The Underdog balloon is seen being inflated one last time before being cut up at the old Macy's Parade Studio in 2005. (Photo: Brian Collins)
Like anything, the helium balloons from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade are not meant to last forever. Several factors can contribute to the longevity of a balloon including (but not limited to) its number of appearances, sun exposure, punctures, skin stress, if it can still be inflated with a continuous air pump, and if the character the balloon depicts has been represented by more than one version.
On this page, the statuses of the giant balloons from the Parade can be found sorted into three categories; those balloons that are known to still be around, balloons whose statuses are unconfirmed, and balloons that have been swatched. Note that the information presented is not entirely up-to-date or accurate, and often changes based on new evidence.
Giant Balloon Statuses[]
Giant Balloons that still exist[]
- Woody Woodpecker (Last confirmed in 2016)[1]
- Bugs Bunny (Last confirmed in 2016)[1]
- Clifford the Big Red Dog (Last confirmed in 2015)[2]
- The Cat in the Hat (Last confirmed in 2016)[1]
- Dexter (Last confirmed in 2016)[1]
- Honey Nut Cheerios Bee (Last confirmed in 2016)[1]
- Curious George (Last confirmed in 2016)[1]
- Cheesasaurus Rex (Last confirmed in 2016)[1]
- Charlie Brown & The Elusive Football (Last confirmed in 2014)[3]
- Little Bill (Last confirmed in 2016)[1]
- Mr. Monopoly (Last confirmed in 2016)[1]
- Kermit the Frog (Last confirmed in 2012)[4]
- Chicken Little (Last confirmed in 2011)[5]
- Red and Yellow Brighten the Holidays (Last confirmed in 2016)[1]
- SpongeBob SquarePants (Last confirmed in 2012)[4]
- Dora the Explorer (Last confirmed in 2012)[6]
- "Healthy" Mr. Potato Head (Last confirmed in 2016)[1]
- Snoopy as the Flying Ace (Last confirmed 2011)[7]
- Pikachu with Poké Ball (Last confirmed in 2016)[1]
- Shrek (Last confirmed in 2011)[5]
- "Super Cute" Hello Kitty (Last confirmed in 2011)[7]
- Clumsy Smurf (Last confirmed in 2014)[8]
- Buzz Lightyear (Last confirmed in 2015)[9]
- Horton (Last confirmed in 2011)[5]
- Spider-Man (Last confirmed in 2014)[10]
- Ronald McDonald (Third version, last confirmed in 2014)[10]
- Sailor Mickey (Last confirmed in 2012)[4]
- Kung Fu Panda (Last confirmed 2016)[1]
- Sonic the Hedgehog (Second version, last confirmed in 2022)[11]
- Julius (Last confirmed in 2019)[12]
- Hello Kitty (Second version, last confirmed in 2017)[13]
- Papa Smurf (Last confirmed in 2022)[14]
- The Elf on the Shelf (Last confirmed in 2020)[15]
- Snoopy & Woodstock (Seventh version, last confirmed in 2019)[16]
- SpongeBob SquarePants (Second version, last confirmed in 2018)[17]
- Toothless (Last confirmed in 2022)[11]
- The Wizard of Oz Hot Air Balloon (Last confirmed in 2013)[18]
- Adventure Time with Finn & Jake (Last confirmed in 2020)[19]
- Thomas the Tank Engine (Last confirmed in 2016)[20]
- Paddington (Last confirmed in 2016)[20]
- Red Mighty Morphin Power Ranger (Last confirmed in 2019)[21]
- Skylanders' Eruptor (Last confirmed in 2021)[22]
- Pikachu (Third version, last confirmed in 2020)[15]
- Pillsbury Doughboy (Second version, last confirmed in 2022)[14]
- Ice Age's Scrat and His Acorn (Last confirmed in 2017)[13]
- Ronald McDonald (Fourth version, last confirmed in 2021)[23]
- Angry Birds' Red (Last confirmed in 2022)[24]
- DINO (Second version, last confirmed in 2022)[25]
