"Aerophile: The World Leader in Balloon Flight" News

West Side, Downtown Disney

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Aerophile Balloon Reopens at Disney Springs with New Balloon
6 months ago

The Aerophile tethered balloon attraction at Disney Springs has reopened following a week-long closure for a full balloon replacement. The new balloon keeps the same blue and…

Feb 25, 2026 | 2:30pm ET

Aerophile suspending operations from today ahead of possible impacts from Hurricane Irma
9 years ago

The Disney Springs tethered balloon is now closed until further notice.

Sep 06, 2017 | 8:53am EDT

New name for Characters in Flight tethered balloon at Disney Springs
9 years ago

One of the last remnants from the Downtown Disney days has now completed its Disney Springs update.

Jul 06, 2017 | 4:!6pm EDT

PHOTOS - New look Characters in Flight balloon takes to the skies above Disney Springs
9 years ago

The Disney Springs tethered balloon ride has a fresh new look.

Jan 16, 2017 | 8:15am EST

Characters in Flight closing for redesign
10 years ago

The Disney Springs tethered balloon attraction will have a new look in the New Year.

Dec 30, 2016 | 9:46am EST

Characters in Flight closed for the next couple of days for refurbishment
11 years ago

The tethered balloon ride will be closed for routine maintenance over the next couple of days.

Sep 29, 2015 | 11:29 EDT

Groupon offering near half price Characters in Flight balloon rides
13 years ago

Get up to 44% off a Characters in Flight ride for two

Feb 05, 2013 | 9:03am EST

Characters in Flight offering an early bird deal
14 years ago

Pre 10am flights get you a special price

Oct 05, 2012 | 2:40pm EDT

Characters in Flight takes to the skies again
14 years ago

Back from its refurbishment and test flights cleared

Oct 05, 2012 | 11:21am EDT

PHOTO - 'Characters in Flight' to reopen at Downtown Disney as new balloon installation begins
14 years ago

The 'Characters in Flight' tethered balloon attraction is returning to Downtown Disney West Side

Sep 25, 2012 | 3:22pm EDT

Characters in Flight closed pending investigation into an accident with a similar balloon in Hong Kong

Characters in Flight at Downtown Disney has been closed following an accident with a similar balloon at Hong Kong's Ocean park. The Standard reports that five guests were injured…

Jul 01, 2012 | 5:11 p.m. EDT

Characters in Flight resumes flights

Characters in Flight reopened last night after being closed the previous day for unscheduled maintenance.

Oct 27, 2011 | 9:47am EDT

Characters in Flight closed for maintenance

Characters in Flight is currently closed for maintenance. No word yet on when flights will resume, but is expected to be closed for just a few days.

Oct 26, 2011 | 9:33am EDT

'Characters in Flight' launch a Downtown Disney webcam

Downtown Disney's "Characters in Flight" have recently launched a webcam, giving visitors to their site a live look at the Downtown Disney lake and Characters in Flight balloon…

Aug 25, 2011 | 9:43am EDT

Characters in Flight closed for refurbishment

Characters in Flight is currently closed for refurbishment and currently set to reopen on Friday April 30 2010.

Apr 27, 2010 | 8:56am EDT

Characters in Flight refurbishment cancelled

The previously planned 'Characters in Flight' refurbishment from April 20 to April 22 has been cancelled, and the attraction will be open as normal.

Apr 19, 2010 | 8:22pm EDT

Characters in Flight closing for a brief refurbishment next week

Characters in Flight will be closed for refurbishment from April 20 to April 22 2010.

Apr 16, 2010 | 10:53am EDT

Characters in Flight now testing

Characters in Flight is now in full testing. The balloon was spotted high up over WDW earlier this morning. Full guest opening is expected on April 1 2009.

Mar 27, 2009

A look at the Characters in Flight balloon and basket

The Aerophile balloon that is to take guests 400ft above Downtown Disney is now in position and attached to it's large caged basket. The queue area is ready, and all is looking…

Mar 26, 2009

Characters in Flight operating hours and weather conditions required for flight

Characters in Flight is just a few days away from opening now and we now have information about operating hours and conditions for flight. Sunday to Thursday the hours of…

Mar 26, 2009

Characters in Flight Aerophile balloon inflated

The huge balloon that will be carrying guests up to 400ft above Downtown Disney is now inflated on the waterside dock. The first guests are expected to ride on April 1 2009 as…

Mar 24, 2009

Latest Characters in Flight construction photos - signage now in place

Chacracters in Flight now has it's signage in place, and work continues on the main platform. Opening is expected for later in this month.

Mar 19, 2009

Characters in Flight pricing information

The pricing for Characters in Flight is as follows: Adult (ages 10 and up) $16 inc tax Child (ages 3 to 9) $10 inc tax The tethered balloon ride is set to open later this month.

Mar 18, 2009

Latest Characters in Flight construction photos

Signage is now up on the former guest relations building, and the main platform is now looking very close to being complete. No sign of the actual balloon being onsite yet, but it…

Mar 14, 2009

Latest Characters in Flight construction photos

The main platform of Characters in Flight is now largely in place. The former guest relations building in front has also now been closed, with guest relations being relocated to…

Feb 27, 2009

Characters in Flight to carry up to 30 guests

A small bit of info on the Characters in Flight, set to open in Spring 2009. The capacity is set to be 30 guests per flight.

Jan 09, 2009

Latest Characters in Flight construction photo

Not that much yet visible, but work continues on installing the footers into the lake bed. The floating crane is still on site and is parked at the edge of the lake near to the…

Jan 05, 2009

Characters in Flight construction underway

The new tethered balloon ride at Downtown Disney is now under construction. The site is on the water, just behind the West Side guest relations location. It appears from the…

Dec 12, 2008

Tethered balloon ride named

Characters in Flight is set to be the name of the new Downtown Disney attration.

Dec 11, 2008

Disney announce tethered balloon ride to be added to Downtown Disney

During today's announcement about the closing of all clubs on Pleasure Island, Disney unveiled plans for an internally lit tethered balloon to operate over Downtown Disney at…

Jul 01, 2008

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"Aerophile: The World Leader in Balloon Flight" News

West Side, Downtown Disney

Aerophile Balloon Reopens at Disney Springs with New Balloon 6 months ago

Aerophile suspending operations from today ahead of possible impacts from Hurricane Irma 9 years ago

New name for Characters in Flight tethered balloon at Disney Springs 9 years ago

PHOTOS - New look Characters in Flight balloon takes to the skies above Disney Springs 9 years ago

Characters in Flight closing for redesign 10 years ago

Characters in Flight closed for the next couple of days for refurbishment 11 years ago

Groupon offering near half price Characters in Flight balloon rides 13 years ago

Characters in Flight offering an early bird deal 14 years ago

Characters in Flight takes to the skies again 14 years ago

PHOTO - 'Characters in Flight' to reopen at Downtown Disney as new balloon installation begins 14 years ago

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