West Coasters, check this out!!

[ZambeziZelda]

Ok, so I realize that this has more to do with Disneyland then WDW...but I openly admit to being a West Coaster who NEVER looks at the Disneyland forum on this site, and am still majorly excited!



Disneyland 50th Anniversary Celebration Takes to the Skies

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]The Disneyland Resort 50th Anniversary celebration is taking to the skies with a 100-foot tall, Mickey Mouse-shaped hot air balloon dubbed “The Happiest Balloon On Earth” (a
twist on Disneyland’s famous moniker of “The Happiest Place on Earth”). With golden ears high atop its head, the Mickey balloon will travel throughout the western United States and Canada during its 11-week tour. “The Happiest Balloon On Earth” will also become the first hot air balloon ever to rise over the Grand Canyon in Arizona.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]
The specially created hot air balloon will be seen against such scenic and familiar backdrops as Grand Canyon West (part of the Hualapai Tribal Nation in Arizona), San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, the San Diego city skyline and the International Balloon Museum in New Mexico. The one-of-a-kind balloon is unique in many ways including 6 ft. wide pupils, a 5.5 ft. wide nose and the use of over nine miles of thread to create the special balloon form. [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]
“It is indeed one of the most unique and specialized hot air balloons we have ever piloted,” says Scott Spencer, who along with his wife Laurie, serves as the balloon’s pilot. “When the balloon comes in for a landing it gives a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘ears to the ground!’”[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]“The Happiest Balloon On Earth,” comprised of Mickey’s familiar smiling face, is topped with an enormous pair of gold “Mickey Mouse Club” style “Mouse Ears” which have served as a favorite Disneyland souvenir for millions of guests since the 1950s. These particular ears, however, span 53 feet from ear-to-ear and are comprised of approximately 750 square yards of gold fabric.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Balloon Tour locations and dates:[/SIZE][/FONT]

• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Tucson, AZ - March 30-31 [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Phoenix, AZ - April 3-4 [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]San Diego, CA - April 6-7 [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Fresno, CA - April 17 [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]San Francisco, CA - April 19-20 [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Sacramento, CA - April 25-26 [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Vancouver, BC - May 2-3 [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Seattle, WA - May 9-10 [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Portland, OR - May 15-16 [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Salt Lake City, UT - May 22-23 [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Albuquerque, NM - May 25 - 26[/SIZE][/FONT]

 

[MacDuffieMuppet]

thats wicked cool...too bad i like on the east coast and wont get to see it. post a picture as soon as anyone gets one...thanks! Looking forward to seeing it and hearing more about it.:animwink:

 

[peter11435]

thats wicked cool...too bad i like on the east coast and wont get to see it. post a picture as soon as anyone gets one...thanks! Looking forward to seeing it and hearing more about it.:animwink:

Here is some concept art.

Image © The Walt Disney Company

 

[ZambeziZelda]

I'll definately post pics I can't WAIT!

 

[TP2000]

It was tested up in Pendleton, Oregon last month, and the balloon made it's first California appearance in San Diego a week or so ago. Most recently it was the first hot air balloon to be allowed to float over the Grand Canyon, and those pics were some of the most amazing. http://www.disneylandnews.com/

It continues on through other major West Coast cities like San Fran, Portland, Seattle, etc. through May.

 

[Huge Dreamer]

Dude

 

[ZambeziZelda]

Dude

I couldn't have put it better myself, ha

 

[TinkerBell9988]

Disneyland is also selling a jumbo-pin that is a replica of this hot-air balloon. The pin is quite large, and a basket dangles from the bottom. Real cute! Just a heads up for all you pin collectors out there!

 

[Madison]

I'm excited for this because the balloon will be in Seattle the two days before I leave for my trip to Disneyland

 

[ZambeziZelda]

I'm excited for this because the balloon will be in Seattle

Ha, maybe I'll see you then I'm just hoping there isn't some random rain storm that makes them have to cancel for safety reasons...Stupid Seattle, lol

 

[Beany-Fantasmic]

Imagine waking up to see that outside your window?!?

How cool...if only it would drift eastward

 

[Fantasmic!329]

That is awesome. Too bad it's not visiting New Jersey.

 

[cherrynegra]

Mouse Planet posted pics of the Mickey Balloon in the San Francisco Marina district in front of the Golden Gate Bridge. I TOTALLY forgot about this as I was planning on driving down to take pics.:brick: