The past few times I've been to Disney on vacation (not a layover) my sister and I have wanted to take flight on the hot air balloon ride at Disney Springs called "Characters in Flight" . This is a tethered hot air balloon ride. We've tried taking this flight on three different visits and unfortunately it is always closed due to weather; rain, wind, storms, etc.
So last week during my layover in Orlando, I thought I would go to Disney Springs and check out if it was "working". I thought to myself if I go there today and it is opened I am doing it.
Well on my walk there wouldn't you know I saw it in in the sky. I was in luck!
I headed straight over there, afraid that if I'd stopped anywhere else they would find a reason to end up canceling the ride.
When I arrived there was a few people waiting in line to take the flight. I timed it perfect because the balloon was just finished from the last ride.
We had to sign a waiver and take a selfie( I guess just in case). There was about 20 of us that circled around the balloon. The captain said to hold on and off we went. I'm not sure how far we actually went up.
It was enough to see all of Disney Springs and even the Epcot ball but I thought we would have gone up much higher. It looks high when you are seeing it from the ground. The ride was approximately 8 minutes and then it was back down we went.
Even though it was short. I still thought it was fun and worth doing. I kind of felt half guilty doing it without my sister since she has always wanted to do it but hadn't had the chance. Maybe next time when we go together it'll be open again!
Have you ever taken flight at Disney Springs or any other tethered hot air balloon? -L
Sounds like fun! Glad you finally got the chance to try this out. I've never been on a hot hair balloon. I think Disney would be a great place to do this!
ReplyDeleteIt was nice. But nothing compares to an actual one.
DeleteHow fun! I think that was one of those opportunities that you had to just grab in the moment. I've never been in a hot air balloon.
ReplyDeleteYea. It seems like it's never opened.
DeleteI don't think I've ever seen this when we've been to Disney. Looks like a fun thing to checkout!
ReplyDeleteYea it's in Disney Springs on the other side where the nightlife used to be.
DeleteI haven't done tethered, but I've taken an actual hot air balloon ride years & years ago in Napa. My husband went through a phase where he was really into it, and he did it several times -- back when we lived in VT, and they had a small balloon festival & sometimes balloons would randomly land in the common area of our condo which was kind of fun. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I went on my real one I thought that was odd when he said not sure where we are going to land. I guess you can't predict the winds.
DeleteI didn't realize those tethered balloons gave rides. The ones I've seen seem to carry advertising messages. Sounds like fun but yes, I think you have to go do it again with your sis!
ReplyDeleteYes I will. Yes they pretty much just went up and came right back down. So I don't know if I'd call it a ride.
DeleteLOL on having to take a selfie just in case. I've done parasailing, but nothing in a hot air balloon. I think I could get over my fear and do it ....
ReplyDeleteI think you should!
DeleteSounds like a lot of fun! I'm glad you finally get to do it. Maybe you can go again with your sister the next time.
ReplyDeleteYea I hope to.
DeleteWe sent my mom up for a ride in an untethered hot air balloon a few years ago for her birthday. It's totally on the list of things I'd like to do some day. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteYes it should be. Tethered or not, it is fun.
DeleteYou will not catch me up in that thing. But I bet the sights were pretty awesome
ReplyDeleteYou scared of heights huh? You are missing out.
DeleteI have not been to Disney in a few years and have never heard of this ride. How fun! Thanks for the link up
ReplyDeleteDisney is so much fun!
ReplyDeleteHow fun! Looks like a great view from up there. I've never had a chance to do this one either.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun way and different angle to see Disney's property. I never knew that this ride existed.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like such a neat experience and cool opportunity! The views are pretty spectacular too!
ReplyDeleteI've never done a balloon ride but that looks like fun! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteFun! There's a place in Colorado that does hot air balloon rides and I see them a lot during spring-fall. I'm not sure where it is since the balloons always seem far away.
ReplyDeleteWhat a view!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhile a tethered hot air balloon ride would scare me A LOT less than untethered, I still don't think I would do this! I used to not be afraid of heights but these days I am afraid of everything. I'm glad you got to do this and didn't have to wait long at all! How much was the ride?
ReplyDeleteJealous! This looks like so much fun. Not sure if my fear of heights would keep me from enojying the view but I sure would like to try.
ReplyDeleteSo fun. I would love to do this. A hot air balloon is on my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteA tethered hot air balloon is the only way I'd go up - I'm not a fan of a free-floating balloon, too many things can go wrong. Glad you finally got your ride in!
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