Ok, I'm trying to make reservations for the Baloon Fiesta in Albequerque ( I just love spellimg that). Is tthe Gondolier's Club worth it? The Chaser's Club? The Trolley I am on chemo and want to make it as easy as possible. Thought maybe we woukd do the evening the first day and the morning the next. If that is enough ( is it?) then drive up to Santa Fe for a romantic respite ( we've each been there on business, but never together).
Also, any suggestions on where to stay in Abq would be appreciated.
Thanks!

One of the biggest mistakes folks make is trying to schedule just a specific night and morning. You need to understand that the event [launching the balloons in the morning and the glows at night] are VERY weather dependent. IF the weather is bad [and there are years where it is bad]and you have only allotted that very limited time to go to Fiesta, you could be very dissappointed.

If you are not able to walk great amounts, there are wheelchairs available and handicap transport that will help.

How long is this total trip? That will impact my suggestion of whether or not to spend overnight in Santa Fe.

What budget do you have for hotel in ABQ? Do you like chains, B&B's, hotels or motels... ?
Those special clubs are not really necessary, most folks just buy a regular ticket and have a grand time. It is also worth noting that you must pay the extra money for EACH session, so if you went to the 2 you mentioned, you would have to pay that extra money each time for each person.

Doh! The weather...of course. So maybe we'll allot several days. And it is good to know about the clubs. ( i think I was tempted by the private bathrooms). This is my first and probably last Balloon Fiesta so I am willing to splurge a little for charm in accommodations. Preferably in Old Town,
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So maybe a week?

My DH and I have each stayed ( alone, alas) in Santa Fe at a charming hotel that had cabin like rooms with the kiva?) fireplaces and liked it a lot. We are looking forward to staying there-- or someplace as or more charming together.

We went to our first fiesta last fall and the folks here were very helpful. I started with a search of the old posts and then asked Deb and others some specifics. My first timer tips:

Weather dependent is right. We planned our stay in ABQ to have 3 potential mornings and 2 potential nights. The first morning they did not do the mass ascension, but the ground display and individuals taking off was still great fun. They canceled the competition that day. One glow was limited because it started to rain, but once again it was still great for a first-timer. We ended up one morning not going to the field, but driving up above the field on Tramway Road (do not try to do this from I-25) and saw the balloons all in the air. Because of the wind direction, when we drove back to our hotel, they were flying over and around us, landing all over the city. Even that was fun.

We went toward the end of the week/weekend because I wanted to see all the special shapes. I liked them best.

Believe the warnings about traffic. We took the bus to/from the park from the mall as Deb recommends. All the park/ride lots seem to be moving people quickly via bus. Even if you can get handicapped or preferred parking, you still have to get to the field. Traffic was backed up for miles each morning on I-25 and the streets leading from there to the field. Heed the warnings to go early and wait.

We didn't do the clubs you ask about. While the seating areas looked fine for the waiting, most people are out walking among the balloons once they are inflating. If you are weak, do plan on a wheelchair, though it might be limited to the paved streets of the field. The balloons are inflating all across the grass field. We sat on the cool, wet ground on a bag I brought in the morning and the warm grass in the afternoon.

We stayed at a chain motel near the airport because we were arriving late and departing early and it offered a shuttle to pick us up/drop us off without having to collect/drop off our rental car late at night/early in the morning. The ABQ rental car facility is one of those joint facilities that you ride a couple of miles on a shuttle to access.

Great info Kay - sometimes local events can be best described by visitors as they tend to see things from a slightly different perspective.

Staying in Old Town is limited to only a few hotels. There are other areas that may be better choices.

I will chexk out thise old posts. Thanks!

My DW and I spent 2 nights at the Route 66 Hostel at 1012 Central Ave. SW in Albuquerque (note spelling). The stairs were rather steep but we had a very colorful private room with bath for not much money. I hiked about 6 blocks to get to a grocery store. The hostel is west of the Transportation Center and about a mile east of Old Town and the Botanical Gardens, Aquarium and Zoo. The Aquarium and Zoo have a connecting narrow gauge train between them. There are several museums worth seeing in Old Town.