afternoon show Goof Troop. The balloon featured the lovable goof himself, in a tangled situation. That same year, the Santa Goofy balloon was chosen to be Macy's Holiday Ambassador of 1992, and plushes of Santa Goofy were sold in Macy's stores nationwide. After the 1992 parade, Goofy and the other balloons would appear again at the Macy's New York Christmas at Disney's MGM Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, along with Betty Boop, Kermit the Frog, Snuggle, and the new Humpty Dumpty falloon. The balloons were perched atop the former Streets of America buildings. After this event, the Santa Goofy balloon was retired and shipped back to the Macy's Parade Studio. Later, it was shipped to the Macy's Float Warehouse.
In 1996, a float made to promote the live-action adaption of 101 Dalmatians, which featured over 99 children dressed up as dalmatians leading the float upwards to Herald Square. On the float sat Cruella De Vil and her henchmen, who performed the villain's titular song.
In 1998, a float promoting A Bug's Life appeared for a single parade. The float, which depicted the P.T. Flea's Circus scene from the film, featured Flik and Atta performing the smallest show on earth,with Long Island's June Claire School of Dance performing a trupe titled "Flik's Machine." Behind the float was a giant falloon of Heimlich.
2000s[]
In 2000, a new Mickey balloon entitled "Bandleader Mickey" flew over the streets of New York. In promotion of the balloon, Macy's chose Bandleader Mickey to be Macy's Holiday Ambassador of 2000. Plush versions of the balloon that sang a song to the melody of "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" were sold in Macy's stores. Sadly, the balloon didn't return for 2001.
Disney wouldn't see another appearance in the parade until 2004, when a balloon of Chicken Little was added to promote his then-upcoming film. He was only meant to appear for just this parade, but after the film's delay, he reappeared in 2005. That year also saw Kermit's softmore year in the Disney family, with The Muppets Holding Company sponsoring the Kermit balloon that year, who once again unleashed some Christmas cheer as he led the way for Santa Claus.
In 2005, Chicken Little led the way for a new Walt Disney World sponsored float. Macy's own Marion-Carole Showboat was transformed into the Ship of Dreams, bringing the Happiest Celebration on Earth into New York City. Joining the assortment of Disney characters was country singer LeAnn Rimes, who performed her song, and the main song for the celebration - Remember When, ending with a spectacular pyrotechnic finale inspired from Fantasmic! Another new addition was a balloon on JoJo from JoJo's Circus, who preceded Santa Claus that year, and being the second ever animated helium balloon in the parade's history with her wobbling juggling balls. JoJo returned again for 2006 and 2007.
Kermit made his grand return in 2007, once again leading the way for Santa Claus.
In 2008, a new Buzz Lightyear balloon debuted in the parade, preparing to go "To Infinity and Beyond" in New York City.
In 2009, Mickey's fourth balloon design - Sailor Mickey, flew over in promotion of Disney Cruise Line. Just like 2000's Bandleader Mickey, Sailor Mickey was chosen to be Macy's Holiday Ambassador of 2009, with plushes of him sold in Macy's stores nationwide. Kermit and Buzz once again appeared as well, with Buzz in particular promoting Toy Story 3.
2010's[]
Sailor Mickey, Buzz Lightyear and Kermit once again made it into 2010. While Buzz promoted the home media release of Toy Story 3 and Mickey promoting the Disney Dream, Kermit was preparing to promote his upcoming movie The Muppets.
In 2011, all three characters once again returned. Buzz promoted the Toy Story Toon "Small Fry", Mickey promoted the Disney Fantasy, while Kermit promoted The Muppets, which premiered at the same time.
They all returned once more in 2012, once again promoting specific projects. Kermit celebrated being the family ambassador of New York City, and the single "All You Need is Love", Mickey promoted the Disney Fantasy once again, while Buzz, who was the last character balloon that year, promoted Pixar Short Films Collection Volume 2.
In 2013, Buzz made his last appearance as a balloon in the parade, promoting the TV special Toy Story of Terror!
After several years without a Disney float in the parade, 2017 saw the debut of Olaf as a balloon, who promoted Olaf's Frozen Adventure. In 2018 and 2019, Olaf promoted Frozen: The Musical and Frozen II, respectively.
