We had the most amazing experience hang gliding at Wallaby Ranch! The actual experience is pretty scary (much scarier than the skydiving I've done in the past) but the instructor, Malcolm, makes it as comfortable as possible. He clearly knows what he's doing and actually gave us the chance to steer while we were up there. I love the idea of the plane taking you up and untethering once you've reached a high enough altitude, it's a clever work around when you're trying to hang glide in a flat area like Florida. You're not up in the air for long but the whole experience is so surreal and exciting that you appreciate every moment. Staff were also super friendly, I really appreciated them taking awesome pictures and videos for me. I'd 100% recommend Wallaby Ranch and Malcolm to anyone wanting a truly memorable experience. read more

Wallaby Ranch Hang Gliding - Hang Gliding Near Me - Davenport, Florida

Wallaby Ranch hang gliding is next-level cool guy stuff. Malcolm's the OG, super chill and knows exactly what he's doing. I survived to tell the tale, flying felt like being in a dream, totally unreal and amazing. If you want a wild, unforgettable experience, this is it. Highly recommend read more

Wallaby Ranch Hang Gliding - Hang Gliding Near Me - Davenport, Florida

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This was an experience of a lifetime. Captain Malcolm was awesome! He completely explained everything before going up. Felt completely safe and never was nervous at all. The whole staff was about safety and making sure everything was safe. The process was very easy to get signed up. Once we went up in the air I was even allowed to fly for a few minutes. This was an experience of a lifetime and I would recommend anybody to do it. We also got to enjoy a fantastic breakfast afterwards. If this is something you want to knock off the bucket list, this is by far the best place to do it. Patrick read more

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What an incredible day with soaring thru the sky as the obvious highlight. As soon as we entered the ranch I felt at home. Everyone is chill and welcoming, the vibe is superb. The grounds are gorgeous and serene. The process of flight is meticulous and orderly but laid back. Everyone on the team knows what needs to be done to make a great experience and it just flows, like water. Dangerous? The left turn out of my neighborhood made me more anxious than this experience. I4 is dangerous this is serenity. "A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking because it's trust is not on the branch but on its own wings. Trust the process. The greaser landing was effortless for Malcom, like a walk in the park. Practice makes the master I suppose. This place is world renowned and respected for a reason. Safety is paramount but not overbearing, it's just how things are done. it seems like hang gliding has this xtreme sports connotation but its actually more akin to tai chi and yoga. (btw they have early morning yoga sessions at the ranch with Lori) this is the way. you go up and you come down and between those events nothing else matters, you just are - soaring, flying, floating and living in the moment. You're not falling you're flying thru the sky now listen: rey&kjavik + Et Les Amis - flying I'll be back sooner than later read more

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This is the best place to hang glide in Florida. It feels like summer camp with a laid back feel reminding me of my youth. Malcom wrote the book on Hanggliding. The ranch is an institution and pilgrimage destination for me every year, it should be for you too if you value quality and a unique experience. Check in and then check out of your daily routine. Rent a mini cabins, eat in their mess hall, relax in the pool between your flights. Mentally you will shift your focus. You will decompress, you will feel in harmony with nature. If you are coming to Orlando skip the BS rides at Disney/Universal and experience the real thing of truly being one with the wind. read more

Wallaby Ranch Hang Gliding - 2500 ft above the ranch. This is heaven. - Hang Gliding Near Me - Davenport, Florida

I've been coming here for almost 30 years. Gosh, that makes me sound old! This place is the best. Malcolm is the best. Lori is the best. You want a safe and extraordinary experience, come here. Being pulled up by a purpose-built Dragon Fly ultralight is amazing. And once you release at 2,000-2,500 feet, you are a bird flying in the heavens. read more

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So, my husband jumps out of perfectly good planes for fun and this was just a different take on the experience for his birthday. People at Wallaby Ranch are such a joy to be around and very informative about the whole hang gliding experience. My husband and I did this for his birthday and would do it again, anytime! Get there early, like 7:30 in the morning, because you want to make sure you beat the weather. Patience is definitely necessary, because they weave in routine flyers with those out for joy ride and there is only one plane. But if you kick back and get to know the others that are waiting, it just makes the whole experience that much more fun. Bring a chair, water, sunglasses and a hat. He personalizes the experience for each person and takes in their comfort level. It was a thoroughly enjoyable morning! read more

