Guests generally arrive to the balloon while it is being inflated with large industrial-sized fans. At this point the sky is still dark, and tourists can see dozens of balloons throughout the valley randomly illuminating with orange flames as they inflate.

The balloon basket is divided into four sections. This layout guarantees the weight of the basket is evenly spread out, and that no one area is too crowded. The friendly balloon crewmembers help guests climb into the basket, and then the balloon is ready to take flight! Take off is so smooth, guests often don’t feel themselves leave the ground. They are suspended in the air with one hundred other balloons above, below, and around them. It’s hard to beat a view like that! The ride lasts about an hour, with the sun rising over the valley about halfway through the ride, and slowly filling the landscape with a warm glow as the valley gets lighter.