Look! Up in the Sky! It’s Sailor Mickey!!

One of my favorite things to do on Thanksgiving Day is snuggle on the couch, breathe in the wonderful aromas from the kitchen and watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!  All the music, excitement and happy faces, and the balloons.  This year as I watch, I will be looking for another one of my favorite things as Sailor Mickey Mouse will be making his first time appearance as a balloon in the parade.

Representing Disney Cruise Line, a helium filled Sailor Mickey will make his “maiden voyage”  as he sails high above the streets in New York City in the 83rd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  This will be the first time Disney Cruise Line has been represented in the parade.

It takes about 14,00 cubic feet of helium to inflate Sailor Mickey and when totally inflated the balloon will be about six stories tall.  Mickey will be dressed in his famous red shorts and yellow shoes, but will be sporting a nautical blazer, sailor’s cap and perched on an anchor.  The balloon was created to celebrate the highly anticipated launch of Disney’s newest cruise ship in 2011, Disney Dream.

Mickey is no stranger to the Macy’s parade, however.  His long history with the event goes back to the initial helium filled Mickey designed by Walt Disney himself.  Here are some other fun facts about the parade experience:

• Mickey’s last appearance in the famous parade was in 2000 as Bandleader Mickey
• It takes about two hours to fully inflate and secure the balloon under a net
• There are 52 handling lines and 70 volunteers guiding Sailor Mickey safely down the street
• The parade route is approximately 2.8 miles long
• More than 50 million television viewers and 3 1/2 million spectators lining the streets of New York City to witness the parade
• Spreading the cheer  and participating in the parade will be more than 8,000 Macy’s employees, family and friends, celebrities, sports figures, clowns and dance groups

Sailor Mickey will be the official holiday ambassador for Macy’s this year and will be available exclusively in all Macy’s stores and online as a talking holiday plush.

Good luck and here’s to a smooth sailing,  Mickey!  I’ll be watching.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

Photo Selection: Disney Cruise Line