- Charlie Brown (Second version, last confirmed in 2018)[17]
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Second version, last confirmed in 2021)[26]
- Trolls (Last confirmed in 2022)[11]
- Olaf (Last confirmed in 2019)[21]
- Jett by Super Wings (Last confirmed in 2019)[21]
- Chase from PAW Patrol (Last confirmed in 2023)[27]
- Dr. Seuss' The Grinch (Last confirmed in 2019)[21]
- Goku (Last confirmed in 2023)[27]
- Astronaut Snoopy (Eighth version, confirmed in 2022)[14]
- Green Eggs and Ham (Last confirmed in 2019)[21]
- SpongeBob SquarePants & Gary (Last confirmed in 2023)[27]
- Red Titan from Ryan's World (Last confirmed in 2023)[27]
- The Boss Baby (Last confirmed in 2022)[14]
- Ada Twist, Scientist (Last confirmed in 2022)[14]
- Grogu (Last confirmed in 2023)[27]
- Ronald McDonald (Fifth version, last confirmed in 2023)[27]
- Pikachu & Eevee (Last confirmed in 2023)[14]
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Third version, last confirmed in 2023)[27]
- Bluey (Last confirmed in 2023)[27]
- DINO and Baby DINO (Last confirmed in 2023)[27]
- Stuart the Minion (Last confirmed in 2023)[27]
- Beagle Scout Snoopy (Ninth version, last confirmed in 2023)[27]
- Kung Fu Panda (Second version, last confirmed in 2023)[27]
- Leo (Last confirmed in 2023)[27]
- Monkey D. Luffy (Last confirmed in 2023)[27]
- Pillsbury Doughboy (Third version, last confirmed in 2023)[27]
Giant Balloons that no longer exist[]
- Every Giant Balloon made before 1960
- Happy Dragon (1960; disposed of sometime after 2016)[28]
- Bullwinkle (1961; disposed of in 2005)[28]
- Flying Trapeze (1962; disposed of before 1989)
- Donald Duck (1962; disposed of in 2005)[29]
- Dino the Dinosaur (1963; disposed of in 2005)[29]
- Elsie the Cow (1963; recycled into Smile; the Elsie figure's status is unknown)
- Linus the Lionhearted (1964; disposed of in 2005)[29]
- Underdog (1965; disposed of in 2005)[29]
- Superman (1966; disposed of in 2005)[29]
- Smokey Bear (1966; disposed of sometime before 2020)[28]
- Snoopy the Aviator (disposed of in 2005)[29]
- Smile (1971; recycled into the Chipmunk Adventure falloon)
- Mickey Mouse (1971; disposed of in 2005)[29]
- Weeble (1975; recycled into Humpty Dumpty)
- Garfield (1984; disposed of in 2005)[29]
- Spider-Man (1987; disposed of in 2005)
- Snuggle Bear (1987; recycled into Eben Bear)
- Dudley the Dragon (1995; disposed of in 2011)[30]
- Arthur (1997; disposed of in 2020 or 2021)
- Babe (1998; recycled into Hamlet the Balloon School Pig)
- Wild Thing (1998; disposed of before 2012)[31]
- Hamlet the Balloon School Pig (disposed of in 2019)[32]
- Pillsbury Doughboy (2009)
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010; disposed of sometime in 2015-2022)[33]
Giant Balloons with unknown statuses[]
- Yogi Bear (Last confirmed in 1989)
- Raggedy Ann (Last confirmed in 1997)
- Betty Boop (Last confirmed in 1996)
- Humpty Dumpty (Last confirmed in 1989)
- Olive Oyl & Swee'Pea (Last confirmed 1989)
- Baby Shamu (Last confirmed in 1990)
- Ronald McDonald (1987, last confirmed in 1994)
- Skater Snoopy (Last confirmed in 1989)
- Big Bird (1988, last confirmed in 2000)
- Quik Bunny (Last confirmed in 1999)
- Pink Panther (Last confirmed in 1997)
- Woodstock (Last confirmed in 2001)
- Bart Simpson (Last confirmed in 2016)
- Babar (Last confirmed in 1992)
- Goofy (Last confirmed in 1992)
- Beethoven (Last confirmed in 2008)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (1993, last confirmed in 1997)
