The cost of a Macy’s Thanksgiving balloon will depend on the design, size and quantity that you order. A 20-foot traditional foil helium-filled character balloon, for instance, may cost you about $620, whereas a 34-foot custom mylar balloon starts at around $1,950.
The price also includes a virtual design consultation with the in-house design team and standard 3-day shipping. There are also additional costs such as transport and return shipping charges, applicable taxes, helium inflation and rigging.
If you are looking for a more cost-effective balloon option, custom printed latex balloons are also available starting at $0. 99 each. In addition to the balloons, Macy’s also offers additional decoration packages such as balloon arches and clusters, confetti, lights and streamers for an even more festive look.
What is the most popular Macy’s parade balloon?
The most popular Macy’s parade balloon is the character Snoopy, who has been featured in the parade since the event’s conception in the 1920s. Snoopy is a beloved character from the comic strip Peanuts and is often seen in the Macy’s parade in various forms and sizes.
Other popular balloons in the parade have included versions of SpongeBob SquarePants, Sonic the Hedgehog, Olaf from Frozen, and Ronald McDonald. The classic balloons such as Woody Woodpecker, Buzz Lightyear, Garfield, and Kermit the Frog are all also still popular favorites among parade goers.
Each year, Macy’s introduces new parade balloons and technologies, like the dancing balloon of 2019. No matter what new character is introduced, however, it is almost certain that the lovable beagle Snoopy will remain the most popular parade balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade.
How long does it take to fill up a Macy’s Day balloon?
It depends on the size of the Macy’s Day balloon you are trying to fill up. Generally, if you are using a standard air pump, it will take between 15-20 minutes to completely fill up a standard Macy’s Day balloon.
However, if you are using a helium tank it may take longer, depending on the size of the balloon and what type of helium tank you are using; for example, a larger tank may only take a few minutes, while a smaller one could take up to an hour.
Additionally, if you are using a hand pump, it may take significantly longer to fill up a Macy’s Day balloon.
How many balloons are in the Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade?
It’s difficult to precisely say how many balloons are in the Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade, as it often changes from year to year. In 2019, there were 35 giant character balloons, 77 redesigned balloonicles, 37 novelty balloons, 39 giant helium-filled character heads, 16 original giant helium-filled character heads, 28 floats, 12 marching bands, 1,200 cheerleaders and dancers, and 1,000 clowns.
According to Macy’s, the parade features a total of more than 8,000 participants, including the organizers, performers, and parade participants who are seen walking down the parade route. So while it may be difficult to pinpoint an exact number, it is clear that the Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade features hundreds, if not thousands of different balloons, balloonicles, and other helium-filled figures.
Do they reuse the balloons from the Macy’s parade?
No, the balloons at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade are disposed of after each event. Macy’s does not reuse the balloons due to safety concerns. The deflation process for the balloons is slow and carefully managed to allow for their safe landing and deflation.
The balloons are made from special materials that are resistant to changes in temperature, humidity and wind speed, so they can be used again the following year. However, the determination to use balloons the following year is based on a variety of factors, including their safe flight during the parade.
The balloons are also inspected onsite to ensure that their construction and materials meet safety standards and verify their airworthiness. The balloons are considered single-use, and as such, used balloons cannot be re-used.
They are broken down, recycled, and disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.
Who pays for the Macy’s Day parade balloons?
Macy’s covers the cost of the balloons used in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, although they do accept sponsorships from corporate entities to help with some of the expenses. The balloons used in the parade are custom-made for Macy’s at the Macy’s Parade Studio in Moonachie, New Jersey, and each year’s parade features up to 16 fan-favorite character and novelty balloons, together with dozens of other units including floats, performance groups, classic cars, and celebrity personal appearances.
The balloons generally are filled with helium before heading to Manhattan, but special “bungee” cords keep them from flying away. Macy’s works with a variety of companies to order the helium needed for the parade and pays for all of it.
Although Macy’s does accept sponsorships from select companies and organizations, these sponsorships are used to either help with certain parade-related expenses, or to promote a product or message that is important to Macy’s and its customers.
Overall, Macy’s covers the cost of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
How much does it cost to have a float in the Macy’s parade?
The cost of having a float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade varies greatly, depending on a variety of factors, including the size and complexity of the float. Generally speaking, floats can range from tens of thousands of dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars for larger, more elaborate designs.
Additional costs may include marketing, assembly, transportation, and storage, along with a fee for the artist who designs the float. There may be other fees associated with taking part in the parade, such as insurance or City of New York permits.
The total cost of having a float in the Macy’s parade can easily reach into the millions of dollars.
How much helium does the Macy’s Day parade use?
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has an incredible number of balloons that take to the skies each year and many of them float with the help of helium! It’s estimated that the parade requires approximately 300 thousand cubic feet of helium – which is enough to fill around 8500 mylar balloons.
