Characters in Flight balloon ride (Merged Threads)

[mouseketeer mom]

Is this opening soon, and does anyone know if we will be able to make reservations in advance? How long is the "flight" itself?

[Figment!]

Is this opening soon

April 1, 2009; contingent upon the flight testing currently underway.

does anyone know if we will be able to make reservations in advance?

It does not currently appear so. All current indications are that Guests need to purchase tickets at ticketing booth.

How long is the "flight" itself?

According to the most recent press release, 6 minutes.

[DisneyGlutton]

Any idea of what the price will be?

[Figment!]

Any idea of what the price will be?

From Tidbits March 2009

Pre-Flight Construction

3/25/09 The new Characters in Flight experience at Downtown Disney is drawing close to opening to Guests. The ticketing kiosk is nearing completion and testing of the balloon itself is underway. The marquee on the ticketing kiosk confirms that the official name is “Characters in Flight operated by Aerophile”, confirming that the most recent press release for this experience erroneously published the name of the operator as the name of the experience. Other signage on the kiosk indicates that the balloon will reach a maximum height of 400 ft and that tickets will be $10 (including tax) for Guests Ages 3 -9 and $16 (including tax) for Guests ages 10 and up. The experience is currently scheduled to open to Guests April 1, 2009; contingent upon the current testing.

3/2/09 Construction continues to progress for the forthcoming Characters in Flight experience at the Downtown Disney Marketplace. Although work continues, the pier for the hot-air balloon appears to be mostly constructed. The effective footprint for the new experience has also expanded. The Downtown Disney West Side Guest Relations kiosk has been shuttered in preparation of transforming the building into the ticketing office and queue area. West Side Guest Relations has been re-located inside Disney Quest.

[DANAM]

What is ths? Is it a hot air balloon ride with Charaters? Sorry I'm confused?

[motherof4]

where is this located

[DisneyGlutton]

Thanks for the info Mr Figment. I think for $16 I will go on it even if I'm pretty sure it will terrify me. Too bad its at DTD and not at MK, but I guess I'll see how it turns out!

[DisneyGlutton]

What is ths? Is it a hot air balloon ride with Charaters? Sorry I'm confused?

Its a hot air balloon that is opening at DTD...not sure what the character angle is (prolly just a name), I can't imagine Mickey is in the basket with the guests, lol

[mouseketeer mom]

I am so excited about going up in this balloon. I just worry it will be endless waiting to get on it. How many people go up at once?

[Figment!]

What is ths? Is it a hot air balloon ride with Characters? Sorry I'm confused?

It's a tethered balloon ride intended to give Guests views of the Resort from 400 ft. The "Characters" in the name are more than likely related to the black silhouettes of various "flying" characters painted on the circumference of the balloon (ie Marry Poppins, Dumbo, Flora, Fauna, Meriwether etc.)

where is this located

Downtown Disney. The ticketing booth is the former Downtown Disney West Side Guest Relations kiosk, if you are aware of where that is.

How many people go up at once?

A maximum of 20 Guests per flight, however; wind conditions can reduce the number of Guests allowed per flight.

For wind speeds 0 - 3 mph: 20 Guests per flight
For wind speeds 3 - 12 mph: 10 - 20 Guests per flight
For wind speeds 12 - 22 mph: 10 Guests per flight.

If wind speeds exceed 22 mph or if storm conditions are present, flights will be suspended until conditions become more favorable.

Hours of operation will be 10:30 am till 11:00 pm, with an additional hour of operation on Friday and Saturday closing at Midnight.

[beksy]

Any word on any discounts (like AP)?

[Figment!]

Due to delays in flight testing caused by inclement weather, the grand opening has been tentatively re-scheduled for April 10, 2009.

[Figment!]

Press Releases and Pictures have been posted in the News forum here:

Characters in Flight Press Release & Pictures

[stitch34]

Any idea how far you can see when up in the flight?

[mrsgaribaldi]

Any one do this yet?

[yjgirl32]

This will be really really to do at night! I can't wait to try this out.

[ransam]

This may be a dumb question. But I was looking at pictures of this attraction, and it looked really cool… but I couldn’t tell, does the balloon just go up and down, or does it actually go around the park?
I can’t wait to ride this.

[SBETigg]

It's tethered, so it's just up and down. It's called Characters in Flight, and it's run by a French company, Aerophile. I saw some pictures from another site. Great views! I'll PM you with the link.

[mouseketeer mom]

I am so excited to do this in August. Which experience is cooler do you think, day or night?

[SBETigg]

I think it would be incredibly romantic at night, in the dark with the lights all around, but really not that much of a view, except fireworks times would be a big draw, clearly. I would do it in the daytime because I think it would be really great to see things from that vantage point.