Mickey Balloons

[WDWMeg311]

Here is something I have been wondering about for a few years... I remember my first trip when I was 4 (it was to Disneyland, not WDW) and I got one of those classic mickey shaped balloons. I remember seeing the whole bunch of them as I looked down main street and it was just such a pretty picture. I know they obviously still sell balloons (the mylar princess ones, etc.) and they also still sell the mickey balloons but now they are encased inside a larger clear balloon... does anyone know why?

 

[BrianD]

I think it's nothing more than fancier balloons so that they can charge more money for them. And I'm with you from a nostalgia perspective, but you have to agree the balloons today are cooler, and better quality than the old timey ones. That said, it would be nice if they too were still available.

 

[sbsteel]

If I'm not mistaken, I believe it has something to do with latex allergies.

 

[moonpie85]

Those new balloons are cute! I always want one but know I'd look ridiculous

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Latex allergies.

 

[RMulieri]

Agree with PP's Classic mickey head balloons gone because of the increase in people with latex allergies.

 

[bradk]

the balloons are latex free and i'm quite sure they sell just mickey heads without the surrounding globe. it's pretty hard to forget when you see them all with one ear completely shrunk

 

[luvgoing2disney]

Those new balloons are cute! I always want one but know I'd look ridiculous

Believe me, no one would think a thing about it if you were to buy one. They'll be too busy trying on their new Goofy hat.

 

[disnut8]

Those new balloons are cute! I always want one but know I'd look ridiculous

You'll only look ridiculous is you sucked the helium out of it before boarding the bus and singing "It's a Small World" on the way back to your resort.

 

[shyjade]

I'm going to finally buy myself one of those shiny Mickey head balloons this year, and I'm 37. Always wanted one as a kid but never got one, and since we're taking my parents to Disney with us this year I think this is the year I will finally get one. And I'm keeping it in our room at the Poly all week long, even if it drives my dad nuts!

 

[Sleeping Becca]

the balloons are latex free and i'm quite sure they sell just mickey heads without the surrounding globe. it's pretty hard to forget when you see them all with one ear completely shrunk

Then maybe they are encased in the clear plastic due to the balloon being a choking hazard.

 

[bellazachmom]

I agree with a previous poster, it is pretty hard to forget a Mickey Balloon with one, or even two shrunken ears! So sad!

However, I believe that these balloons actually start out incased in the clear balloon and then that has popped, leaving the Mickey on its own.

Anybody?

 

[SorcererDonald16]

I never noticed the Mickey balloons being sold without the clear balloon surrounding it back in May either.

Funny story though: we bought one (red Mickey ears encased in the clear balloon) on May 15th at the MK before the parade started. We left WDW on May 23rd; we loaded the car up at Wilderness Lodge, came back out twenty minutes later from going in the Mercantile one last time and taking pictures, and Mickey's left ear had deflated.

Fast forward to now, June 27th, and the balloon just last week finally stopped floating and the clear balloon deflated partially. But the red Mickey is still intact! Is that supposed to stay inflated that long? The CM said it would last 8-10 days, but needless to say it's been a lot longer than that!

 

[hmdavid]

Believe me, no one would think a thing about it if you were to buy one. They'll be too busy trying on their new Goofy hat.

 

[DiznEeyore]

the balloons are latex free and i'm quite sure they sell just mickey heads without the surrounding globe. it's pretty hard to forget when you see them all with one ear completely shrunk

The balloons are not latex free. Even though they are encased in the plastic on the outside, the Mickey head inside is still latex and can still pose a hazard to those with latex allergies should the outer "shell" break.

And that information is straight from Disney.

ETA: For further info on latex allegies at WDW (and specifically the balloon issue), refer to this thread from the disABILITIES board:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1622524

 

[disnut8]

Then maybe they are encased in the clear plastic due to the balloon being a choking hazard.

All "lost" balloons that become deflated are a potential choking hazard for water fowl. The mylar ones could also be dangerous to birds making nests as they see the shiny stuff and think it's something for their nests.

I wasn't going to get up on a soapbox but if you do get a balloon, please, please, please, hold on to it and dispose of it properly and don't let it fly away.

 

[kschafer]

I'm going to finally buy myself one of those shiny Mickey head balloons this year, and I'm 37. Always wanted one as a kid but never got one, and since we're taking my parents to Disney with us this year I think this is the year I will finally get one. And I'm keeping it in our room at the Poly all week long, even if it drives my dad nuts!

I just got back yesterday and did the EXACT same thing!! I always wanted one when I was a kid and never got one. I am now 36 and on this trip I bought myself one of the mylar mickey on one side/minnie on the other balloons. I had to let my kids know it was MOMMY's balloon, not for them My parents were with us and they of course thought it was a terrible waste of money but it's MY money now and I'm gettin' a balloon!!

 

[strmtroopr96]

I just got back yesterday and did the EXACT same thing!! I always wanted one when I was a kid and never got one. I am now 36 and on this trip I bought myself one of the mylar mickey on one side/minnie on the other balloons. I had to let my kids know it was MOMMY's balloon, not for them My parents were with us and they of course thought it was a terrible waste of money but it's MY money now and I'm gettin' a balloon!!

LOL Sounds like me! I always loved those balloons and wanted one. I actually bought a 2-pack of the Mickey head balloons when I was a CM in '97 but can't remember where they are (I never blew them up LOL).

So now I am thinking of maybe buying balloons for my girls in September after reading how long they really last. But now I am rethinking it because they will be tied to the stroller and therefore constantly bopping me in the face!! LOL Yikes...have I become my parents???

 

[orangecats2]

I am 35 and I want one too! I told my fiance that is the one thing he HAS to buy me at WDW. Of course I don't know what I'm going to do with it all day long!
Also, do they have them everywhere or only at MK? And how much?
Thanks!

 

[Moonpie]

I just got back yesterday and did the EXACT same thing!! I always wanted one when I was a kid and never got one. I am now 36 and on this trip I bought myself one of the mylar mickey on one side/minnie on the other balloons. I had to let my kids know it was MOMMY's balloon, not for them My parents were with us and they of course thought it was a terrible waste of money but it's MY money now and I'm gettin' a balloon!!

I'm right there with you! Besides...I need an accessory that will match with my mickey ears!