Hot Air Balloon Rides

[grannyed]

Plase can anyone tell me anything about these - in or around Orlando - or direct me to a website thanks

 

[Goofyish]

Orange Blossom Balloons is a recommended company:

Orange Blossom Balloons

 

[Miffy2003]

That looks like fun!

 

[mrs-mac]

We went with Orange Blossom Balloons last year and it was fantastic. The staff are so friendly, we flew with Jeff and he's a funny guy who knows his stuff. The flight takes about 40mins approx and its so quiet up there, its a strange feeling cause you expect it to be rough or jumpy but its so smooth you cant tell your moving! You fly over Orange groves and a lake, landing in a field(that is the part that's bumpy lol) You then help 2 fold the balloon and put it away, ending the experience with a Champayne toast and breakfast at a near-by hotel.

I'd recommend it to anyone, the only down side is that the time goes so quick

 

[Celestine]

We've booked for this summer (through Virgin because DD was free!). DD doesn't know. DH won't go as he has a thing about heights so he's going to join the chase crew with other DD who will be only just 1 anyway, so too young. Have read various reports about the flights in general (not Virgin specific) & they all seem really positive, so I can't wait.

 

[tink too]

DH has a fear of heights - he loved the flight so much, he can't wait to get up in a balloon again!

Although it is an early start to your day (about 5.30am) it is totally worth it! We went with Orange Blossom Balloons, too and they were fantastic!

 

[heatherbelle]

Orange Blossom also give free flights to children (under 10).

I've booked one for October as a surprise for my boys!

 

[John Smith44]

Hey I saw that ms mac had posted about flying with Jeff, just wanted to let you know that he started his own company Thompson Aire. My wife and I flew with him in June and had a great time!! Yes he does tell some funny jokes but he has been flying for over 30 years and really knows his stuff!! I think the best part was the personal attention we got on our flight. There were only 4 of us in the basket and we laughed and had fun the whole time. We saw a bunch of other balloons out flying and some of them looked like they had 20 people stuffed in one balloon. The Thompson Aire folks really treated us right and we can not wait to fly with them again next year.

I think their site is thompsonaire.com

Have fun!

John

 

[kieras nana]

thats who we have booked with john!
we are really looking forward to it.thompsonaire,has been recommended on here,thats how i came,to make my booking with them.
tracy

 

[ali5]

We are also about to book with them.

I am absolutely terrified of heights but managed to do the sydney Harbour Bridge climb a couple of years ago so sure I can manage this as well.

Really excited !!!

Ali

 

[John Smith44]

kieras nana you are going to have a great time!!!

Ali5 Captain Jeff is great about that! He will tell you everything to expect and by the time your done flying you will have forgotten all about hights. Most of the time they stay fairly low to the ground...... More stuff to see that way. We saw deer and birds and even picked a few pine cones!

Thompson Aire has a great guest book on their page, I go in and read other peoples comments every once and a while....... there are some great comments there.

Have fun!!!

 

[kieras nana]

kieras nana you are going to have a great time!!!

Ali5 Captain Jeff is great about that! He will tell you everything to expect and by the time your done flying you will have forgotten all about hights. Most of the time they stay fairly low to the ground...... More stuff to see that way. We saw deer and birds and even picked a few pine cones!

Thompson Aire has a great guest book on their page, I go in and read other peoples comments every once and a while....... there are some great comments there.

Have fun!!!

thanks!
i have been popping,into the site regularly,to look at the photos,of the recent trips.are these photos,available to buy,if so,can you recall how much?
i just hope,i can get the grandaughter,out of bed!mind you,we are going to the AK,the day before,as this will be,a shorter day,for her.
getting really excited now!!!!!!!!!!!
tracy

 

[binkytell]

hi, i booked thompson aire couple of months ago without
even looking into any reviews so im so glad to hear
what a great experience it is. our balloon trip is on 28th august
so look for our picture the next day.

sarah

 

[jdvm]

My kids gave my wife (who's British) and me a balloon trip on Bob's Balloons and we seriously enjoyed it. We took off with all of the balloon companies (they sort out which way the wind is blowing and start from the same place). They all looked competent. Most balloons take 4; the Virgin balloons took 20. Big balloon; big basket.
You'll really enjoy it. BUT you go where the wind is blowing which is NEVER over Disney property.

So if you realize you're not going to fly over the castle and still want to go, by all means do it.

John

 

[John Smith44]

kieras nana, I think the Thompson Aire folks will give you the photo's that they take, all you have to do is ask Cpt Jeff and he will email them to you. He does have photos of the balloons that you fly in and I think they were $15 We got the Shirts (2 nice Polo's). I saw a photo on his calendar where a whole group of passangers were wearing Thompson Aire shirts on the flight, I wonder if they were returning passengers or if they bought them that morning.... Any way it was funny to see them all decked out looking like part of the team.

Hope this helps...... I will look for a post when you have had your flight or if you post something on the Thompson Aire guest book!

Let us all know how your flight is!!

 

[Dizneemad]

Flew with Jeff when he was at Orange Blossom and sought him out when we took SIL who was nervous as Jeff sets you mind right at ease. A real gentleman and so much fun would highly recommend him. We were fortunate that the winds favoured us the 2nd trip as we did get to see WDW from the air and got some great photo's.

 

[John Smith44]

Binkytell, did you get to fly on the 28th? How was it?

 

[kieras nana]

Binkytell, did you get to fly on the 28th? How was it?

i had a look,on the calendar,the photo was there,so it looks like,she was lucky enough to fly.
i do hope she lets us know,how she enjoyed it.
roll on oct
tracy

 

[John Smith44]

I just noticed something new on the Thompson Aire Page that I thought you would like to check out. They are posting videos of filghts on thier page now. There are only a few but they are fun to watch. Tracy you go soon right?

Any way thought you would enjoy checking this out. Look for the link on the far right side near the top in the navigation box or what ever you call it.

Have fun and Tracy I hope you will let us know how your flight is!!

JS

 

[kieras nana]

thank you!
counting down the days now
i will definately let you know,how the flight went.we are really excited now!
tracy