The grand finale of Magic Kingdom’s beloved Festival of Fantasy parade took an unexpected turn once again on November 11, when the hot air balloon atop Mickey and Minnie Mouse’s float visibly deflated mid-performance. Guests watching the 2:00 p.m. parade witnessed the balloon collapse partially over the float, obscuring one side of the characters as they continued to wave and dance—ever the professionals in true Disney fashion.Credit: DisneyVideos of the moment quickly spread across social media, with one clip shared by park guest @uliasick on TikTok capturing the scene in detail. In the footage, Mickey and Minnie can be seen maintaining their signature choreography atop the float as the once-inflated balloon droops downward, sagging heavily to one side. Despite the malfunction, the duo didn’t miss a beat, carrying on with their cheerful waves and bright smiles as though nothing was amiss.A Repeat Malfunction in the Magic KingdomWhile the moment brought surprise and laughter to guests lining Main Street, U.S.A., this isn’t the first time the Festival of Fantasy parade’s signature finale float—known as “Mickey’s Airship”—has suffered a similar fate. A nearly identical deflation occurred earlier this year in March, when the balloon section of the same float collapsed partway through the parade. Today, park reservations also sold out, so this happened in front of a sold-out crowd. @bobbyasen I think the parade needed some extra pixie dust today! #magickingdom #waltdisneyworld #disney #distok #mickeymouse ♬ The Fate of Ophelia – Taylor Swift Like before, Cast Members were seen attempting to re-inflate the balloon as the float continued down the parade route. Another TikTok video, this one posted by user @bobbyasen, shows the balloon starting to lose air shortly after the parade stepped off in Frontierland. From there, the deflation gradually worsened as the float traveled toward Main Street, U.S.A., where guests noticed the sagging top and the small team of parade handlers managing the situation from below.Towed Through the KingdomIn addition to the balloon collapse, today’s parade also experienced a noticeable gap between floats as “Mickey’s Airship” slowed down near the center of the park. Eventually, the float had to be towed along part of its route, suggesting the issue extended beyond just a problem with the balloon. The slow movement and the accompanying tow vehicle caused a slight delay, though the rest of the parade continued as scheduled.Guests along the route seemed more amused than alarmed, with many capturing the rare sight on video or snapping photos of Mickey and Minnie gamely continuing their routine beneath the deflated balloon. Others cheered for the characters’ professionalism, noting how the pair remained perfectly in character despite the technical mishap above them.Disney has not yet issued an official comment on the cause of the malfunction, nor has there been confirmation on whether the float will appear in tomorrow’s scheduled parade.The Heart of the ParadeCredit: Brittany DiCologero, Inside the MagicMickey’s Airship serves as the grand finale of the Festival of Fantasy parade, a daytime spectacular that has been a fixture of Magic Kingdom since 2014. The float features Mickey and Minnie Mouse soaring high above the park in a colorful hot air balloon adorned with classic Disney iconography and gold filigree details. It’s designed to celebrate the magic and imagination of the Disney legacy, closing out the parade in a joyful burst of music and color.That sense of joy is what makes the Festival of Fantasy so popular among guests. The parade includes themed floats and characters from beloved Disney films such as Tangled, Frozen, Peter Pan, Brave, and more. It’s particularly famous for its Maleficent dragon float, which towers over guests and breathes real fire—a stunning visual that has also had its fair share of technical issues over the years.The Festival of Fantasy parade typically runs once daily at 2:00 p.m., winding its way from Frontierland through Liberty Square and down Main Street, U.S.A. It remains one of the most anticipated daily offerings at Walt Disney World, drawing thousands of guests who line up early to claim the perfect viewing spots along the route.A Tough Year for Parade MalfunctionsToday’s deflation marks another technical hiccup in a year filled with unexpected parade and attraction challenges for Walt Disney World. Between temporary show stoppages, weather delays, and equipment malfunctions, even the most magical entertainment occasionally faces behind-the-scenes hurdles.Earlier this year, the Maleficent dragon float from Festival of Fantasy also made headlines after its fire effect failed to activate for several performances in a row. While Disney’s entertainment teams are known for maintaining high standards of reliability and show quality, the sheer complexity of these floats—many of which contain intricate hydraulic systems, pyrotechnics, and moving parts—means that occasional technical issues are inevitable.Keeping the Magic AliveDespite the setback, many guests praised how Cast Members and performers handled the situation. The Festival of Fantasy performers’ ability to stay in character is part of what defines the Disney experience. Even as the balloon drooped over their heads, Mickey and Minnie kept the magic alive for every child and family watching.By the time the float reached the end of its route, onlookers could see Disney technicians beginning to assess the situation. While there’s been no confirmation yet on the extent of the damage, it’s likely that the float will undergo inspection and maintenance overnight before being cleared for future parades.What’s Next for Mickey’s Airship?Credit: Jess Colopy, Inside the MagicFor now, it remains to be seen whether the Festival of Fantasy finale float will make its return immediately or if it will need to be temporarily removed for repairs. Guests visiting Magic Kingdom in the coming days should keep an eye on Disney’s entertainment schedule or the My Disney Experience app for any last-minute changes or adjustments to the parade lineup.Even with occasional hiccups, the Festival of Fantasy remains one of the most enchanting and visually impressive experiences at Walt Disney World. Its blend of live performance, music, and engineering continues to delight visitors from around the world—balloon or no balloon.As for Mickey and Minnie, they’ve once again proven that no technical malfunction can deflate their spirit. Whether their hot air balloon flies high or hangs low, the world’s most famous mouse duo continues to remind guests that, at the Magic Kingdom, the show always goes on.The post Mickey and Minnie Crushed Under Collapsing Parade Float During Sold Out Performance appeared first on Inside the Magic.