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Experiences You Should Have Podcast: Show Notes
The Albuquerque balloon festival has been on our list for some time. My husband has an affinity for hot air balloons and has taken some great photos of them over the years and we thought the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta would be the perfect place to go to experience the hot air balloons. Listen to the episode above to hear the full experience.
My husband went one time to the fiesta years ago, but I, nor my daughter had ever been. We were so excited to go because this is one of the most photographed events in the world. The event spans about 9 days in Albuquerque, New Mexico every October. More than 500 balloonists gather at this fiesta from all over the world and join for mass ascensions, night glows, and flying competitions! All kinds of shapes and colorful balloons fill the sky and on the weekends when they do mass ascensions, it is a site that will put you in awe.
Weather at the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
Now how air ballooning is very weather dependent, and the number one rule about coming to this festival is that you can’t get angry if the winds and weather don’t agree with the hot air balloons. You can’t get mad at the weather, so be happy that everyone is safe on the ground.
We decided to glamp (glamor camping) at the festival, so we could stay on festival grounds and not have to worry about early morning traffic. On the first day of the Balloon Fiesta this year, a few balloons took off at dawn called Dawn Patrol. It’s essentially still night time at 6ish in the morning, and an incredible sight to see the fiery glow from the balloons. Those first few balloons are checking the winds and are essentially the guinea pig balloons of the morning. If all is clear, the rest of the 500+ balloons will start to take off in waves.
The mass ascension didn’t happen on the first day we were there due to the weather. But remember, you can’t get mad at the weather. Instead, go eat a delicious breakfast burrito that the fiesta is known for. Blake’s offers some delicious breakfast burritos with hatch green chilis that are amazing.
Skydiving Demo Jumps at the Fiesta
Everything at the fiesta dies down for the afternoon, but later in the afternoon, we got to see Team Fastrax perform some skydiving demo jumps. I’m a huge fan of this team.
The Night Glow at the Balloon Fiesta: A Must-See Event
The first night of the Balloon Fiesta, was when I really felt the magic of the fiesta. As the sky started to darken, balloons everywhere started to inflate. The first one up was Canon (a large sponsor of the event), but soon after balloons were everywhere.
I could hear the balloons burn the propane and soon I could feel the heat from balloons all around me burning. The balloons started to light up. None of these balloons took off at night but seeing hundreds of hot air balloons lighting up before my eyes gave my heart a warm glow.
That evening, I got to talk with a hot air balloon pilot from Texas, Bill Broker, the pilot of the Plano, City of Excellence hot air Balloon. Listen to the interview above. He inspired me to maybe become a hot air balloon pilot one day. Apparently there is a school you can go to in Albuquerque. Maybe that could be retirement plans…
What We Came For, the Mass Ascension at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
The next morning, we finally got to witness a mass ascension. We saw all kinds of balloons fill the sky including a flying pig, an elephant princess named Nellie, bumblebees and more. It was funny because we would see the balloons take off in waves, fly over us, then before we knew it, we saw them fly over us again. Turns out there’s something special about the winds in Albuquerque which have a box effect. The winds are going one direction lower to the ground, then the opposite direction higher, so they could essentially land where they took off (if all goes well).
Glamping at the Balloon Fiesta
While the balloon festival lasts for 9 days, we stayed for 3 nights in our glamping tents and got to know some of the other glampers and our camp host Dave.
Glamping at the Albuquerque wasn’t cheap, around $500 a night, but the freebies added up when you accounted for free tickets to all of the sessions while we were glamping, free parking, coffee/donuts in the morning and our precious sleep. We had a fridge, a nice bed, souvenir blanket, lights, electricity, and furniture in our tent, and we had our own dedicated luxury bathroom and shower trailers that really were nice.
We booked this 6 months in advance. Keep on an eye on the website to sign up.
Budgeting for the Balloon Fiesta
To really break down costs. You need to first get to Albuquerque. When we looked, tickets were very expensive, so we chose to fly into Phoenix for much cheaper and drove 6 hours to Albuquerque. By making it a road trip, we were able to check out the Grand Canyon, experience Sedona, and see friends and family.
Albuquerque is fairly inexpensive, but around the balloon fiesta, rates at hotels are quite high. RV spots at the balloon fiesta book up about a year in advance. RV spots are already filled for 2020 and we are recording this in October 2019.
When budgeting for costs, remember you need a ticket for each event, essentially morning and evening, or if you need to re-enter the park. Kids under 13 are free for the events and each time you park it’s $15. If you’re glamping you do get free admission to everything, free parking, and a few extra hours of sleep as you can walk out of your tent in the morning and watch Dawn Patrol while sipping on coffee and enjoying a donut provided by the glamping team.
Riding in a Hot Air Balloon at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
It’s not cheap, and you must sign up in advance, but it is an experience you should have. You have to book your ride through Rainbow Ryders. Prices are subject to change but in 2019, the weekends cost $469 per person and on a less popular day, it costs around $400 per person. On each balloon, there is a pilot and a few crew members, and it’s recommended to tip $20 to each person. On average plan on tipping around $80 for each person that is signed up to go on the balloon.
You need to book early if you want to ride while at the Fiesta. They start taking hot air balloon reservations in January, so hop on it!
Optional Clubs at the Balloon Festival: Gondola Club and Chaser’s Club
There are a few clubs available like the Gondola Club and the Chaser’s Club. We weren’t in either, but I heard the Gondola Club was where it was at. They were fed well had dedicate bathrooms and had an open bar, but it is pricey as it costs around $110 per person per session. I was perfectly fine hanging out on the field eating a cheap breakfast burrito but do what best fits your needs.
The Chaser’s Club, I heard wasn’t worth it. It’s $45 per person per session, gives you free admission (which you already get if you’re glamping) and you get guaranteed seating in a private open-air patio with some beverages and dessert.
Accessibility at the Balloon Fiesta
The event is accessible and they do have motorized wheelchairs for rent for each session. The event is large, so if you have trouble walking, I’d have a plan to bring your own chair or rent one when you get there. It is a hike back to the glamping area, so if you have limited mobility, you may want to bring your own device, because if you can’t take a rented wheelchair to the glamping area.
What to Bring to the Balloon Fiesta
- Closed-toed shoes (with warm socks). It feels like the dead of winter in the morning and the grass is wet with due. Leave your flip flops at home, you will want shoes and socks.
- Jacket, Hat, Gloves – you will shed these in the afternoon, but you will want them in the morning (and evening).
- Snacks and water. I didn’t see many water refilling stations around, it’d be wise to bring your own
- Positive attitude – if the balloons don’t take off due to weather, then put on a good attitude and come back for another session.
Pro Tip: Visit the Hot Air Balloon Museum on Sunday
It’s free to visit the Hot Air Balloon Museum on Sundays from 9-1. Head over there after the mass ascension on Sunday and learn about weather, wind patterns, the history of ballooning and more. If you miss the free hours, still go check it out. It’s only $6 per person (with special rates for seniors and youth).
This event is truly amazing for all ages and is an experience I think you should have.
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