If you’ve ever been to Disney Springs in the last ten years or so, you’ve seen the huge balloon floating over the lake. That is Aerophile, “The World Leader in Balloon Flight” (what used to be Characters in Flight.)
I finally took a flight in December so I can tell you what I liked – and didn’t like – about it.
Disney Springs
Disney Springs is the Walt Disney World Resort’s shopping and dining complex. And it’s enormous! Officially, there are 103 places to shop, 64 spots to eat, and 25 attractions, one of which is Aerophile.
Pretty much smack in the middle of Disney Springs is the crossroad of a major entrance adjacent to bus transportation and cross-traffic from what used to be Pleasure Island. (😭😭😭) The Coca-Cola Store, Planet Hollywood restaurant, and the AMC Theater are in this area, and it’s nearest the Orange Garage. Closer to the water is a Starbucks and a plaza with food trucks and live entertainment.
This is where you’ll find Aerophile.
Aerophile
Next to the bridge is a kiosk where you buy your tickets for the balloon. Behind it is the tethered Aerophile balloon, 72 feet in diameter. And it’s not a hot air balloon! It’s a hand-painted helium balloon! That’s right, it’s filled with 210,000 cubic feet of helium, so there’s no fire shooting off over your head.
In Line & Aiming for Sunset
My goal was to go up in the balloon at sunset. Many others have the same idea, so plan on a line around sunset time. The process is that you sign a waiver and take a selfie with a provided iPad, then purchase your tickets, then wait in another line to board Aerophile. It seems like if the queue reaches almost to the Starbucks, you’re in for about a 30-ish minute wait, so plan accordingly.
I wonder if you can buy your tickets ahead of time when the line is shorter, then come back and stand in the second line to board so you can, #1, time your sunset ride a bit better, and #2, not stand in line so long. You might try asking when you see the line is extra short.
The Ride
You can’t ride with any food, drinks, bags, or strollers, so all that goes to the side when you get in the line to board. (Take your phone/camera, though!) There’s a cart there for your stuff, but I suspect it’s an at-your-own-risk kinda thing. Aerophile is not owned or operated by Disney, and you can tell.
Loading
During the previous flight, ride attendants move up to 29 people forward to the boarding ramp. They can load and unload the basket simultaneously when it touches down, so it goes pretty quickly. Riders touching down exit through one door while new riders enter in another.
The basket on the Aerophile balloon is a sturdy metal ring with waist-high railings and netting above that, so it’s very secure. You really can’t fall out even if you try. (Please don’t try.) A cage for the ride operator is where they control the balloon’s height by letting out the cable securing the balloon to the base. Aerophile can reach a height of up to 400 feet, but I wonder if they fly it a little lower on windy days. When the wind reaches 22 mph or if there’s a storm, they don’t run Aerophile at all.
Takeoff
It’s a bit bumpy on takeoff, but if you have a good ride operator (I did – Mr. Crash), he makes a lot of good jokes to keep your mind off it. The balloon rises slowly, then faster until you reach your ultimate height. From here, you can see up to 10 miles in *most* directions.
And this is where my biggest complaint comes about Aerophile. Once you’re in your location in the basket ring, you can’t move around at all. I mean, you can turn around in place, maybe take a few steps one way or the other, but you can’t change your location in the basket, not if it’s a full load. And during my ride, the sunset was on the other side! The balloon doesn’t seem to turn in the air much either, so you’re pretty stuck with your view. Plus, the ride operator’s cage is on the sunset side, so there’s even less chance you’ll get an unobstructed shot. You pretty much have to be one of the first 2-3 people in line to get the side of the basket for clear sunset views. And I’m not sure how you could jockey for that position without being extremely rude. (Please don’t be rude.)
Landing
The ride takes about 8 minutes, but it feels long enough. I didn’t feel cheated for time. The ride op reels the balloon back in, first quickly, then slower, until Aerophile rests back on its wheels on the loading platform. That part’s a little clunky too, but by then, you’re exhilarated by your flight and/or just glad to be back on the ground again. (It goes without saying that you’d have to be a fan of heights to enjoy this ride!)
Hours & Admission
Aerophile is open from 9 am-11 pm every day and until 11:30 pm on Saturdays.
Riding Aerophile is not cheap. It costs $25 per adult 10 and older and $20 for kids 3-9. Those prices include tax, so that is the total cost. Generally, there are no discounts, though at one point there were DVC member discounts and discounted rates before 10 am. I also found a $2 off coupon at this site. I suspect this is all old information, but it never hurts to ask! You can find Aerophile on Groupon now and then, so make sure to check there before your visit.
Otherwise, parking at Disney Springs is free, and so are the busses if you are coming in from a Disney resort. Again, the bus depot and the Orange Garage are the closest to the Aerophile balloon.
I enjoyed riding Aerophile but was obviously super disappointed that I couldn’t get a clear shot of the sunset, and for that reason, I don’t think it’s worth the high price. I still think it’s a bit expensive even at $20 Groupon prices, but I guess when you’re at Disney World, they expect you to keep your wallet ALL the way open. For me, it’s a one-and-done.
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