• Macy’s and Disney are teaming up for a collaboration centered around “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” from Fantasia.
  • Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey will appear in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as a giant balloon.
  • Macy’s will also have a capsule collection of apparel and accessories inspired by the balloon (available now).

My favorite part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has always been the balloons. When I was in college (and some years after), my high school friends and I would reunite the night before the parade and watch the balloons inflate on the streets of New York City; now, with my 10-year-old daughter, we gather around the TV and wait for her most-anticipated characters—Pikachu and Eevee—to roll across the screen.

This year, I was excited to learn that another of my favorites will be making an appearance in the parade in giant balloon form: Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse. He’ll appear the way he did in Fantasia, with a flowing red robe and a pointed hat with a moon and stars on it.

Large inflatable Mickey Mouse wearing a blue wizard hat and red robe, set in an outdoor area with blue barriers.
Macy's//Disney
This year’s Mickey balloon is going to look way different from the one that debuted in the ‘30s.

Of course, this is not Mickey’s first appearance in the parade. In fact, Mickey was the first character balloon to debut in the parade, way back in 1934. This was only six years after the debut of Mickey Mouse, so he was pretty new at the time. (Macy’s has always had its fingers on the pulse.) This version of Mickey actually marks the 21st time he’s made an appearance in the parade. It’s fitting, because this year marks another important milestone: It’s Macy’s 100th parade, so it’s a perfect time for such an icon to re-enter the lineup of balloons. (Just don’t put him in charge of cleanup—you can’t trust this Mickey around brooms.)

If this all sounds like cause for celebration, it is! In honor of the new balloon, Macy’s and Disney are teaming up for a collaboration of apparel and accessories inspired by “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” The collection features items for both kids and adults, and features brands such as Citizen, Crocs, Hallmark, Loungefly, Super Smalls, and Swarovski, among others. There are backpacks, PJs, plush, and collectibles, ranging in price from $20 for a bag charm to $250–$400 for high-end jewelry.

Some of my favorites? I’m a theme dresser, so of course I like the Loungeflys—the ears, the bag charms, and the mini backpack. As an annual parade-watcher, I also think the ornament set—which features four different versions of Mickey, inspired by four different eras of parade balloons—is really neat. And my dad had an old-school Mickey watch when I was growing up. Should I try to get him an updated watch from Citizen?

Either way, I’ll be excited to see Mickey roll down the streets of New York City, flying above the crowds as if he had unlocked some kind of wizard’s magic.