Albuquerque Balloon Festival

ernest917 · 10-04-2018, 10:21 AM

About to meet up with Superchief and spend the next 7 days enjoying this exciting event...... Will be great spending time with Craig and Sharon again.....

Just another fantastic moment in our new "full-timing" adventure....

Mmnsc · 10-04-2018, 12:08 PM

Ernest
Say hello for us and enjoy an extremely breath taking event. Wish we were there

wannabeowner · 10-04-2018, 12:29 PM

Looks like we're going to have nice temps while you're all here in ABQ for the Balloon Fiesta.
According to the forecast, the conditions sound very good for Saturday morning's Mass Ascension - warm with light winds, a few clouds and no rain.

I hope you all have a wonderful time!

dan-nickie · 10-04-2018, 12:32 PM

There are some other Berkshire is going there as well as frog Bob in a caravan.

ernest917 · 10-05-2018, 11:32 AM

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Look what flew over my coach this AM!!!!! About 50 of them!!!! Pretty cool!!!

BamaBob · 10-06-2018, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ernest917

About to meet up with Superchief and spend the next 7 days enjoying this exciting event...... Will be great spending time with Craig and Sharon again.....

Just another fantastic moment in our new "full-timing" adventure....

Hey Ernest! I did not know you have gone Fulltime -- WELCOME TO THE CLUB!

Let me know how the Festival goes - this is on our 2020 Bucket list (Next year is the Canadian Maritimes)

We survived the Alaska Highway this year and can heartily recommend the journey to you!!

ernest917 · 10-06-2018, 05:46 PM

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What an amazing morning!!!!! Had over 500 balloons take part in a dawn lift-off...

It’s really hard to describe this event!!!!

It’s something everyone needs to experience at least once in their life...

Put this on your bucket list!!!!

Most amazing part was you could walk all thru them as they aired up and lifted off.....

WOW!!!!!

TSman · 10-06-2018, 07:03 PM

This is on our bucket list. Can you make recommendations on how to best plan a trip there?

elind · 10-06-2018, 07:15 PM

The last time we were in Albuquerque the said to make your reservations for the Balloon Festival by the first of the year. It fills up quickly.

BamaBob · 10-06-2018, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elind

The last time we were in Albuquerque the said to make your reservations for the Balloon Festival by the first of the year. It fills up quickly.

RV reservations open 9 days after the current event for the next year, so this will be on Tuesday October 23rd, 2018 at 0900 MDT. if you want a good spot, you better be early - also good spots are NOT Cheap:

STANDARD: $40.00 per night (dry camping) (South RV Lot)

BOX VIEW: $50.00 per night (dry camping) (South RV Lot)

PREMIUM: $95.00 per night (30Amp and water connection) (South RV Lot)

VIP West/East: $100.00 per night (dry camping, adjacent to the Launch Field with 2 entry passes included valid during your stay.)

PRESIDENT'S COMPOUND :$250.00 per night (Sites on a bluff overlooking the Launch Field with city water pressure and 30-50 Amp RV Hook-up, this site also includes 4 entry passes to the Launch Field valid during your stay.)

We have been told that the best tickets are the Premium unless you are good on Power management - I *THINK* they let you run your generator during daylight hours.

Ernest - chime in here buddy!

ernest917 · 10-06-2018, 07:51 PM

We are in the Premium sites and were pleasantly surprised to discover we had 50 amp service when we arrived.....

BamaBob is correct - I'd make reservations the second they open them up.... It's "organized chaos" but with 2,500-3,000 RV units to park, they've done an outstanding job....

We came in two days early so we wouldn't have to fight long lines of rigs entering.... (Early days are also 1/2 price so that helped)

ALSO: FYI - we bought our event tickets at the local Costco because their pricing was the best we could find - 4 tickets for $27.....

TSman · 10-06-2018, 08:10 PM

Thanks BamaBob. Lots of good info there. We will have to decide whether to commit to going soon.

Reverse_snowbird · 10-06-2018, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSman

Thanks BamaBob. Lots of good info there. We will have to decide whether to commit to going soon.

We made our reservations for a standard site well in advance of our trip last year. The cost to cancel wasn't that much so we figured it was worth the risk.

We brought our coats because everyone said it would be cold. They were wrong. Needed a/c.

Wish we were there.

Steve-W · 10-06-2018, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BamaBob

RV reservations open 9 days after the current event for the next year, so this will be on Tuesday October 23rd, 2018 at 0900 MDT. if you want a good spot, you better be early - also good spots are NOT Cheap:

STANDARD: $40.00 per night (dry camping) (South RV Lot)

BOX VIEW: $50.00 per night (dry camping) (South RV Lot)

PREMIUM: $95.00 per night (30Amp and water connection) (South RV Lot)

VIP West/East: $100.00 per night (dry camping, adjacent to the Launch Field with 2 entry passes included valid during your stay.)

PRESIDENT'S COMPOUND :$250.00 per night (Sites on a bluff overlooking the Launch Field with city water pressure and 30-50 Amp RV Hook-up, this site also includes 4 entry passes to the Launch Field valid during your stay.)

We have been told that the best tickets are the Premium unless you are good on Power management - I *THINK* they let you run your generator during daylight hours.

Ernest - chime in here buddy!

From our research I agree that the best sites are the premium ($75 for 2018) as well. I will let you 1st hand later next week. We're currently at the Texas FROG Roundup which has been a great rally, and will be arriving at the Ballon Fiesta on Wednesday afternoon and staying till Sunday.

Steve & Jo Ellen

Bud Ezekiel H. · 10-21-2018, 01:03 PM

I had heard about "the bluff" from another attendee but hadn't gotten the lowdown on it. Is it advertised by the Festival folks themselves? I'd day you're pretty lucky that you didn't have to contend with a terrible super early commute to Albuquerque and then contend with the looooong line/wait to catch a school bus ride to the site. Wouldn't/won't do that song and dance again. But the balloons are fantastic to see in such great numbers, sizes, and shapes. The stagecoach never got off the ground the day we were there nor did Darth Vader. (opening day) Obi Wan did. Don't think the Mrs. would spend the $$$ for an RV site but would rather use it to buy new shoes. A woman can never have enough shoes.

kfd82 · 10-21-2018, 02:52 PM

Looks amazing!

We have reservations and tickets to the Balloon Festival in Fredericksburg, TX just after Christmas. Never been to an event like this and we are really looking forward to it.

**ependydad** · 10-21-2018, 11:37 PM

If it helps, I wrote a post on Fulltime Families about the Balloon Fiesta. I talk about sites and have some nice pictures on it:
https://www.fulltimefamilies.com/ful...alloon-fiesta/

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