Q,
Where do we meet?
A,
The Best Western Lakeside.
The Best Western Lakeside is located west of
Interstate 4 on Highway 192 west, From I-4 take exit 64 and go west on 192 past
the entrance to Disney World and count 5 traffic lights. Turn Right at the 5th
light and you are there!
Best Western Lakeside
7769 W. IRLO BRONSON MEM. HWY.
KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA 34747
The Hotel
phone numbers is
(407)
396-2222
Best Western Lakeside Map.
Q,
WHEN DO YOU FLY?
A,
AT SUNRISE 7 DAYS A WEEK (WEATHER PERMITTING) Our meeting time is 6am year
round.
Q. Where do we fly?
A.
We
have about 30 different launch and landing sites in the Disney area. Each day
is different. What launch and landing sites we will use on any day is
determined by the speed and direction of the wind that day. Today's launch
site might be tomorrows landing site or we might not go back to that site for
weeks.
Q, DO YOU FLY AT ANY OTHER
TIME?
A, NO, Sunrise
is the only time of the day when weather conditions will allow us to fly here in
Florida.
Q,
HOW OFTEN DO YOU HAVE TO CANCEL A FLIGHT?
A,
WE HAVE FLOWN UP TO 275 FLIGHTS A YEAR. THIS
AVERAGES ABOUT 5 FLIGHTS PER WEEK. Even with this average we still must cancel
flights occasionally due to inclement weather. Choose a day early in your trip
so as to have backup days available just in case.
Q.
HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN GO IN A BALLOON?
A,
Balloons vary in capacity from 4 to 18 adults.
We do not like the larger balloons for several reasons. Most important is your
flying pleasure! We just do not like the Tour BUS mentality. Yes we could make
more money that way but we are creating memories for YOU not trying to put more
0's on our bank balance. Our balloons range from a pilot plus two passenger up
to pilot plus 6 to 8 passengers at most. What size balloon or how many balloons
are used depends on how many people are scheduled that day.
Our competitors in this
area fly the 16-18 passenger balloons. Don't forget to ask how many other
people will be sharing your special flight..
Q.
DOES A PERSONS WEIGHT MATTER
A,
Yes it does! In a hot air balloon you,
as a passenger, represent a significant percentage
of the total aircraft weight load.
On an airplane you represent only one out of
250 people so if you are overweight by 100 pounds then the total average weight
per person, only changes by less than half a pound. Some people have more than
that for lunch.
In a balloon one person can represent about 25%
of the total passenger load so 100 pounds changes the per person weight by 25
pounds each! That is the weight of a small child. Imagine what we would have
to do if someone showed up with 4 extra kids we did not expect. Currently we do
not make an additional charge for additional weight but we do reserve the right
to decline to fly someone on any given day if that persons weight significantly
changes the total passenger load for that flight. Please if you are
significantly overweight let us know. It is very easy for us to schedule the
right size balloon to accommodate you.
Q. Will we
fly over Disney?
A.
We try as often as we can to go over the parks.
Balloons only float with the wind so we are limited on the direction we may
travel. Many times we do fly over part of the Disney World property. We don't
always go OVER Disney but you can see the parks from most all of our flights.
Q.
WHAT IF WE DO NOT HAVE A CAR?
A.
We offer hotel pickup. Just let us know that you
need picked up when you schedule your flight and we will arrange it. The fee is
$15 per person and that is round trip. We will pick you up and take you back
after. This is about 1/2 what a taxi will cost you!
Q.
WHAT TIME DO WE MEET & WHEN WILL WE BE DONE?
A, The entire
program takes 3 to 4 hours, we meet at 6 am and you will be done around 9:30.
About the time when all the Disney Parks open.
Q.
CAN WE BRING CAMERAS AND VIDEO GEAR?
A.
YES.... ALSO BRING TWICE THE FILM YOU THINK YOU
WILL NEED.
Q. Do we have to make some sort
of deposit?
A.
