USA Today has revealed that an Olaf balloon will appear in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “Having an Olaf balloon alongside Mickey, Elmo and Big Bird is a dream come true and something that, because (the parade’s) so storied and has such a long tradition, I now get to share with my own kids,” says Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf.
Frozen co-director Chris Buck, drew the sketch that inspired Macy’s design team’s final balloon design.
Olaf is returning to the spotlight in Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, a featurette that will accompany Pixar’s Coco when it is released the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. It’s the first holiday season since the gates reopened and Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) and Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel) host a celebration for all of Arendelle. When the townspeople unexpectedly leave early to enjoy their individual holiday customs, the sisters realize they have no family traditions of their own. So, Olaf sets out to comb the kingdom to bring home the best traditions and save this first Christmas for his friends.
Also in the story, Gad reveals that he has already started work on the sequel to Frozen which is scheduled to be released in November 2019. “It really is spectacular — the stuff I’ve seen, the stuff I’ve heard and the stuff I’ve read,” he says. “I’m truly excited.” Presumably, the balloon will make a return appearance to promote that highly-anticipated film.