Downtown Disney's iconic balloon disappears after balloon accident in Hong Kong

[Ryan C]

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A familiar sight is missing in the attractions area.

The Characters in Flight balloon is no longer operating at Downtown Disney, following an accident involving a similar balloon at a park in Hong Kong.

Disney fan Web sites say the balloon has been pulled for inspection, as has a similar ride at Disneyland Paris, after the recent Hong Kong mishap.

The Standard, an English-language news Web site in Hong Kong, reports that five people were injured when a balloon sprang a leak and plunged to the ground from a height of more than 60 yards on Thursday. None of the injuries was serious.
Characters in Flight at Downtown Disney in Florida - YouTube
There is no word yet on when — or if — the balloon will resume ferrying passengers into the sky above Downtown Disney.

A Disney spokeswoman confirmed that Paris-based Aerophile, the company that owns and runs the balloon ride, suspended operations until further notice.

SOURCE

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[Winkster]

Oh no!

I do hope they bring back Characters in Flight - I loved it.

I can understand that safety has to come first though. Who could argue with that?

Just bring it back soon!

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[Gelebean2]

Disney World took out Downtown Disney hot air ballon n out of Paris n Hong Kong.
Hong Kongs hot air ballon had punctured n dropped injuring 6 people. They are going to be ok. But as percaution all the Balloons are pulled for inspections.

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[Winkster]

Disney World took out Downtown Disney hot air ballon n out of Paris n Hong Kong.
Hong Kongs hot air ballon had punctured n dropped injuring 6 people. They are going to be ok. But as percaution all the Balloons are pulled for inspections.

As we already have a Front Page News article on this story I have merged the threads together.

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[englanddg]

I did this in 2010, right when MK was doing fireworks (not planned), and it was amazing.

Didn't in 2011.

I'll miss it this year.

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[ChefMickey79]

We were going to go up in the balloon back in august but didn't have time I was so looking forward to riding it in december. Hope the inspections go well and its back in buisness

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[Gelebean2]

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Hope it comes back. It took soooo long to do it, the winds kept grounding it.

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