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Can't say enough what an amazing morning we had at Wallaby. Malcolm is an amazingly passionate man about this sport and made our experience the best ever. He and Laurie are welcoming, assuring and generous beyond belief. Hang gliding which was an incredible experience to enjoying breakfast with the team and friends was the best part our trip. Go experience this super fun excursion, being up there is peaceful, silent and absolutely beautiful. Malcolm makes sure you have NOTHING to worry about, it is completely safe. read more

Had a totally amazing experience!! Everyone was super nice, and safety is top priority. I felt safe the entire time. I went up with Malcolm, and he was really great. He even let me fly a little, which was a little terrifying LOL! This definitely helped me get over the fear of heights... Flying free like that makes you feel like there's nothing to be scared of at all. You can see all the way to Disney on a clear morning. I saw Spaceship Earth (Epcot) from the flight. I highly recommend this, and definitely want to go again. Keep an eye out for Abby the amazing flying puppy too! She has her own little harness, and will go up with them sometimes. She was very sweet and friendly. read more

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Ever thought about going skydiving, but questioned the idea of waiting for a parachute to open and keep you from plummeting to the ground? Well hang gliding is just as adventurous without the worries of a parachute malfunction. The crew at Wallaby Ranch is extremely inviting. Upon arrival, you will quickly realize that the staff and regulars that hang around the ranch are extremely laid back. However laid back they may be when hanging out, they are completely professional when prepping you for flight and throughout your soar time. Obviously we dont have any jumping off points for launch, so at Wallaby they use ultra-light airplanes to tow the gliders up to a couple thousand feet. Once the satisfactory altitude is reached, the pull of a single cord sets you free and you begin soaring like a bird over the Florida terrain. I have gone skydiving, para-sailing, and para-gliding and I have to say that hang gliding offers the most free feeling. Your flight time lasts for 10-15 minutes - depending on how daring you want to be with your flight path. Be sure to go early in the morning as the thermals pick up later in the day and can make the flights a little rough. Besides that, after they finish taking everybody up for the morning flights, they invite everyone who hangs over to their outdoor kitchen and serve up a huge buffet-style breakfast. The food isnt too shabby and the conversation is charming. If you are looking for something fun and interesting to do, take flight with Wallaby Ranch! read more

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Tired of Disney? Want some adventure? Great! Come here and take a Discovery flight, relax, have some locally prepared breakfast or lunch for a small price, enjoy their small pool. Converse with friendly people. Note: Call ahead to schedule the Discovery Flight, otherwise determine when breakfast or lunch is come and hang out! What's initially cool is driving through the woods to have it open up into a wide grass field area, greeted by a metal Kangaroo sculpture. Keep on driving toward the opposite end. It's a cool place, one I've been to before a few years ago, soared for a shirt while seeing patchwork of fields outside the ranch. A welcomed view as the instructor demonstrates how to climb, dive, bank left and right. Setting up for final creeps up fast and landing is a rush (so is takeoff via a ultralight airplane!) They also record flights with a wing-mounted Go-Pro, and give you the SD Card to keep. If you're still not ready to leave, relax under the trees, look at the cabins, share stories with others. Tip: Discovery flights usually occur in the mornings due to calmer winds. The experienced fliers go up in the later afternoons and don't come down unless: a) They can't find a thermal to stay airborne. b) Get hungry/thirsty or c) Most importantly have to use the restroom ;) read more

