Disney Cruise Line is sailing back into the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with its Magic Meets the Seas float and a special performance. Captain Mickey, Captain Minnie, and First Mate Goofy lead a crew of characters from Frozen, Toy Story, Encanto, and more. Disney shared concept art of the performance today, two weeks before the parade marks its 100th year. Here’s a first look.
Disney Cruise Line Magic Meets the Seas Float at the 2026 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- Which characters join Captain Mickey, Captain Minnie, and First Mate Goofy on the float this year.
- The Disney Cruise Line song and choreography planned for the performance.
- When to watch the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, plus the other Disney balloons in the lineup.
Disney Cruise Line has been part of Thanksgiving morning since 2021, when a Disney Wish-inspired float made its parade debut. The current float, Magic Meets the Seas, arrived in 2024 with the bows of eight Disney Cruise Line ships. That year’s centerpiece was the Disney Treasure. Disney says this year’s float celebrates the vacation experiences waiting aboard its ships.
A Crew of Disney Favorites Joins Captain Mickey
Captain Mickey Mouse, Captain Minnie Mouse, and First Mate Goofy all wear glittering officer outfits for the performance. Disney says they’ll be joined by a crew of favorite characters. That crew includes Elsa and Anna, Woody and Buzz Lightyear, Stitch, Mirabel, and Spider-Man. Several royal Disney couples are on board too.
In the concept art, Captain Mickey stands at the top of the float inside a set of gold Mickey ears, trimmed with rivets like a ship’s porthole. The royal couples appear to be Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, Tiana and Naveen, and Cinderella and Prince Charming, spread across the upper decks. Moana also appears to be aboard with her oar, though Disney didn’t name her in today’s announcement. She’d be a fitting addition, since Moana’s story anchors the Grand Hall on the upcoming Disney Believe, as shown in the official Disney Believe deck plans.
Down on the street, Captain Minnie wears a red officer’s jacket and Goofy sports a red-and-white striped shirt. A group of dancers in sparkling blue and silver outfits surrounds them. Gold medallions along the hull show what appear to be Captain Mickey, Sorcerer Mickey, and Captain Minnie.
How to Watch Disney Cruise Line on Thanksgiving Morning
Performers will dance to the Disney Cruise Line anthem, “Shimmering Seas,” with ocean-inspired choreography, Disney says. Last year’s performance leaned into heroes and villains for the Disney Destiny. It was set to a new signature song, “This Is Your Destiny.” This time, Disney Cruise Line says the show celebrates “a world of Disney stories and the magic that sails with us to destinations near and far.”
The 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade airs Thursday, November 26th, starting at 8:30am in all time zones on NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo. Keep an eye on the sky, too. Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey makes his debut as a brand-new balloon, while Spider-Man and Buzz Lightyear return. Disney also mentions the Disney Believe in today’s announcement, and the new ship sets sail on its maiden voyage on December 18th, 2027.
Keep Reading
- See how Magic Meets the Seas first came together in our first look at the float from 2024, when the Disney Treasure took center stage.
- Moana’s Grand Hall, Oaken’s Table, and the Believe Tower Suite are all mapped out in our deck-by-deck look at the Disney Believe.
- Thanksgiving is just the start of Disney on TV this season, and our guide to ABC’s 2026 Disney Parks holiday specials has every air date.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!