Characters in Flight appears at DTD

[Brian_WDW74]

The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that the new Characters in Flight balloon has been inflated and is scheduled to begin operation on April 1st.



You can see more pictures here:

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/fe...racters-in-flight-pleasure-island-baloon.html

 

[zulemara]

I watched it get blown up last night. It was pretty cool. Here is a pic I took

I was told by a manager that they need "at least 2 weeks of testing" and the final opening is TBD. go figure

 

[Brian_WDW74]

It definitely looks more impressive at night.

 

[Cricket2]

$16 ????

 

[zulemara]

$16 ????

16 for adults, 10 for kids, 30 people 400 ft high

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I was out at DTD this evening and noticed that the "Characters In Flight" ride is operated by Aerophile. In other words: outsourced

BobK/Orlando

 

[daber]

When I was at DLPR, I wanted to do it because it flew close enough to the parks to get an aerial photo. The weather did not cooperate. I can't see spending that type of money to soar over DTD. If they put it on Bay Lake, that would be a different story altogether.

 

[Metro West]

When I was at DLPR, I wanted to do it because it flew close enough to the parks to get an aerial photo. The weather did not cooperate. I can't see spending that type of money to soar over DTD. If they put it on Bay Lake, that would be a different story altogether.

I agree but then you would pay $50 not $16...it's all about the view.

 

[KYMickey]

When I was at DLPR, I wanted to do it because it flew close enough to the parks to get an aerial photo. The weather did not cooperate. I can't see spending that type of money to soar over DTD. If they put it on Bay Lake, that would be a different story altogether.

How much did it cost at DLPR?

 

[rebecca06261]

16 for adults, 10 for kids, 30 people 400 ft high

it's for this reason I refuse to get on this out-sourced eye-sore.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

How much did it cost at DLPR?

The cost is currently 12 Euros for adults, 6 Euros for children. Checking the old currency converter for today, that comes out to $16.2977 for adults, $8.1489 for children.

 

[MemoToMe]

When I was at DLPR, I wanted to do it because it flew close enough to the parks to get an aerial photo. The weather did not cooperate. I can't see spending that type of money to soar over DTD. If they put it on Bay Lake, that would be a different story altogether.

I find it so odd that they are even doing this at all, considering that Central Florida's weather-especially in the summer-is so unpredictable.

Once we hit the summer months, they will be dealing with afternoon and evening thunderstorms. In Paris, not so much.

I'll be interested to see how much down time this has. When I was at DLPR in Sept., 2006, the balloon was down more times than it was up--and the weather wasn't that bad.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I find it so odd that they are even doing this at all, considering that Central Florida's weather-especially in the summer-is so unpredictable.

Same thoughts we had while observing it last night. We wondered whether they just tie it down real good during thunderstorms or whether it has to be deflated. And what about when a tropical storm or hurricane moves into the area; it no doubt has to be deflated and then moved, passenger gondola and all.

But overall I think it's pretty cool and should be popular.

BobK/Orlando

 

[gymnastgirlflips]

On allears.net it says that the basket can hold up to 60 guests and its a 6 minute flight. I'd like to try it sometime, I've never flown in a hot air balloon before.

 

[zulemara]

On allears.net it says that the basket can hold up to 60 guests and its a 6 minute flight. I'd like to try it sometime, I've never flown in a hot air balloon before.

there is NO WAY that thing holds 60 guests

 

[MJMcBride]

Here's a youtube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d0nonFicMg

 

[Metro West]

On allears.net it says that the basket can hold up to 60 guests and its a 6 minute flight. I'd like to try it sometime, I've never flown in a hot air balloon before.

I haven't been in a hot air balloon either but I wouldn't feel comfortable with that many people in the basket.

 

[NMW]

I think it's going to look pretty neat at night, outsourced or not.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

On allears.net it says that the basket can hold up to 60 guests and its a 6 minute flight.

That's a bit off. The basket can hold up to 30 guests. But it looks like Aerophile is planning to load a maximum of 10-20 guests at a time.