Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions
page.
Q,
Where do we meet?
A,
At the
Black Angus Steak House. The Black Angus is located on HWY. 192, Exactly
3 Traffic lights west of the main Entrance to Disney World. The Black
Angus is on the
Left and we meet inside the restaurant.
See Map
The Black Angus Steak House is located inside the lobby at the
America's Best Value Inn.
America's Best Value Inn
(407) 740-6500
(407) 396-2000
7514 W US Highway 192
Kissimmee, FL 34747
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.
DO I NEED RESERVATIONS?
A.
YES... 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
Book A Flight
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 any
passenger 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 the Black Angus all by yourself. If the weather forecast is bad
we will not be showing up at the Black Angus.
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. Have a look at what previous passengers have said.
Click here to go to the
Testimonials.
Q.
Can I purchase T-shirts and stuff before I fly
A. Yes
go to our shirts and stuff page and click on the order my stuff link.
Q.
What if we are coming from a long ways away.
A. You
can get a room at the hotel here where the black angus steakhouse is. The
name of the hotel is
www.bestvalueinn.com
7514 W Irlo Bronson Memorial H
Kissimmee, FL 34747
(407) 396-2000
Get directions
Mention
that you are coming for a balloon flight and you will get a discount. |
