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Original poster

Hot air balloon ride.... Worth it? Fun. Big bday dh

27 replies

Knittedjimmychoos · 23/07/2019 22:01

At a loss of what to do for his birthday.

Has anyone done one, I'm wondering is its worth it or does novelty wear off quickly then want to go down but held captive 😁

Any other ideas?

OP posts:
tobypercy · 23/07/2019 22:47

I got my mum one when she was 50 or so (got most of the family together to pay for it) and she loved it. Still talks about it although she said once was enough.
Very dependent on the person though. Has he ever talked about wanting to try one?
Also they are a bit of a pig to organise the actual trip, they are often rescheduled 2 or 3 times at almost no notice because they are so weather dependent, so not ideal for those with busy schedules and regular commitments.

StereophonicallyChallenged · 23/07/2019 22:52

I loved it and so did the boyfriend when we actually did it. He wasn't so keen on the idea of it tbf.
I booked a groupon-ey type one and the worst thing was booking etc. Eventually (after two cancelled flights due to conditions) we did it about 18 months after I'd bought it.
Was great, so peaceful, even in a basket with 14 strangers and a massive burner Grin
We absolutely loved it, stunning views over the kent downs , and even landing in a hay field was fun!
Do it!!

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 23/07/2019 23:06

Firstly is he okay with heights.
If so then its a fab idea.
If like me he's shitified and cantget past th3 3rd step on a ladder. I'd think of something else.
Also if other people will be going on with him. What are they like with heights.

Pipandmum · 23/07/2019 23:08

I got this for my husband and we went out crack of dawn three times but each time cancelled (fog, poor weather, can’t remember last reason). We had to extend the time limit but still couldn’t get it done.

LostInNorfolk · 23/07/2019 23:12

Not without risk

Sharpkat · 23/07/2019 23:15

Agree with the it's good but we were rescheduled four times and every time (as we live in London) had decided to make a weekend away of it and go somewhere more picturesque so it cost us a lot in terms of money and time planning! Thoroughly enjoyed it though.

notacooldad · 23/07/2019 23:15

I loved it. Mine was a present for my 40th. We went from Fell Foot park in the lake District. I was nervous about how the landing was going to be but it was sift andci worries over nothing.

Original poster
Knittedjimmychoos · 23/07/2019 23:21

Thank you, I literally can't think of what else to do.

OP posts:
Titsywoo · 23/07/2019 23:25

I got my dh a flying lesson one year which he loved.

Original poster
Knittedjimmychoos · 24/07/2019 09:18

Titsy I'm also thinking of flying lesson but would he actually do much on first go?

So it seems main issue with hot air is 'when' and that could be issue when both working etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
Knittedjimmychoos · 24/07/2019 22:17

Or helicopter ride?

OP posts:
Danni91 · 24/07/2019 22:24

Hot air balloons cancel all the time it's really hard to find a day to suit
If you do make sure you buy a refundable ticket!

Helicopter rides are expensive for a very small time in the air usually around 15 minutes. It's too costly to get a good amount of air time up there

What about a canal / speed boat / zorbing type gift that you can make a proper day out from or even a weekend away if you travel Devon way

Original poster
Knittedjimmychoos · 24/07/2019 23:17

We have two dc in tow... So was hoping for something I can do and put them in holiday club as its on a school holiday.

I did some red letter days years ago eg driving rally car but it's about 45 mins boring safety speech and 15 mins at wheel.

I may start a wider thread to get more ideas. We do have airfield near us however so plane thing, may be a go....

OP posts:
wanderings · 07/08/2019 07:12

I've done a flying lesson; there are two sets of controls, so the instructor can do most of the work, and there is plenty of time in the air. The briefing I had before the lesson was quite short.

I also went in a hot air balloon, which was lovely, but it is difficult to organise, because the weather has to be just right, which is not known until the day itself.

user1471530109 · 07/08/2019 07:21

I managed to go up first time we booked! I know that's unusual though. I'd love to do it again. We seem to be under a 'hot air balloon flight path' and I always tell the DC about it. They have made me promise to take them one day (they have to be a certain age to see over the v high basket!).

summeryet · 07/08/2019 07:26

As someone who used to fly allot, book with a private pilot rather than one of the massive companies (is Virgin), so that you end up in a basket with just you and the pilot, rather than a million other people. They also are much more nimble to fly, and you'll likely be invited to help get the envelop (balloon bit) off of the ground, which adds to the experience.

Morning flights are early, but an absolute dream. You can't beat them.

Re rescheduling, it's totally weather dependent. But summer and winter mornings are the easiest to plan ahead for. Rain, wind, and the main heat of the day (thermals) are to be avoided!

If you're near oxfordshire, I can recommend a few people.

lilyfire · 07/08/2019 07:34

I got my 15yo son a flying lesson in 4 seater plane. The pilot took the plane up and then basically let my son fly it for about 40 mins until it was time to come down. We flew along the Thames for a little while and over the Queen Elizabeth Bridge. It was super cool.

cantfindname · 07/08/2019 07:35

There are several balloon companies around here (Kent) but everyone says the cancellations make it so difficult to arrange. No ones fault, but irritating none the less.

How about a glider ride? I believe they are easier to arrange and not so subject to cancellation. Just the one person plus a pilot; quieter and the same sort of effect as a balloon ride.

LoubyLou1234 · 07/08/2019 08:02

I did one in Australia and it was amazing. Plus the weather was more reliable! I'd recommend the experience if you can get the weather and good scenery

dontgobaconmyheart · 07/08/2019 10:50

I was gifted a hot air balloon flight about 5 years ago, like others it was hard to nail down a day and to be honest became a drag. I didn't enjoy it either. I sound a right grumpGrin but it it didn't do much for me, I'm alright with heights but found it a bit nervy and dull at the same time and generally was wondering how long until it ended.

Red letter days are always a bit rubbish IMO, not very personal gifts, admin and location faff and then you don't get to do whatever it is for very long. I'd rather go away for a weekend somewhere I'd been meaning to go or receive something tangible.

Tobebythesea · 07/08/2019 11:06

I got given a hot air balloon as a gift a few years ago and got lucky as we went up first time. There were people who had attempted the experience 8 times on our trip! It was very peaceful and I’m glad I’ve done it but wouldn’t do it again.

Tobebythesea · 07/08/2019 11:07

Trip

MrsMoastyToasty · 07/08/2019 11:39

I've been up once. A friend of a friend has his balloon pilots license. We went up over an area of the country that I didn't know so the landmarks below us didn't really mean a lot to us. The landing can be very bumpy.
The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta starts tomorrow. There tends to be early morning and evening take offs between Thursday and Sunday, unless the forecast is bad (which it is this year). They can only take off if the wind is from the south or east otherwise the balloons would end up in the Bristol Channel or in the approaches to Bristol airport!

MaidofKent78 · 07/08/2019 11:43

I bought my DH a paragliding fun day for his 40th which was great fun. He's now doing his pilot licence as he enjoyed it so much.

OneThreadOnly0101 · 07/08/2019 11:45

I've done it in Kenya. That was worth it. I don't think I'd push my luck getting in another one though - if anything goes wrong you're truly doomed.

I'm scared of heights and found it fine by the way. It's not like standing on a ledge where you think you'll fall. It's more like when you're on a plane. Very smooth and quiet.