New balloon flies 400 ft. over Downtown Disney

WDW has just launched their newest attraction, located in Downtown Disney. Their 105 foot high “Characters in Flight” balloon will soar 400 feet, carrying up to 30 passengers in its gondola. The balloon was built  by French Balloon maker Aérophile.

When the weather cooperates, passengers will be able to get a 360 degree view for up to 10 miles. The balloon is tethered to a special star shaped landing dock, and a quick mooring system will hopefully keep the lines from getting too long.

Rides on the balloon are $16 for adults and $10 for children (10 and under).

A similar balloon has been soaring over Paris for a decade, and has proven to be a huge success.

All Pleasure Island nightclubs to close by 9/28/2008

Disney announced today that all six clubs at Pleasure Island – Motion, BET Soundstage, Comedy Warehouse, 8-Traxx, Mannequins and the Adventurer’s Club – will close no later than 9/27. The Orlando Sentinel has the whole story here.

The clubs will be replaced by what Disney refers to as “an extraordinary mix of shopping and dining that will appeal to guests of all ages.”

This isn’t a big surprise, as there have been rumors for a while to the effect that security at Downtown Disney was becoming problematic, and the management was getting ready to toss the young single market to the curb in favor of their core market, families.

Add to that due to the popularity of the Disney Dining Plan there is a need for more table-service restaurants on the property, and it makes a lot of sense.

Some of the message boards are in a tizzy, especially about the closing of the Adventurer’s Club, and I know that the Comedy Warehouse has its followers as well.

My wife and I visited the Comedy Warehouse for the first time a few years ago and we thought it was OK. That same night we went into the Adventurer’s Club and we found it a little creepy. We haven’t been back to either. Personally I would welcome a few more restaurants.