Balloons Abound
Leslie Dinunzio
5.20.21
When I say Thanksgiving, what comes to mind? Turkey? Football? For me, it’s the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. A huge parade with tons of people, performers and over the top balloons traipsing through New York City. Universal Resorts Orlando typically also offers a small seasonal parade featuring several balloon floats.
2020 certainly put a change into the normalcy of the parade. No spectators in NYC and no parade at Universal Resorts. However, Universal Resorts brainstormed and came up with an amazing display location inside the Universal Studios theme park. The 2020 Universal Holiday Experience featuring Macy’s balloons is an amazing exhibit and included in your ticket price. Tucked away in a warehouse building right before Jimmy Fallon’s Race Through New York ride, there is a majestic building filled with floats, a few themed-to-their-float character/dancers, and Santa himself!
I almost cried walking into the building. Though I live two hours from New York City, I’ve never ventured into the city to see the parade in person. The floats, they’re gigantic. Walking into the building, the sight of a giant Minion, an oversized Christmas-themed blimp and a festively-decorated pineapple (among many other balloons) can’t help but put a smile on your face.
The exhibit is walk-through with plenty of space to distance yourself from other guests. You are free to take all the photographs you want and meander as long as you need. There is a lined to meet Santa, socially distanced of course! Though I traveled on a trip with a friend, we couldn’t help but say hi to the big guy in red and snap a quick selfie! Santa was beyond accommodating and even prepared a special video message for my kids back home. They’re 16 and 12 but never too old for Santa, right?
Who knows what the 2021 holiday season will bring. This was a wonderful way to experience a childhood favorite and keep some magic alive during my recent stay. Can I help you plan a holiday trip? Leslie@wishesfamilytravel.com