RIPS Ride Orange county Reviews

Big orange balloon that costs a lot to go up in, but the time you spend up there with the view is worth it.

I absolutely loved the balloon ride. The pilot was so professional as was the staff. Our flight went up actually at the exact time to watch the sunset. Perfect and beautiful. Very romantic. The park is well maintained and so clean. Great experience.

Great place for a picnic. Love the carousel and the balloon!

Super fun, different activity to do with kids. Awesome view of Orange County.

Best time to go use when Disneyland has their fireworks show. It's beautiful on a clear day

Was told it would be a 30 minutes wait but ended up being an hour. Once we actually got to go up, it was stunning! Absolutely breathtaking view of Irvine. Highly recommended

Nice, clean, friendly, and affordable. My kids always have hours of fun. The balloon ride itself is contingent on no wind, though, so go early and on a day witj no wind. The carousel is always running and lots of open space for picnics, bikes, and other outdoor play.

Wish the balloon had been open but the carousel was fun

The balloon is going up, can t complain about that. But to have to wait one hour because it s only allowing 5 people at a time when it can supposedly hold up to 30??? What s up with that?

Excellent place for families with kids. Tons of joy great quality time

There's construction going on and it was difficult to find my party.

The Great Park Balloon ride was a lot of fun, and produced some spectacular view. I was impressed with the way the surrounding landscaping has been done to provide unique perspective from above.

Balloon was closed the day we were there, but we still had a great visit - carousel museum, farmer's market.

This ride was so much fun! I love the fact that children were free with a paying adult. The ride operator was pleasant. It was only ten minutes, but worth it.

Super cool riding the balloon after 4 attempts. Often this is closed due to weather condition. But safety first so don't get disappointed if the balloon ride closed due to wind and other weather condition, visit again to enjoy the ride.

Fun road side attraction to stop by on the way to LA. It's in a HUGE park that looks like it'd be great for kids and a nice place for a picnic date too.

10 mg is really cheap and beautiful
400ft is very interesting
But reservations are not accepted and there are few people at a time
Don't even think about holidays
We still waited an hour until we opened the door on time
There is nothing to shop around
Takes time

This Park is so Beautiful and big worth the experience. You have Soccer Field, Baseball Fields and Softball Fields. You have a place to get into a Hot Air Balloon and they always have like a flea Market on the weekends. Sad thing is that the Baseball fields seats are better than the Softball fields seats, sorry need to make it even for Boys and Girls. Stop cheating girls out of their part. Also, make sure to bring your food and snacks, they have no reliable food place for anyone. They had a Sandwich Truck but it was out of everything by 11 am and then never appeared the next day. So bring your own goods.

Fair price, fun experience and nice view, especially at night! Recommended for adventurous children! And even better during Halloween time because the balloon becomes a pumpkin!

We didn't ride the balloon.
This review is for the park. It's great for kids riding bikes, playing football.

Nice park but when they have soccer games that be nicer they had like little courtesy rides because the fields are pretty far from the parking lot and older people that can't walk it's not too easy for them to watch a game

Beautifull view, especially at night. There is a wait so bring your patience.

Haven't experienced the hot air balloon ride just yet however I've Seen it Up Up and Away lately as if beginning of March 2021

Absolutely great facility clean and very spacious for every sport.

Kids are free....short little ride but kids really enjoyed it. They have a park for the kids to play while u wait your turn.

Showed up to ride the balloon. Was told that we couldn t go up until the entire group was here, which was fine. After they show up (45 mins later) we are then told that they can only take 6 people up at a time. They should have had the courtesy to tell us that this when we first arrived since we wouldn t be able to go up as a group anyway. Will never return to this awful place. A total waste of my afternoon.

Best deal ever, bring 1 parent and many kids (under 18) go free. Breathtaking view at night esp.

I have a fear of heights so I was really thankful that the balloon is tied to the ground

We went early on Sunday morning and had a private ride ( we were the only people there). A fun little adventure. Great views of the area

We went there for balloon ride but due to bad weather rides were cancelled.

