Our Travelers Say it Best

Original letters are on file in our West Palm Beach, Florida office.

25 years ago, Buddy Bombard was approached by Walt Disney World to help capture the essence of France for Epcot Center’s French Pavilion film. The portion of the film featuring Buddy Bombard’s balloons still plays today and remains one of the highlights of a visit to the French Pavilion. The following appeared in a letter from the Disney producers.

“The ballooning scenes you created for us are the highlight of the film. But the real surprise was that the filming of the balloon scenes was the highlight of our production. A magical sense of childlike wonder touched all of us as we stood beside our cameras and watched your beautiful balloons rise up through the morning mist. The professionalism and artistry of your pilots and crew dazzled us all. Those who had previously been skeptical about your claims became Bombard supporters when they saw the precision and delicacy with which you and your people maneuvered those giant balloons. Thank you, every last one, for a complete success.” Bob Rogers, Producer of the French Pavilion Film at Walt Disney’s Epcot Center

“We did so much enjoy our time with you—a unique adventure, indeed, and so much fun! We were all very much impressed with the very well organized manner in which you conduct your operation and thoroughly enjoyed every moment—including the excellent dinners. We all thank you very much indeed.” Julia Child

The following was excerpted from Walter Cronkite’s guest editorial in Ballooning magazine, in which he recounted making a documentary film about the invitation-only international balloon meets held annually by Malcolm Forbes at his Chateau de Balleroy in Normandy. According to Cronkite, each year Forbes invited what he considered the year’s outstanding balloonists from around the world.

“Buddy Bombard, certainly one of the most successful, as well as charming, balloon pilots, always was there with his baskets, so big they resembled stretch limousines. The pleasure of being with Buddy attracted so many others that straws had to be drawn to pick the lucky passengers.” Walter Cronkite

“The Bombard Society, we are happy to report,is a class act from start to finish…Is the trip as a whole a good value? We have to say yes. The trip is expensive, but as it includes all meals, hotel, and sixteen hours a day of entertainment, it’s almost a bargain.” LaBelle France, The Sophisticated Guide to France

“There are not enough superlatives to describe our extraordinary family-of-many trip. We were thrilled and delighted! The individuals involved, the high quality of every aspect of the experience, the great attention to detail and the sense of pure joy cannot be defined! Bravo!” Mr. and Mrs. A. Pawlick (Illinois)

“It was all perfection and more. You all worked so hard to give us this moment in time to remember. I’ll be sending many friends your way.” Mrs. M. Cay

“I will always remember the French family where we landed, especially their happy faces. It was truly a great treat.” Mrs. Douglas MacArthur (New York)

“Thank you. It was all superbly beautiful. And amazing. I arrived wondering how such an exotic act could be kept together and be all the things promised in your fetching brochure. Well, you certainly did pull it off and the only question remaining is, how?…Superior skills and organization and a great deal of hard work and cooperation. Congratulations!” Mrs. Arthur Hartman, wife of the former U.S. Ambassador to France

“It was perfect in every detail, a wonderful trip. A trip to Never-Never Land.” Mrs. B. Scott

“Buddy produces a first class adventure as we can attest from taking three trips!” Mr. and Mrs. N. Broyles

“We have been on 6 previous trips with Buddy…And really now what is in Cappadocia that would make the trip worthwhile? It must be understood from the beginning that the ballooning is only the ‘icing though thrilling icing on the cake’. Where Buddy takes you the rest of each day is fascinating. This man wants you to return again and again.” Mr. and Mrs. B. Killoran (Wisconsin)

“We are home again from a most wonderful ten days in Turkey. From beginning to end it was fun, educational, comfortable and totally unforgettable. Our heartfelt thanks for creating this wonderful experience.” Eva and Bob Bloch (California)

“Yours is truly a class act, and I congratulate you and thank you for giving me the opportunity to join a very select society. I’ll carry the memory of those beautiful flights with me forever.” Beverly L. Wolf (New York)

“The Bombard adventure was far more than promised, and it was worth far more than it cost.” Marge and Bob Montgomery (New Hampshire)

“No one in Buddy’s crew could have made the entire trip more enjoyable! I have been very fortunate to have traveled a great deal and have enjoyed it. But I have never been anywhere that was as great as this one! So different in every way. The Alps, from a balloon, are so spectacular—more so than I have ever seen. The accommodations were perfect, and everyone treated each of us as if we were VIP.” Ruth W. Fowler (North Carolina)

“Thank you for one of the ‘Best Trips’ and most fun and excitement I have ever had. I’ve been around the world 3 times and have been to most every country—and never have I laughed so much.” Renata L. Mahan (Florida)

“Thank you so very, very MUCH, Buddy, for making it all possible! You will never know how much happiness you have brought to so many lucky people, who, like us, have experienced the joy of flying in one of your balloons.” Deane and Geri Hatson (Texas)

“I was expecting a high-level operation—and I got it. It was lovely and lived up to all my expectations.” Gayle Reed (Virginia)

“With no pun intended, I still have not come back down to earth. It was truly one of the most memorable and enjoyable experiences of my life.” Elayne Davidson (New Jersey)

“I want to thank you for running such a first class operation. It was better than anything you said in your brochure—and this is rare in the travel business.” Eliott Dranoff (New York)

“We thoroughly enjoyed each and every day with one pleasant surprise after another. The staff was just wonderful. The ballooning was much more than we expected. Hope to see you again on another adventure.” Jon and Sandra Deodati (Pennsylvania)

“I can’t praise you enough for one of the most marvelous trips we have ever taken. It was fun! Surely, you are a master organizer. Every one of your crew was outstanding, always ready to do something extra for the participants.” Erwin Keithley (California)