Kung Fu Panda is an animated multimedia franchise created by DreamWorks Animation. The franchise follows the adventures of the titular noodle-loving giant panda Po (voiced by Jack Black) as he is unexpectedly thrust into the title of Dragon Warrior, a prophesied hero who is granted limitless power through the Dragon Scroll. Featured in the film alongside Po are famed kung fu masters the Furious Five—Tigress, Monkey, Viper, Crane, and Mantis—all of trained by Master Shifu. Set in a fictional version of ancient China, the franchise spawned four feature films, four short films, three animated series, a holiday special, and several video games.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
Kung Fu Panda (2010-2012)[]
Kung Fu Panda made its Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade debut in 2010, promoting the spring 2011 release of Kung Fu Panda 2 with a giant helium balloon in the likeness of Po. The balloon, which measures 42 feet tall, 46 feet long, and 34 feet wide, features Po delivering his signature martial arts moves along the streets of New York City. Designed by Jennifer Palmer of Macy’s Parade Studio, the Kung Fu Panda balloon was constructed at Raven Aerostar using more than half a mile of fabric and 17 gallons of paint. Forgoing his usual Thanksgiving meal of noodles, Po was filled with more than 16,000 cubic feet of helium.[1]
The debut of the Kung Fu Panda balloon also coincided with the premiere of Kung Fu Panda Holiday (a Christmas special that aired on NBC the night before the Parade), and the launch of Kung Fu Panda World, an interactive online game.[1]
As part of Kung Fu Panda 2’s promotional campaign, the Kung Fu Panda balloon embarked on a six-city, cross-country tour—the first-ever national tour of an official Macy’s Parade balloon. The tour began on April 16 in Miami, Florida before moving to St. Louis, Missouri on April 22; Dallas, Texas on April 30; Chicago, Illinois on May 6; Phoenix, Arizona on May 14; and finally culminating at the film’s premiere in Los Angeles, California on Memorial Day weekend. Each stop featured a Kung Fu Panda-themed martial arts presentation, coloring, airbrush tattoos, face painting stations, and special prize giveaways.[2]
The Kung Fu Panda balloon returned to the Parade lineup in 2011 to promote the DVD release of Kung Fu Panda 2 and the Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness television series. It made its final appearance in 2012, again promoting Legends of Awesomeness and the DVD release of Kung Fu Panda Holiday.
The balloon was last confirmed to exist in November 2016 through a balloon inventory chart, noting its need for paintwork.[3]
Kung Fu Panda's Po (2023-present)[]
Kung Fu Panda's Po returned to the skies of New York City in the 2023 Parade with a mighty "Skadoosh!" Promoting the spring 2024 release of Kung Fu Panda 4, Po executes a flying kick while wearing his new Dragon Warrior outfit from the new film. More than 1,000 yards of fabric were used to construct the balloon, which measures 39 feet tall, 49 feet long, and 36 feet wide.
During the balloon's trial run at Balloonfest, its right hand unexpectedly popped, though the balloon was able to complete its flight without any further troubles.[4]
Trivia[]
- Po is the first DreamWorks character to get a second balloon.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 DreamWorks Animation SKG. "DreamWorks Animation's Kung Fu Panda is Set to Debut as a Giant Helium Balloon in The 84th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade." PRNewswire.com. November 1, 2010.
- ↑ ViacomCBS Staff. "DreamWorks Animation and Macy's Launch KUNG FU PANDA's Po on First-Ever National Balloon Tour Beginning April 15th." Paramount.com. April 15, 2011.
- ↑ KAdamsbaum. "Macys Studio Tour Nov 15 2016." SmugMug.com.
- ↑ SuperstarShea1986 Productions. "Po's Hand Gets Skadooshed." YouTube.com. November 4, 2023.
See also[]
- Po from Kung Fu Panda/Gallery
- DreamWorks Animation
- Shrek, a DreamWorks contemporary who appeared with Po in 2010.