Disney Cruise Line is a cruise line operated by the Walt Disney Company as part of the Disney Experiences division. The company offers guests on-board experiences themed to Disney films, including Broadway-style shows, recreational activities, restaurants, bars, lounges, shops, nightly fireworks displays, and water play areas.[1] It sails year-round in the Caribbean and seasonally throughout Alaska and Europe.
The cruise line’s fleet of ships includes the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish with three more—Disney Treasure, Disney Adventure, and Disney Destiny—set to sail in the coming years. The company also owns two private islands in the Bahamas—Castaway Cay, and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
Sailor Mickey (2009-2012)[]
Disney Cruise Line made its Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade debut in 2009 with the Sailor Mickey balloon. The six-story inflatable featured Mickey Mouse in a sailor outfit, saluting the crowd below from a giant anchor. The balloon made four consecutive appearances and was retired after the 2012 Parade.
Magic Meets the Sea (2021-2023)[]
Disney Cruise Line introduced a new float in 2021, promoting the maiden voyage of the Disney Wish the following summer. The float, christened “Magic Meets the Sea,” featured Captain Minnie Mouse sailing a replica of the ship through New York City, complete with a Mickey Mouse-inspired color palette, towering red funnels, a filigree trim along the hull, and Mickey-shaped porthole mirrors that allowed spectators to see themselves on a Disney cruise. Like its real-life counterpart, the float disembarked from Central Park West with a sail away horn blowing “When You Wish Upon a Star.”[2]
During the float’s debut, 15 Disney characters appeared to represent stories and experiences found on the ship. They were joined by Broadway star Jordan Fisher for a performance of “Together We Set Sail,” an original song written by Joshua Spacht.[3]
The float’s live performance in 2022 was inspired by the Broadway-style Disney Seas the Adventure show on board the Disney Wish,[4] featuring its titular finale song.
In 2023, the float was remodeled after Disney Cruise Line’s newest vessel, the Disney Treasure, which will embark in December 2024. The performance that year, "Let's Set Sail," was based on the Wish’s sail away show, Set Sail on a Wish. This float was retired afterwards and replaced by a new variety the following year.
Magic Meets the Seas (2024-present)[]
In 2024, a new Disney Cruise Line float entitled "Magic Meets the Seas" debuted to celebrate the growing Disney Cruise Fleet. The design features the bows of all eight Disney Cruise Line ships alongside Captain Mickey and Minnie and other characters who represent the stories and experiences that will be brought to life onboard the Disney Treasure.
Performances[]
Each appearance of the Magic Meets the Sea float has been accompanied by a performance featuring Disney characters representative of the on-board activities and experiences. Listed below are the characters that have appeared on the float in addition to the performance, sorted by year.
| Year | Song | Characters |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | "Together Let's Set Sail" | Jordan Fisher, Captain Minnie Mouse, Captain Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Pluto, Chip 'n' Dale, Cinderella, Moana, Princess Tiana, Aladdin, Jasmine, Rapunzel, Anna, Elsa |
| 2022 | "Seas the Adventure" | Captain Minnie Mouse, Captain Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Pluto, Spider-Man, Black Panther, Mirabel, Mulan, Raya, Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, Cinderella, Prince Charming, Moana, Jasmine, Aladdin, Rapunzel, Flynn Ryder |
| 2023 | "Let's Set Sail" | Captain Minnie Mouse, Captain Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Pluto, Genie, Magic Carpet, Spider-Man, Black Panther, Mirabel, Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, Moana, Jasmine, Aladdin, Rapunzel, Anna, Elsa, Peter Pan, Miguel |
| 2024 | "Live the Adventure" | Captain Minnie Mouse, Captain Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Pluto, Belle, Mirabel, Bruno, Moana, Aladdin, Princess Jasmine, Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, Black Panther, Spider-Man, Miguel |
Trivia[]
- This is the first-ever float to extend beyond the float bed; the bow of the ship juts out eight feet.[4]
- Mickey Mouse was not mentioned in initial press releases mentioning the float. This was because of a scrapped mid-show surprise, in which he would be revealed by a hidden lift inside the front foil.[5]
References[]
- ↑ Discover Our Top Rated Cruise Ships & Fleets | Disney Cruise Line. disneycruise.disney.go.com.
- ↑ Walk Ride Fly. "Live in New York City: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2022🦃(11.24.22)." YouTube.com. November 24, 2022.
- ↑ Disney Cruise Line - Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade — Joshua Spacht. joshuaspacht.com.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sanders, Scott. "Disney Wish Float Scheduled to Return for the 96th Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade on November 24, 2022." Disney Cruise Line Blog. October 25, 2022.
- ↑ Joey Ammons - Disney Cruise Line Parade Float. uncannyrobot.artstation.com.