However, this number doesn’t account for larger shaped character balloons, or novelty shape balloons which can use as much helium as 5000 regular sized balloons. It’s reported that each character balloon needs between 7 thousand and 8 thousand cubic feet of helium and takes a team of up to 50 people 4 days to inflate.
However, this estimation doesn’t include helium that is used to fill other features of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade such as floats and the signature red star balloons. All in all, the Macy’s Day parade uses an incredible amount of helium each year.
How much does it cost to fill 1 balloon with helium?
The cost of filling one balloon with helium can vary significantly depending on a number of factors, including where the helium is purchased, the type of balloon being filled, and how much helium is needed to fill it.
In general, helium can cost anywhere from about $0. 50 to over $3. 00 per cubic foot, so if a balloon requires two cubic feet of helium, it could cost anywhere from $1 to over $6 to fill just one balloon.
Additionally, many helium suppliers add in delivery charges, tank rental fees, and other surcharges, which can increase the cost of filling each balloon.
Is it cheaper to buy a helium tank for balloons?
Generally speaking, purchasing a helium tank can be more affordable in the long run when compared to buying pre-filled balloons or refilling balloons with a large number of helium canisters. For a single helium tank, you can fill dozens of balloons, depending on the size of the tank and the balloons.
This can make purchasing a helium tank a great option for large events and parties where a large number of helium balloons need to be used. Furthermore, purchasing a helium tank is often cheaper than buying individual helium canisters.
Additionally, the tank saves time, since taking the time to buy multiple helium canisters can add up quickly and become quite expensive. For those planning an event or party, renting a helium tank from a local party store or helium provider is often a great option due to the cost savings and ease of use.
Will helium balloons last 12 hours?
Potentially, helium balloons could last for 12 hours or even longer depending on the type of balloons, the quality of the helium, and the conditions in terms of temperature, humidity and wind speed. Mylar balloons, which are a type of balloon that is made of metallic film, are much more resistant to deflation than latex balloons, and they can typically last for more than 10 hours.
However, this may vary depending on the size and weight of the balloon as well as the quality of the helium used to fill them. Generally, the helium used to fill balloons is provided in tanks that are either labeled as ‘chromium’ or ‘solar’ grade.
Solar grade helium is a much more volatile gas, which means that balloons filled with this grade of helium will naturally deflate at a faster rate. Additionally, warmer temperatures can actually cause the helium to expand and cause the balloon to burst much earlier than anticipated.
Lastly, balloons that are released outdoors are usually affected by wind speed and other environmental conditions. If the balloons get stuck on trees or buildings then they may last longer than 12 hours as long as they are not exposed to any additional elements that could cause them to burst or deflate.
How do they inflate Macy’s balloons?
Macy’s uses a state-of-the-art helium inflation machine operated by a part-time Balloon Artist to inflate all the balloons used in the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The helium inflation machine pumps helium gas into each of the balloons in order to inflate them into their full, spectacular size.
Each balloon is then tied off with a special thread so that they can be released with a controlled ascent later on during the parade when the gas is released. The Balloon Artist also decorates each of the balloons with colorful skirts, ribbons, and banners to make them look beautiful for the parade.
The balloons have to be inflated several hours before the Parade begins in order to make sure that the helium does not leak out and that there can be a safe and properly shaped ascension when the Parade takes off.
What do they do with the helium after the Macys parade?
The helium used in the Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade is not stored and reused year after year. Instead, it is released into the atmosphere right after the parade ends. In order to safely release the helium, the suppliers use a specially designed and approved release system, which is designed to slowly and safely dissipate the helium into the atmosphere.
This is done so that the helium does not adversely affect the environment and wildlife, and, in addition, the system is designed to capture any helium that might escape through the vents to prevent it from entering the atmosphere.
After all of the helium has been released, the helium tanks, balloons, and related materials are then repackaged and returned to the suppliers.
Do they reuse the helium in parade balloons?
Yes, many parade balloons are filled with helium, and some vendors do reuse the helium to fill new balloons. The helium gas from balloons is extremely hard to contain and so, it is quite difficult to save and reuse it.
However, thanks to modern gas containment technology, it is now possible to save and reuse the helium gas. After deflating the balloon, the helium is collected and cooled before it is drawn into a storage tank.
The helium is then filtered and pressurized before being filled into new balloons.
Where are Macy parade balloons stored?
Macy’s Parade Balloons are stored in a large hangar located in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Ruthorford, New Jersey. The storage facility is known as the “Balloon Warehouse” and is designed to hold 17 large balloons and a number of smaller ones.
The hangar is climate controlled, has a number of forklifts and fans, and is staffed 24 hours a day. Additionally, the facility is responsible for the physical upkeep of the balloons: they are patched and inflated with helium gas, and mended in the case of any damage.
