THE HAPPIEST BALLOON ON EARTH - Fun Facts & Statistics

© Walt Disney Company

Fun Facts

• The Happiest Balloon On Earth will be the first hot air balloon to ever to rise over the Grand Canyon.
• 2,000 average-sized children could easily fit inside the balloon
• Mickey’s nose is 5.5 ft diameter..... a child could easily stand up inside it.
• If Mickey’s body were added to the balloon he would stand over 200 feet tall!
• The pupils of Mickey’s eyes are over 6 ft in diameter
• If Mickey’s hat was made from real gold it would require more gold than the total mined by the Roman Empire.
• The Happiest Balloon on Earth can fit into a bag which is 1,400 times smaller than the fully inflated balloon.
• On a good weather day, The Happiest Balloon On Earth can fly two miles high!
• Laurie Spencer is the first female pilot of a Disney hot air balloon (her husband Scott is co-pilot)

Balloon Statistics

• Height: 98 ft from ground to top of ears
• Weight: Estimate 410lbs
• Circumference: 168 ft
• Diameter: 53 ft
• Volume: 90,000 cu. ft (body) - 113,000 total
• Lift capacity: 1800lb max gross lift
• Thread Used: Approximately 9 miles of thread!
• Gold Fabric for Mouse Ears: Approximately 750 Sq Yards
• Fabric: Approximately 4744

General Hot Air Balloon Info

• Launch locations are variable and dependant on weather, balloon safety and FAA restrictions
• Weather permitting the balloon can potentially be utilized for thirty minutes to an hour maximum in the early morning (Sunrise to 10am on a perfect day) or prior to sunset in the summer and potentially mid-day in the fall. In most cases, mid day weather is completely unpredictable due to the heat of the atmosphere
• Once the balloon is inflated there are three ways to operate it
• Static inflation (ground)
• Tethered (Just off the ground)
• Free flight
• The Happiest Balloon On Earth balloon requires a 150' x 150' of an unobstructed footprint and preferably grass
• Two vehicles and a trailer are required to the support tour:
• Chase vehicle and a trailer
• Motor home to use for all ground support, radio and TV remote backdrop etc.
• Manufacturer: Cameron Balloons US (Ann Arbor Michigan)
• Balloon Pilots: Scott and Laurie Spencer, Lighter Than Air America, Inc.

Balloon Tour Locations & Dates

• Tucson, AZ March 30-31
• Phoenix, AZ April 3-4
• San Diego, CA April 6-7
• Fresno, CA April 17
• San Francisco, CA April 19-20
• Sacramento, CA April 25-26
• Vancouver, BC May 2-3
• Seattle, WA May 9-10
• Portland, OR May 15-16
• Salt Lake City, UT May 22-23
• Albuquerque, NM May 25 - 26