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Characters In Flight

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Mon, 06/09/2014 - 09:21
amy1989
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Characters In Flight

Hi all

I'm stuck at work this Monday morning dreaming of Disney and I really would like your help!!!

We are considering doing the characters in flight balloon ride at Downtown Disney/Disney springs and I would really like to know what any of you think if you have been on it and would you recommend it?

also I'm not scared of heights but the higher I am the more anxious I get (but I do understand there is some sort of metal fencing around????) - now I haven't exactly convinced my mam to go on this yet as she probably has more of a fear of heights than I do but from looking through KenJ's photos he posted not long ago I really want to see what he could see for myself so really any info anybody can give me on any of this would be much appreciated!

thanks!!!!

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Mon, 06/09/2014 - 09:48
JanJ
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I don't like heights either Amy, and I quite enjoyed it. The ride up and down are really smooth and yes, there is a metal enclosure and lots of stuff to hang on to. If I remember correctly, it's also quite reasonable priced - about $20/person. We have actually been up in it twice and the first time I was quite nervous and was holding on to the railing, but the second time I felt more at ease. You will love the view as you can see all 4 parks as well as TL and of course all of DTD. I say "go for it"!

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Mon, 06/09/2014 - 09:59
amy1989
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Thanks Jan like I said it was yours and Ken's photos that made me think about this! I think you are right about the price and I've actually said to my mam because I'm slightly better than her with heights I could go up and experience it while she stays on the ground then if she wants to go up ill be happy to join her

can you move around or do you have to stay in your area?

I think I'm pretty sold on it now once I set my mind to something you can pretty much take it that I'm doing it!!!!

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Mon, 06/09/2014 - 10:06
JanJ
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You can move all the way around so you can see from all sides. awesome

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Mon, 06/09/2014 - 10:08
amy1989
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JanJ wrote:
You can move all the way around so you can see from all sides. awesome

I was hoping you would say that!!!!! clapping I think I'm sold!!

thanks!

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Mon, 06/09/2014 - 10:11
KenJ
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Hi Amy,

The balloon ride is really great. I was a bit apprehensive going up for the first time (I've NEVER been in any sort of balloon before). But, once we started going up, I was totally fine. You go up to a max. height of 400 feet depending on the wind. And speaking of the wind, even though you see the balloon moving around when you look at it from the ground, you don't really even notice it when you're riding in it. I remember being amazed by that.

They like people to spread out while going up and down, but once leveled off, you can walk about freely.

You get a really good view from up there and quickly realize just how flat Florida really is. LOL.

We've been up in it twice now and I think we'll go on it again this September. It's well worth doing IMO. awesome

Mon, 06/09/2014 - 10:15
amy1989
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KenJ wrote:
Hi Amy,

The balloon ride is really great. I was a bit apprehensive going up for the first time (I've NEVER been in any sort of balloon before). But, once we started going up, I was totally fine. You go up to a max. height of 400 feet depending on the wind. And speaking of the wind, even though you see the balloon moving around when you look at it from the ground, you don't really even notice it when you're riding in it. I remember being amazed by that.

They like people to spread out while going up and down, but once leveled off, you can walk about freely.

You get a really good view from up there and quickly realize just how flat Florida really is. LOL.

We've been up in it twice now and I think we'll go on it again this September. It's well worth doing IMO. awesome

Thanks Ken I will make sure my mam reads this to put her mind at rest a little but I think I'm defiantly going to have a go, I've always looked at it and was worried that you were only closed in up to about waist height and then it was all open like a normal hot air balloon but when I saw your pictures and realised you cant actually fall out I felt much better!!!

I'm now getting very excited for this!!!! thank you all sooooooo much! clapping clapping

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Mon, 06/09/2014 - 11:13
MrHub
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Amy it is great, I've been up several times also, so has scrappy and she is afraid of heights, but had no problem what so ever.

Mon, 06/09/2014 - 11:50
Vettelover
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I will just echo what the others have said. I am not afraid of heights but my wife is and she was fine with it and we have been up several times. In fact it is so much fun that one time we went up twice in one day, once in the daylight, and once after dark to see what it was like and believe me the view at night is quite different than daylight. As the others have said, it is a smooth ascent and descent and you can walk around up there and there are handrails to hold onto if you are still nervous.

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Mon, 06/09/2014 - 11:55
KenJ
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The night flight sounds like a lot of fun Vettelover! I never thought of going up after dark but now I'll have to try it! awesome

Mon, 06/09/2014 - 12:10
MrHub
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KenJ wrote:
The night flight sounds like a lot of fun Vettelover! I never thought of going up after dark but now I'll have to try it! awesome

The balloon was always locked down when we went to do a night flight.

Mon, 06/09/2014 - 13:03
alicemouse
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Same here. I have no fear of heights, so no problem for me. Mr. Mouse does, but he was fine. The ride is very smooth and you can see that the cables are very securely bolted at all times. There is no sensation of being out of control and even the landing is soft. They will very readily shut the balloon down if the wind is even the least bit high at the top of the balloon's flight. Anecdotally, it seems more likely to be closed for weather at night than during the day, but I would LOVE to go up during fireworks!

