2023 Albuquerque Balloon Festival newbie questions

[mmmike]

I searched the archives and didn't find answers to my questions so here goes.

We are attending the festival next week (bucket list trip) in the South Premium lot. We get a TOAD permit along with our Class C. Questions that I can't get answered by the festival organizers...

Does the TOAD permit allow entry and exit access for the duration of our stay so that we can use it to visit town and nearby areas during the non-balloon times? Are there time limits to access?

Does my TOAD need to be with me when I arrive? My daughter wants to use it to run some errands while we get settled in.

Will it be parked with me or in another lot?

Thanks in advance for any insight anyone can give me.

[rowdy boys 3]

If you rv reservations, you should have received an email detailing some, if not all of your queations.

[rowdy boys 3]

Originally Posted by rowdy boys 3

If you rv reservations, you should have received an email detailing some, if not all of your queations.

My understanding is that you can leave the grounds in a toad however, the influx either in or out of the park, will make things difficult.

[rowdy boys 3]

Originally Posted by rowdy boys 3

My understanding is that you can leave the grounds in a toad however, the influx either in or out of the park, will make things difficult.

If you searxh the balloon fiesta website under rules, whats expected, FAQ'S, it explains just about any info you can wish to know.

[rowdy boys 3]

Originally Posted by rowdy boys 3

If you searxh the balloon fiesta website under rules, whats expected, FAQ'S, it explains just about any info you can wish to know.

I'll be there myself next weekend, so i've been reviewing information since i garnered an RV reservation on 11 Jamuary 2023.

[mmmike]

I wish it was that easy. I have checked every email and attachment, the website FAQ and RV information pages. I looked at last years (2022) version of their website and downloads. I have sent emails to the RV info inbox and one of the named staff members receiving no answer. I have checked their social media sites and could not find answers to my questions anywhere so I am hoping someone on this forum can help me with some real life experience. Anyone?

[dblr]

Depending on where you are parked getting in and out will not be an issue (traffic wise that's a whole other discussion) last year we were parked with the FROG Rally, our son visited from Taos and drove right in, we saw vehicles come and go all the time. Now if you're in the premium area that might be different as they paid the BIG bucks!!!!!

[Grumpy64]

We have been twice and are going with the FROG Rally this year. There are times (ingress and egress) when traffic on the main road is terrible every day. Once that clears, it is no problem getting in or out. Use Google maps to find the “other” access gates when it is not busy and make use of them. The secondary roads are your friend if you use them!

[mmmike]

Originally Posted by dblr

Depending on where you are parked getting in and out will not be an issue (traffic wise that's a whole other discussion) last year we were parked with the FROG Rally, our son visited from Taos and drove right in, we saw vehicles come and go all the time. Now if you're in the premium area that might be different as they paid the BIG bucks!!!!!

Thanks. Super helpful. Ill be in the South Premium lot so hopeful any secondary entrances are away from some of the big crowds.

[mmmike]

Originally Posted by Grumpy64

We have been twice and are going with the FROG Rally this year. There are times (ingress and egress) when traffic on the main road is terrible every day. Once that clears, it is no problem getting in or out. Use Google maps to find the “other” access gates when it is not busy and make use of them. The secondary roads are your friend if you use them!

Thanks! Looking forward to the trip.

[Reverse_snowbird]

My guess would be that you need to have the toad with you when you arrive. I think it gets it's own hang tag in the admission packet that you receive.

One of the reasons you may need to arrive together is the site you'll be assigned has to fit both your rig and your toad. They are very good at finding a spot that will fit both, but that would be hard if you don't have your toad with you.
Your toad will need to display the tag to gain admission. Leaving is no problem, but they do check tags for readmission to the campground area.

If it's like it was when we went, it's organized chaos. You sit in a line of all types of rvs. We had to arrive and wait in line behind our friends rv so that we'd be parked together. Gas up before you hit the line.

My advice. Arrive with your toad. She'll be able to leave easily to run errands once you've been assigned a camping spot. There are no restrictions on readmission, but avoid checkin time or you'll be in a line.

Take good note of your position in the lot. The rows are usually marked at the end.. We saw a lot of people who had left for the balloon areas who were being driven up and down rows by officials in golf carts who were trying help campers to find their rigs when they came back. If you take the shuttle bus, it's easier to get 'home' than if you walk, although we did both.

This thing is huge. Things may have changed some, but it looks to me like it's just gotten bigger since we were there several years ago.

[mmmike]

Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird

My guess would be that you need to have the toad with you when you arrive. I think it gets it's own hang tag in the admission packet that you receive.

One of the reasons you may need to arrive together is the site you'll be assigned has to fit both your rig and your toad. They are very good at finding a spot that will fit both, but that would be hard if you don't have your toad with you.
Your toad will need to display the tag to gain admission. Leaving is no problem, but they do check tags for readmission to the campground area.

If it's like it was when we went, it's organized chaos. You sit in a line of all types of rvs. We had to arrive and wait in line behind our friends rv so that we'd be parked together. Gas up before you hit the line.

My advice. Arrive with your toad. She'll be able to leave easily to run errands once you've been assigned a camping spot. There are no restrictions on readmission, but avoid checkin time or you'll be in a line.

Take good note of your position in the lot. The rows are usually marked at the end.. We saw a lot of people who had left for the balloon areas who were being driven up and down rows by officials in golf carts who were trying help campers to find their rigs when they came back. If you take the shuttle bus, it's easier to get 'home' than if you walk, although we did both.

This thing is huge. Things may have changed some, but it looks to me like it's just gotten bigger since we were there several years ago.

very helpful. Thanks!

[rowdy boys 3]

It will be fun, i am looking forward to it...

[rowdy boys 3]

Watching the ballons from my RV...

[Reverse_snowbird]

Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Brings back memories of when we were there several years ago.
When we were there, a balloon landed on top of a class A and took out the a/c, put a hole in the roof and took out the awning. Another one landed on the barbed wire surrounding the campground. No one seriously injured.

Wish we were there. Hope the rest of your balloon fest is enjoyable.

[aceinspp]

Thanks for the pics. Always nice to see someone enjoying the event. Later RJD

[rowdy boys 3]

We had a blast, they did have a balloon land in the south premium RV lot, about 4 spaces from me. He wanted coffee, so i made him a cup. He brought the balloon to the ground, his chase crew packed it up and off they went (it was interesting to speak with him and gain some knowledge).

[rowdy boys 3]

Ballon landed in south premium balloon fiesta rv lot...Attachment 294276Attachment 294277Attachment 294278