Special balloon release?

[mesaboy2]

Really folks?? Really?????

I mean yes the environment is special and needs to be treasured like all other things.

But the original poster just lost her step son and was asking a logical question to HONOR his life and passing...and some of you have the gall to condemn her because you make it sound like shes TRYING to kill endangered species.

Wow, sad. Get your priorities straight.

I'm in the Costino1 bandwagon. So sorry for your loss, OP.

 

[stargazertechie]

Really folks?? Really?????

I mean yes the environment is special and needs to be treasured like all other things.

But the original poster just lost her step son and was asking a logical question to HONOR his life and passing...and some of you have the gall to condemn her because you make it sound like shes TRYING to kill endangered species.

Wow, sad. Get your priorities straight.

I just don't understand why HONORING his life requires harming another life? There are plenty of other things she could do to honor his passing that wouldn't bring harm to nature.

My grandmother died 36 hours before my trip last May. I HONORED her life by paying for a little girl's balloon on our first day (just asked the parents if they would mind if I paid for it, didn't say why, they didn't need to know).

 

[mesaboy2]

I just don't understand why HONORING his life requires harming another life? There are plenty of other things she could do to honor his passing that wouldn't bring harm to nature.

Who here doesn't "hurt the environment" (as it is defined in current culture) in multiple ways every day? That is a very fuzzy line to defend. I don't suppose you eat meat?

I already can't participate in this one anymore. My doc would say it's not good for the BP.

 

[huffjoann]

I am very sorry for your loss. I think this sounds like a very sweet idea. I would think that if you got 4 ballons and got off to the side somewhere and released them it should be fine. I would take a sharpie marker with you and you can write name on ballon if you wish.

 

[grandmadebby2]

I just don't understand why HONORING his life requires harming another life? There are plenty of other things she could do to honor his passing that wouldn't bring harm to nature.

My grandmother died 36 hours before my trip last May. I HONORED her life by paying for a little girl's balloon on our first day (just asked the parents if they would mind if I paid for it, didn't say why, they didn't need to know).

A balloon release is a visual reminder of the hope for a better life and in most cases the visual is healing. It is especially healing to young children involved in the release.

 

[stargazertechie]

I don't suppose you eat meat?

Once a week max. That meat is also purchased from a farmer's market where it is grass fed and humanely raised.

I also walk, bike, and take public transport whenever possible. I use natural house cleaning supplies (no chemicals), make my own laundry soap, grow produce in my garden, have rain barrels, and recycle.

I'm actually pretty crunchy/hippie/granola... That being said, I've always been against balloon releases, ever since I learned (in 3rd grade, 14 years ago) about the grave environmental impact of balloons on marine life.

If Disney was in the midwest with a thousand miles between it and the nearest ocean, I might not be as upset by the thought process.. but we're talking a 45 minute drive to the ocean. That doesn't give the balloons much time to self-destruct before becoming a dolphin's lunch.

That, and those Mickey Head balloons are DURABLE suckers...

 

[bdrex95]

Really folks?? Really?????

I mean yes the environment is special and needs to be treasured like all other things.

But the original poster just lost her step son and was asking a logical question to HONOR his life and passing...and some of you have the gall to condemn her because you make it sound like shes TRYING to kill endangered species.

Wow, sad. Get your priorities straight.

Well said, Costino1. Well said.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Living on the coast, I'm not a big fan of balloon releases, and they are illegal here due to their threat to marine life. They are a very real threat to the health of marine animals, and the PP is right that many endangered species (like sea turtles) will mistake them for food and it will kill them.

That being said, under the circumstances, if it will help your family heal, it's hard to begrudge you the release of a balloon or two, OP. If you can find biodegradable ones, you'd probably feel much better about the release and still be honoring your stepson. Hugs to you and your family.

 

[MapleGirl]

To the OP: I'm so sorry for your loss. ((hugs)) I believe the Poly offers a lady bug release and there might be a butterfly release some where too (Epcot or AK?). Have a magical trip and once more, ((hugs)).

 

[stargazertechie]

To the OP: I'm so sorry for your loss. ((hugs)) I believe the Poly offers a lady bug release and there might be a butterfly release some where too (Epcot or AK?). Have a magical trip and once more, ((hugs)).

I know there is also a ladybug release on the behind the seeds tour- you would know you are helping to sustain the fragile ecosystem of the Land greenhouses, and future guests would enjoy the food that the ladybugs helped to protect

 

[Disney Von Drake]

it's not like she wants to go deer hunting people, chill out.

