Up, up and AWAY!!! - Here is a breakdown of my experience. It's a lot, but it'll help you with your decision making process. Before: - Bella answered every question that I had about the ride and reservation process. - Bella made sure that dietary restrictions were reviewed and properly addressed for breakfast. - Bella made sure to note my wife's birthday. And made arrangements for a cake. - She also made sure that even with all the good reviews and happy conversation that we'd had, that rides are always subject to cancelation due to wrather- at the discretion of the pilot and staff. During(Part One): - Check in was early, but easy. - We got out to the launch site and watched as other companies prepped their balloons. Conditions were clearly not optimal, and the launches of the other company didn't look fun- baskets dragged along the ground as they took off very fast(due to the wind). - Our pilots and crews had a "meeting" away from the passengers and came back with the decision that it just wasn't safe. Disappointing to say the least, but seeing the other company sending their balloons up in rough fashion helped. During(Part Two- next morning): - Smooth as silk. - 5,000 feet in a matter of minutes. - Pictures don't do it justice. - Landed on target. There's a reason Captain Jonathan has won medals for this stuff. After: - If you're concerned about breakfast, you have your priorities out of whack. That said, my burrito was a very nice taste of the Southwest. And the setting could not be beat. - Plenty of champagne, orange juice and water for the crew and passengers. - Ample time for Capt. Jonathan to regale us with ballooning history as well as His-story. - Ride back was a nice chance to reflect. Post Ride: - Its not cheap, but the memories made are worth it. - Spend the extra money to have DeAndre and his team film your ride. The drone footage that he provides- in a great "music video" is awesome. While you're up there, it's hard to capture the majesty. Its hard enough taking pictures because you're afraid to drop your phone. It's hard to take pictures because the beauty is overwhelming, not to mention ALL around you. So, let DeAndre and his team take care of it all for you. SO worth it. - The cancelation on our first morning sucked- no doubt. But in hindsight, I sincerely appreciate that these guys prioritized safety. That a team of lifelong balloonists know a thing or two about providing a safe and enjoyable experience. I'm glad to have chosen them. So, what are you waiting for? Look at the available rides and BOOK it now!!!

Peaceful Ride above the Desert - Even though it is expensive, I would recommend the Hot Air Expeditions morning balloon ride. All of the staff were friendly, hard working, and committed to a great experience. And, the ride itself was both exciting and peaceful. As the team said, you are essentially part of the wind, so you don’t feel jostled or unsteady at any point. Before the ride, my husband was nervous going up that high, but he ended up loving it. It sounded like morning rides have less of a chance of getting cancelled, so morning was the right choice. Plus, they picked us up at our hotel (Hotel Valley Ho). The breakfast was definitely lackluster, but we were going for the balloon ride, not the food.

One Bucket List item checked off - This has been on my bucket list for a very long time and I’m so glad I finally got to go on a hot air balloon ride with my husband over Phoenix, Arizona. It was an amazing experience. The pilot Jonathan was very entertaining. I felt safe the entire time. It was hard to believe that we got up to 6500 feet above land as the ride was very smooth and I would say even less turbulence than an airplane. The burner got very hot, so I can understand why we have to wear long sleeves. I chose not to wear a hat, but I think there would’ve been less heat on my head if I had done so. My husband would suggest wearing a hoodie to block the heat from your head. The breakfast was set up in a very special way, and the food was tasty, however, the burrito was a little spicy. The certificates are a nice touch and it was pretty cool that we got to buy the champagne glasses that we drank out of as a keepsake. This experience was not at all like I expected it to be, it was so much more! Time: arrived at 4:35 AM finished at 9 AM (one of the passengers in the van requested a restroom break prior to going out to the balloon site)

Bucket list experience - This was the most amazing experience I’ve had in my entire life. This was beyond beautiful! I enjoyed every single minute . The ride there was great! Our pilot Don was amazing , he was very knowledgeable & very hospitable. We would definitely do this again. We all were in awe the entire time.

We had a great pilot and... - We had a great pilot and flight crew! An amazing and wonderful experience, would love to do it again in the near future.

It was an amazing... - It was an incredible experience—so peaceful and serene up there. The views were breathtaking, and the quiet was unlike anything I've ever felt. I would absolutely love to do this again

Great experience - As someone who is afraid of heights, this experience did not feel like I was 5,000 feet in the air. - It was such an amazing experience. Mike was an incredible pilot- He made us all feel comfortable.

Professional, engaging experience! - The company organizers and balloon pilot were very organized, competent and professional, making the experience feel safe, fun and exhilarating. A good and engaging experience.

Bucketlist Event - Hot air balloon ride completed bucketlist activity. A pleasant trip. Interesting to see how balloons were set up and hear facts about activity. Crew was dedicated and toiled arduously at ballon detail and set-up. Pilot, Don's humor was wry although humorous. Expected more excitement for price. Champagne and juice were quenching. However, food was "substandard." It was reheated day old burrito, 2 apple wedges and one stale finger sized pasty. Also, each passenger must climb into basket (like getting on a horse) per pilot's description. This activity could be a big challenge for anyone under 5 feet, also anyone over 75 years.

THUMBS DOWN FROM THE START - WHAT STARTED AS A EARLY MORNING EASTER RIDE WENT SOUTH> CHECK IN PEOPLE WERE GRUMPY, DRIVER WAS NOT PROPERLY TRAINED ON DRIVING WITH A TRAILER AND A GEUST HAD TO BACK IT OUT AFTER BEEING 10 MINS LATE TRING TO GET TURNED AROUND , PILOT WAS GRUMPY AND PUSHY , FLIGHT AND LANDING WERE THE BEST PARTS, WHEN LANDING THE SET UP WAS NOT ORGONIZED TABLES WER BROKEN OTHERS WERE SITTING AT THE TABLE AND WERE RUDLY ASKED TO MOVE BY THE PILOT, FOOD WAS LESS THAN DESIRABLE TO EAT, CHAMPANGE WAS POURED FOR ALL 8 GEUST WITH ONE BEING UNDER AGE AND NO OTHER CUPS FOR THOSE NOT WANTING CHAMPANGE JUST ORANGE JUICE , LANGUGE USED BUY EMPLOYEE PACKING THE BALLON WAS UNCALLED FOR ALL IN ALL WAS A VERY DISAPOINTING EXPERIANCE