Up, Up and Away ... [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

Saxton

11-01-2009, 07:38 PM

Well I just returned from WDW and although I don't do trip reports (sorry Jackskellingtonsgirl ;)) I thought I would share a few things especially for Mike. This trip wasn't exactly what I had planned - I book BWV at the 11 month mark for F&W so I can easily walk into EPCOT. Well, at the last minute Mom decided to come. Now I love her dearly but most of my life is spent taking care of my parents and I was looking forward to some 'me' time. Oh, well, you roll with the punches. I switched to a 2 bedroom at SSR since A.) Mom couldn't handle the walking at BWV and B.) I needed a 2 bedroom so I could have some space!!! She moves at a very, very (think snail) pace and the heat was a bit much for her so I didn't get to do as much as I normally would have but that's ok.

One thing we did was Characters in Flight - the balloon at DTD. It's $16 per person and it goes up 400'. I've done parasailing a few times and although I prefer that I really enjoyed this. The 'basket' is a circular walkway that is attached to the balloon. It's a very smooth flight and although we may have been swaying a bit you really don't notice it (ignore that last part Mike!). You get a good view of the parks and you realize how spread out everything is. The 'pilot' walked around and offered to take pictures of everyone with their cameras and he got a great shot of the 3 of us. I took quite a few pictures of various views.

The other thing we really enjoyed was Tusker House for lunch. Honestly I was not happy that they changed it to a buffet but 4 of us went and everyone really enjoyed it - many of the choices remind me of Boma. We were all so full that we skipped dinner.

FYI - I posted some pictures, I think they're all available for public viewing: http://saxton.shutterfly.com/flight/5

ConcKahuna

11-01-2009, 07:45 PM

You can keep that balloon. I'm afraid of heights and standing on a doughnut hanging from a sack of air and held down by just some rope is NOT in my plans.

Saxton

11-01-2009, 07:56 PM

You can keep that balloon. I'm afraid of heights and standing on a doughnut hanging from a sack of air and held down by just some rope is NOT in my plans.

Come on Conck - it's attached to a cable that's probably thicker than my thumb! :lmao: Nothing to worry about!

rosiep

11-01-2009, 08:23 PM

DOPEYLUVER

11-01-2009, 08:37 PM

You can keep that balloon. I'm afraid of heights and standing on a doughnut hanging from a sack of air and held down by just some rope is NOT in my plans.

I'm so glad you posted this comment. I was going to ask my friend if he thought it looked bad because he has a fear of heights. I won't bother asking.

I agree with Rosie about the shadow picture. It's very cool.

Saxton

11-01-2009, 08:45 PM

Saxton!

Thanks for posting those photos. James and I visited the balloon, but the winds would not cooperate. I am trying to talk Tara in trying it when we visit. I loved your photo of the balloon shadowed on the water!

Sorry this trip wasn't all to yourself....but I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.

Welcome back-
-R

I'll make a deal with you ... if I go down in Feb. and Tara won't go on it then you and I will do it together. But I have two rules - you can't call me fat and no groping allowed (ok, I'm sort of flexible on that second one ;)).

pixierella

11-01-2009, 09:27 PM

I just got back today too and I was looking at the balloon. Too dark, too windy, too much of a scaredy cat. I plan on downloading some pictures tomorrow. Hope they came out as good as yours Saxton.

OrlandoMike

11-02-2009, 01:09 AM

Great pics! Thanks!

Now there is no need for me to go on that Death Trap! I can just look at your pics! :rotfl2:

(BTW my personal favorite pic is of SSR with the Contemporary in the backround) :thumbsup2

rosiep

11-02-2009, 01:19 AM

I'll make a deal with you ... if I go down in Feb. and Tara won't go on it then you and I will do it together. But I have two rules - you can't call me fat and no groping allowed (ok, I'm sort of flexible on that second one ;)).

Got it! :thumbsup2 Groping and name calling not allowed.....Nudity OK!

Hydani

11-02-2009, 07:39 AM

You can keep that balloon. I'm afraid of heights and standing on a doughnut hanging from a sack of air and held down by just some rope is NOT in my plans.

I agree here, I HATE heights :/ But those pictures are nice :thumbsup2

hematite153

11-02-2009, 08:41 AM

Got it! :thumbsup2 Groping and name calling not allowed.....Nudity OK!

Ummm....there will be OTHER people on the balloon too...

ConcKahuna

11-02-2009, 08:52 AM

Ummm....there will be OTHER people on the balloon too...

See, I'd have no problem being nude with strangers on the balloon, as long as the balloon was on the ground.

rosiep

11-02-2009, 01:40 PM

Ummm....there will be OTHER people on the balloon too...

........and your point is???????? ;)

hematite153

11-02-2009, 04:24 PM

See, I'd have no problem being nude with strangers on the balloon, as long as the balloon was on the ground.