- Rex (Last confirmed in 1993)
- Izzy (Last confirmed in 1995)
- Barney (First version, last confirmed in 2006)
- Sky Dancer (Last confirmed in 2006)
- Eben Bear (Last confirmed in 1998)
- Rocky & Bullwinkle (Last confirmed in 2007)
- Peter Rabbit (Last confirmed in 1998)
- Rugrats (Last confirmed in 2001)
- Bumpé (Last confirmed in 1997)
- Millennium Snoopy (Last confirmed in 2005)
- Blue (Last confirmed in 2002)
- Bandleader Mickey Mouse (Last confirmed in 2000)
- Jeeves (Last confirmed in 2004)
- Ronald McDonald (Second version, last confirmed in 2008)
- Dragon Tales' Cassie (Last confirmed in 2007)
- Pikachu (First version, last confirmed in 2006)
- Big Bird (Second version, last confirmed in 2006)
- Jimmy Neutron (Last confirmed in 2007)
- "Strike Up the Band" Barney (Last confirmed in 2005)
- Super Grover (Last confirmed in 2006)
- Garfield (Last confirmed in 2006)
- Scooby-Doo (Last confirmed in 2007)
- JoJo (Last confirmed in 2007)
- Abby Cadabby (Last confirmed in 2009)
Novelty Balloon Statuses[]
Novelty balloons that still exist[]
- Poinsettias (Second version) by Macy's
- Snow Crystal Ornaments by Macy's
- Harold the Fireman by Macy's
- Harold the Policeman by Macy's
- Pumpkins (Third version) by Macy's
- Rex the Happy Dragon by Macy's
- Kit the Elf (Second version) by Macy's
- C.J. the Elf (Second version) by Macy's
- Big Man Santa (Second version) by Macy's
- Wiggle Worm (Third version) by Macy's
- Yellow Macy's Stars (Second version) by Macy's
- Acorn by Macy's
- Arrtle the Pirate (Second version) by Macy's
- Red "Believe" Stars (Second version) by Macy's
- Red and Green Candy Cane (Second version) by Macy's
- Christmas String of Lights by Macy's
- Blue & White Macy's Stars (Second versions) by Macy's
- Gold Macy's Starflakes by Macy's
- Macy's Pride Stars (Second version) by Macy's
- Opening Macy's Stars by Macy's
- Little Cloud by FriendsWithYou
- Americana Spheres (Second verison) by Macy's
- Fleck, Bjorn, Jojo & Hugg by Netflix
- The Nutcracker by Universal Orlando Resort
- Sunny the Snowpal by Macy's
- Ice Cream Cone (2019) by Macy's
- Love Flies Up to the Sky by Yayoi Kusama
- Smokey Bear by U.S.D.A. Forest Service
- Blue Starflakes by Macy's
- Tiptoe by Macy’s
- Toni, the Bandleader Bear by Macy’s
- Arrtle the Pirate (First version) by Macy's
- Baseball (Second version) by Macy's
- Basketball (Second version) by Macy's
- Beach Ball Clusters by Macy's
- Big Man Santa (First version) by Macy's
- Green Candy Cane by Macy's
- Red Candy Cane by Macy's
- Sesquicentennial Hot Air Balloon by Macy's
- Cloe the Holiday Clown (Second version) by Macy's
- Cloe the Holiday Clown (Second version) by Macy's
- Charlie the Holiday Elf (First version) by Macy's
- Charlie the Holiday Elf (Second version) by Macy's
- Kit the Elf (First version) by Macy's
- C.J. the Elf (First version, 2004-2013)
- Gazer the Elf by Macy's
- Flying Fish by Macy's
- Football (Second version) by Macy's
- Football (Second version) by Macy's
- Fredia the Dachshund by Macy's
- Geometrics by Macy's
- Gold Macy's Tri-Star by Macy's
- Strawberry/Pistachio Ice Cream Cone (First version) by Macy's
- Strawberry/Pistachio Ice Cream Cone (Second version) by Macy's
- Cheesecake Raspberry Swirl/Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream Cone by Macy's
- Planet Earth by Macy's
- Soccer Ball (Second version) by Macy's
- Toy Soldier (Second version) by Macy's
- Toy Soldier (Third version) by Macy's
- Uncle Sam (Second version) by Macy's
