Characters in Flight Archives

PHOTO REPORT: Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs 6/19/2025 (Animal Friends, Live Entertainment, and New Disney Mugs)

June 19, 2025

Howdy! Today was an early and beautiful day in Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs. I started my morning in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where the animals and entertainment were on point, even with the earlier opening. Later in the morning, I went to Disney Springs, where I found a new princess mug collection. Good Morning … Read more

PHOTOS: View Disney Springs From the Air on Aerophile’s Helium Balloon

February 15, 2021

During our trip to Disney Springs today, we took a ride on the Aerophile helium balloon. Aerophile gives guests a view of Disney Springs and EPCOT from the sky. We also got a peek at some Disney Springs construction. The balloon will sometimes be closed due to adverse weather like high wind speeds. Thankfully, the … Read more

Characters in Flight at Disney Springs Changes Name to Reflect New Design

July 5, 2017

Since the characters were already removed from the exterior a few months back, Characters in Flight at Disney Springs will be changing its name effective this week. The new name of the balloon will be Aerophile, named after the company who operates the attraction. The new Disney Springs maps already reflect this change.

Walt Disney World for College Students – Disney Springs Entertainment and Attractions

November 9, 2018June 18, 2017

This new column will focus on a widely overlooked demographic in the Disney parks: college students. As a college student myself, I will be writing on behalf of my peers to find the best offerings for the college-age demographic in Walt Disney World. Compared to other age demographics that visit WDW, college students present a … Read more

PHOTO: New Design Unveiled for Characters in Flight

December 8, 2017January 12, 2017

The new look balloon for Characters in Flight was inflated today at Disney Springs. The new design features no characters, a request made by Disney in keeping the new story of Disney Springs cohesive.

Adam Roth’s 10/19/12 Downtown Disney Photo Report

October 22, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Downtown Disney on Friday and has a few newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip. Let’s take a look: FOOD TRUCK! The new Characters in Flight balloon California Adventure attraction posters are now available through “art on demand” at Art of Disney locations Wreck-It Ralph merchandise available at … Read more

Adam Roth’s 8/7/12 WDW Photo Report

August 9, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney on Tuesday and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look: Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall Castle Wall construction rolls on Plenty of turrets installed now The Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train is being enclosed It may … Read more

Dirk Wallen’s 7/29/12 WDW Photo Report

July 30, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen took a trip around some of the resort hotels and Downtown Disney yesterday and he was nice enough to share some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip: Wow, that looks like it would kill me… Yep Halloween merchandise is out They now have color changing lanyards which turn … Read more

Nick Corjay’s 12/29/09-1/1/10 WDW Photo Report

February 5, 2024January 3, 2010

WDWNT Reporter Nick Corjay visited the Walt Disney World Resort to ring in 2010 and he has a plethora of photos to share with us, so let’s begin:

Work is wrapping up on the new roof for Mrs. Potts’ Cupboard in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom

Matt Paul’s 11/19 – 11/23/09 WDW Photo Report

February 5, 2024November 27, 2009

Matt Paul also spent a few days at the Walt Disney World Resort recently and is sharing some newsworthy photos he collected over the weekend:

We’ll start Thursday Night at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Chris Lastrapes’ 6/19-20/09 WDW Report

February 3, 2024June 22, 2009

WDWNT Podcaster Chris Lastrapes just spent two days at the Walt Disney World Resort and has a few photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

There’s still a load of construction walls up around the Magic Kingdom

“it’s a small world” is still behind tarps as the facade is spruced up

Matt Paul’s 6/12-13/09 WDW Photo Report

February 3, 2024June 15, 2009

Matt Paul has just returned from two day’s of fun at the Walt Disney World Resort and has a plethora of photos to share with us from his journeys, so let’s take a look:

“Celebrate Today!” over and over and over again

Jose Castillo’s 4/29-5/2/09 WDW Report

February 3, 2024May 6, 2009

WDWNT’s own Jose Castillo is back from the Walt Disney World Resort and has plenty of photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

Jose arrived at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Wednesday evening to enjoy Fantasmic!

Park hours were expanded and a Fantasmic! was added at 10:00 PM

Matt Paul’s 4/22/09 WDW Report

February 3, 2024April 25, 2009

Matt Paul spent a wonderful Earth Day 2009 at the Walt Disney World Resort and has plenty of pictures to share with us:

“Celebrate Parking!”

Some new flags outside of Animal Kingdom

More Details on Downtown Disney’s Latest Offerings

February 3, 2024April 8, 2009

Two very small press releases were just made available by Walt Disney World regarding the “Characters in Flight” balloon and the “Paradiso 37” restaurant at Downtown Disney: LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The fun soars to new heights at Downtown Disney West Side with an iconic new tethered balloon that takes guests on ascents of … Read more

Jose Eber’s 4/6/09 Mini-WDW Update

February 3, 2024April 6, 2009

WDWNT Reporter Jose Eber took a short trip to the Walt Disney World Resort this morning and has a few photos to share: The Characters in Flight balloon at Downtown Disney looks ready to take off any minute now The Virgin Megastore is almost gone, rumors suggest that this may become an AMC-Imax location Work … Read more