Freaking awesome experience!! Malcolm, Jim and Oliver were amazing, friendly and very concerned with our safety at all times. After completing our forms (which was a terrifying experience)we followed them onto the field where they brought the hang glider. My younger son and I each went tandem with Malcolm and he was very confident and professional; he made me feel very safe that I did not hesitate to let go of the bar and wave to the go pro camera and to my family on the ground. Unfortunately it was turbulent weather so we have to go back another day for hubby and my older son to have a turn. It came out to $410USD for 2 of us to glide tandem and to get a video of each of our flights. It is expensive but worth the experience, even though you are only in the air about 15 min total being towed up and gliding down. We are totally about new, exciting experiences. So, although you can go to a park for a day in that price, this was more fun for me. The ranch is about a 20-25 minute drive from the Disney area and has free parking on site. No lockers but you can leave stuff in your car. Have a friend take some pics too! There are washrooms on site, they accept credit cards and wear whatever is comfortable. You can wear glasses while gliding. read more

I highly recommend every1 try hang-gliding once in their life. Ranking the MUST do sports: 1.) Skydiving (15k ft with backflips & spins) 2.) Fly a helicopter 3.) Hang gliding 4.) Cave jumping into the ocean 5.) Base jumping (I'm sure i'll do this once in my life off a tall cliff) .... 998.) Bungee jumping (thrilling, but hurts your nuts a ton) 999.) Parasailing (soooo boring, I'd rather watch grass grow). The staff is very attentive and friendly and for only $120 (it costs $275-300 in the Bay Area). Come at 730am for the private lessons so you can fly your own (tandem) or late night. But do check the weather and call ahead in case it's windy out and they can't fly. The air up there is incredible. It's not as a rush as falling out of a plane, but soaring headfirst into the air, while overlooking the pristine southern Orlando Swamps, Disneyworld in the distance, the sights of alligators and crocs roaming the free earth, now that is living. It's about a 20 minute soar and it's very safe. Do it now or regret it later on. read more

This is an excellent operation. Very laid back. But very efficient. Malcom is the owner and he runs a great group. Laurie, Faye, Eric, the whole group were great. Seemed to really love the sport, the operation, seemed really genuine. No negatives. The only bit of advice is that I rushed to get there at 7AM and that turned out to be a bit unneccesary. The morning and afternoon are best for the smooth flying that newbies, like me, need. But I didn't need to be there at 6:45AM. Use a GPS system to get to the address. There's no sign. But the address was easily recognized by my Garmin. The people involved here are enthusiasts. You will have a nice time. read more

OK, so there are no Wallaby's involved, but still a very fun experience The Hang Gliding School offers tandem tows for new flyers and tows for experienced hang gliders. They are off I4 Champions Gate exit, and a bit difficult to find, so you may want to call for better directions than the ones offered on the website. There is also a campground available if you would like to camp at the site and trade stories with other hang glider enthusiast. It is a laid back environment, but safety is the prime initiative. The views from the air are magnificent. If you want to experience the weightless soaring heights, Fly Wallaby Ranch is a great option. read more

Such an amazing experience. I went a few years ago and have been back 3-4 times. Malcom and his crew are top notch guys (and gals). Very professional and safe, I never had the chance to get nervous they made me so comfortable. And the experience itself is breathtaking! There's nothing like it. I've been skydiving many times and I prefer hang gliding. You really get to enjoy flying. After you fly, you're invited to breakfast with the crew and anyone else on the ranch. Boy do they have some cool stories. I always feel at home here and each time it feels just as magical as the last. I love Wallaby Ranch! read more

Wallaby Ranch Hang Gliding - Hang Gliding Near Me - Davenport, Florida

I have been flying at Wallaby Ranch frequently since moving to Central Florida 3 years ago. I wasn't entirely sure I would like hang gliding, but on my first ride up -- seeing the landing field shrink below me, hearing nothing but wind in my ears after we got off tow, feeling how easy and intuitive it is to steer the hang glider in flight -- I was hooked. I later went for a ride with Oliver in a trike (a motorized, 2-seater hang glider), where we got up to about 5000' and got to see an elephant sanctuary(!), Lake Kissimee, Winter Haven, Epcot Center, and more. It was awesome! After the flight, a delicious, relaxed breakfast buffet was served, and I hung out hearing hang gliding stories and meeting the crew and visitors, lounging in the shade on swings and Adirondack chairs. I learned to fly solo at Wallaby Ranch, and I cannot imagine a better place to learn. Malcolm Jones, the owner, holds safety as his highest priority. He is always present at launch, making sure conditions stay safe for each pilot's abilities, watching how students progress, and having fun taking visitors for rides. The staff at Wallaby will make sure that you know what you need to, and will teach you to err on the side of caution when it comes to judgment in aviation. The Ranch is a great place to visit, and a wonderful place to call one of my homes. read more

