Hot air balloon rides

[aurora7166]

Hi - has anyone done this and if so where from and how long were you in the air for?
we would be there in December

thanks

[Sue]

We did ours with Bluewater Balloons and they were fantastic. You haveto set off really early due to FAA regulations about being in the air after a certain time of day.
We were collected from our accommodation at 5.30 am!! :omg: (I think) and taken to a field where you take part in blowing all the balloons up, starting off in the dark :erm: - all the balloon companies tend to use the same take off and landing spots as they are dictated to by wind direction.
Take a good mossie spray as they are rife at that time - the companies have some but after it is all shared around you may have been bitten!

We were up in the air before 8am and think we were in the air for around 3 hours. Had a champagne brunch when we landed and got out flight certificates and photos.
Was really great - the only downside is that Disney do not allow them to fly over WDW, so what you get to see is dependent on the direction the balloon has to take. We went over golfcourses and saw lakes with Alligators in, Bald Eagles defending their nests as we flew over etc

[danielthomas]

Following on from Sue's message above. I have also flown with the same company, although they are now re-branded Orlando Balloon Rides. It was a fantastic experience, although I think we flew for one hour rather than three, just to manage expectations. But the whole morning's experience including inflating the balloon, flying, packing away and having breakfast was certainly 3 hours or so. Go for it - if you're OK with heights, it's great.

[aurora7166]

thank you so much - I think we will give it a try - should there be many mossies in December??
Thanks

[Sue]

thank you so much - I think we will give it a try - should there be many mossies in December??
Thanks

Probably not as many, it will be cooler early in the morning that's for sure. It was only a problem before the sun came up anyway.
Go for it and enjoy :)

[Ros & Jim]

thank you so much - I think we will give it a try - should there be many mossies in December??
Thanks

We did it last November and never saw a single mossie. Was certainly a great trip - would thoroughly recommend it. The large cactus where we landed was an issue though!!!!

[aurora7166]

thanks everyone, I think it is orlando balloon rides we are looking at.

[grottyrotty]

We did Orange Blossom Balloons and it was really good.

They tend to be a bit cheaper, but put more people in the basket. We are a family of 4 & they put another family of 4 in with us. Didn't make any difference to us.

They also provided a proper buffet breakfast at a hotel (after our champagne toast when we landed!) a lot of balloon rides provide pastries etc where you land. We were also given certificates - not to mention the opportunity to buy merchandise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We were probably in the air for about an hour or so. We were back at our villa for about 10ish - time for a shower, change and a full day at the parks ;)

I would imagine in December it might be a bit chilly first thing in the morning - but the burner in the balloon is hot. DH is follicularly challenged and his head did get pretty hot ;)

Deb:tinkani:

[madwife]

We've not done a hot air balloon ride but just wanted to add that there is one flying past my house at this very moment. :wave:

[castanea1985]

Thought I'd share this with you!!

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn76/castanea1985/earlymorningview.jpg

Tracy xx

[aurora7166]

thanks so much

[Mickey_Fan]

Do Orlando Balloon Rides do hotel pick ups and drop offs?

[Mickey_Fan]

As well as the question above...

Where can you book to go on a flight with this company/how long are you in the air/prices?

Thanks!

[Ros & Jim]

We didn't use this company. Just searched and booked it on-line. Our pilot said that all the companies work together and if you book with one and they don't have the space, they just pass the booking to one of the other companies. We were in the air between 45 mins to an hour.

[Mickey_Fan]

We didn't use this company. Just searched and booked it on-line. Our pilot said that all the companies work together and if you book with one and they don't have the space, they just pass the booking to one of the other companies. We were in the air between 45 mins to an hour.

Thanks that's a great help! :thumbs-up

[Mickey_Fan]

Are the hot air balloons able to take the slightly overweight people too? Or is there a weight limit?

By the way how do you get in them lol

[*~Nic~*]

Do Orlando Balloon Rides do hotel pick ups and drop offs?

We booked our Balloon Ride through Virgin and that was with Orlando Balloon Rides. Your given a number to ring and confirm that your trip is going ahead (incase of weather) and then you can ask them for a pick up/drop off if this is required. :D

I'm just in the middle of writing out my trip report and i'm upto the date where we had our balloon ride so i'll pm you when i've posted it if you want? Then you can see our pictures and read about it.

[*~Nic~*]

Are the hot air balloons able to take the slightly overweight people too? Or is there a weight limit?

By the way how do you get in them lol

You climb into the basket, everyone helps each other. Don't know if there is a weight limit but there was a large american man behind us and he was fine, they just balance the weight out depending on how many people there is. :D

[Mickey_Fan]

We booked our Balloon Ride through Virgin and that was with Orlando Balloon Rides. Your given a number to ring and confirm that your trip is going ahead (incase of weather) and then you can ask them for a pick up/drop off if this is required. :D

I'm just in the middle of writing out my trip report and i'm upto the date where we had our balloon ride so i'll pm you when i've posted it if you want? Then you can see our pictures and read about it.

Thanks for all your help! Please PM me when you have posted!