It's about time this gal got some recognition!
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This Popular Disney Character Is Getting Her Own Balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Published on Oct. 21, 2024
Disney and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade have been intertwined for decades—nine of them, to be exact! Mickey Mouse made his first appearance on the parade route in 1934, along with his dog, Pluto. Other Disney characters joined in the years following. However, one member of the Mickey & Friends gang has gone astonishingly overlooked … until now.
Minnie Mouse is finally getting her very own Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon in 2024. We’re not sure why it has taken this long to create a Minnie balloon, but we’re thrilled our girl is finally getting her moment. To quote Walt Disney, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
Let’s dive into the details of the new balloon—and how you can see it on TV.
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Which Disney character is getting its own balloon?
“Fans of all ages will have the chance to welcome Minnie Mouse and her signature charm as she makes her debut in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” said Chrissy Anderson, vice president of North America Brand Commercialization at Disney Consumer Products, in a press release. For the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Minnie Mouse—complete with her signature bow and polka dots—will be carried down the streets of New York City for the first time. She joins her boyfriend, Mickey Mouse, and Pluto, whose balloons were first carried in the 10th annual parade; Donald Duck, who was welcomed the following year, in 1935; and Goofy, who hit the parade route in 1992.
Minnie is really having a moment, and the parade balloon is really just the cherry on top of an exciting few years. In 2022, she became a first-time captain of Disney Wish, the largest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Minnie will also captain the new Disney Treasure, which is set to take its maiden voyage in December 2024.
As if that isn’t enough, Macy’s is introducing the Mickey and Minnie Shop in select stores and on Macys.com. The shop is filled with limited-edition Disney merch, including apparel, accessories and collectibles.
A “Minnie” history lesson
Minnie Mouse made her screen debut at the same time as Mickey—on Nov. 18, 1928, in the animated short Steamboat Willie. However, for some reason, she always plays second fiddle to her main squeeze. While Mickey received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1978, Minnie didn’t receive hers until 2018. That’s 40 years later, but hey, better late than never!
Walt Disney himself voiced Minnie in the first cartoons before Marcellite Garner, a member of Disney’s Ink & Paint Department, took over during the 1930s. Since then, it’s believed that only five additional voice actors have lent their pipes to play Minnie.
How can you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
NBC will broadcast the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thanksgiving—Thursday, Nov. 28—beginning at 8:30 a.m. EST. At 9 a.m., the floats, balloons, entertainers and marching bands will get going through the route. The parade will also be simulcast on Peacock, NBC’s streaming platform. For the Spanish-language broadcast, you can watch on Telemundo, also on Nov. 28.
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Source:
- Macysinc.com: “Macy’s and Disney Celebrate Magic and Legacy with a New Holiday Collaboration and the Balloon Debut of Minnie Mouse at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
