valley ballooning

Highly recommend this! First let me tell you that it was my first ever hot air balloon ride, but I have dreamed of doing it since I was 5, and when I learned my dad also wanted to do it, I decided his October birthday would be the perfect time. And although it was perfect, it wasn't perfect enough because apparently winds were just a little too strong, and it got canceled. That was Saturday - and we had rented a place so we'd be nearby for the weekend. But we had to reschedule for today... Thursday... which meant we had to drive back there from No Va, but it was worth it. (Please note - we got the "groupon" price without buying the groupon; and that meant that the voucher is automatically good for a year... and they told me as long as you have tried to reschedule it once in the year, they'll honor it for 5 years. I believe that since one couple that road with us has been trying to get up for 3 years. I say that, but life is teaching me not to put things off because you never know what tomorrow will bring, or even if it will bring tomorrow.)I should also tell you I am afraid of heights. My desire to go in a hot air balloon started before my fear of heights, and the desire outweighed the fear - obviously - so I booked it. My dad, my brother and my kids went... ages 11 to 70. Take off is smooth... so smooth I was waiting for us to take off so I could begin filming and then realized we were well off the ground and I hadn't noticed. You feel landing, but it was not hard or anything. I didn't even feel like I had to be holding on (although you should... because it *can* be a rougher landing).Despite being afraid of heights, it only took me a few minutes before I was able to look straight down. Not really scary. I've been parasailing and that is scarier. I was shocked at how secure I felt... even more secure than standing on the balcony of a high rise.Another reviewer said they were 100 feet up?? We were at a cruising altitude of 1300 feet. WELL above the tree tops. It was overcast, and a little later in the foilage season then I would have liked to have gone, but it was still wonderful.The burner keeps it warmer in the balloon. No one complained of being hot or cold; so I say dress for the weather on the ground, or a few degrees warmer, and you'll be fine.The space is tight, but unless you're standing next to my dad who is like a 5 yr old trying to push his way from one side to the other, then you'll be fine. It's a lovely view; we took a ton of photos. As soon as we landed, and several times thereafter, my dad begged to do it again. I swear, he does act more like 7 than 70. I love that. I'd do it again, and I'd choose Valley Ballooning.I had complete confidence in Don, the pilot & owner of Valley Ballooning. I also liked that 2 other companies lifted off with us. The communication about winds, landing spots and being able to talk to the drivers on the ground, too, gave me added confidence that if there was an emergency there was at least some kind of support system out there.The only downer is that you can't really get a picture of YOU in the hot air balloon in the air. We had to ask for someone to take our photos while we were in the basket (before we took off)... and I would recommend Valley Ballooning consider offering this as a service; and add a few pics of the balloon in the air. They could even charge a little extra for that service, and I'd pay it. We did get photos of the other balloon in the air, so that's something. It's enough.PS - I think Valley Ballooning is the only - or one of the few - that offers larger baskets. He can put 12 in his basket, the others we saw only took 2 at a time. With 5 in our group, I wouldn't have wanted to have to break up the group... and even with only 2, it sounds better.. but I was thinking about it and I am not so sure. One poster said he was going to propose in the hot air balloon... sweet, but the pilot would have been right in their faces. Its probably better it didnt work out quite like that and they got engaged on Skyline Drive.Bottom line: Do it.

I bought a groupon for a balloon ride with this company. We tried 3 times to make the flight and it was canceled each time... can understand when it is weather related but this last time, a more perfect day could not be had... no wind.. blue skies so we were quite surprised when we got to the meeting site (about 4 hours from my home) to find it had been canceled... when finally able to talk to the owner.. there was no apology... nothing.... he said we should have checked the schedule... now granted if the weather had even looked iffy we would have but it was a picture perfect day.... and I am guessing only we three were booked to fly and might not have been worth it.. but a phone call to tell us.. my son had come from NYC... but the owner just said.. we don't call anymore.... other issues with this company and it is called customer service... DO not, do not use them.

