Characters In Flight

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"!

You can move all the way around so you can see from all sides.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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).

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.

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

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)