2020s[]
Disney returned to the parade in 2021 with not just a balloon of Grogu, escorted by Stormtroopers, but a float based on their newest ship for the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Wish, with the float dubbed "Magic Meets The Sea". Minnie was serving as captain with Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, Chip 'n' Dale serving as her crew, joined by Anna, Elsa, Rapunzel, Flynn, Cinderella, Moana, Tiana, Jasmine, and Aladdin as passengers. Cinderella, Tiana, Moana, and Anna were wearing their winter versions of their trademark outfits due to the weather conditions in Manhattan on Thanksgiving Day. They performed the song "Together We Set Sail" alongside Jordan Fisher in front of Macy's Herald Square to the crowd once they arrived on 34th Street. The song played over the float's loudspeakers and they danced to it with their backup Cast Member performers while their supervisor/adjutant Cast Members assigned to watch over them followed behind on foot during the journey from Central Park West to 34th Street to add that little bit of Disney magic to the parade and put smiles on the faces of everyone watching, adult and child alike, especially with the lingering threat of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its mutations still looming over everyone.
The "Magic Meets The Sea" float returned in the 2022 parade with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, Cinderella, Tiana, Rapunzel, Flynn, Jasmine, Aladdin, and Moana on board, but joined this time by Mulan, Raya, Mirabel Madrigal, Spider-Man, Black Panther, and Cinderella and Tiana's husbands, Prince Charming and Prince Naveen, all still joined by supporting Cast Member performers and supervisor/adjutant Cast Members assigned the detail of keeping the characters safe during their special assignment outside the Disney Parks and Resorts and the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Like last year, several of the female characters were wearing their winter versions of their trademark outfits, those being Cinderella, Tiana, Moana, and Mirabel. When they neared Herald's Square, most of the characters, mainly Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Moana, and Moana's fellow Disney Princesses who had brought their husbands with them this year, dismounted from the float and walked alongside or behind it for the final leg with their supporting and supervisor Cast Members, before putting on a performances of the Disney Wish stage show "Seas The Adventure" in front of the Guests in Herald's Square, culminating in a final flourish of streamers and confetti to put smiles on the faces of all the Guests, and adding that spark of Disney Magic to the parade for the second year in a row that Disney participated in the parade since their last appearance in 2005-2006. The characters and the other Cast Members then walked the float to the end of the parade route, before getting ready to return home to Disneyland in Anaheim and Walt Disney World in Bay Lake/Lake Buena Vista until Macy's invites them back for another parade, should Macy's decide to have the "Magic Meets The Sea" float return for the 2023 parade, and Disney CEO Bob Iger and the VPs agree to have Mickey, Minnie, the Princesses, and other characters return for the parade for a third consecutive year.
Macy's and Disney agreed to have the "Magic Meets The Sea" float return for the 2023 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as part of the celebrations for Disney 100, the Centennial Anniversary of the founding of The Walt Disney Company by Walter Elias Disney and Roy Oliver Disney. Characters who will be on the float this year will include many from the previous two appearances, along with a couple of new faces. Among the returning characters are Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Pluto, Tiana & Naveen, Rapunzel, Aladdin & Jasmine, Anna & Elsa, Moana, Mirabel, Spider-Man, and Black Panther, with the female characters in Anna, Mirabel, Tiana, and Moana sporting their winter versions of their outfits again due to the weather. Joining them this year will be Peter Pan, Miguel Rivera, Genie, and the Peddler.[1] The float is also repainted to represent the sister ship of the Disney Wish, the Disney Treasure, set to join the Disney Cruise Line fleet in 2024, which is reason for Peter and Miguel being on the float this year as the Disney Treasure will sport a Coco themed restaurant and Peter Pan will be one of the stern characters, and Genie and the Peddler joined them as the statue in the ship's Grand Hall is of Aladdin and Jasmine on Carpet. Mickey, Minnie, and all their friends and backup Cast Members performed the song "Let's Set Sail" upon reaching Herald's Square during this year's 3-1/2 hour parade procession, though they had some extra time to set up as NBC went to commercials as they arrived, giving them some time to wave to the gathered crowds before being introduced by Al Roker and his co-hosts upon returning from commercials. Right behind them was Ronald McDonald with his balloon and Big Red Shoe Car, the NYPD Marching Band, and Chase the German Shephard Police Dog from PAW Patrol. The song itself was also played on the float's loudspeakers during the previous year's parade, several months before the end of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary festivities and the start of the Disney 100 Years of Wonder festivities.
Disney and Macy's have already entered talks to decide if the float will return for the 2024 parade for the fourth year in a row, but until they make a final agreement, no information about the float, or the characters that will be riding on it with the Fab 5 in Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto, is available.
Gallery[]
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