downtown disney balloon ride

[norlando]

I am really considering taking the balloon ride in Downtown Disney. Has anyone else expirienced this? If so what are your takes on it and how much is the cost per person. Thanks!

 

[Jenngoofys]

I did it last Sept I loved it We did it at night it was so pretty. make sure its not a windy day or they may not be flying. I dont remember the exact cost but it was pretty cheap I think around $12 - $15 each.

 

[ssei7802]

The price has gone up to $18.00 but it is worth the experience.

 

[ToddyLu]

Did it last year, got great photos and it was a great experience....but will not do it again. I didn't like the fact that people could walk around up there.

 

[Metro West]

 

[one90proof]

This must be a fairly new attraction. I don't recall seeing it when I was there last May. On another thread (can't remember which one) someone posted pics and it looks like a lot of fun. I hope it's still there next fall when I return to WDW. My DD19 told me we *HAVE* to go on it.

 

[princesspat209]

heading to wdw in another week . looking forward to trying the balloon ride. We were going to do it last april but on the day we were going to do it it was to windy & they were not allowing it to go up. Hope to report on it when I get back next month.

 

[snowcupid]

Do you have to have reservations in advance? This sounds like a lot of fun.

 

[Evette]

When we did this last September we just walked up and purchased tickets, no advance reservations needed.

 

[catne]

reservations not needed, but you may have to wait (they just have a long line there...and a lot of it is uncovered so if you're going during the day, you'll be in the sun while you wait.)

We enjoyed the ride...and the view is outstanding.

This ride is NOT for the faint of heart, nor for anyone with a fear of heights, or vertigo, or tendency towards motion sickness. The balloon goes very high, and it is not necessarily a smooth ride up & down. Our ascent was fairly smooth though jerky for about the first 100 feet, but our landing was very bumpy and we kind of went 'round & 'round on the platform before they got the balloon exactly where it needed to be ( it was kind of like riding in the Tea Cups, only bigger, lol.) There were a couple of people on our ride that looked a bit green by the time we finally stopped moving on landing. The pilot said the rough landing happens when it's close to the "too windy" point.

 

[Hemlock]

We did the balloon ride on our May 2009 trip. We loved it. The views are amazing. The ballon ride operator will point out the different parks and other Orlando attractions that you can see. My daughter who gets motion sick after about 10 minutes in any car/boat... did not feel sick at all during the ballon ride. Wait time was for the ride was about 15-20 minutes.

Hope you enjoy your ride!