jparis

Great info on the balloon fiesta. One more question: has anyone bought the special passes that give you a separate area and separate parking? (called Gondola Club). Is it worth the extra money?($100 per person includes:
* Prime location for viewing hot air balloon launch
* Special parking area away from the general public
* Buffet meal including appetizers, entree and dessert
* Shuttles available to take guests to Main Street
* Private bathrooms
Any feedback at all will help.
Thanks so much.

DebitNM

It's is NOT worth it in my opinion. I would take park and ride.

I know where the VIP viewing section is located [at the south end of the field] and I would much rather be walking amongst the balloons as they launch. That is one of the biggest differences at Balloon Fiesta vs other large balloon events -- you are still allowed right on the launch field.

Buffet meal - the launches are early, so breakfast is the meal. I would rather grab a breakfast burrito, hot chocolate, cinnamon roll from one of the MANY good vendors than eat so so catered food which will be essential the same offering.

I have no idea what "shuttles to Main Street" means. Main Street where?? In ABQ? At the fiesta park?? There is no Main Street in ABQ and if they mean at the park, it would be along the side where the tents for food and merchandise are sold, MAYBE. I have no idea what this means; if it is to get you to tent area, it is a short walk and I can't imagine taking a shuttle from VIP viewing area.

Private bathrooms may mean portapotties that are only used by VIP guests, no biggie in my book.

Save your money, really.

DebitNM

I just looked at the info on their website. You do realize that $100 is per person for each session [$60 for additional ones]. Each morning and each evening [glows etc] are separate and will require a ticket.

jparis

Hi.
Thanks for the responses. I did realize that that is $100 per person per session. I thought it was a lot but if someone had done it before or understood what I was getting for the $$, then I would have considered it. Based on your opinion alone, it seems like it's best just to do Park and Ride. Do you know (1) if the Park and Ride is close to the Hyatt (I can't tell by a map and I've never been to ABQ) and (2) Am I better off buying tickets now or on the morning of the first day when I plan to go?

DebitNM

Which Hyatt?

ElendilPickle

I agree with Deb. Don't waste your money on VIP tickets.

If you're staying at the Hyatt Place at ABQ Uptown, park and ride is across Louisiana by Coronado Center. If you're downtown, you'll need to drive to Coronado Center or Cliff's (off I-25 and San Mateo/Academy).

If you're at the Hyatt Tamaya, you're closest to the park and ride at Santa Ana Star Center.

Lee Ann

BigRuss

We're staying at the Hyatt Place near Coronado Mall, is that the one you're talking about? We chose it because it's near the P&R pickup/drop location.

jparis

We are staying at the Hyatt downtown. But we will have a car and can drive to park and ride, which definitely sounds like the best idea. Although, the Hyatt does have a shuttle (at least it says on it's website) to the fair on a first demand basis. What time do you think we should leave the hotel on Saturday morning to get to park and ride and to see everything.
I REALLY appreciate all the advice..it's extremely helpful.

Jahosacat

I think the Gondola Club tix are worth it for people who can't do a lot of walking. I'm traveling with someone who's mobility is limited and the conveniences of the Gondola Club will be worth it to us. We'll have the option of someplace safe for him and I can walk to the field to be in the midst of the balloons alone should I want to.

DebitNM

Buying the tickets in advance is cheaper; trouble is - if you wake up and the weather is bad [you want windy/rainy] and you decided not to go [or a night event] and you have already bought your ticket, your are out of luck. There are no refunds and I don't think you can use tickets on another day.

You need to be at the field by 5:30 or so. They launch as soon as it's light and you absolutely want to be there to see them go up. If you are late you miss alot.

The first bus is at 4:30 on Weekends, I would be on it. That would mean leaving hotel at about 4:15am.

[There are no busses for monday, tues and wednesday Oct 4, 5 or 6th.]

The P&R at Coronado Mall is probably the easiest for someone not familiar with ABQ to find and park.

DebitNM

sorry, that should have been [wind/rainy]

ElendilPickle

>>The P&R at Coronado Mall is probably the easiest for someone not familiar with ABQ to find and park.

Kay2

So, are you guys saying that with a map and the address that my husband and I are going to get lost taking I-25 up to Cliff's Park and Ride at 4:30 in the morning? We both could get pretty cranky at that time of morning. At least maybe our bodies will think it is 6:30am back home.

The mall is out of the way for us, but we could drive there.
We arrive late at night, so won't be scoping out the lay of the land in advance.

Hope we get good weather. My husband has only gotten in two more balloon flights over the last few weeks here. I think he is going to a balloon festival this weekend where the balloon will be tethered giving rides, so he gets to practice "hovering." I could go see the glow and launches there, but I'm sure the scale will be miniature compared to Albuquerque.

DebitNM

I am sure with map etc that you can find Cliff's - just that finding the Coronado mall one is easier for the OP given her hotel. Also, the parking lot at mall is bigger than at cliffs and I don't know if there are as many busses leaving cliffs[ and returning] as will be at mall.

ElendilPickle

You won't get lost, but as DebitNM said, there is more parking at Coronado. As far as being out of the way, it's not, really. From downtown you can go north to I-40 and head east past the Big I (freeway interchange) to Louisiana. Turn left and follow the signs to the park and ride lot, which will be on the left side of Louisiana.

It will take you about as long to get there as it would to Cliff's.

Lee Ann

ElendilPickle

Whoops! Sorry, Kay2, I got you confused with the OP. Where are you staying for the Fiesta?

Lee Ann

Kay2

I did sneak in on the thread.

We're staying down near the airport because of our late arrival.
I thought heading straight up I-25 would be easier/more direct than heading over to Coronado on I-25/40 or the back roads.
But I will defer to local experts.

DebitNM

Drive wise, it will be almost the same. I am concerned about parking and how many busses they have at Cliff's.

At that [ungodly] hour, jumping on I 25 north to I40 east to Louisiana exit won't take long at all.

FrankN

I am wondering how smoothly the park and ride works.I haven't been to the Fiesta since I moved from Albuquerque about 20 years ago. I am going to the Fiesta with my wife and 3 small kids (5 yo and 3 yo twins. I know crazy, but what you going to do?).
I am planning on going to the P&R at Coronado because I think it will be easier to get into and park. Is there usually a long wait to get on the bus at the P&R?
Do the P&R buses get stuck in traffic on I-25? I really don't want to be sitting on the bus for 1 hr+ with the kids.
I will plan on getting to the P&R at 5am, that should actually get us to the P&R by 6am. Will that time be okay to get to the Fiesta on time? We will probably go Sunday am.
Thanks for any info you can provide to help the morning go well is appreciated!

DebitNM

The bus has a special entrance to the park, so it gets in way easier than cars. I think there are also special traffic lanes for them. It is the only sane way to go to the park.

I think going to Coronado will work fine for you Frank. Sitting in a car isn't going to be any faster, in fact, it will be way slower than bus.
"I will plan on getting to the P&R at 5am, that should actually get us to the P&R by 6am. "

Do you mean you are going to the P&R lot at Coronado at 5 to be at Fiesta Park by 6? If so then, yes, that should be fine.

If you mean being at P&R lot at 6, and get on bus at 6am, that might be calling it close.