2023 Universal’s Holiday Parade Featuring Macy’s is a 30-minute delightful seasonal parade that features a number of floats parade through New York and Production Central in Universal Studios Orlando Florida, featuring characters from Despicable Me, Madagascar, and Shrek. The first act of the parade is a group of beautiful ballroom “dancers” on stilts, bedecked in impressive light-up gowns and come before the first float - a blue and white snowflake float that introduces Macy’s and the parade itself. The wintery motif of the first sequence is made complete with blue star balloons with the Macy’s logo. After this introduction, the characters you know and love begin to make their way down the street.
The first of these is the Despicable Me franchise. Three total floats comprise this segment of the parade. The Minions are first up, hiding in an impressive Christmas Tree float. They are pulling a balloon that seems to be of the same home-made nature as the unicorn they made for Agnes in the first film. The Minions are followed by the Gru family - Margot, Edith, Agnes, Lucy, and Felonious himself all wave and greet guests from their float. A large Minion (in a festive sweater) balloon follows them. The last of the Despicable Me floats is a delightful display of some Minions doing what they do best - getting into some trouble. Looks like this time, they are trying to ski. What could go wrong?
The next group of floats carries the characters and joy from the Madagascar franchise. First in this series is a float and a balloon dedicated to the penguins of Madagascar. Rico, Skipper, Private, and Kowalski are all here to wish you happy holidays. Next up is a float with King Julien and some of his biggest fans. They are, of course, pulling a balloon of a giant pineapple. Can anyone explain the significance of this? The final Madagascar float carries Gloria, Melman, Marty, and Alex. Of course, season-appropriate tunes go along with these floats and get the proper, tropical spin.
After you’re done singing and dancing with the animals from Madagascar, it’s time to boogie with the characters from Shrek. The ever-in-trouble Gingerbread Man arrives in balloon form, and greets guests for the rest of his Shrek friends. He leads in front of a float that carries The Three Little Pigs who have gotten into some trouble in a house. These guys are being trailed by The Three Blind Mice, who are, of course, being followed by The Big Bad Wolf. Donkey enters next, fittingly on his own float. Who could possibly compete with Donkey, after all? One of his dragon-donkey offspring follows him as a giant balloon, while Duloc residents and Puss in Boots make their way down the street. The Shrek franchise portion of the parade closes out with one of the more beautiful floats - a float with Santa Shrek, Fiona, the Dragon, and Pinocchio all together.
In the final act of the parade, a series of classic Christmas elements are represented. Toys come to life, from robots to letter blocks. A nutcracker looms over the audience in an impressive balloon. Of course, the star of the show is the grand finale - Santa himself. Elves dance out before him, and his reindeer come in on two floats. Santa Claus closes out the parade on his sleigh and wishes everyone holiday cheer. He also thanks guests for writing him letters from all over the world and waves atop his impressive float. The parade ends on one final balloon - a gold star displaying the Macy’s logo.
Universal’s Holiday Parade Featuring Macy’s takes place nightly at 5:30 in Universal Studios Orlando Florida.