The Madagascar Blimp is a novelty balloon that appears in and is exclusive to Universal's Holiday Parade Featuring Macy's, and one of two balloons in the Madagascar part of the Parade.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
The Madagascar Blimp made its first appearance in the Universal's Holiday Parade Featuring Macy's during its first run in November 2017. The balloon depicts Rico, the quartermaster of the Penguins of Madagascar, piloting a tropical blimp constructed of leaves, bamboo and multi-colored rags decorated with a Christmas wreath. Piloting the blimp through the air is a leaf propeller, which spins as the balloon makes its way down the Parade route, making the Madagascar Blimp the third-ever balloon to be animated in Parade history, following behind 1996's Rocky and Bullwinkle balloon and 2005's JoJo's Circus balloon.
Between November 14, 2020 and January 3, 2021, the balloon was on display at Universal's Holiday Experience Featuring Macy's Balloons, a walk-through attraction held in place of the Holiday Parade during the 2020 holiday season.
The Blimp was retired after the 2023 run of the Parade, and was replaced by a new balloon depicting Rico.