Spanish-Built Gondola Carries 24 Passengers At A Time

If you've ever vacationed in central Florida, you know it's a land of superlatives where hundreds of attractions try to out-do each other, and at least half of them are called "something world." Now, the largest hot air balloon in the US has taken its place among the hype, and it will be hard to miss if it passes by.

Orlando Balloon Rides (the name "Balloon World" was already taken by a party supply store) has taken delivery of an 11-story tall, 24-passenger aircraft built by Ultramagic Balloons of Spain. It's traditional-looking basket is actually a wicker facade over a stainless steel structure with high walls, and partitioned spaces for 24 passengers. The basket weighs 1,600 pounds empty. The envelope weighs a half-ton.

Dewayne Bevil relates details of his first ride in the monster balloon on the blog of the Orlando Sentinel. "We traveled west from a spot on the edge of a golf course for Reunion Resort and Club on County Road 532, then crossed above Interstate 4. Below us was an assortment of cars, dirt roads, mega-mansions, farms, orange groves, golf courses, swampland, barking dogs who hate balloons, a muddy motocross course, a horse and stable and friendly folks who waved and hollered 'Hello!' We could see Walt Disney World in the distance, but in a hot-air balloon, you must go where the wind takes you."

The entire experience, including being there for unpacking and inflation, and a post-flight champagne breakfast, lasts about four hours. An hour of that is actual time in the air. Bevil says that on the day of his flight, his group traveled five or six miles.

The ride costs $175 per person, (discounted through online specials and internet coupons,) or about double the retail price of a daily adult admission ticket at Disney World. So, how many people will pay that fare in the course of a year? Orlando Balloon Rides CEO Jason Schulke says he only needs one customer out of every 2,500 visitors. "I can only lift so many people on an annual basis – 18,000 people, 20,000 if I’m pushing the envelope...they’re still projecting 50 million people will visit Central Florida."

And yes...he really did say, "pushing the envelope."

FMI: www.orlandoballoonrides.com ; (407) 894-5040