Flying high over Disney Springs

A beautiful morning for a balloon ride!

If you have been to Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort, I'm sure you've seen this balloon flying high.  It's a gorgeous sight, and I always snap a picture of the scenery with the balloon in the background, but we had never ridden it until recently.

The balloon is actually called Aerophile and was created by a French company.  It is not a hot air balloon; rather, it is filled with helium!  Not to worry, the balloon is tethered so you won't fly away!  You float up 400 feet into the sky and are able to see all of Walt Disney World as well as the surrounding area!

The view looking straight down to the balloon's landing area!

Our son had been asking to ride this ride, so we finally found out all the details and made plans to ride it.  A ride is $20 per adult and $15 per child; however, if you are there before 10 am, it is only $10 per person!  We were able to get there before 10 and enjoyed the discounted rate.  Another bonus to being early was that we were able to ride with only one other family - giving us the space to walk around the entire balloon and enjoy the 360 degree views!  The balloon holds 30 people (including the pilot), so at a prime time (like during fireworks), I am sure it is packed out, not allowing you much movement.  We had plenty of room and fully enjoyed our ride.

It's hard to see in the picture but from this vantage point we could see Spaceship Earth and Cinderella's Castle!

More details:  

• The ride is 8 minutes long, and that was plenty of time to enjoy the view.  
• It was a very smooth ride - unless you are extremely scared of heights I think you would definitely enjoy it!  
• No strollers and no food or drink.  
• Children 12 and up can go up without adults - so if you have older kids you can send them up and enjoy your Starbucks from the ground!  :) 
• If there is high wind, the balloon does not operate.  Safety first!
• You cannot pre-purchase tickets - they must be purchased at the ticket booth at the time of use.  I have heard people say they found Groupon deals for Aerophile, so I assume you would exchange your Groupon voucher for a ticket.  

All in all, it was a great experience and we even bought the photo souvenir they took of our family!