I recently had the opportunity to check off a major bucket list item ā getting a ride in the Goodyear Blimp! Rides aboard the Goodyear Blimp are by invitation only and I was lucky enough to win the tickets at a silent auction. The ride itself is only 45 minutes long, but the views are spectacular and the memory will certainly last a lifetime.
When the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company began in 1898, America was right in the middle of the Industrial Revolution. The company used that momentum to find unique ways to expand beyond tires. Goodyear decided to enter into the business of lighter-than-air balloons and aircraft. This eventually led to the creation of one of Americaās longest-standing corporate icons – the Goodyear Blimp.
In the 1920s, Goodyear Blimps began dotting the skies of America and brought the Goodyear name to remote locations around the country. From Hollywood to Ohio and New York to Florida, the Goodyear Blimps made their presence known.
Our journey, through the Greater Fort Lauderdale area, left from the Pompono Beach Goodyear Blimp base and went north up the coast through Boca Raton to Deerfield Beach.
When you arrive at the reception area, you watch a brief safety video with boarding and disembarking instructions. The video explains that when they take you to the blimp base, you need to stand a few hundred feet away because the wind can easily shift the blimp.
Thereās a ladder attached to the bottom of the gondola which passengers must be able to ascend and descend in order to enter and exit the airship. On our trip, we had two pilots and a total of 4 passengers (including me). The gondola is large, but I believe they limit the rides to 6 passengers for a small and intimate experience.
Once onboard, we are asked to take a seat near the front and put on our seatbelt. As it becomes airborne and we get up a distance, we can remove our seatbelt and walk around to take pictures. The blimp isnāt climate-controlled so whatever the weather is outside is pretty much the same inside.
It has two windows that are open though, where you can take pictures, get a nice breeze of fresh air, and admire the views.Ā One of the pilots even pointed out sharks and stingrays in the water below, which we luckily could see – the water is so crystal clear!
When you arrive back at the base, the blimp has a propeller at the bottom, which makes it easy for you to descend. When you get off, you need to get away from the blimp quickly as it shifts significantly upon landing. The instructions were always very clear and everyone working there was so helpful.
It was so interesting to go on an experience like this, quite different from an airplane or helicopter with its specific safety instructions. The flight itself was so peaceful and unique and I loved seeing the views from above. If you ever get lucky enough to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity, I highly recommend it!
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hal
May 15, 2018 at 4:42 pmthat looks so fun! I’ve seen the Goodyear Blimp over Philadelphia before & on TV but I honestly thought it was just for advertisement – I didnt know you could actually ride in it & take in the view – thats so cool!
Carmen Edelson
May 16, 2018 at 2:47 pmYes, you can actually ride in it!
Ashish
May 15, 2018 at 6:23 pmI always wondered what it would be like to ride in a blimp. This is great documentation and fantastic clarity of what the view actually is. Thank you!
Carmen Edelson
May 16, 2018 at 2:47 pmSO glad to hear that, thank you very much š
Erin Haugerud
May 15, 2018 at 6:52 pmThis looks super fun!! Iāll have to put it on my bucket list!!!
Carmen Edelson
May 16, 2018 at 2:47 pmYes, Erin! It’s a great bucket list item.
Becky @ Disney in your Day
May 15, 2018 at 8:15 pmHow cool is that – being on the Goodyear blimp would be awesome! And I love the views you got to experience too. We actually just flew into Ft Lauderdale last week and it’s very pretty there.
Carmen Edelson
May 16, 2018 at 2:48 pmI hope you had an amazing time, Becky š
Becky / roseandbrose.com
May 16, 2018 at 1:44 amThis looks like SO much fun!! I have always wanted to go in a blimp!
Carmen Edelson
May 16, 2018 at 2:49 pmMe too, Becky! It was a dream come true.
Jenia
May 16, 2018 at 2:01 amWow! I had no idea you could do this! This will be added to the bucket list now. You being able to see the stingrays from above sounds amazing.
Carmen Edelson
May 16, 2018 at 2:49 pmI know, the water was so beautifully clear!
Bernie Jackson
May 16, 2018 at 5:00 amWhat a fantastic experience! I’d absolutely love that, and there’s a real sense of adventure coming through the boarding and disembarking safety briefing too. How incredible that you can actually see the sealife from so far up.
Carmen Edelson
May 16, 2018 at 2:49 pmOh yeah, it definitely felt adventurous š
Indya | The Small Adventurer
May 16, 2018 at 6:35 amThis sounds like the most amazing and terrifying thing ever! I only recently went in a plane for the first time after a lifetime of being afraid, and a blimp seems SO much scarier, but wow what an experience! I would have loved to see the ocean from that high up.
Carmen Edelson
May 16, 2018 at 2:50 pmIt was such a unique experience that I won’t ever forget!
Denise
May 16, 2018 at 8:05 amWow, looks like quite the experience! I always loved seeing the blimps fly over when I was a little girl. I’m glad they’re still flying!
Denise// theelleaesthetic.com
Carmen Edelson
May 16, 2018 at 2:50 pmYes, I’m glad they are too!
Punita Malhotra
May 16, 2018 at 8:45 amFlying in a blimp must have been a unique experience. Some very interesting facts here! You mentioned that the flight was smooth. Would it be rocky in gusty winds?
Carmen Edelson
May 16, 2018 at 2:50 pmIt probably would but I bet they don’t fly on very windy days!
My Teen Guide
May 16, 2018 at 10:41 amWhat an awesome experience that was! Those views from the top are stunning! I might be hesitant at first to try this, but looking at your photos, I think I will be able to do it, just for the experience.
Carmen Edelson
May 16, 2018 at 2:51 pmI felt very safe and relaxed, the staff was great and the ride was smooth!
Alex
May 16, 2018 at 12:28 pmOmg this is so cool! I honestly had no idea that you could even ride in a blimp – awesome!!
Carmen Edelson
May 16, 2018 at 2:51 pmMost people don’t know!
Chenille
May 16, 2018 at 8:04 pmWow looks like such an amazing experience! I would love to have the opportunity once in my life. Definitely can check that off the bucket list!
Carmen Edelson
May 20, 2018 at 7:43 amIt was an amazing experience for sure!
Corinne
May 17, 2018 at 12:01 amCarmen, you lucky, lucky girl! How awesome to be able to ride in a blimp. It looks like a beautiful trip.
Carmen Edelson
May 20, 2018 at 7:43 amI know, I feel so fortunate!
Kreete Tokman
May 17, 2018 at 7:41 amCertainly an interesting experience and I am so excited that you got to experience this! I have always thought the gondola area to be bigger, and closed like in an airplane. I must say the views are fantastic and I would love to be able to experience this one day!
Carmen Edelson
May 20, 2018 at 7:39 amThe views were just stunning š
Norbert
May 17, 2018 at 10:44 amYour blog posts are always very unique. Big respect for this!
I would like to do this … must calm you down a lot because we usually have this perspectives for a second or two from a plane, not much time to enjoy.
Carmen Edelson
May 20, 2018 at 7:39 amYes, absolutely! And thank you so much š