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Original poster

Have you ever been in a hot air balloon?

58 replies

EDelafield · 26/03/2023 11:22

And if so, would you recommend it? Any hints or tips?

This is really not something I would ever do. I'm quite wary of heights since hitting middle age, for a start. But life feels so dull and miserable at the moment, and I am trying to think of things I can do that I would look forward to. This idea of a hot air balloon ride just popped in to my head and now it won't go.

I'd probably buy two tickets, treat DP and keep it a complete surprise.

OP posts:
PineappleIceCream · 26/03/2023 11:35

I did but it was years ago now. I’m not particularly afraid of heights so I was ok. I’m sure it was cancelled a couple of times due to the weather.

obviously you have to climb in and out so sensible clothing and shoes are a must. I remember landing we had to sort of crouch down which hurt my legs.

Original poster
EDelafield · 26/03/2023 12:05

Thank you @PineappleIceCream

OP posts:
AltitudeCheck · 26/03/2023 12:06

Very weather dependent. Usually involves a very early morning start to get the stillest wind conditions. Expect to have to try a few times before you can actually do it. Wonderful experience though when it does happen. Wrap up warm though as can be chilly in UK

DDivaStar · 26/03/2023 12:21

Yep early start, loved being up there but hated taking off and landing. That might have been influenced by our pilot not knowing where to land (first flight of the season). We slowed down by brushing the treetops and crash landed on a barbed wire fence a few meters from a river !

Iwannabeacrocodilehunter · 26/03/2023 12:28

Yes, but only the one tied to the ground at Disney Springs. It was lovely, but I definitely wouldn’t want to go ‘proper’ hot air balloon sailing. Too scary for me.

BooseysMom · 26/03/2023 12:37

We live close to a hot air balloon taking off site and they often fly over the house. We always wave but the they never wave back. Then one day we were sitting out in the garden with some wine when there was a low rushing noise which we didn't really register. Then suddenly a balloon was right above us and a man shouted "I'll be back for the wine later!" I remember getting up in shock and screaming and laughing! it was hilarious as we had no idea he was there!

mummy3today · 26/03/2023 13:51

Yes, I've done it. Early evening instead of early morning. Morning is a lot cheaper. The wind really picked up while we were in the air so the landing was a bit hairy and our pilot was clearly stressed. Honestly if you're scared of heights I really wouldn't recommend it

TeenDivided · 26/03/2023 13:57

Yes.
Got postponed a few times due to weather.
Lovely experience, no 'wind' when in the sky as moving along with it.
Landing a bit bumpy.
Basket came up to chest(?) height, so felt quite safe.

WashAsDelicates · 26/03/2023 15:39

I did it once. Was absolutely lovely. Inflating the balloon was fun as it rose up majestically. Take off was a bit of a scramble, but once in the basket it was so gentle. No wind, because you're moving with it, the only noise being the burners. Sometimes some noise from the ground - a train, for example - but it seemed so distant. Really lovely and peaceful up there, yet also enthralling and exciting.

The landing was a little rough as the basket dragged for a few meters, but then we all jumped out and helped deflate the balloon.

I loved it.

MrsSkylerWhite · 26/03/2023 15:40

No, looks magnificent but I’m cowardly.

Babyroobs · 26/03/2023 15:43

I did many years ago for my 30th birthday when we were living in new Zealand. it was a great experience but a bit scary and since then there have been a few crashes. Not sure I would do it again !

SirenSays · 26/03/2023 15:43

I'm kind of shocked people still do it. I used to see them flying all over when I was a child, I rarely see any now.

MintJulia · 26/03/2023 15:44

Yes. It was very peaceful and quiet floating across countryside, looking down.

Very cold - it was a frosty morning - but we could see lots of animals running around because, being so quiet, they hadn't realised we were above them. 🙂

notacooldad · 26/03/2023 15:45

Yes and I loved it!
I'm not scared of heights but was nervous about landing. I thought it would be a giant thud down on the ground but it wasn't.
My advice - Do it and enjoy the moment.

notacooldad · 26/03/2023 15:47

I'm kind of shocked people still do it. I used to see them flying all over when I was a child, I rarely see any now.
I'm surprised at this,in the summer evenings we see loads by us!

funnelfan · 26/03/2023 15:55

Yes, lovely experience. Was worried about climbing in and out of the basket as it’s chest height but was absolutely fine (I got in the basket while it was on its side and before the balloon was inflated, and climbing out was easy). So quiet and peaceful up in the air, and the landing was very gentle but the pilot hadn’t spotted the gate was open to the next field so we were surrounded by nosey cows who rushed over and the ground crew had to get the farmer to help round them up and put them back.

would do it again tomorrow if I could.

Weelegs29 · 26/03/2023 16:05

Not yet but I have it booked for my 40th birthday trip next year in Cappadocia, very excited and also a bit nervous!

MrsMoastyToasty · 26/03/2023 16:17

Yes, I've been in a privately owned one (rather than one promoting a company). The pilot said that there's weather conditions that the company owned balloons were expected to take off in that he wouldn't even consider, which was reassuring. We travelled over a part of rural Somerset that I didn't really know but it would have been nice to fly over an area I did.
I would recommend wearing a hat as you do feel the heat from the gas burners.
I've also done pursuit and recovery in the vehicle and trailer, which is quite fun. Relying on Ordance Survey grid references and landmarks

MrsMoastyToasty · 26/03/2023 16:18

Has you ever been to the Bristol Balloon Fiesta?

winelove · 26/03/2023 16:19

Yes a couple of times. Brilliant fun, but first time we crash landed which was interesting. Yes would do it again.

Akite · 26/03/2023 16:23

I've done it twice, once in the Australian outback and once in Bristol.
outback was much more fun, very early in the morning and you got to see amazing wildlife!
I enjoyed both, it's very peaceful and serene up in the balloon. Not remotely scary, although I'm fine with heights anyway so probably not the best judge.

id definitely recommend it, but wear sensible, warm clothes. We landed in a field full of cowpats and rolling the balloon up at the end meant you got a bit covered!

Growlybear83 · 26/03/2023 16:24

I went in a balloon a few years ago in Luxor. I was terrified at the thought of it and nearly didn't go, but once we were in the air it was wonderful and I didn't want it to end. We went very early in the morning, just as the sun was rising, and flew over all of the main temples and sites in Luxor. I was really amused by the pilot talking to Balloon Traffic Control when we were preparing to land. There were at least a dozen other balloons in the air at the same time as us. It was really magical.

cecinestpasunepipe · 26/03/2023 16:26

I did it in Turkey in my early fifties. I am normally frightened of heights but wasn't scared at all. When we got up high, the pilot (if that is what they are called) turned off the gas so we just floated in absolute silence, it was amazingly peaceful. The only scary bit was we landed in a farmer's field and the farmer was quite agressive.
Other 'senior' adventures I have had was a flying lesson in a small plane for my 60th, and zip-lining over the rainforest in Costa Rica aged 68.

dinmin · 26/03/2023 16:26

I have and it was great but I’d definitely go on one over a particular area / sight you want to see rather than just a random field for the sake of it IYSWIM

spring1976 · 26/03/2023 16:31

does
anyone know why the landings seem to be so random? One landed in a school field nearby and there are several
posts on this thread where the balloon pilot landed somewhere random.
Don't they plan where to land ahead of time to make sure it's not a school field or a field full of cows?