Balloons at AKV?

[dreambound]

Can someone tell me what the deal is with balloons at AKV? If my toddler begs for a balloon and we get one, what will happen when we return to the resort?

Thanks

Meg

[dmccarty]

Can someone tell me what the deal is with balloons at AKV? If my toddler begs for a balloon and we get one, what will happen when we return to the resort?

A Zulu warrior, hiding unseen near the fire place, will leap out at the offending balloon, puncture the helium filled bag with his assegai(a short stabbing spear) and then yell, "NO balloons at AKV!" The warrior will then pick up the deflated dead balloon with a disgusted look and put it in the trash before going back into hiding to ambush the next offending balloon to appear in the lobby...

Sometimes the warrior is near one of the big columns...

Keep your eyes open.

Balloons and plastic straws are not allowed at AKL/AKV to protect the animals. There are signs all over the place regarding the safety of the animals.

Later,
Dan

[dreambound]

Originally Posted by dmccarty

A Zulu warrior, hiding unseen near the fire place, will leap out at the offending balloon, puncture the helium filled bag with his assegai(a short stabbing spear) and then yell, "NO balloons at AKV!" The warrior will then pick up the deflated dead balloon with a disgusted look and put it in the trash before going back into hiding to ambush the next offending balloon to appear in the lobby...

Sometimes the warrior is near one of the big columns...

Keep your eyes open.

Awesome. Disney pulls out all the stops, don't they?

I should rephrase my question. I've heard tell that balloons can be checked in at the check-in desk and you can pick them up on leaving the resort.

Can anyone tell me if that is the case? Believe it or not, I have a kiddo who heard about the no-balloons clause and it was a deal-breaker for her. Now, she doesn't get a say in the matter as she is not funding the trip (we were between VWL and AKV and we've already stayed at VWL before) but I would love to be able to give her the correct information. I'm assuming it is either no balloon purchases at all or balloons can be checked in at the desk.

Any info would be very helpful. Thanks!

Meg

[jworkkul]

Why would you want to purchase a balloon if you can't have it in your room?
You are right, they are not allowed in any of the Animal Kingdom rooms. The
Bell Services will take the balloon(s) and keep them until you check out. Also,
if you are flying, you can't take the balloon(s) on the airplane and with the cost of them now (around $10-15 per balloon) it doesn't seem worthy to me.

[dreambound]

Originally Posted by jworkkul

Why would you want to purchase a balloon if you can't have it in your room?
You are right, they are not allowed in any of the Animal Kingdom rooms. The
Bell Services will take the balloon(s) and keep them until you check out. Also,
if you are flying, you can't take the balloon(s) on the airplane and with the cost of them now (around $10-15 per balloon) it doesn't seem worthy to me.

Because my daughter has collected a balloon on every trip. We deflate them before flying.

On her birthday every year, we reinflate them. With Mylar balloons, you just trim the bottom of the spout, reinflate, and then seal with hot hair iron.

It's a special little tradition for her, and I just want to be able to tell her whether or not she'll be able to continue it with this trip. She can handle it if she can't, but I do have visions of my toddler melting down when we say "no balloon." I mean, rules are rules and we won't break them. It's just nice to know what the deal is in advance.

Thanks

Meg

[snykymom]

Originally Posted by dreambound

Because my daughter has collected a balloon on every trip. We deflate them before flying.

On her birthday every year, we reinflate them. With Mylar balloons, you just trim the bottom of the spout, reinflate, and then seal with hot hair iron.

It's a special little tradition for her, and I just want to be able to tell her whether or not she'll be able to continue it with this trip. She can handle it if she can't, but I do have visions of my toddler melting down when we say "no balloon." I mean, rules are rules and we won't break them. It's just nice to know what the deal is in advance.

Thanks

Meg

Why not get her the balloon on your last day, if you have time to go back to a park before you go? Or just the day before and you can pick it up at check out. That way, she'll have her tradition, and you can still stay at AKL.

[dreambound]

Originally Posted by snykymom

Why not get her the balloon on your last day, if you have time to go back to a park before you go? Or just the day before and you can pick it up at check out. That way, she'll have her tradition, and you can still stay at AKL.

Oh, we're staying at AKL no matter what. She knows that, too.



I think what we will do is let her pick a balloon when the mood strikes her while we are out at the parks, have her enjoy it throughout the day, and then deflate it upon our return to the resort before we go back to the room. Then she can hang it up in "her" room (we'll be in a villa) and enjoy it throughout the rest of the trip.

Or am I misunderstanding the danger to the animals?

Just to be clear, I am totally aware of the fact that it is much ado about just a stinkin' balloon. But my kids have their little Disney things and I have mine and I guess this one is theirs.


Meg

[KateMW]

What about finding a store that has balloons and buying one that has no air?

[Sienna]

I've heard about the balloons, but you can't have straws, either? Even in the dining area?

[Tigger2252]

Originally Posted by Sienna

I've heard about the balloons, but you can't have straws, either? Even in the dining area?

Plastic straws are not allowed.

[HsvTeacher]

Originally Posted by Sienna

I've heard about the balloons, but you can't have straws, either? Even in the dining area?

They have the same paper straws that are in Animal Kingdom. They get really soft after a few minutes, so I'm assuming they are safe if animals were to accidentally get hold of one.

[fall08CP]

Originally Posted by Tigger2252

Plastic straws are not allowed.

Nor lids on the soft drink cups, at least in DAK (assume the same for DAKL).

[Deb & Bill]

Originally Posted by dreambound

Oh, we're staying at AKL no matter what. She knows that, too.



I think what we will do is let her pick a balloon when the mood strikes her while we are out at the parks, have her enjoy it throughout the day, and then deflate it upon our return to the resort before we go back to the room. Then she can hang it up in "her" room (we'll be in a villa) and enjoy it throughout the rest of the trip.

Or am I misunderstanding the danger to the animals?

Just to be clear, I am totally aware of the fact that it is much ado about just a stinkin' balloon. But my kids have their little Disney things and I have mine and I guess this one is theirs.


Meg

The animals will try to eat the balloon material if it gets away and deflates anywhere on the property. Then they will either have digestive problems or choke because of the balloon, plastic straw or drink lid if one of the keepers doesn't find it before the animal does.

[dmccarty]

Sounds like the Balloon Tradition must and should continue.

Maybe you will get lucky and the CM will just give you a deflated balloon for free? That might be a fantasy so try to get a balloon in FantasyLand.

Course the tradition could be worse. It could be collecting Princess Dresses!

When we stayed at CBR someone had THREE dresses hanging, nicely arranged I might add, in the room window for all to see. There was some serious money in that window. A balloon is more reasonable.

Later,
Dan

[♥♥LittleSeaRose♥♥]

That is so funny that straws and balloons are deal breakers! It is true though! I drink ALL of my dark beverages- coffee, pepsi, red wine etc. with a straw (don't laugh I'm in the dental industry. ) and my family MUST have balloons! We love them! We WERE going to stay at the AKL for our trip, but these just happened to be the deal breakers!