Deer hunting is good for the environment. With the decline of natural predators, deer herds need to be reduced with managed hunting programs.

 

[Mickey Fanatic]

A balloon release is a visual reminder of the hope for a better life and in most cases the visual is healing. It is especially healing to young children involved in the release.

And depending on your beliefs a child can feel that tey are sending a message to their loved ones in Heaven. They can actually SEE the message disappearing and it can add to their understanding. My DH passed suddenly in March and I can see our DD 2 to see it this way as when we left Father's Day flowers on his grave she believed Daddy was taking them to Heaven with him.

I think it is sweet.

 

[MonoManBlue]

Oh my god.

If any of you naysayers would have done even the SLIGHTEST bit of research, you'd find that, as long as the balloon isn't myler, that it is in NO WAY harmful to any animals, and if an animal does eat it, it'll pass through there digestive system.

link.

http://www.balloonlink.com/environment.htm#What happens to balloons that fly

 

[Aroura]

*shakes head* sometimes it just amazes me the length people will go to make themselves feel more important/better than their fellow man, even if that person is in the middle of grieving the loss of a child. There are times in this world that you just keep your opinons to yourself.

OP, I am so sorry for your loss, and four balloons more added to the daily total of floating Disney balloons certainly is not going to float to the nearest endangered species it can find. It is a beautiful idea, and as other posters have suggested, you should write a note with sharpie on them, and make sure to get pics

 

[Mama Who]

Disney stopped doing the balloon releases years ago.

Which, while interesting, in no way supports the claims I was questioning, that Disney either charges for it or forbids it entirely. A specific set of claims was made and I was wondering if the poster had actual facts or was making things up.

 

[Disney Von Drake]

Oh my god.

If any of you naysayers would have done even the SLIGHTEST bit of research, you'd find that, as long as the balloon isn't myler, that it is in NO WAY harmful to any animals, and if an animal does eat it, it'll pass through there digestive system.

Well true to your word, you actually did the SLIGHTEST bit of research and came up with bogus information. Try some facts for a refreshing change:

http://www.thetandd.com/news/opinio...cle_23426c64-bd08-11df-b473-001cc4c03286.html

I would suggest you pay particular attention to the EPA coastal cleanup study.

 

[chartle]

Oh my god.

If any of you naysayers would have done even the SLIGHTEST bit of research, you'd find that, as long as the balloon isn't myler, that it is in NO WAY harmful to any animals, and if an animal does eat it, it'll pass through there digestive system.

link.

http://www.balloonlink.com/environment.htm#What happens to balloons that fly

A single link to a company thats part of the Balloon Industry does not make a convincing argument.

Not trying really hard I get these links. AKA the SLIGHTEST bit of research

http://www.google.com/search?source...gc.r_pw.&fp=1368944fd7d6cb02&biw=1600&bih=809

ETA: I want to point out that this post is not at all directed to the OP, just a response to the post above.

 

[stargazertechie]

*shakes head* sometimes it just amazes me the length people will go to make themselves feel more important/better than their fellow man, even if that person is in the middle of grieving the loss of a child. There are times in this world that you just keep your opinons to yourself.

:

Last year, in a 5 month period, my grandmother, grandfather, dear friend, and mother in law all passed away. My grandma died 36 hours before my trip. I'm sorry, but grief is not an excuse for littering and polluting, especially when there have been several alternatives proposed. Especially at WDW, where there is such a huge message of conservation and enviornmental stewardship.

 

[Aroura]

And once again I will repeat that there are times when you should keep your opinions to yourself and pick another soapbox. The people that are condemning the OP should be ashamed of themselves. It is 4 balloons. 4!!! Get your heads out of your nether-regions and think about what your petty bickering might be causing.. The OP was trying to think of something personal for THEMSELVES and thought it would be nice to share. so I once again will say 4 balloons is going to make no impact, and if you people are going to continue to spout harshness then this thread should be closed, and I hope you lay your head down on your organic pillow tonight and feel nothing but shame.

 

[YodaGirl]

The OP has already contacted Disney, and they don't have a problem with it. Since they don't, I say go for it.

Deer hunting is good for the environment. With the decline of natural predators, deer herds need to be reduced with managed hunting programs.

Exactly!

What's more humane:
1. Killing deer to feed people (some places do controlled kills where the meat is donated to homeless shelters)

OR

2. Letting the deer slowly starve to death because the population cannot be sustained in the area that they are located in, therefore they don't have enough food.