Disney is participating in the 100th anniversary of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year. The celebration includes the debut of a brand-new balloon and the return of several fan-favorite displays representing Disney, Pixar, and Marvel.
What’s new
For the centennial parade, Disney has created a new Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse balloon. This hand-painted balloon features Mickey in his iconic role from *Fantasia*. According to Disney, this character was chosen because "Mickey Mouse's most iconic role is that of the Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey."
In addition to the new balloon, the following Disney-themed entries will appear:
* Spider-Man balloon: The Marvel Super Hero returns to the skies, a tradition that began in 1987.
* Buzz Lightyear balloon: The *Toy Story* favorite will fly again for the 2026 celebration.
* “Magic Meets the Seas” float: The Disney Cruise Line float returns for its second year, featuring Captain Mickey Mouse, Captain Minnie Mouse, and other characters.
When and where
The 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place on Thursday, November 26, 2026, in New York City. The route begins on the Upper West Side and travels over two miles to Midtown Manhattan.
For those not attending in person, the parade will be broadcast on NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo starting at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones.
What it means for your visit
While this event takes place in New York City, there are several connections for guests planning visits to Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World:
* Disneyland Resort: While the Sorcerer Mickey balloon was recently displayed at the Downtown Disney District for D23 Day, it has now been cleared for its flight in New York. However, guests visiting Disneyland can still find parade-related merchandise at select retail locations.
Walt Disney World: Fans of the new balloon can find the Sorcerer Mickey character daily at Disney’s Hollywood Studios within Red Carpet Dreams, or watch him perform in the nighttime spectacular, *Fantasmic!
* Merchandise: A new Disney and Macy’s 2026 Holiday Collection is now available. The collection includes over 100 items such as pajamas, Loungefly backpacks, and ear headbands. These items are available online and at select Macy’s stores nationwide, including the flagship Herald Square location in NYC, which features a "Mickey Parading Through the Years" display.
If you are traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday, watching the parade is a standard start to the season for many Disney fans, but be aware that the broadcast may influence crowds at the parks later in the day as families finish their viewing traditions.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
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