The Cheesasaurus Rex was the mascot of the Kraft Macaroni and Cheese product. He was introduced in 1991, and was kept all the way until the late-2000s. Despite this, he can still be seen in commercials and select boxes of Kraft products.
Cheesasaurus Rex is depicted in commercials as a friendly orange tyrannosaurus rex who loves all things noodle-y and covered in cheese. The character is also said to live in a "fab-uloni" world and enjoys all things active in his world including trips to the beach, sporting events and performing in his own concerts.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
The Cheesasaurus Rex made his Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade debut in the 2001 Parade in the form of a giant helium balloon. Playing the role of a "tyranno-tourist", the Cheesasaurus Rex balloon design was of the character lumbering down the streets of Manhattan sporting a purple hat and holding a flashing camera, as he snaps a photo of Parade spectators saying "cheese". Measuring in at 52 feet tall, 61 feet long and 32 feet wide, the balloon was recycled from parts of the ill-fated Dudley the Dragon balloon from 1995. Additionally, it was the first-ever balloon to utilize a flashing light feature in the form of its camera. During its debut, the addition of an NYPD symbol was added to the balloon, honoring the fallen heroes of the September 11 attacks, this was later removed after the balloon's debut.
That same year, a walk-around version of the Cheesasaurus Rex appeared on the Toon Balloon-Abration! float, which featured many characters who have had balloons grace the skies of New York City, both past and present.
The Cheesasaurus Rex balloon would make subsequent appearances in both the 2002 Parade and 2003 Parade. During the former, the balloon leered into a tree at Central Park West and damaged its right arm, but would continue down the Parade route without any further damages. The balloon was repaired for the 2003 Parade, and was later retired from the line of march.
The balloon has since sat deflated and dormant at the Macy's Parade Warehouse, having its existence last confirmed on a balloon inventory board in November 2016.
Trivia[]
- In 2003, the Cheesasaurus Rex balloon was skipped during the NBC telecast, making it one of the only balloons to be skipped on the broadcast, with the other being the Energizer Bunny in 2010.