Disney Cruise Line’s “Magic Meets the Seas” float will return to the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, November 26, 2026, with Captain Mickey Mouse, Captain Minnie Mouse and First Mate Goofy on board. Disney shared the float’s character lineup today, and it includes Elsa and Anna, Woody and Buzz Lightyear, Stitch, Mirabel and Spider-Man. The float joins the new Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey balloon in Disney’s lineup for the parade’s 100th year.
Mickey, Minnie and Goofy will wear new glittering officer outfits made for the parade. Disney says several royal Disney couples will ride along too, though it did not name which ones. A group of performers will dance ocean-inspired choreography around the float to “Shimmering Seas,” which Disney calls the Disney Cruise Line anthem.
This float has been a regular since 2024, when we covered its debut with Aladdin, Jasmine, Miguel and Moana on board for the Disney Treasure. Last year it came back with a heroes and villains number for the Disney Destiny, part of Disney’s lineup for the 99th parade. Disney’s post today calls this the float’s second year. By our count it is the third.
Each year the float’s cast has pointed at Disney’s newest ship, and this one looks like it does the same. Frozen and Encanto are two of the stories Disney has named for the Disney Believe, and Woody and Buzz are the characters on that ship’s stern. Disney has not said the lineup is tied to the ship, but it mentions the Disney Believe in the same announcement. The ship’s maiden voyage is set for December 18, 2027 from Port Everglades.
We were at Downtown Disney District on August 13 when Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey was unveiled during D23 Day at Disneyland Resort, and we saw the Macy’s collection in person that same day.
The float and the new Mickey balloon will not be the only Disney characters on the route. The Spider-Man balloon, which first flew in 1987, is back, and so is the Buzz Lightyear balloon that first launched in 2008. A new Bluey Christmas balloon debuts this year as well. Disney says its balloons were cleared to fly at Macy’s Balloonfest earlier this month.
The 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade airs Thursday, November 26 on NBC and Peacock starting at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones. The full Disney and Macy’s holiday collection is on sale now online and at the Macy’s Herald Square flagship store. For more Disney merchandise news, visit our Disney Consumer Products hub.