Fair enough...I could probably be talked into that one more easily than being talked into sitting down while the balloon gained height as well. (I really don't understand why I should be asked to PAY money for such a terrifying experience!)

hematite153

11-02-2009, 04:25 PM

........and your point is???????? ;)

:sad2:

rosiep

11-02-2009, 04:54 PM

:sad2:

But...but....I like joint nudity. Heck....the more the merrier.

(in my dreams anyway....)

hematite153

11-02-2009, 09:29 PM

But...but....I like joint nudity. Heck....the more the merrier.

(in my dreams anyway....)

You know, I don't normally talk about this (and I'm sure I'm setting myself up), but, I do normally understand.

If they'd make clothing more comfortable and make it easier to get it to actually fit individual bodies, then, I'd feel differently, but, I also find clothing irritating.

(I also know environments where you can easily engage in joint nudity if you wish -- I just doubt that a balloon above DTD is the right place for it!)

Saxton

11-03-2009, 06:22 AM

You know, I don't normally talk about this (and I'm sure I'm setting myself up), but, I do normally understand.

If they'd make clothing more comfortable and make it easier to get it to actually fit individual bodies, then, I'd feel differently, but, I also find clothing irritating.

(I also know environments where you can easily engage in joint nudity if you wish -- I just doubt that a balloon above DTD is the right place for it!)

Please don't encourage her!

Why is it that Rosie ties nudity into every thread? I think I'm taking back my offer to go on the balloon with you. Heights I can take ... Rosie's nudity not so much. :scared1:

jackskellingtonsgirl

11-03-2009, 08:08 AM

Saxton, I am sorry your "me" time wasn't just for you. :hug:
We liked the balloon! I would love to parasail one of these days but we haven't managed to work it into the schedule.

rosiep

11-03-2009, 01:37 PM

Please don't encourage her!

Why is it that Rosie ties nudity into every thread? I think I'm taking back my offer to go on the balloon with you. Heights I can take ... Rosie's nudity not so much. :scared1:

:cutie:

For you Saxton...I'll keep my clothes on...but only for you.

mykidsintow

11-03-2009, 05:20 PM

Ohhh fabulous pics!!! I can't wait to see it for myself and take tons of pics! I will get Mike Mid flight to prove he did it! :)

Looks like fun to me! :)

hematite153

11-03-2009, 05:47 PM

I will get Mike Mid flight to prove he did it! :)

Is he really going to be forced to go up?

Sorry, Mike!

Saxton

11-03-2009, 07:06 PM

:cutie:

For you Saxton...I'll keep my clothes on...but only for you.

Thank you! Now I can keep my eyes open to enjoy the view.

Is he really going to be forced to go up?

Sorry, Mike!

Absolutely! You see Julia, Beth's adorable daughter, has Mike wrapped around her little finger and there is no way Mike can say no to her. Beth needs to take lots of pictures!!:rotfl:

mykidsintow

11-04-2009, 01:23 AM

Absolutely! You see Julia, Beth's adorable daughter, has Mike wrapped around her little finger and there is no way Mike can say no to her. Beth needs to take lots of pictures!!:rotfl:

Yeah what she said! He was kinda suckered into it by my 6 yr old. He didn't really think she would do it..... He should SOOOOO know better ;)

It will be Awesome!

OrlandoMike

11-04-2009, 01:55 AM

Yeah what she said! He was kinda suckered into it by my 6 yr old. He didn't really think she would do it..... He should SOOOOO know better ;)

It will be Awesome!

Note to Julia....

Uncle Mike has to work that day! So sorry!

hematite153

11-04-2009, 09:50 PM

Note to Julia....

Uncle Mike has to work that day! So sorry!

Maybe it will turn out to be a really windy day?

OrlandoMike

11-05-2009, 01:55 AM

Maybe it will turn out to be a really windy day?

Trust me! That kid has it penciled in every day....she even factored in weather delays!!

(Good thing I know where the Margarita bar at DTD is! ;)

jackskellingtonsgirl

11-05-2009, 11:32 AM

Trust me! That kid has it penciled in every day....she even factored in weather delays!!

(Good thing I know where the Margarita bar at DTD is! ;)

I am sure Julia enjoys a good margarita. ;)

hematite153

11-05-2009, 06:28 PM

Trust me! That kid has it penciled in every day....she even factored in weather delays!!

Sounds like you're doomed! :sad2:

npmommie

11-06-2009, 12:25 AM

You can keep that balloon. I'm afraid of heights and standing on a doughnut hanging from a sack of air and held down by just some rope is NOT in my plans.

I'm with Conc on this one.
You couldn't pay me to go up in that thing.
I got queasy on Soarin, just having that feeling of being up high, even though I knew I wasn't it still bothered me.

hematite153

11-07-2009, 05:21 PM

I got queasy on Soarin, just having that feeling of being up high, even though I knew I wasn't it still bothered me.

Have you ever sat on the edge of the first row? You can see from there that you're actually pretty high up...I try not to think about it though....