It's OK if you want to have a walkabout and that's all.

I came here for the balloon ride only to be told that there was a 2 Hrs wait. Also I could not buy the tickets unless all the riding party party was present at the location. So I waited until my friend who wanted to ride with us arrived. Now the bummer, we have to wait at the park for the entire wait duration. Are you kidding me? It was evening 7 PM and there was nothing to do there. I would have preferred to come back after 2 hrs when it was time for the ride. I said no thanks and left.

Poor directions.. No proper signs or boards to reach there...

Movie on the lawn and the balloon ride are great for families

It was very beautiful from high up. We will definitely come back!

The Great Park Balloon Ride is an excellent attraction and the sunset views aloft are spectacular.

This was actually a lot of fun. The price is affordable for adults and free for our children. The view from the top was incredible. It s a really cool piece of military history too.

Blah.. Getting better(because of 5 points neighborhoods, not the city!!) but still no Central Park like they originally claimed it would rival. Turned into a sports complex and not the great metropolitan park Larry and his cronies envisioned before blowing through the original 600 million! 5 points did more in less than 3 years, than the city did in almost 10!! I could go on and on about the great boondoggle, anywho, glad there has been progress here at the Great Sports Complex

Had a great time taking the ballon up with my sisters, nieces and nephews.

This place is huge... Well designed but vast... Be prepared to walk...

Great view of Irvine from 400 feet hight. And it's free!!

The 2 times I've gone, I have not been able to get on the balloon. 1st due to selling out of tickets and the 2nd due to the weather causing them to allow less people on therefore they were full. I don't like that the balloon hours have a 4hr gap where they are closed...it doesn't make sense to me especially if people are there and want to ride. There's a lot of space here for sports activities but not too much more (a carousel, a 2 plane museum and a small jungle gym) which makes it difficult when you have to wait 30min-1hr on standby to see if they will let you on the balloon. Will try to update once I've attempted a 3rd time (and hopefully succeeded!).

My youngest son enjoyed the ride. They are well organized. You can call them in advance to ensure their advailblity and weather condition that allow them to fly or not

Great way to spend a weekend. They have a merry go round, Farmers Market, and balloon ride. Teathered balloon ride you go up 400 ft. Great views!!

Got to ride the hot air balloon, I'm afraid of heights but this was a good ride , handles everywhere xD

Beautiful park. Great outdoor space with lots to do for the entire family. Many events depend on the weather to always call ahead if you're looking to do a specific activity (Balloon).

Wonderful views of the city! Reasonably priced. It s best to go as the sun is setting!!

20 min. wait, friendly staff in Visitors Center, balloon ride was fun, "pilot" was informative.

It's located on the old El Toro Marine Base. In Irvine California.

Friendly staff. Ride is about 10 minutes. I was not a fan of the pilots cursing in front of kiddo. They were just having a casual conversation but dropping bombs.

Visited this place a bunch of times. Definitely prefer the night view.

It was closed last week. However I went on a night flight and it was pretty awesome. It was a bit windy, so buyer beware. Tickets are absolutely free. But weather conditions can change flights drastically. Come early to ensure tickets. They will take people up in a helium filled balloon and see all around Irvine. I would take a night flight and a day flight to get both experiences. While you wait, there is a carousel, also free of charge, that you can ride. They have expansive park areas too. Sunday's, there is a farmers market.

We went there for balloon ride but due to bad weather rides were cancelled.

Kids love the balloon ride. Great place to spend some quality time with the family.

The park is fantastic and the balloon ride gives you an amazing view of the whole county. Super friendly staff. A great experience all around.

Very nice Park, the ride balloon was so fun and even more now because it is free!

This thing is huge and it gives you such a great view

We had the most amazing hot air balloon experience this morning celebrating our 35th anniversary with Pilot Jay and his crew! Everything was just perfect from the booking to the end of our delicious champagne breakfast! I would say everyone needs to add this place to their life's bucket list! Thanks Jay - hope to balloon again with you some day!