Irvine Great Park is well-known for its Balloon ride that can carry up to 30 passengers. It’s the world’s largest helium balloon! There is so much history, a few playgrounds, events and so much for children of different ages.
Ride the Carousel at Irvine Great Park
My boys loved riding the vintage inspired carousel, it’s affordable and budget friendly. A single ride is $2 and a parent that has a child under 42 inches in height gets a stamp to ride with their child free of charge.You can pay $3 for the unlimited wristband, which also includes the free adult stamp with a child under 42 inches.
Your kids can ride in the carousel with a cute selection of horses and animals. Most of them move up and down, and you can enjoy the short ride with fun music. They even have a few bench seats to relax on a fun little ride. At night, this adorable carousel is lit up with beautiful lights.
Park Address:
Orange County Great Park
8000 Great Park Blvd.
Irvine, CA 92618
Phone: 949-724-6247
Carousel Ride Information
- Hours of Operation: 10am – 10 pm
- Price: $2 one time Ride, $3 Unlimited Ride
- Family & Friends Deal: $20 for 10 all-day wristband passes
- Closed Monday-Wednesday and Opened Thursday – Sunday
- They accept cash and credit/debit card
The Visitors Center
If it’s a hot summer day, you can go chill inside the Visitor Information Center, which has a cute lounge with seating and vending machines. While you’re inside you can do the following…
- Check out sports equipment: soccer ball, football, etc.
- Purchase your Carousel ride ticket/wristband
- Reserve and Purchase your Balloon Ride tickets
- Snack and Beverage vending machines are available
- Attend many of the Free Events, visit City Of Irvine’s website here.
Balloon Ride at Irvine Great Park
- Hours of Operation: Closed Monday-Wednesday
- Open Thursday – Sunday from 10am-3pm, closes for a few hours and reopens from 7pm – 10pm
- Adults (19 and older): $10
Children (18 and younger)*: $5 without paid accompanying adult
Children (18 and younger)*: Free with paid adult
Family & Friends Pass: $40 for five adult flights
*Children younger than 13 must be accompanied by an adult on Balloon flights - They accept cash and credit/debit card
Other Park Fun
There is a full calendar of events listed online, during the holidays you can visit for crafts and events specifically featuring holiday activities. Your family can scan the park’s QR code and listen to all of the fun walk through historical and educational timeline details. I love that they have a farmers market, art exhibits and so much more! You can spend the day at two different playgrounds and picnic.
My Recommendations for a Visit to this Park
You’ll definitely want to take drinks and snacks! We took our backpack rolling cooler and loaded up with drinks, chips, and quick snacks.
- Walmart.com – Ozark Trail 42 Can Rolling Cooler w/ Removable Hardliner
Free Ship to Store / In-Store Pick Up - Amazon.com – Yeti Hopper Flip Portable Cooler
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There is plenty of bench seats, picnic tables and shaded areas. Some of the picnic tables have umbrellas so you won’t have to take your personal shade gear.
If your kids love parks and water play, you can check out this blog post where I share 10 Free Splash Pads and Parks in Southern California! My boys loved going to Grand Park in Los Angeles, it has lots of fun splashing space to enjoy on those hot summer days.