Like others, we purchased an online deal for a balloon ride for two . . . though we didn't get to take our trip on our honeymoon, as planned, we were able to reschedule for 10 months later (!) and finally got our ride in! Yes, the trips are very dependent on the weather -- and other riders were frustrated about the variable conditions. But I took that as a sign that the crew was being really safe, obviously important during an experience like this.We were picked up at the designated spot in Woodstock (a well-lit Walmart parking lot), then driven to a launch site at a local high school. The ride in the company van was less than 15 minutes. Once airborne, the views were gorgeous! We took a sunset cruise and couldn't believe the views of the mountains. Our pilot was very nice and organized, speaking often to the ground crew so they would be able to determine where to meet us once we landed (in a friendly neighborhood).Though disappointed we couldn't take our ride on our honeymoon (not their fault!), we really enjoyed a weekend getaway to travel with Valley Ballooning and look forward to our next hot air balloon ride!

From the moment we met Cap'n Dan we felt at ease. My husband and I decided to something different for our 36th anniversary, and choose Valley Hot Air Ballooning for some excitement and special memories. We had to reschedule a couple times due to poor weather conditions, which I appreciated. He explained each phase of the ride for us, from releasing the test balloon, to allowing my husband to assist with filling the balloon, how to enter and exit the basket and proper landing techniques.The ride itself was awesome! The views unbelievable and Cap'n Dan had a quiet, self assured air about him that allowed me to relax and enjoy the ride.I would recommend them to anyone, from first time flyers, to people who have flown multiple times.

April easily rescheduled us after I had an unexpected business trip. We got to the meet up site after spending the day exploring the area. There had been a few pop up storms that day so we had to wait a little longer to see if it would be safe to go up. Finally, we got the go ahead. The flight was well worth the wait! It was gorgeous! Don explained everything as he was going. It was warm in the basket and it was a bit noisy when the propane was blowing, but it was so quiet and serene when it wasn't. Take your camera!

My mother bought a Groupon they had for a trip for two. Due to the weather and once a flat tire on the drive to Woodstock (where the company is actually located; Edinburg is just the mailing address) we had to reschedule I think 8 times before we made it off the ground. For others in our group though, this was their first attempt.Valley Ballooning was very accommodating with rescheduling, and even let us extend the Groupon past its expiration so that we could try again.Our balloon captain was very experienced and we had a wonderful time on our sunrise flight! Due to wind conditions we didn't go up very high so that we could stay in a slower air current, but if was beautiful to view the Shenandoah valley from not far above the treetops. If I could afford it I'd go back every year at least!

My husband and I did not have some of the problems experienced by others who have reviewed this company because we purchased a third-party certificate. However, it did take us ten reservations before we could fly. We had to travel to Woodstock and stay overnight and estimate that we spent at least two thousand dollars in travel costs. Had we known that ballooning was such an "iffy" proposition, we would not have attempted this. I just checked Valley Ballooning's website to be sure that I didn't miss anything but they do not have the following information on their site and they either should or they should supply "equipment" to make for a more comfortable ride. When the balloon is being fully inflated (after the riders are in the basket), it is EXTREMELY hot. Valley Ballooning should suggest that riders wear or have available long-sleeved thick shirts. The company could also provide some kind of "fire blanket" to cover the riders during this part of inflation. It is also an extremely LOUD ride most of the time, due to the propane heaters needing to be constantly fired up to keep the balloon inflated. Hearing protection should be provided. How much can those scrunchy yellow ear plugs cost, really? Even if the company does not wish to provide them, they should put a warning on their site.April DOES leave a lot to be desired as a scheduler. She rarely responded to my husband's first email for each reservation. He usually had to email her a second time in order to get a response.In short, while I did enjoy the balloon ride once we finally got to take it, it was not worth the total cost. (Yes, I realize you can't control the weather!) I also would not use this company again or recommend them.

They are located in such a remote spot that you have to stay overnight in a small motel in order to wake up at 5 am to go on the sunrise balloon ride because it gets too windy to fly at sunset.You can't fly over 5mph, or if it rains, etc. Well, It is always a little windy in the Shenandoah Vallley. And almost always cloudy in the "valley." Not a great view, unless it is the perfect day.I've purchased several discount deals for their balloon rides and spent much more traveling there and spending nights only to get a call telling me that the flights were cancelled.Oh, and April, booking agent, couldn't have worse customer skills.She never apologized for the cancellations. She never seemed sympathetic in any way that I traveled so far just to get to the remote area where they were supposed to pick you up at the local Walmart. And it never happened--3 separate times! I couldn't fly the next day either or the next week, because April said they were booked. So, after spending another hundreds of dollars hoping to redeem my "deal" and fly in a balloon, I had to reschedule !April extended the expiration the date of the "deal, "so I had even more chances to reschedule in advance and then spend a fortune traveling with my family from far away--over 7 hours, to stay in a better hotel, only to be cancelled again, and then yet again.The pilot, who is I believe her father, gives you weather information over the phone. And he may tell you that hopefully he'll be able to lift off tomorrow, and the ride'll be shorter ride so he could land before the wind picks up. Most likely, there'll be a nice farmer that will let him land after the flight. He just doesn't know if you or your family will be with him. You have to deal with April. Ughhhhh!After all that, and then, if we did get a ride by some miracle--it would be a quick one and land hopefully safely in someone's farm. I was told that I wasn't getting a refund.I turned this "business" in to the BBB, because what they are doing is a scam.Stay way from Valley Ballooning!!!

I have had an on-going issue with VALLEY BALLONING based in Woodstock, VA for 3 separate purchases towards 3 hot air balloon rides.The issue is that THEY DID NOT HONOR the on-line discount vouchers for hot air balloon rides purchased in April of 2010.I have even traveled three times from Upstate New York to the nearby small town of Luray and even stayed in their hometown of smaller town of Woodstock, VA. I made reservations on dates that were limited, due to the fact that they were booked, even though I gave them 3 months advance to secure a spot for 3 people.I then revolved my vacation times during their availability.For each reservation, I called ahead, back in Upstate New York, for confirmation. Three separate times, I drove over 9 hours to Woodstock, VA, I stayed a week twice, and and one weekend on the third drive down. I stayed in nearby hotels waiting for my promised hot air balloon ride at 6 am for a sunrise ride clouds over the Shenandoah Valley or if that didn’t work out (due to unforeseen circumstances), a gorgeous sunset ride with champagne!The owners of Valley Ballooning would cancel last minute due to many reasons. Some of which were: winds greater than 5 mph, rain, malfunctioning equipment, or they overbooked.After they abruptly cancelled, I tried to reschedule for a future day the same vacation week, but it never worked out on their end. I communicated with them a great deal over the phone after expressing my disappointment and wanted the vouchers redeemed or money refunded back to me.They then extended the vouchers to the end of December 2012 That much I appreciated. It gave me hope that my dream of taking my family on hot air balloon rides would actually happen.They could not honor my reservations, I was told, because we find another date that was not booked that would work with my flexible schedule.I work and have several vacation weeks. I used them to attempt redeem the hot air balloon ride experienceI have kids in school and even took them out and paid for a nanny so that I could redeem at least two of the 3 vouchers for my husband and I, just to secure a spot that was not booked.This was supposed to be an enjoyable experience for my family.Instead, it has been a nightmare.I have spent thousands of dollars on gas, rental cars, hotels, food, etc., wasted valuable vacation time over the past two years.I wanted to have the vouchers honored. That did not happen and will not. The company will not extend the vouchers any further and will not refund me for the $300 I spent on 3 vouchers that were $100 a piece.I feel dishonored, disappointed and disrespected by them.

Had a wonderful experience with Valley Ballooning. I have been wanting to take a hot air balloon ride for a number of years and finally decided to do it. I researched hot air balloons on line and decided to go with Valley Ballooning. I was not disappointed. I scheduled my ride with April and she was very helpful. It was very easy to find the meeting area where we were then transported to the area we would fly from. The first time we tried to fly, it was too windy and we couldn't fly. I was disappointed but I totally understand you are at the mercy of the weather and they have to take our safety as well as theirs into consideration. Don, our pilot, was great, he helped us reschedule for the next evening. This time we has no problems and got to fly. Again, Don was great! He explained everything to us and made sure everyone knew what to expect and that we had a great experience. We even got to help with the set up and packing the balloon up. The Shenandoah valley was gorgeous with all the fall colors and I couldn't have had a better experience. It was totally worth every penny I paid. I would love to do again and would definitely fly with Valley Ballooning again.