Back in January, I posted a Disney Pic of the Week of an aerial photograph I took of what was then called Downtown Disney from the Characters in Flight Balloon ride. At the time, I said I had been trying to go on the ride to get new photos of Disney Springs. Third time was the charm as last week the winds calmed down enough for me to ride the tethered balloon.

The latest version of the balloon no longer has characters on it. The colors and patterns were changed to better fit in with the Disney Springs theme. I would guess the name of the ride may be changed down the road as well.

Characters In Flight Balloon ride at Disney Springs.
Nikon D750/16-35VR, 1/125s, f/8, ISO 500, EV 0, 16mm Focal Length.

Launching and landing is extremely smooth as the balloon’s winch spools the cable out and in during the ten minute ride.

The tethered cable of the Characters In Flight Balloon ride.
Nikon D750/16-35VR, 1/125s, f/8, ISO 2800, EV 0, 16mm Focal Length.

The angle below shows the Disney Springs Marketplace. This is the same area I shared back in January (see link above). The place has really changed in the last five years. There is now a bridge from the Rainforest Cafe to Paddlefish (which was Fulton’s Crab House), The Boathouse and Jock Lindsey’s Hanger Bar has been added. I even caught the volcano erupting.

The Marketplace at Disney Springs.
Nikon D750/16-35VR, f/8, ISO 1000, EV 0, 19mm Focal Length.

You can walk around the balloon’s “basket” to get a full 360 viewing. I next photographed the new Disney Springs Town Center. Here you can see the new shops and restaurants as well as the spring meandering through the complex. Towards the bottom is a section of The Landing. Towards the top is the Lime Parking Garage.

Town Center at Disney Springs.
Nikon D750/16-35VR, f/8, ISO 1100, EV 0, 29mm Focal Length.

Disney Springs West Side has not changed a lot but will be. The large, blue Disney Quest you see in the photo below is scheduled to close in July of 2017 and will be replaced by an NBA Experience attraction. It was recently announced La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil will be closing at the end of 2017 which is performed in the white Circus tent looking building. You can also see the Orange Parking Garage which has an exit right off of the highway.

West Side at Disney Springs.
Nikon D750/16-35VR, f/8, ISO 1100, EV 0, 16mm Focal Length.

As you go up and down in the Characters In Flight Balloon ride, you can get different angles of Disney Springs. I took this photos of the newly re-opened Planet Hollywood Observatory restaurant and the Coca-Cola Store on my ride’s descent.

Planet Hollywood Observatory restaurant and the Coca-Cola Store at Disney Springs.
Nikon D750/16-35VR, f/8, ISO 1600, EV 0, 35mm Focal Length.

Hope you enjoyed this aerial tour of the Disney Springs dining, shopping and entertainment complex.