Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

[CarnationSailor]

I'm looking for advice from anyone who has stayed onsite at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta's (AIBF) RV campground.

Note: I am making plans for 2014.

I was going to stay at an off-site rv park until I discovered that all four of Woodall's highly-rated parks are either right next to an interstate or a busy railroad track.

The AIBF's onsite campground offers many choices:

Standard - Dry camping for $30 per night.

Premium - 20-amp electric and "water provided" for $65 per night. (Anyone know what "water provided" means?)

(Standard and Premium are a short walk to the fields.)

VIP - Dry camping right next to the balloon fields plus entry passes for 2 adults for $85 per night. (Regular passes cost $8 per person per each of the 2 daily sessions, which works out to $32 per day for a couple.)

President's - $150 per night - 'nuff said!

Trying to decide if staying onsite would be best for us, and if it is, which type of site to reserve, so hearing of others experiences would be very helpful. One negative is that it is "rally style" parking, but on the other hand, a positive is that we would avoid the "nightmare" traffic jams getting to/from the events each day. (We are thinking of attending both the morning and evening sessions on the Saturday and Sunday of the opening weekend.)

So, wadda ya tink?

[Fliposo]

Being right at the site is great. I actually was able to see a lot right from my dry campsite. I'd recommend going for as long as you can. I was there for 9 days and enjoyed every bit of it. You'll see balloons days before the official start of the fiesta. Getting in and out with your toad or tow vehicle is easy, depending on when. I pumped some locals and returnies for some great restaurants, non tourist, in the area. I plan on going back.

[Cheesehead62]

No question, stay on site, and dont forget to sign up to be a launch volunteer,you help blow up the balloon and then go with chase vehicle to recover, it was over 10 years ago but we helped crew the BT (British Telecom) balloon.It was the wife's b day so she even got a ride, plus the champane recovery was way cool too

[NCWriter]

Sue, enjoyed your blog report. Friday was the magical day for me, too. So clear after Thursday's storm, and such fun to see the special shapes. Great experience!

[soos]

we just attended and stayed in the VIP section. we loved it! we could walk to everything and the balloons flew right over us.
take a look at my blog if you want an idea of what it was like.

Sue

[NCWriter]

chiefneon wrote:
Howdy!
We been twice and stayed at the VIP dry camping section. I would do the same if returning. You also did not add parking which cost. Not having to deal with the traffic getting in and out is worth staying on property. The $85.00 a night seems high as stated but once you add up tickets ($32.00) and paying for parking twice a day ($20.00) your cost for the RV site is $35.00 a night.

We attended the second weekend this year, arriving Thursday. (First weekend sold out very early.) We were put in the West VIP lot, which is very close to the launch field and also next to the Balloon Museum.

I totally agree with above poster that the VIP dry camping was the way to go. You are given a ticket pass which you can hold up approaching the entry point a very short walk from your site - we were waved in, no need to wait at the ticket window and entrance line where a lot of cyclists had parked.

You can use your entry pass to freely come and go all day if you wish. Otherwise, you now have to purchase a morning ticket and separate evening ticket. Traffic is horrible, and it is so much more relaxing to be accommodated right there by the action without needing to drive at all.

The Dawn Patrol is fun to see, and since it is very early, it's great to be that close. The balloons went right over the RV lot, and many people just put out camp chairs to watch at their RV. Some balloons even landed next to RVs Friday morning.

Yes, it is rally style camping, so you need to be self contained. You also need to bring your own levelers. Our site was quite un level. There are porta potties but you don't want to use them. Bring warm clothes including gloves.

Book next week when bookings open for 2014 to get your choice of dates. There was a three night minimum when we booked, but you want at least that many to allow for weather cancellations. All of Thursday was cancelled this year with rain and wind, and the second Saturday a.m. was too windy for some pilots who packed up and left rather than fly.

Be aware that Rally and Caravan group blocks take a lot of sites. Monaco owners, Airstream owners groups, for example.

The fireworks were great! The whole thing was great fun and a real Bucket List item worth doing.

[PenMan]

They are adding a new twist this year, a large flagpole. If a green flag is flying everything is "go", yellow flag is a "maybe" and red flag everything is cancelled. Probably easier to see the flag if you are on site. I just look out the window for balloons in the air or check the TV to see if they are a go.

[chiefneon]

Howdy!

We been twice and stayed at the VIP dry camping section. I would do the same if returning. You also did not add parking which cost. Not having to deal with the traffic getting in and out is worth staying on property. The $85.00 a night seems high as stated but once you add up tickets ($32.00) and paying for parking twice a day ($20.00) your cost for the RV site is $35.00 a night.

"Happy Trails"
Chiefneon

[mavapa]

I have never stayed on-site, but I also cast my vote for that. One thing you might not think about is that depending on wind and other factors, things like the mass ascension may or may not happen. It would be a real bummer to struggle through traffic to get to the park and then have the mass ascension called off. At least if you're on-site, you can walk back to your camper.

[PenMan]

I live in Albuquerque so I've never stayed on site but that is what I would recommend based on what I have heard from others. Have fun and don't forget there are lots of things to do/see in Albuquerque. Since you're making your plans so early (really good idea) you can plan to visit other things while in NM by spending a few days before or after the fiesta.

[RJ4]

I definitely recommend staying at the Balloon Fest. Last year (2012) we arrived on the Thursday before the first weekend without reservations. We stayed Thurs thru Sunday night in the "cheap" sites, no hook-ups. After we checked in they escorted us to the water so we could fill-up our fresh water tank (no additional charge) and then to our site. This is typical rally style camping, we had great neighbors, generators are allowed during certain hours, paddy wagon is available (at addt'l charge) - it was great. the best thing was that we did not have to get up and fight traffic in order to arrive before daylight for lift-off. We just stepped out of our motorhome and caught the shuttle (no charge) to the launch pad. Same to get back to the site. Plus, on Sunday, the wind was such that the balloons traveled directly over the rv's. Very cool sight to see!

[NCWriter]

Website says reservations are closed for 2013. You do still have the option of no-res drive in standard (dry camping) RV parking, though, assuming space is available when you arrive.

(Or maybe you are looking ahead to 2014. I think they open reservations a year out.)

On edit : thanks for the clarification that you mean 2014. We're going this year and will be glad to give you some feedback afterward.

[2gypsies1]

I'd highly recommend you stay at the balloon facility - a lot more fun and easier to see the balloons and all the excitement. You really don't want to fight the traffic if you're planning to attend a couple times a day.