Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy's is a seasonal holiday parade held at the Universal Studios Florida theme park at the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida. The Parade replaced the long-running Macy’s Holiday Parade,which had previously run in the park during holiday seasons between 2002 and 2016.
The parade features some of Universal’s most popular characters, such as characters from Shrek, Madagascar and Despicable Me, in beautiful, highly-detailed floats and high-flying balloons.
Development and History[]
Concepts for a revamped version of the Macy’s Holiday Parade at Universal Studios began in 2015. Lora Sauls, Senior Show Director at the resort, recollected on the early stages of the parade’s development, stating, “the basis of how we started was to all sit down, talk about our Christmas memories, what we loved most about Christmas as a child, what we love most about Christmas now,” later adding “those kinds of memories that each one of us had about Christmas really started the creative concept behind this parade.”
The balloons and floats for the procession were designed by artists at Macy’s Studios. Balloons were created by the Aerostar division of Raven Industries in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and tested at the Sioux Falls Arena. The floats were built by the Companies of Nassal, an entertainment agency located in Orlando. and costuming was a collaboration between both Macy’s and Universal. Music for the Parade was created in collaboration with Thinkwell Media, and composed by Benoît Jutras.
Lora Sauls later elaborated on the Parade’s theme, saying “We’re telling a story...from the start of the Parade, we’re opening that book of what the holidays mean.”
The Parade debuted on November 18, 2017, and featured 15 intricate floats, 16 helium-filled balloons and over 100 choreographed dancers that filled the street each night during the holiday season with festive cheer. In addition to the parade, several of the floats were used as backdrops for character meet and greet opportunities and entertainment offerings throughout the park following the procession.
The parade’s lineup has remained the same as it has been since its debut, returning for the 2018 and 2019 holiday seasons.
Due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 edition of the typical nightly procession was cancelled in order to prevent large gatherings and promote social distancing. In lieu of the traditional Parade, Universal gave families a chance to get up-close and personal with their larger-than-life parade balloons and floats, with an event known as Universal's Holiday Experience featuring Macy's Balloons.
“Guests will stroll along a picturesque pathway where they’ll encounter elaborate floats and stunning balloons inspired by everything from iconic holiday staples like reindeers and the Nutcracker, to characters from popular animated films,” the resort said. The event lead up to a special appearance by the big man himself—Santa Claus, who posed for socially-distanced pictures with children and their families.
After its brief hiatus in 2020, Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy's returned full-scale the following year, on November 13, 2021, complete with its traditional lineup once again featuring its festive balloons, floats, and popular characters to brighten up the holidays at Universal Studios.
Parade Units[]
Title Unit: The Parade opens with a series of floats and costumes made to represent the magical northern lights. Snowflake stilt walkers and Snow Fairies escort two Blue Starflakes (formerly Blue Macy's Starflakes from 2017-2022) down the route.
Minion Unit: The Despicable Me unit opens with the playful Minions as they participate in Christmas festivities in their own unique way —decorating a Christmas tree that lights up their eyes (literally) and hosting a mishap-filled sledding contest while keeping score. Gru and his loving family celebrate the holiday season by ice skating together. Capping off the unit are balloons of Bob the Minion, who soars down the Parade route with a letter of love, and his teddy, Tim, who peeks out of a Minion-patterned stocking.
Madagascar Unit: Wishing everyone a “Merry Madagascar!,” Alex, Gloria, Melvin and Marty celebrate the spirit of the season by creating a makeshift holiday display in the Central Park Zoo. The Penguins of Madagascar kick the Parade into high gear with their special mission, “Operation: Find Santa.” Behind them, Rico pilots a blimp balloon to find the jolly old man himself. As a Christmas gift to Parade spectators, King Julien sings his own holiday ditty as he gets a round of applause sitting on his throne, followed by a balloon of his close friend, Pineapple.
Shrek Unit: The parade’s Shrek unit celebrates what it means to be a family at Christmastime. The Three Little Pigs work together to create a larger-than-life candy house, sweetening the night even more. Gingy (as a balloon) helps the trio by carrying larger-than-life gumdrop buttons. Donkey sings a medley of classic Christmas carols from a pile of gifts, with choreography by the Far Far Away villagers, the Three Blind Mice and the Big Bad Wolf. Shrek himself closes out the unit in his home swamp, joined by his loving wife Princess Fiona and daughter Felica. On top of Shrek’s hut, Dragon breathes smoke as her darling Dronkeys fly overhead in the form of balloons.
Toy Unit: Toys have sprung to life inside of Mr. Claus’ magical workshop! Toy blocks, toy soldiers, robots, rag dolls and rubber ducks dance happily as a float featuring the elves' hard work and a toy train driven by Macy's very own trio of elves, Charlie, Kit & C.J., gently roll down the parade route. Giant helium balloons of a Nutcracker (and from 2017-2021, Dolly) make the toys in this unit truly larger than life.
Santa Unit: Capping off the holiday parade is a unit featuring the magic that Santa brings with him every holiday season. Santa’s little helpers and reindeer light up with glee as they help guide him along the Parade route. Santa Claus himself rides in a colossal emerald and golden sleigh as he is depicted riding his sleigh through a winter wonderland, hovering just behind a glowing globe that represents his whimsical Christmas Eve flight around the world. Gold Macy’s Starflakes close out the night, as Mr. Claus wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas.