Vegasmailman Report post Posted October 6, 2017 Going to balloon festival next weekend and noticed that festival starts early AM and last till late PM. Also understand no pets allowed in the festival (unfortunate). Was wondering if anyone has attended this festival in the past while traveling with a pet, I really don’t desire to leave her home with a friend. Would really like your comments, pro or cons. Thank you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted October 7, 2017 Leave the pet in the coach! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillAdams Report post Posted October 7, 2017 You will not be at the Fiesta all day. There are events very early and a couple throughout the day but it's not really an event where you will go and stay all day. Just before the sun comes up you will want to catch Dawn Patrol and then there will be a mass ascension and then not much else as all the balloons are in the air. Later in the day there might be rodeo or other event and their are individual balloons giving rides throughout the day but no actual event. At night there are balloon glows and fireworks. You will have plenty of time to come and go and attend to your pets needs throughout the day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted October 7, 2017 Totally agree! Even if your parked on the field, you'll have plenty of TV, read a good book, take pet for walk, time on your hands. I don't do the field anymore....I love to be high on the hill and watch all of them take off and fly! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted November 9, 2017 Where is a good place to park the coach during this festival? So park the coach and drive the toad in? This is on DW's bucket list, just a little preplanning...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted November 9, 2017 Hear is some info on the RV accommodations and the ABQ Balloon festival web site. http://www.balloonfiesta.com/guest-guide/rv-information I have stayed at Enchanted Trails several times. it is on I-40 on the West side of town. We like the park because it is easy access to Old Town. I like the collection of old cars and vintage trailers the owner has. Some are available for rent. Enchanted Trails RV Park & Trading Post, 14305 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87121, enchantedtrails.com (505) 831-6317 One of my Favorite restaurants is in old town. If you want authentic SW Mexican this is the place. Church Street Café, 2111 Church St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, churchstreetcafe.com , (505) 247-8522 There is to much to see and do in the area for one trip. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted November 9, 2017 There are other parks on the West side, also along I-40 on top of the hill...you'll be about 500 feet above the Balloon field and get some great visual and photos of all the balloons as they rise in the morning! Have taken my Jeep into "Old Town" and agree with Bill on the Café, great food. You have got to go to the 5 foods of Mexico! So. Ca., AZ., NM., TX. and Mexico! All different. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted November 9, 2017 1 hour ago, manholt said: There are other parks on the West side, also along I-40 on top of the hill...you'll be about 500 feet above the Balloon field and get some great visual and photos of all the balloons as they rise in the morning! Have taken my Jeep into "Old Town" and agree with Bill on the Café, great food. You have got to go to the 5 foods of Mexico! So. Ca., AZ., NM., TX. and Mexico! All different. I have stayed at the RV park on the other side of I-40 but it has ben 5 years can't remember any complaints, but like Enchanted Trails. The balloon festival is located near the Sandia Casino now, on the West side of I-25 one road/exit South. Look at the link they show the location. I bet you can see balloons from about anywhere when they are flying. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillAdams Report post Posted November 9, 2017 If you are looking for a once in a lifetime experience then you need to call TODAY and try to get booked into the Presidential Campground. This is simply the bees knees and you will see everything with almost no effort. When you want to go down to the field (you are up on a cliff above it all) it's a short and easy walk (or golf cart ride if you rent one for your stay). The next best is being on site but dry camping (with or without a golf cart). The 3rd best option is the campground across the street which is nearly still on site but also dry camping. For dry camping the next best option is Sandia Casino where you are welcome and they even put out trash dumpsters for the dry campers to use. You are farther away so you need to be able to drive in for some events or be happy just watching the amazing balloon accessions from a distance. If you need full hook ups at an actual campground then you are going to be away from it all. Plenty of parking is available nearby the parade field but the traffic is TERRIBLE trying to get in and out. There are events spread throughout the day but you will not be entertained all day long so it's a come and go kind of thing. I like the first 4 options (my last 3 visits were at Sandia casino) . For me (me alone), if this is a 1 time deal, call NOW and book the Presidential campground. I booked my reservation the day after the event ended for the following year. It's not quite as critical if you just want to be on the grounds but you should call soon to ensure a site and the early birds get the better sites. You are planning far enough ahead so you have many options. I was never so happy as when I had my Mother join me and my wife there for the big show. I don't think I have ever seen her smile so much and about so many different things. It was a special memory that will never be forgotten. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbutler Report post Posted November 10, 2017 For those attending next year, we just returned from our first time this year. We are Monaco International members and stayed with that group in the campground just south of the launch field. We were a five minute walk from the field or you had the option to sit in the group assembly area and watch everything from that viewpoint, a few low buildings on the field block total view of activity. As Bill Adams said, morning activity then not much happening until evening. We had a great time. There is nothing like being on the field in the middle of all the activity as they prepare and launch the balloons. Then if the weather is right, many will return to land back on the same field an hour or so after taking off. Again, being right in the activity was spectacular. I was making a movie of a balloon coming right at me to land. I had to grab the tripod and step out of the way as the Zebras (launch and landing officials) ushered the basket to the ground. Nothing like being in the middle of it all. By the way, we were able to get tickets to attend in September, seemed to be less interest from the group this year. Even a few spots were left at the last minute due to cancellations. They were taking non-member and non-Monaco coaches, as long as you were FMCA, you could have had a spot there if your timing was right. It may be a trend, maybe just this year, but it could be a possibility to check in the future. These were really premier sites, dry camping, we were in the fourth row of motor homes from the field. I stood on the roof one morning and watched a balloon land about 100 feet behind us, just off the parking lot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
duanelin Report post Posted November 10, 2017 Joe We also just returned from the Balloon Festival with Monaco International. We were in the second row Had a balloon land in front of the coach ahead of us in the first row on Saturday. We have wanted to go for a few years finally made it> it was worth the trip wish we could have stayed longer but had to get back home. We traveled 4600 miles in 14 days from upstate NY Duane Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted November 10, 2017 BillA. Thank you for sharing and sorry for your loss! Yeah, wish I had done that with my Mom! Presidential is where I stayed.....I got a last minute cancellation. Carl C. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted November 10, 2017 Thanks everyone for the great information. Once #2 child heads off to college just the DW and I will be off to see this (3 years). Bill A, sorry for your loss . On a positive note that is one of the best photos I have ever seen, what a background,,,,,, WOW!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillAdams Report post Posted November 10, 2017 Thanks for the kind comments. It was an awesome week. As to the photo, that photo opportunity happens everyday for every visitor. It's truly an amazing event. I wish I could post a bunch but here are a couple more. In the first photo the "rodeo" has started and all those balloons you see behind the hill in the background are waiting to launch in hopes of grabbing amazing prizes as they pass over the field (including a new car). The 2nd is one of the hundreds of special shapes balloons. The owners travel from around the World to be at this event and there are new shapes every year. The last is how close you are to the action in your RV. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted November 10, 2017 Great photos Bill!! Thank you Joe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hermanmullins Report post Posted November 10, 2017 These photos are great. They remind me of this Forum, Really a lot of HOT AIR. And yes I include my self. Herman Again Great Pictures. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted November 10, 2017 Fantastic pictures! Brings back memories and Linda want's to go...So, I'll get on the phone today! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted November 10, 2017 55 minutes ago, Hermanmullins said: These photos are great. They remind me of this Forum, Really a lot of HOT AIR. Glad you said it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted November 10, 2017 Great picture's. I have to agree with Herman. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hermanmullins Report post Posted November 10, 2017 By the way, Bill Adams, they are really great pictures. Thanks Herman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
