The Great Orange Balloon is the first attraction to open at the Great Park in Irvine, California. Balloon riders climb the 30-passenger gondola and float 400 feet in the air. Visitors enjoy a birds-eye view of Irvine Valley, Santiago Peak to the east, and Quail Hill to the west. This attraction is a must for families and sightseers, providing a unique, affordable way to “soar” over Irvine’s green oasis.
The balloon operates for days a week. Thursday- Friday Sessions: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. and 7 p.m.–10 p.m. Saturday–Sunday Sessions: 9 a.m.–3 p.m. and 7 p.m.–10 p.m. Admission: balloon rides will be $10 for adults; kids are free. Payment must be made via a cashless method before boarding. Due to high demand, the flight list fills up quickly. Check-in begins 30 minutes before each session.
The Great Balloon Ride
The nominal operating height is 400 feet, the same as a forty-story building. If the wind kicks up, the balloon will fly lower or be grounded until conditions are favorable. The balloon is attached to the ground by a steel cable to raise and lower the giant orange orb. If the line breaks, the pilot can free-fly the balloon to the ground.
Before you take a flight, you must register at the visitor center and fill out a release form. Registration for each period starts 30 minutes before the first session flight. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. The balloon ride lasts 15 – 20 minutes—enough time to take in the view and enjoy flying in a giant orange balloon.
Accessibility and Safety
- Wheelchair-accessible (up to 25″ wide x 48.5″ long; transfers available if needed).
- Health Advisories: Not recommended for those with vertigo, motion sickness, heart conditions, or who are pregnant.
- The balloon ride is not dog-friendly, so you must leave your four-legged friend while you ride or at home if you intend to fly in the Orange Balloon.
Great Park Irvine Carousel
Another fun attraction for families near the balloon ride is the Great Park Carousel. Up to 36 passengers can ride the Carousel, and it’s also wheelchair-accessible. The Great Park Carousel operates Thursday – Friday, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Saturday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; 7 p.m.–10 p.m. Rides are three or ten dollars for an all-day pass.
Kids Rock Playground
Kids Rock is a climbing structure at the 27.5-acre Balloon Park. Children can play on rocks or squeeze through underground tunnels in this environmentally friendly park area.
Palm Court Arts Complex
The Palm Court Arts Complex is a canopy of date palms with various artworks and sculptures on display. Hanger 224, an original building from El Toro Marine Airbase, is adjacent to the Palm Court and is used for events and displays historic aircraft and artifacts.
Getting There
Directions to the Irvine Balloon Ride: exit the five freeway at Sand Canyon and enter the old El Toro base on Marine Way. Follow the signs to the Great Balloon. Group reservations are available upon request. Call ahead or visit the park website to confirm the balloon ride is open on the day you plan to visit.
Nearby Wild Rivers Waterpark<h3
Wild Rivers Waterpark in Irvine, California, spans 20 acres within the Orange County Great Park. The water park features a variety of attractions, including 20 rides, three dining options, and a 1940s South Pacific theme that combines nostalgia with modern technology. Open Seasonally.
Getting There
Directions to the Irvine Balloon Ride: exit the five freeway at Sand Canyon and enter the old El Toro base on Marine Way. Follow the signs to the Great Balloon. Group reservations are available upon request. Call ahead or visit the park website to confirm the balloon ride is open on the day you plan to visit.
- Best Time: Weekday evenings or early mornings on weekends for shorter lines. Sunset flights offer magical views!
- Parking and Location: Free parking in Lot 3 (8000 Great Park Blvd, Irvine, California.
- Booking: No reservations—rides are first-come, first-served. Arrive early, as lines fill quickly (wait times can reach 3 hours on busy days).
- Waiver: All adults must complete a free online waiver on the day of the ride (takes ~5 minutes).
- Duration: Each flight lasts about 10–15 minutes, including boarding.
Final Thoughts
The Great Park Balloon is a great way to view the Irvine Valley. Plans for the Great Park have been scaled back considerably, and it looks like it will end up being the Great Irvine Housing Tract rather than a vast park rivaling Central Park in New York. But it’s still a fun place to take kids, with enough things to do and see to fill at least half a day.
I’m confused by the article above; it states “like the balloon, the carousel is free.” Several paragraphs down, prices are listed for both. Can you please clarify?
Thanks
Hello Leann
I removed the sentence that said the “balloon and carousel are free”
They were both free for several years, but these days they charge a fee.
At one time this area of Irvine was going to be the great park. Now it is becoming the great housing tract. Instead of building a park they are building several thousand houses and condos.
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