Cloud Nine Balloon - Las Vegas, Nevada - World's Largest Helium Balloon


When it launched on October 5, 2009, the Cloud Nine Balloon was touted as "the world's largest helium balloon.'' It was 75 feet tall and weighed two tons. When inflated with 210,000 cubic feet of helium, which took five hours, it could carry up to 30 persons to a height of 500 feet. From a tethered position across from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, passengers could get a unique 360-degree view of the Las Vegas Strip. Tickets were $17.50 for children and $22.50 for adults.

Two years of negotiations brought the 11-story balloon to Las Vegas from Paris, France at a cost of $4 million. Because the Cloud Nine Balloon cannot go airborne in rain or winds above 22 miles per hour, and owing to its proximity to nearby McCarran Airport, Federal Aviation Administration permission was required.

Then, in March 2010, high winds forced the ride to close twice. The first time a sudden wind gust hit the balloon while it was occupied, injuring one person and damaging the balloon. The second time, no one was aboard, but high winds caused the huge balloon to deflate, causing a second grounding of indefinite duration.

Operator Cloud Nine Entertainment has announced plans to rebuild and "replace the Cloud Nine Balloon ride with a bigger and better Las Vegas attraction.'' They partnered with Las Vegas Safaris to offer exotic animal encounters with baby rhinos, zebras, giraffes, and camels in the meantime. The address is 3951 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119, directly across from the Mandalay Bay Resort.

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