I bought a groupon to do it in April for $20 for 2 people ($8-12 off I think), but the ballon wasn't running because it was too windy. Watch groupon.com on for this coupon if you're going to go, because it's a pretty substantial savings if your timing is right and the original price that you paid for the ticket does not expire (so they will credit my $20 toward 2 regular tickets when we go in September).

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Mon, 06/09/2014 - 13:10
amy1989
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alicemouse wrote:
Same here. I have no fear of heights, so no problem for me. Mr. Mouse does, but he was fine. The ride is very smooth and you can see that the cables are very securely bolted at all times. There is no sensation of being out of control and even the landing is soft. They will very readily shut the balloon down if the wind is even the least bit high at the top of the balloon's flight. Anecdotally, it seems more likely to be closed for weather at night than during the day, but I would LOVE to go up during fireworks!

I bought a groupon to do it in April for $20 for 2 people ($8-12 off I think), but the ballon wasn't running because it was too windy. Watch groupon.com on for this coupon if you're going to go, because it's a pretty substantial savings if your timing is right and the original price that you paid for the ticket does not expire (so they will credit my $20 toward 2 regular tickets when we go in September).

can I buy USA groupons from UK??????? if so ill keep an eye but I'm really not sure

Thanks everybody all your input has been great I also like the idea of going up at night but think ill try daytime first!!!!

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Mon, 06/09/2014 - 13:13
KenJ
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Amy, I have more video of our balloon rides. I'll post it up either today or tomorrow. I recorded one of the descents and touching down with the pilot talking about the balloon. Its all quite interesting.

Mon, 06/09/2014 - 13:20
amy1989
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KenJ wrote:
Amy, I have more video of our balloon rides. I'll post it up either today or tomorrow. I recorded one of the descents and touching down with the pilot talking about the balloon. Its all quite interesting.

ooooooo yeah that would be great ken thanks so much!!

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Mon, 06/09/2014 - 15:49
alicemouse
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amy1989 wrote:
alicemouse wrote:
Same here. I have no fear of heights, so no problem for me. Mr. Mouse does, but he was fine. The ride is very smooth and you can see that the cables are very securely bolted at all times. There is no sensation of being out of control and even the landing is soft. They will very readily shut the balloon down if the wind is even the least bit high at the top of the balloon's flight. Anecdotally, it seems more likely to be closed for weather at night than during the day, but I would LOVE to go up during fireworks!

I bought a groupon to do it in April for $20 for 2 people ($8-12 off I think), but the ballon wasn't running because it was too windy. Watch groupon.com on for this coupon if you're going to go, because it's a pretty substantial savings if your timing is right and the original price that you paid for the ticket does not expire (so they will credit my $20 toward 2 regular tickets when we go in September).

can I buy USA groupons from UK??????? if so ill keep an eye but I'm really not sure

Thanks everybody all your input has been great I also like the idea of going up at night but think ill try daytime first!!!!

I'm not aware of any restrictions on who can buy groupons. Do be prepared that if you buy one, you'll receive email offers from them daily...apparently since I bought one ticket, I'm their new best friend wink

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Mon, 06/09/2014 - 18:24
amy1989
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alicemouse wrote:
amy1989 wrote:
alicemouse wrote:
Same here. I have no fear of heights, so no problem for me. Mr. Mouse does, but he was fine. The ride is very smooth and you can see that the cables are very securely bolted at all times. There is no sensation of being out of control and even the landing is soft. They will very readily shut the balloon down if the wind is even the least bit high at the top of the balloon's flight. Anecdotally, it seems more likely to be closed for weather at night than during the day, but I would LOVE to go up during fireworks!

I bought a groupon to do it in April for $20 for 2 people ($8-12 off I think), but the ballon wasn't running because it was too windy. Watch groupon.com on for this coupon if you're going to go, because it's a pretty substantial savings if your timing is right and the original price that you paid for the ticket does not expire (so they will credit my $20 toward 2 regular tickets when we go in September).

can I buy USA groupons from UK??????? if so ill keep an eye but I'm really not sure

Thanks everybody all your input has been great I also like the idea of going up at night but think ill try daytime first!!!!

I'm not aware of any restrictions on who can buy groupons. Do be prepared that if you buy one, you'll receive email offers from them daily...apparently since I bought one ticket, I'm their new best friend wink

I understand we have an English groupon and I get 3-4 e-mails per day from them!!!! I'll deffo check it out thanks I just wasn't sure if they would let me buy internationally but if that offer comes up I'm sure gonna try!!!

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Mon, 06/09/2014 - 23:41
KenJ
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Okay, so here's the video I have of our two rides in the balloon. Mostly from the first one.

(just click on the photo to play video)

Tue, 06/10/2014 - 21:57
amy1989
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Thanks for sharing Ken really gave us an idea of what to expect and it looks a lot smoother than either of us thought! Also didn't realise you could see through the bottom and strangely that made me feel a bit safer!!!!

Again thanks for sharing!!!

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