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Home » Home » Autumn Aloft – Park City, Utah
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Autumn Aloft – Park City, Utah

BonBon November 4, 2016 21 Comments

Park City, Utah…. I had heard about the place but was never really interested in planning a vacation to there since I thought of it as more of a winter destination; and as an island girl I am a little adversed to the cold. However, some years back we bought a Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare and of course they have a resort in Park City. First, I thought…. well… maybe it’s about time to hit the slopes (talking about getting out of your comfort zone, right?) but when I started researching I found out that Fall is a great time to visit Utah too, especially Park City.

I got very excited when I learned about their Balloon Festival. I knew from a previous Plano Balloon Festival (our city Balloon Festival) that my kids are crazy for hot air balloons and as my mom was also in town,  I knew I had just found the perfect fall getaway for my family. Lock and load… room booked and plane tickets reserved and off we go!

So, we got a warm welcome as we arrived Sunrise Lodge by Hilton Grand Vacations. If you are an owner, you get to have a free valet parking as a bonus. Beautiful property in a charming mountainside village of the Canyons Resort. You know, if you are a family of 4 or 5 then the space offered by a 2 bedroom suite will just be far way better than to squeeze into a hotel room. This is one reason for buying into a timeshare.

Beautiful Hilton Property Picture by Hilton
Beautiful Hilton Property overlooking gorgeous surrounding mountains… Picture by Hilton
Our 2 bedroom Suites.
Our 2 bedroom Suite

View from room... so refreshing and relaxing:)

View from room… so refreshing and relaxing:)

On our first night, we went to Newpark Town Center for a balloon Glow. There were a lot of other families with kids and my kids bolted off and left us to make lots of new friends. Yup… they’re not shy at all:)

I knew they'll grow up to have passion to travel, building new friendship and helping people:)
I just knew they’ll grow up to have passion for travel, building new friendship and helping people:)

There was a DJ spinning and my kids had the best time dancing with their new friends. Check out my boy dancing here  Our very own Bruno Mars

Mom, Dad and Lola joined as well.

Balloon Glow at NewPark Center
Balloon Glow at NewPark Center- Single Balloon GLow… Fun for everyone:)
FULL moon...what a beautiful night:)
FULL moon…what a beautiful night:)

WOW…. what a great night to start the festival!!!

We went to bed that night all excited to see the display of the hot air balloons in the morning; we were preparing  for an unforgettable sight!!!

We woke up early the next day to watch the grand launch.

You watched from start to finish - from blowing up the balloon, launching up in the air and when they come down:)
You watch from start to finish – from blowing up the balloon, launching up in the air and when they come down:)
Up close and personal:)
Up close and personal:)
We bid goodbye!!!
We bid goodbye!!!
I wish I can go... $250/ person:) Maybe next time... hehehe
I wish I can go… $250/ person:) Maybe next time… hehe
Up Up Up and Away!!!
Up, Up and Away!!!
I love these two...hiding behind the trees:)
I love these two…hiding behind the trees:)
Hello.... there:)
Hello…. there:)

Tip: Bring your jackets because it’s cold in Park City during the wee hours. Come super early and hike up one of the mountains near the field. I bet you will get a picture perfect shot.

My husband trying to get a good shot:)
My husband trying to get a good shot:) 
Hot air balloon slow in landing
Hot air balloon slow in landing
So fascinating... balloons landing almost at the same time:)
So fascinating… balloons landing almost at the same time:)
What a pretty site in a gorgeous day!!!
What a pretty site in a gorgeous day!!!
My favorite people in the world:)
My favorite people in the world:)

WOW…. it was a beautiful sight indeed. Everyone was happy and having tremendous fun:) What I love most about it? It is NOT that a huge event but nice that you get the chance to walk amongst the balloon teams, talk to the locals and the hot air balloon pilots. The event was intimate which you seldom get this kind of events.

Hanging out with some of the pilots:)
Hanging out with some of the pilots:)

Few things we learned about hot air balloon:

  1. Before the hot air is pumped into the balloon, a fan is used to blow cold (outside) air into the envelope (The actual fabric balloon which holds the air).
  2. Balloons operate through the basic principles: warmer air rises in cooler air.  As air is heated inside the balloon, it rises. As the air cools down inside the balloon, it descends. Kids thought it cool:)
  3. Hot air balloon is a type of aircraft. So, hot air balloon pilots should be FAA Certified and should hold a current Pilot Certificate.
  4. Hot air balloon, where air travel really began!!!
Kids having a blast!!!
Kids having a blast!!!

On the evening of the first day of the festival, there was a Candlestick lighting on Main Street. It’s made up of 8-10 balloon baskets all roaring by lighting their burners and setting the historic Main Street aglow.  It was enjoyable and the kids actually get the chance to light the burners.

My boy having fun...didn't get a shot with him in the basket though.
My boy having fun…did not get a shot with him in the basket, though.

We had other activities planned for the remaining days in Park City but that will be for another blog on another day.  I’ll end this post by saying we had a beautiful surprise when we woke up the next morning:) I got to see the balloons in the distance while I was drinking my coffee by the balcony. Absolutely priceless. This made my day!

