Thoughts on the new DTD balloon that hangs over SSR?

[delmar411]

Curious if that giant balloon that appears to hang over SSR and is visible from almost everywhere at SSR (at least it seems) is bothersome to anyone else?

Something about it just shatters the calm sense about the place and I don't think anyone thought about how it appears to actually be at SSR and not at DTD.

 

[TDC Nala]

personally I think I'd be more distressed having to look at the back of what used to be the Advenurers Club than at the balloon.

 

[d-r]

we are thinking about trying it

 

[LIFERBABE]

It's 400 feet in the air. It will be visible from everywhere not just SSR.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

Here,

Enjoy a view of the balloon from our Room at SSR

http://www.justin.tv/waccooga.

No guarantees about quality, or timing. I'll have it running as I can.

You have to type "Conan" no quotes when it asks for a password.

 

[delmar411]

Here,

Enjoy a view of the balloon from our Room at SSR

http://www.justin.tv/waccooga.

No guarantees about quality, or timing. I'll have it running as I can.

You have to type "Conan" no quotes when it asks for a password.

ack! There is it! You can see it from the Grandstand section when it's in the air as well as on the road in front of the resort when on the buses. Now if they had done it up in pastels it would at least compliment SSR's colors!

 

[dvc_john]

It's pretty high up there.

I saw it from Seaworld yesterday.

I think I'll give it a try sometime this week.

One thing - it doesn't make any sound, like a regular hot air balloon. So there won't be any noise disturbance.

 

[Inkmahm]

They have this balloon at Disneyland Paris. I wanted to try it last June when I was there but it was always too windy for the balloon to go up. I was there for 3+ days and I never got the chance. I did see it in the sky a few mornings, but never in the afternoon or evening when we could have gotten to it. We weren't staying on property, either. We were one train stop away so a few miles, at least. We could easily see the balloon!

 

[wdw1972]

"shatters the calm sense of the place"????

I've seen it - think it looks fine. What could be calmer than a balloon gently floating?? Now if they had loud outdoor rap concerts, then I'd see the calm sense of the place shattered, lol - but the balloon is fine.

 

[stopher1]

Looks cool to me - I can't wait to try it.

 

[delmar411]

"shatters the calm sense of the place"????

I've seen it - think it looks fine. What could be calmer than a balloon gently floating?? Now if they had loud outdoor rap concerts, then I'd see the calm sense of the place shattered, lol - but the balloon is fine.

well that would be your opinion, I think I'm entitled to my own? Neither DH or the kids were bothered by it at all and that's their opinion, I didn't give them grief about them not being bothered by it so not sure why you would to me.

I just wondered what other ppl who had seen it, thought of it and voiced what I thought of it.

 

[BroganMc]

Curious if that giant balloon that appears to hang over SSR and is visible from almost everywhere at SSR (at least it seems) is bothersome to anyone else?

Something about it just shatters the calm sense about the place and I don't think anyone thought about how it appears to actually be at SSR and not at DTD.

Absolutely not!!! We loved looking up and spotting the Mary Poppins balloon. The colors compliment the toned down colors of SSR. You'll round a corner and suddenly it appears, like a special little surprise. It's visible from many places onsite and offsite (like EPCOT by Mexico).

It's perfectly silent, even when riding, and makes for an enticing scene. You just want to ride it when you spot it. Watching the streaming video is actually better than watching the EPCOT ferries churn in and out Boardwalk, IMHO due to the silence.

As for the trip, we rode it yesterday about 2pm. Hot as the dickens on the ground and a bit breezy lifting off, but it was gentle as a ferry ride the rest of the trip. From the top you can see Contemporary/BLT, Spaceship Earth and the rest of Disney. Oh and it is wheelchair accessible (though they did have me transfer to a manual chair because the entrance has a sharp turn).

They ground the balloon when conditions get too breezy but run morning to night. Catching night time fireworks in it must be a spectacular sight. Also they don't take it up when no one wants to ride. It's still building an audience. They do reduce the passenger load as it gets breezier: 6 people in stronger breeze and 20-30 for no wind.

 

[famsen]

DH and I rode the balloon on Thursday morning.
It was wonderful. We felt that we really got our money's worth on the ride.
We were on the first flight of the day and we were all alone.
It gives a great perspective about how far apart everything actually is at WDW. Two thumbs WAY up for us!

 

[Disney_Mama]

I think it adds another wonderful thing to look at....

 

[MouseMomx2]

When Pleasure Island was open there was a lot of noise that could be heard at SSR. I'll happily take the balloon over that anyday! Personally it doesn't bother me in the least. I'm looking forward to trying it on our next trip.

 

[IggyLans]

I think it adds another wonderful thing to look at....

I love it! I have not seen the balloon personally (yet), but those pictures are neat!

 

[Conan the Librarian]

Camera is up!

 

[IggyLans]

Camera is up!

Hey, thanks! That is so cool!

 

[liznboys]

delmar411, I know what you mean and I was wondering the same thing myself.

That picture Disney_Mama posted has put my mind at ease for the most part though. I can't say I like it, but it's not awful either.