NO Deposit Required. To book your flight you
will need a credit card to reserve your spots. No charges will be made until
after the flight. During breakfast we will ask you how you would like to pay for
your flight.
Here is a
link to our cancellation policy page.
Cancellation Policy.
Q. WILL WE BE COLD UP THERE?
A.
Actually
you will be WARMER in the balloon. HOT air
balloons
(note the clue HOT)
float with the wind so there is no wind chill. Generally in the morning as we
climb the air actually gets warmer by a few degrees.. You may want to wear a hat
to protect your head from the radiant heat of the balloon burners.
Q. Can I come along and WATCH??
A.
Yes! We know that occasionally there is someone
who just does not want to FLY! We have what is called the
Chase Package. You
do everything the fliers do except the flight. Click on
Chase Package
for more information.
Q. DO I NEED RESERVATIONS?
How far in advance should I BOOK!
A.
YES.. You need a reservation. Our balloons hold
between two to eight passengers. If you just show up for a flight we will not
have room to add you that day.
WE
RECOMMEND YOU SCHEDULE YOUR FLIGHT ABOUT A WEEK IN ADVANCE FOR A WEEKDAY FLIGHT
AND TWO WEEKS FOR A WEEKEND. however, if you need a flight the next morning do
not hesitate to call. many times we can get you in on short notice.
Q. WHAT ABOUT SMALL CHILDREN?
A.
As
a parent you would be rich if you had a dollar for every time you said "Hot Hot.
No No." We want you to understand the burners on the balloon are the biggest,
brightest, hottest, FIRE you have ever seen. If small children are not warned
about the fire it will frighten them. We are not against families flying with
us we just want you properly warned before you come so your youngsters can enjoy
the flight as well. All of my nieces and nephews have flown when they were just
3 years old. If you have children under the age of 5 please take the time to
talk to them about the balloon and make sure they understand that the fire is
how we make the balloon fly and it wont hurt them.
Q.
HOW DO I MAKE A RESERVATION?
A.
Call Us!! 407-421-9322 We need to know how many
in your group, what day you want to fly, where you are staying and a credit card
to reserve your spots, Or, go to our online
Reservations
page and fill our the reservation form.
Q.
IS IT SAFE?
A.
Safety is the corner stone of our business. We
have been operating hot air balloons for OVER 30 years. We have never hurt
anyone. We simply will not fly unless the conditions are right. We maintain
our aircraft to the highest standards. Even above the standards required by the
FAA! When we must cancel a flight we tell our passengers one simple thing.
"We hate to disappoint someone but
we refuse to hurt anyone". This includes us since we are going up there
too....
Q.
WHAT IF THE WEATHER IS BAD?
A.
All passengers, are asked to call the night
before the flight to check the weather forecast for the next morning's flight.
We ask that the passengers call 407-421-9322 between
5 and 7pm the
night before your flight. One of
our Pilots will be on duty to let you know what the forecast looks like for the
next mornings flight. If the weather forecast does not look good for your
flight we will simply ask if you have another day you would like to try to fly.
Our pilots are the best and we respect their decision if we must cancel a
flight.
If you fail to check in the night before you may
just end up at Crabby Bill's all by yourself. If the weather forecast is bad we
will not be showing up at Crabby Bill's.
Q. How much does it Cost?
A.
Our pricing is as follows. $185 Per Adult. $105
Jr. Adult (children from 10 to 15yrs) and currently children 9 and under are
free with a full paying adult. Only one child per adult. Additional children
will be charged at the Jr. Adult price.
For Example 2 Adults with 1 Jr. Adult and 3
Children would be (2@ $185) (2@ $105) and (2 free)
Q.
Will I like it?
A.
We are sure without a doubt you will LOVE IT!!!
But don't take our word for it, Have
a look at what previous passengers have said.
Visit our
Testimonials page.
Q. What
if we are coming from a long ways away.
A. You can get a room at
the hotel where we meet.
Mention that you are coming for a balloon flight and you will get a discount.
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