The New Macy's Parade Wikia
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Donald Fauntleroy Duck is a cartoon character created in 1934 at Walt Disney Productions. Donald is an anthropomorphic white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He typically wears a sailor shirt and cap with a bow tie. Donald is known for his semi-intelligible speech and his mischievous and temperamental personality. Along with his friend Mickey Mouse, Donald was included in TV Guide's list of the 50 greatest cartoon characters of all time in 2002. He has appeared in more films than any other Disney character, and is the most published comic book character in the world outside of the superhero genre.

Donald Duck appeared in comedic roles in animated cartoons. Donald's first appearance was in The Wise Little Hen (1934), but it was his second appearance in Orphan's Benefit which introduced him as a temperamental comic foil to Mickey Mouse. Throughout the next two decades, Donald appeared in over 150 theatrical films, several of which were recognized at the Academy Awards. In the 1930s, he typically appeared as part of a comic trio with Mickey and Goofy and was given his own film series starting with Don Donald (1937). These films introduced Donald's love interest Daisy Duck and often included his three nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie. After the film Chips Ahoy (1956), Donald appeared primarily in educational films before eventually returning to theatrical animation in Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983). His last appearance in a theatrical film was in Fantasia 2000 (1999). However, since then Donald has appeared in direct-to-video features such as Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers (2004), television series such as Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (2006–2016), and video games such as QuackShot (1991).

Beyond animation, Donald is primarily known for his appearances in comics. Donald was most famously drawn by Al TaliaferroCarl Barks, and Don Rosa. Barks, in particular, is credited for greatly expanding the "Donald Duck universe", the world in which Donald lives, and creating many additional characters such as Donald's rich uncle Scrooge McDuck. Donald has been a popular character in Europe, particularly in Nordic countries where his weekly magazine Donald Duck & Co was the comics publication with the highest circulation from the 1950s to 2009. In Italy, Donald is a major character in many comics in which his juvenile version Paperino Paperotto and his superhero alter ego Paperinik (Duck Avenger in the US and Superduck in the UK) were created.

History with the Macy's Parade[]

Original Donald[]

Donald first appeared as a balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1935, The balloon was based off a Christmas Ornament and his original appearance in the earliest cartoons starring Donald, he sported his then-signature long neck and bill. This design choice was carried over to the balloon design, making it nearly impossible for the handlers to keep his head upright. This balloon was retired after its only appearance in 1935, alongside all the other Disney balloons.

Modern Donald Duck[]

A new version debuted in 1962, measuring 60 feet tall. This Donald sported a more modern design, with a shorter neck and bill, and a more friendly appearance. The balloon appeared up until 1972 because of wear and tear, with hosts Lorne Greene and Betty White announcing his retirement.

But you can't keep a good duck down. After Mickey Mouse got retired the previous year because of a major accident with the balloon itself before the Parade, Donald made a brief return in 1984 to celebrate his 50th anniversary and led the parade that year. Donald also made appearences in the 1985 and 1986 editions of the Macy's-Egleston Christmas Parade.This balloon was dispoted years later.

Other Appearances[]

Though no subsequent balloon of Donald has been made since then, he did appear at the 2005 parade in walk-around form on the 50th Anniversary of Disney Parks Magic float, along with Mickey, many other Disney characters, and country singer LeAnn Rimes, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Disney parks and resorts.

Also, 1935 and 1972 are the only years in the Parade's history where Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse both appeared as balloons in the Parade.

Incidents[]

  • In 1963, one of the Goodyear workers accidentally stepped on the balloon's left foot, causing it to deflate.
  • In 1964, he was pushed around by strong winds, but because of this, his left and right arms were twisted.
  • In 1971, Donald, along with every other balloon, could not be inflated due to extreme weather.
  • In 1972, he had his right hand deflated by a tree.

Defect[]

  • In 1935, the balloon's handlers had problems with keeping the balloon's neck straight because of his design at the time, so he was looking at the sky for most of his appearance due to the winds.
  • The 2nd Donald Duck Balloon's arms were bent in most of his appearances.

Trivia[]

  • Donald's nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, were originally planned to debut alongside Donald as smaller novelty balloons, but this idea was scrapped, and Donald debuted alone.
  • Originally, the Donald Duck Balloon was supposed to be retired after 1971, but due to the winds grounding the balloon in 1971, he reappeared one last time in 1972.
  • The original Donald Duck and Santa Goofy are the only Disney characters to appear once in the Parade.

Music[]

Below, you will find a list of the music that played during the balloon's appearance on the NBC telecast

  • Huckleberry Duck (David Carroll version)

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