Celebrate the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with Disney
If you love the tradition of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, we have some fun news for you today! Disney announced several amazing balloons for you and yours to celebrate the parade's 100th anniversary!
100 Years of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is an iconic television event. People from all over the United States tune in each year to enjoy coverage as the parade, filled with performers, musical acts, floats, and gigantic balloons, moves through the streets of New York.
In fact, for many families, it is an annual tradition! It just wouldn't feel like Thanksgiving without the delightful parade in the background.
This year is extra special because it is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade's 100th anniversary! That's right! 2026 marks 100 years of jolly cheer, enjoyed by millions of viewers.
Disney in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The parade has frequently featured beloved Disney characters and music over the years. You can see some of the previous floats and balloons HERE and HERE.
But this year called for a little extra magic. Today, guests at D23, Disney's ultimate fan event, were treated to the unveiling of a special new balloon! Sorcerer Mickey will join the parade.
Disney's history with the parade dates back to 1934, when Mickey Mouse first took flight in balloon form. Now, nearly a century later, The Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey Balloon will make its debut in November's Parade, marking the 100th march down the iconic NYC route.
Creating A Balloon
"When we had to select a character to appear in the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, there was only one choice: the most iconic character in the world, Mickey Mouse," said Joseph Titizian, Disney Consumer Products Sr. Manager, Brand Commercialization. After all, is there any character more universally recognizable than Mickey?
Soreceror Mickey seemed a perfect choice for the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
But creating Mickey was no easy task. Did you know that each balloon in the parade is a hand-painted creation? They take months and months to create.
"The balloon process is a really unique and special one, and it's very specific to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," said Parade Executive Producer Will Coss. "There's a lot of art, there's a lot of science, and ultimately, it creates that magical moment on Parade morning."
Are you going to watch the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade? Will you be looking for Mickey Mouse? Let us know. And be sure to share the happy news with friends and family who love the parade.
Here's what I predict that disney will announce at D23.
Finally build the lost Epcot Elevated Festival Building, The Play Pavilion and a new take on the lost Mary Poppins at Epcot.
An Expansion to Pixar Pier (Besides COCO).
Discovery Island be made into another DVC Resort.
Zootopia & Lion King Lands, come to Animal Kingdom.
Return of People Mover.
Putting Drawn To Life (Cirque Du Soleil) , on Disney+ Along with Beatles LOVE, ZED, Toruk: The First Flight, and La Nouba.
Silly Symphony Swings at Pixar Pier DCA is updated, as the one coming to the new Disney’s Adventure World.
Return of the Maleficent Dragon, for Fantastic.
Fixing The Yeti
A more updated version, of the Rivers Of Light Show at Animal Kingdom.
What I want to see come to the Downtown Disney District.
(FOOD) IN-N-OUT Burger, The Old Spaghetti Factory, Skyline Chili, Portillo’s, Slater’s 50/50, Galpão Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse, The Melting Pot: The Original Fondue Restaurant, Guy Fieri's Downtown Flavortown, Guy Fieri's Chicken Guy, Gott's Roadside, Curry Up Now, Fire Wings, Cereality, Exotic Snack Guys, Max Brenner Chocolate, Starbucks Reserve Roastery, Boudin Sourdough, Ghirardelli Chocolate, Hash House A GO GO, Primanti Bros, Puffy Cotton Candy, Schmidt’s Sausage Haus Restaurant, KOJA Kitchen, Mad Greens, Pinkbox Doughnuts, Gideon’s Bakehouse, Six Ravens: by Gideon's Bakehouse, and Nick The Greek or Spitz.
(SHOPPING) Vans, Tom's, Dooney & Bourke, COACH and Lip Lab (Self Made Lip Products, and Blank Mason (Self Made Candles)
(ENTERTAINMENT) Cirque du Soleil, Aerophile Tethered Balloon & Aerobar, Fabbri Group 400ft Sky Walking, DEFY Trampoline, and a 3,270.62 FT to 3,665.98 FT Zip-Line.
(RETURN) Haagen-Dazs, Jamba, Rainforest Cafe, RideMakerz, THE ESPN Zone, BASIN Bath and Build A Bear Workshop (With a Eat With Your Bear Hands Cafe).
Most of it can go in the small parking lot, that's on the left side of the east end of the District and the Massive parking Lot, that’s on right side, of the east end of the District. After all, there’s that Disneyland Forward Idea in the works.
I hope that they build a second tower for the new Villas: At the Disneyland Hotel. Because the current number rooms is 395 rooms and the Bay Lake Tower at Walt Disney World has 428 rooms, Including Fourteen Grand Villas. Where this new edition only has Two Grand Villas. A brand new version of Steakhouse 55 can be placed there as well.
Also, there can be Waterfront Bungalows. Basically like the ones at the Polynesian Resort that can float on a man-made Lagoon, where a DVC addition to the Paradise Pier Hotel can also be placed in.
Here’s my idea’s for what needs to come to these lands to be showed at d23 2026 in these links, and what to become of them.
Magic Of Animation
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1113339243980690/permalink/1349237987057480/
I beg of you imagineers. Move the Unfairly Ever After show to the new villains land when it's built. And make it longer. Share Jafar's, Hades, Prince John's, Scars, and Snow White Stepmother's backstories.
Also, As I said before. Here are my ideas for what needs to be brought to this villains land for Magic Kingdom and for possibly Disneyland's third theme park.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1113339243980690/permalink/1272487254732554/
I've had the idea of maybe a newer rivers of America can be created.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1113339243980690/permalink/1187701363211144/
The Lion King land in Paris needs to come Animal Kingdom.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1113339243980690/permalink/1140079474640000/
Here's what I want to see come to the Downtown Disney District.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1113339243980690/permalink/1123428639638417/
I hope that they build a second tower for the new Villas: At the Disneyland Hotel. Because the current number rooms is 395 rooms and the Bay Lake Tower at Walt Disney World has 428 rooms, Including Fourteen Grand Villas.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1113339243980690/permalink/1123428349638446/
Cars Land needs to be brought here at Hollywood Studios.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1113339243980690/permalink/1123419146306033/
I would love to see the Lost Great Muppets Movie Ride finally come to life.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1113339243980690/permalink/1123413562973258/
COSMIC REWIND is what DCA needs to bring back Twilight Zone Tower of Terror!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1113339243980690/permalink/1123422099639071/
Idea’s for Monsters Inc.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1113339243980690/permalink/1123431739638107/
It’s time for Disney to think about creating more experiences, based on Indiana Jones franchise. Long before you mentioned to us with this comment, the polygon footprint which you see down below, was actually over a section of Hollywood Studios that houses the Indiana Jones stunt show and Star Tours.
Would you please sign and share this petition?
https://www.change.org/IndianaJonesTheLostExpeditionExpansion
I'd rather see the lost Mary Poppins ride officially come out, as something like this.
(VIDEO) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1ykliahoUk
Instead of it being this.
(VIDEO) https://youtu.be/GUgsMRFtwqQ
Please sign and share this petition.
https://www.change.org/MaryPoppinsEPCOT
I would love to see Disney make plans for a Fifth Park for Disney World and a Third Park for Disneyland.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1113339243980690/permalink/1123425252972089/