The sky is filled with balloons:)
The sky is filled with balloons:)

Here are few videos I took … Enjoy:)

Inflation of the balloon

Take off of the Hot Air Balloons

The Tour

Final landing

Have you been to any balloon festivals? What was your favorite part? Share your thoughts and experiences.

Thanks for reading…

xoxo

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About Author

BonBon

Call me BonBon!!! I am here to help you with your family travel plans and to inspire you to get out of your comfort zone. GO and explore the world. Travel. Learn. Evolve.

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21 Comments

  1. Mags Reply
    December 12, 2016 at 4:45 pm

    What a fun festival! I love the frog balloon!

    • BonBon Reply
      January 26, 2017 at 4:58 pm

      It was fun… definitely, wont be our last:)

  2. Bell | Wanderlust Marriage Reply
    December 11, 2016 at 9:20 pm

    Never been to a balloon festival, but it looks gorgeous! Love your capture of the full moon as well and how great that you’re kids aren’t shy 🙂

  3. Eric || The Bucket List Project Reply
    December 11, 2016 at 4:06 pm

    sounds like a great time…Riding a hot air balloon is definitely on my bucket list (though $250 a ride isn’t..ouch!)
    Love that frog and the Stage Coach one looks awesome. Amazing what humans can create!
    Seems so beautiful there, I don’t know how I have missed Utah but I need to get there.

  4. Sara Broers Reply
    December 11, 2016 at 9:20 am

    I’m making a note on this festival, i have heard tremendous things about it and you have reinforced it. That frog balloon is simply one of the cutest ever!

  5. Jujevyle Reply
    November 14, 2016 at 6:42 am

    Wow! Just wow!

    • BonBon Reply
      November 19, 2016 at 8:25 am

      Yeah…super wow!!! Thanks for reading 🙂

  6. Lara Dunning Reply
    November 8, 2016 at 10:45 pm

    I have always watned to go to a hot air balloon festival and still have yet to go to one. This one looks like a lot of fun and a much smaller scale, which is more my style.

    • BonBon Reply
      November 9, 2016 at 8:30 am

      It’s super fun!!! My first time was in Connecticut and I was hooked:) It’s lovely to see the balloons going up, up and away:) One day… I’ll be up there.

  7. Charles McCool Reply
    November 8, 2016 at 8:41 am

    I hear Park City is magnificent. Love the colorful balloon pictures.

    • BonBon Reply
      November 8, 2016 at 10:27 am

      Yeah… such a lovely little city!!! We fell in love:) Hope you get to visit… Happy travels. xoxo

  8. Lindsay Nieminen Reply
    November 7, 2016 at 1:27 pm

    Wow i had no idea you could do this in Park City! When i think of it, i also think of the Slopes! but now we have a reason to visit when there is no skiing! thanks!

    • BonBon Reply
      November 8, 2016 at 8:25 am

      Yeah, ou can this city on your list for Fall or Summer getaway:) Thanks for stopping by… Happy travels. xoxo

  9. Bharat & Supriya Reply
    November 6, 2016 at 11:07 am

    Looks like your family had a great time! and yes that view of balloons rising with the crisp morning view looks fab.

    also good to know about park city holding this kinda festival- as we had the similar festival in new mexico on our mind to visit along with white sands nm. thanks for sharing 🙂

    • BonBon Reply
      November 7, 2016 at 9:43 am

      The one in Albuquerque is the biggest; sure it’s fantastic, yeah? The Park City one is FAB… gotta be IN the whole Hot Air Balloon process – from start to finish and it’s nice they encourage everyone to be involved:) We Love it!!! Thanks for dropping by… xoxo

  10. Mike Cotton Reply
    November 5, 2016 at 4:35 pm

    I visited PARK city back in the winter of 2008 and loved it. Yet in summer it looks even more beautiful, love the colours here. Maybe its time i return for a visit.

    • BonBon Reply
      November 7, 2016 at 11:22 am

      YES, definitely time to go back:) Make it to the Festival… they’ve the Park Silly Sunday on the weekend of the festival… fun:) Have to write another blog soon;)

  11. Trevor Thorpe Reply
    November 5, 2016 at 11:08 am

    I keep hearing good things about Park City, but I didn’t know about the balloon festival. I’ve seen them in Temecula and Indio in California and, of course, there’s Cappadocia, which I haven’t made it out to yet!

    • BonBon Reply
      November 7, 2016 at 11:27 am

      Aaaaah…. the Cappadocia:) That one is probably where I wanna ride the hot air balloon or maybe not… the one is Switzerland must be AMAZING!!! hahaha BUT Park City during Fall is beautiful… I have to go during winter one day.

  12. Sarah Ebner Reply
    November 5, 2016 at 11:00 am

    Love how this was kind of educational (learning how all these balloons worked), outdoorsy and such fun! It really appeals to me- i think our family would love it.

    • BonBon Reply
      November 7, 2016 at 11:29 am

      Yeah, we love it and I think families with kids is going to love it too. My kids wanna ride but told them that maybe next time when they’re a lil older:) For now, getting inside the basket and lighting the burner will do:) hahaha

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Call me BonBon... I am a mom of 2 beautiful toddlers. My family loves to discover new things near and far... So, I am here to inspire your whole family to travel, to get out of your comfort zone and to explore this wonderful world. And, I am here to help you get started:) Stay in touch!!!

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