Downtown Disney Balloon Ride?

[bsjs0708]

Has anyone done the tethered balloon ride at Downtown Disney? It recently returned and I really want to do it. I know its not a traditional hot air balloon ride but it will work to check a box on my 'bucket list"

 

[Gorechick]

Listening... Does anyone know if its in the plans and staying for the DTD conversion to Disney Springs?

 

[Dislover1991]

I rode it last year before it closed for a bit.

I enjoyed it. Like you said, it's not a "real" hot air balloon ride but it gives you some great views of the area! I got some great pictures from up there!

 

[Linleedo]

We would love to do it too. We went to Downtown Disney twice our last visit & the winds were slightly moderate & they wouldn't go up.. So beware, they won't do it on windy days. They actually close.

 

[fairy oma]

We are hoping to take our granddaughters, age 3 and 5 on it, do you think they would enjoy it?

 

[travelin' tigger]

Has anyone done the tethered balloon ride at Downtown Disney? It recently returned and I really want to do it. I know its not a traditional hot air balloon ride but it will work to check a box on my 'bucket list"

My brother and I did it last November and really enjoyed it. Spectacular views! We went before 10am and it was $10/person (I think). Also the pilot let us stay up until another party arrived so I think we stayed up 15-20 min.

Would love to do it at night!

 

[winterman]

DH and I did it almost 2 years ago. (I think.) I loved it. The views were great. We were the first group up in the morning. I would love to do it at night.

 

[think-like-tink]

I would love to do Flights of Wonder.

I have a friend that did it and her pics were amazing. I have it jotted down on my list of must do's for our next trip.

 

[wiigirl]

We are hoping to take our granddaughters, age 3 and 5 on it, do you think they would enjoy it?

Yes...just make sure they go potty first.

 

[mesaboy2]

I would love to do Flights of Wonder.

I have a friend that did it and her pics were amazing. I have it jotted down on my list of must do's for our next trip.

To be clear, Flights of Wonder is the bird show at AK. This thread is about Characters In Flight.

 

[think-like-tink]

DOH, you are right!! To early in the morning

 

[blessedby3]

My daughter is considering doing this when we go in June. There is a groupon for it right now.
She was wondering how far you can see. Can you see any parks, or just some surrounding resorts?
Thanks

 

[nhra67]

We had a great time, it was a bit windy, so it felt like more of a "thrill ride" They closed down for the day right after our ride. Nice view of the area

 

[DisGirl819]

Is it enclosed? Would it be ok/fun for kids age 4 and 6? Would it be ok for someone afraid of heights? I can ride Soarin and enjoy it, but cannot walk on the overlooks at the Grand Canyon or hike steep drop offs.

 

[winterman]

Is it enclosed? Would it be ok/fun for kids age 4 and 6? Would it be ok for someone afraid of heights? I can ride Soarin and enjoy it, but cannot walk on the overlooks at the Grand Canyon or hike steep drop offs.

The basket is very safe. There is a solid wall that goes up to about 3 feet from the floor. Above that is netting that goes up to about 7 feet. The netting is very strong and I don't think that anything bigger than an adult hand would fit through it.

As I said in a prior post, I loved the balloon ride and I would think that kids would love it. However, I can't imagine that someone with fear of heights would be able to tolerate this. In fact, when we rode the balloon we had to descend a few minutes earlier then usual because one woman had "had enough". Remember there is no ground or building under you feet. Just a platform, although there is no way that you could fall out.

 

[DisGirl819]

So under your feet, is it clear or solid (opaque)?

 

[linzbear]

My daughter is considering doing this when we go in June. There is a groupon for it right now.
She was wondering how far you can see. Can you see any parks, or just some surrounding resorts?
Thanks

You can very clearly see all the parks, however the castle is mostly behind the contemporary resort, so you can't really see it.

 

[Marthasor]

It's solid under your feet. My DS6 and I did it in February. We went after dinner and the wait was very long - took about an hour to get our tickets and get on the ride. Once we got in the air, I was a bit underwhelmed. You can see EP and some ratty looking amusement areas that are not owned by Disney. Meh. I think if we had been up during some of the fireworks it would have been fun. My DS6 enjoyed it. I don't think I would take a younger child up. We did it once. Don't need to do it again!

 

[linzbear]

So under your feet, is it clear or solid (opaque)?

Solid. It's a basket in the shape of an O. You also can't really move around because the weight has to be evenly distributed.

 

[alicemouse]

We finally did this in December and it was so much fun!! I love being up high and it was a great vantage point for the Disney Springs construction! It does shut down a lot because of wind, so beware. Our anecdotal experience is that it is more likely to be shut down later in the evening than in the morning or afternoon, so go kid of early for the best chance at riding. We went around 2pm and the wait was very short.

There was a Groupon for $11pp or $20 per couple. Not sure if you can still buy it or not. It's good through April 23, but if you miss that deadline, you are supposed to be able to apply what you paid toward a regular priced fare anytime. I bought one because if we can't go during our April trip because of weather, we'll use it in September and it won't cost us any more money than it would have otherwise.