Day 1030: In the Air

On the old "A Day at Magic Kingdom" VHS that I have, there's this part where they showcase a couple of old hot air balloons, and honestly, I didn't know much about them aside from the fact that I really, really wanted to go on one. In our world today, you can certainly book a trip on the Characters in Flight Hot Air Balloon that calls Disney Springs home, but the balloons in the video that I grew up with are a bit more unique. 

I happened to see the following picture on Tumblr, which got me thinking about the balloons, and now I can't really stop thinking about them.

While I have to admit that the giant Mickey and Donald heads as balloons weirds me out just a little bit, they are still pretty awesome, and way cooler than any hot air balloon I've ever seen in real life. Of course, there's also these two: 

I have no idea how such balloons can be made, but I sure like them, especially the Spaceship Earth one. Obviously it had to have flown in my lifetime because the Epcot portion of the decor wasn't put on until after 2000, and I remember very well when that 2000 was put on, and when it was changed to the Epcot that stayed until a number of years ago. The castle is pretty awesome too though, don't you think? 

I'd certainly be interested in hearing more about these balloons, so if you have any information I'd be happy to hear about it, but otherwise let me know in the comments below what kind of Disney hot air balloon you would want to fly in. Would it be a Spaceship Earth balloon like me or something entirely different? 

Have a magical day! 

(Note: This blog post was written on December 31).

Day 950: Alpacas, Balloons, and Burgers

Another Hamburger Fest weekend in little old Seymour means another fantasmic weekend with my roommates! This time, our adventures were a little bit different though. Last year we really showed them the ropes of Burger Fest, but this time around we went into the surrounding area, spent time closer to home, went on a balloon chase and, of course, ate hambrugers and cheese curds.

First, it was off to Megan's aunts house, where Hannah and Ashley were thrilled to finally get to meet the alpacas! While an Alpaca isn't a Llama, it definitely was giving me some Emperor's New Groove vibes, and now, thinking back to this experience, I really want to watch that movie. On the left Ashley has Samuel and on the right Hannah is chilling with Jedediah!

Next up was our Balloon chase. This year seemed to have a record number of hot air balloons, and instead of simply watching them go up like last year, we headed out on a mission to go after a few. So we drove around, watching as many of the balloons went right over our heads, including this awesome Irish inspired Balloon, which sadly didn't return for the balloon glow later on beacuse of a bit of an accident involving a tree. Everyone is alright though! 

Of course, once the balloons finally return to the grounds, it's time for the balloon glow, where, just as the sun finally sets, the balloons light up the night! 

And of course, a Hamburger Fest just wouldn't be complete without a Burger to eat! 

Which brings us to the end of another Burger Fest. For those of you who might not know, I live in a little town in Wisconsin named Seymour, known as the Home of the Hamburger. The dish was first invented here in 1885, and since then we've also claimed the record for the world's largest hamburger ever made. So every year in early August we have a huge festival to celebrate, filled with lots and lots of hamburgers, hot air balloons and plenty of fun! 

Have a magical day!

Day 221: Hot Air Balloons

Nothing makes me more excited than Hot Air Balloons! Ok, so that's a lie, but not totally! I really do love Hot Air Balloons!

You see, tonight marked the first night of my town's annual Hamburger Festival, which I'll talk more about tomorrow. I was volunteering tonight for the Balloon Rally, which is in it's 13th year here in Seymour. But I haven't been to it in years, so being able to see the Hot Air Balloons right up close again was AMAZING.

Why? You may ask? Well here's a few things to jog your Disney memory as to why I love Hot Air Balloons so much! Remember how in the French film there's all those things, but one of those things is the Hot Air Balloons. Honestly, whenever I do see a hot air balloon, that's what I think of. I mean, you watch them kind of blow them up in the film, and then you get to "Ride" in one in the film as well. It's actually one of my things on my bucket list, to go to France for the hot air balloon festival. I really want to go in a hot air balloon in general though.

But that's not all, because one thing just isn't enough! There's another place at Disney where hot air balloons make an appearance, and it's not something everyone is necessarily going to notice. However, if you love Epcot as much as I do, and you've been in the land enough times, you'll know that Hot air balloons grace the ceiling of that pavilion! Now that makes two Disney appearances of hot air balloons...unless you count Oz the Great and Powerful. There's most certainly a hot air balloon in that too.

Here's a few of the pictures I took of the balloon rally tonight, including a picture of me and Hamburger Charlie!

Here's today's Disney History: 1969: The Haunted Mansion attraction opens in New Orleans Square at Disneyland. The public opening of the attraction is heralded by a promotional blitz that include the "I Scream" Sundaes sold at Disneyland's Carnation Plaza. Madame Leota, the medium in the seance room and the tiny talking figure at the end of the ride, is modeled at Imagineer Leota Toombs (also known as Leota Thomas. The attraction will have an official grand opening August 12. 

Have a magical day!