Disney shared concept art of its Magic Meets the Seas float two weeks before the parade. Captain Mickey rides up top inside giant gold Mickey ears, with Elsa, Woody, Stitch and Spider-Man on deck.
Disney Cruise Line is sailing down Sixth Avenue again, and now we know who's on board.
Disney shared concept art of its Magic Meets the Seas float for the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, Nov. 12, in an update to its Disney Parks Blog post about the parade.
Captain Mickey, Captain Minnie and First Mate Goofy lead the crew in glittering officer outfits. Disney says they're joined by Elsa and Anna, Woody and Buzz Lightyear, Stitch, Mirabel, Spider-Man and "several royal Disney couples."
The parade airs Thursday, Nov. 26, at 8:30 a.m. in every time zone on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo.
Disney hasn't missed many of these. It has been part of 90 of the parade's 100 years, going back to a Mickey Mouse balloon in 1934, according to Disney.
What does the Disney Cruise Line Macy's float look like?
It's built like the front of a ship. The navy blue hull shows the bows of several Disney Cruise Line ships, trimmed in red, white and gold, WDW News Today reported.
In the concept art, Captain Mickey stands at the very top inside a pair of gold Mickey ears trimmed with porthole-style rivets. Gold medallions on the hull appear to show Captain Mickey, Sorcerer Mickey and Captain Minnie, BlogMickey noted.
Disney says the float celebrates what's waiting on board its ships: Broadway-style stage shows, themed spaces, dining and service.
Which Disney characters are on the Macy's float?
Disney named these:
Captain Mickey Mouse, Captain Minnie Mouse and First Mate Goofy
Elsa and Anna from Frozen
Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story
Stitch
Mirabel from Encanto
Spider-Man
The "royal couples" Disney mentioned appear in the art as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, Tiana and Naveen, and Cinderella and Prince Charming, BlogMickey reported.
Moana also seems to be on deck with her oar, though Disney didn't name her. That would fit: she has a big role on the upcoming Disney Believe ship.
What song plays during the Disney Cruise Line parade performance?
"Shimmering Seas," the cruise line's anthem. A group of dancers in blue and silver will perform ocean-inspired choreography around the float, with Minnie and Goofy at street level in the art.
Disney describes the performance as celebrating "the magic that sails with us."
Is this Disney Cruise Line's first Macy's float?
No. By our count, this is Magic Meets the Seas' third straight parade. Here's the cruise line's recent history, per BlogMickey:
2021: A float inspired by the then-new Disney Wish
2024: Magic Meets the Seas debuted, with the bows of eight ships and the Disney Treasure as the centerpiece
2025: Heroes and villains from the Disney Destiny, set to "This Is Your Destiny"
2026: Captains, princesses, Pixar and Marvel, set to "Shimmering Seas"
What other Disney balloons are in the 2026 Macy's parade?
Three, according to Disney:
Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey: New this year and hand-painted. Disney revealed it on Aug. 13 at D23 Day at the Disneyland Resort.
Spider-Man: Back again. He first flew in the 1987 parade.
Buzz Lightyear: Returning. He first launched in 2008.
How do I watch the 2026 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Turn on NBC or Telemundo, or stream it on Peacock, starting at 8:30 a.m. local time on Nov. 26. The route runs a little more than 2 miles, from the Upper West Side to Midtown Manhattan.
If you're watching from home with kids, Mickey's balloon and the cruise float are good bets for the "wake me up for this one" list.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
Disney Parks Blog (Nov. 12, 2026), the float update, character list, song, balloons and broadcast details
BlogMickey (Nov. 12, 2026), the concept art details, the unnamed characters and the float's history
WDW News Today (Nov. 12, 2026), the float's design
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