Disney World has so many experiences on property, so it’s easy to try something new each time you go. One of those experiences is in Disney Springs and gives guests beautiful views of Disney Springs and beyond.
If you are looking for a unique way to see Disney World property then give Aerophile – The World Leader in Balloon Flight a try. This is the balloon ride in Disney Springs that is located behind Starbucks in the West Side section. The day that we tried this experience it was a clear day and there wasn’t really any wind, so it was a great day for the balloon ride. If winds exceed 22 mph, or if there is a storm, the balloon doesn’t go up. I would recommend going during the week in the morning, if you can.
We went on a Wednesday when Disney Springs first opened, so there were only 6 of us and the pilot in the balloon, which made moving around much easier. The balloon can hold up to 29 people, so the low number of people on the ride was nice. The lower crowd level made it easier to get pictures from all angles. The views really are very cool, you can see far and you’ll be able to see different Disney icons, like Spaceship Earth. Looking directly down at Disney Springs was a little dizzying, but the water features looked pretty from 400ft up in the air.
Honestly, being up 400ft made me nervous, but holding the handrail that circles around the whole gondola helped. There’s netting as well, to make sure everyone who went up in the gondola also goes down in the gondola. If you have a major fear of heights, this definitely is not for you. However, if you’re someone like me who likes thrill rides, but still closes her eyes on the big drop for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, you’ll probably be able to do this, just hold on to the railing and don’t look directly down.
According to Disney’s website, the balloon is filled with 210,000 cubic feet of helium and the basket is 19 feet in diameter. When at capacity, the gondola can hold up to 29 people, plus the Aerophile-certified pilot. The ride lasts 8 – 10 minutes and the views are pretty cool. Views are best on days when winds are low, because then you’ll go up the full 400ft. The pilots are certified and very informative, so ask any questions you may have about the area or the balloon. Our pilot was more than happy to chat and answer questions from our group. Keep in mind that this experience is weather dependent. So even if it’s not very windy on the ground, if it’s too windy higher up the balloon cannot go up.
The cost for children ages 3-9 is $24.99 and the cost for adults ages 10+ is $29.99. Tickets are available at the attraction on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests 12+ are allowed to ride by themselves, but kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult 18+. Also, keep in mind that bags, drinks, food, smoking, and strollers are not permitted in the balloon’s basket.
Have you ever been on the Aerophile Balloon at Disney Springs?
Thanks for reading!
Liz
Contact me today to book your trip.
Liz
I love all things Disney, but my main love is for Disney World and I'm always planning for the next trip. Before becoming a Disney blogger, I was a radio DJ, so I guess I'm just continuing in the communication industry, just in a different form. I love talking Disney and I could talk about Disney all day. That's why I started blogging and created the Facebook group. The Disney community is full of friendly, helpful, and happy people...and I love being a part of it! If there is any Disney subject you would like to see covered just let me know! Need help planning your Disney vacation. Feel free to contact myself or Melissa at Never Stop Dreaming Travel Co. We love helping people plan their trips! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy! Don't forget to check out our Countdown to Disney app! Feel free to email me with suggestions of things you would like to see in the app :-)