- Virginia O'Hanlon by Macy's
- Happy Hippo (First version) by Macy's
- Happy Hippo (Second version) by Macy's
- Pumpkins (Second version) by Macy's
- Gorgeous Gobbler by Macy's
- Macy's Parade Humpty Dumpty by Tom Otterness
- Rabbit by Jeff Koons
- Figure with Heart by Keith Haring Foundation
- Kaikai and Kiki by Takashi Murakami
- "B" by Tim Burton
- Companion by KAWS
- Blue Cat & Chugs by Cool Cats
- Uncle Dan by Illumination
Novelty balloons that no longer exist[]
- Ice Cream Cone (1985)
- Pennsylvania Dutch Ornaments (1985)
- Flower Ornaments (1985)
- American Star Ornaments (1985)
- Basketball (1991)
- Football (1991)
- Baseball (1991)
- Pumpkins (1992)
- Wiggle Worm (1993)
- Cloe the Holiday Clown (1994)
- Earth (1996)
- Uncle Sam (2002)
Novelty balloons with unknown statuses[]
- ABC Bouncing Balls (1988)
- The Pinheads (1992)
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 Macys Studio Tour Nov 15 2016, SmugMug.com, KAdamsbaum
- ↑ Last flown at Balloon Field Training on October 4, 2015
- ↑ Last seen at the 2014 MoCCA Arts Festival.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Last flown during the 2012 Parade.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Tour of the Macy's Parade Studios," YouTube.com, Keith Lapinig
- ↑ Flickr upload from Bee Collins
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Last flown during the 2011 Parade.
- ↑ Macy's Opening Bay Plaza Mall, SmugMug.com, KAdamsbaum
- ↑ Jim Hill "Macy's Parade Studio Gets Some Major Buzz (Lightyear) Going at D23 EXPO 2015," HuffPost.com, August 14, 2015
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Last flown during the 2014 Parade.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Instagram story from Geoff Donnelly.
- ↑ Last flown at Balloon Field Training on October 12, 2019.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Last flown during the 2017 Parade.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 Last flown during the 2022 Parade.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Intended to be flown during the 2020 Parade, before being demoted to an appearance through archival footage.
- ↑ Last flown at Balloon Field Training on September 23, 2019.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Last flown during the 2018 Parade.
- ↑ Last flown during the 2013 Parade.
- ↑ Last flown during Balloon Field Training on October 24, 2020.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Last flown during the 2016 Parade.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 Last flown during the 2019 Parade.
- ↑ Last flown at Balloon Field Training on October 3, 2021.
- ↑ "Trelleborg Coated Material in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade," Trelleborg.com, November 22, 2021
- ↑ Last flown during Balloon Field Training on September 18, 2022.
- ↑ Last flown during Balloon Field Training on October 15, 2022.
- ↑ Last flown during the 2021 Parade.
- ↑ 27.00 27.01 27.02 27.03 27.04 27.05 27.06 27.07 27.08 27.09 27.10 27.11 27.12 27.13 27.14 Last flown during the 2023 Parade.
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 Facebook post from Robert M. Grippo.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 29.4 29.5 29.6 29.7 Comment from Bob Rutan on MACY'S PARADE NATION Facebook page.
- ↑ File:Dudley-2011.png
- ↑ "The Making of a Wild Thing Balloon"
- ↑ "Macy's - The Making of the Parade," Michael Kerkering, YouTube.com
- ↑ https://youtu.be/HtKkCgMepjw?t=66