I bought my husband a gift certificate over 10 years ago and he was finally brave enough to use it today! No other company would honor a purchase made that long ago. The staff was friendly and super helpful. We will definitely be back! read more

My husband surprised me with a trip to Wallaby Ranch for a hang gliding experience. It was so much better than I could have ever imagined! The ranch is off by itself and surrounded by trees so the views were amazing. I rode with Malcolm and he made sure I was safe and calm the entire time. He was consistently checking my pulse to make sure I wasn't freaking out too much lol. I was just mesmerized by the feeling of freedom that you get while in the air. When we were done he invited my husband and I to stay for breakfast which we took full advantage of. Everyone on the ranch was very laid back and kind. They had plenty of stories to tell and even invited us to stay on the grounds. There was a guy there visiting from Australia who seemed to fit right in. He took us to see a gator that had wandered on the outskirts of the property. It was one of the best experiences I've had and I wish I lived closer so I could make it a monthly thing! read more

Ritu D's review is spot on. I agree with everything she said. The hang gliding experience is very peaceful and serene - if you want an adrenaline rush, try sky diving. If you want to experience something unlike anything else, this is for you. If you go in the morning, stay for breakfast - it was wonderful too. read more

It's soo much more than just hang gliding... so if you're not sure if you want to fly just go and watch (you will want to) plus theres lots of other fun to be had there and great food! read more

Malcolm is a great host! In addition to hang gliding, you are welcome to hang out at his ranch, have breakfast, play volleyball, jump on trampoline, swim in the pool, etc. I especially appreciate that Malcolm is very concerned about safety. read more

My 17 year old daughter and I went for an 8AM flight. The weather was perfect and visibility was quite good. Now, mind you, my daughter is afraid of heights...doesn't even like to climb a ladder...but the thrill of soaring was too much to hold her back. Now not much happens today without being broadcast on FaceBook...her initial post was..."OMG, I'm so afraid. This may be my last post"...only to be punctuated by her next post..."THAT WAS THE MOST AWESOM EXPERIENCE IN MY LIFE...I WANT TO GO AGAIN." The staff was laid-back but very professional and we felt welcomed into the "fold" almost immediately. This facility is just a short drive from the theme park area....and certainly any family traveling from Universal or Disney headed towards LeggoLand should make this a must stop...our appointment was at 8AM...we arrived early, filled out some paperwork, soared and were back in our car at 8:55AM.... that was one very THRILLING hour that we are sure to remember for a lifetime. read more

I went to wallaby ranch recently and enjoyed the flight but malcom had an attitude after I decided I wasn't going to stay for breakfast. He must have taken it personally. So after paying him 205 for a discovery flight (with video included) I walked away and didn't say another word. As expensive as this activity is, he should be more cordial. I'll never be back. read more

Malcolm is a bit of a douche and should update his website to be more specific if he wants people to call the night before coming to hang glide. My boyfriend and I drove an hour there to go hang gliding (it was a beautiful day when we left). When we got there it was too windy to go up (totally understandable). The part that upset me is where Malcolm decided to obnoxiously chide us for coming later in the day (1pm) despite the website indicating that flights continued into the afternoon as well as the part where he rather cheerfully told us how great the 8am flight that day was. I really appreciated being told what a great time other people had after driving an hour to not be able to do something. If Malcolm wants people to call the night before to check on the weather with him, perhaps his website should say as much (instead of focusing on how reservations aren't required... it's almost like people are going to believe the website or something). Again, I'm not objecting to the fact that weather interfered, just the fact that Malcolm was a complete douche about it. I'm kind of glad my boyfriend and I won't be spending our money there thanks to the weather. read more