Awesome experience! What an unbelievable time. From beginning to end, the service was excellent and our pilot Justin was the best. We splurged on the exclusive flight, and although Im sure the experience in a shared balloon is great, the exclusive balloon was worth every penny and is highly recommended. Thank you to all the staff and especially to Justin for making this such a memorable experience.

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

Absolutely surreal experience, breath taking view of the beautiful wineries and it was so peaceful and quiet high up in the air. Everyone needs to try it once in their life. Our aeronautic (pilot) Jay was so nice and knowledgeable, and made us feel very safe in his hands. Highly recommend Aloft!! XD

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 lifes bucket list! Thanks Jay - hope to balloon again with you some day!

A blast for those wanting to get a taste of hot air balloons without dropping tons of cash! Awesome views and reasonable wait times for this fun attraction. I highly recommend visiting if youre from out of town, its clearly a locals spot that gives a unique look at orange county.

An interesting place - in local history - but pretty weak as a either a park (no tables, barbecues play areas) or amusement park. A small museum with 2 old planes and a video, one small merry-go-round and a small tethered balloon is incongruous and do not a destination make.The periphery does have some great ball fields for city leagues.

I didnt want to go on this. I dont like heights and being up in a balloon that high just didnt seem like the best idea to me. I am glad I went up though. It was high, but it was really a neat experience. Amazing views. I would definitely recommend to anyone visiting the Great Park.

It was much fun. The balloon was free and the carousel was $3. We ended up having a picnic as well. Totally recommend this for a day of family fun or a day with Friends. My friend and her kids as well as mine had a wonderful day.

Its very spacious and comfortable.Anyone can practice skateboards and bicycles in the surrounding lot.It is a little uncomfortable because there is no snack corner and other convenience facilities.

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.

I enjoyed my balloon ride when I visited. There was a possibility that we were going to be unable to up due to the wind. But luckily it worked out for us. It was a unique experience that I thoroughly enjoyed. I definitely recommend it if you have the time and money.

Fun balloon ride, but the rest of the Great Park has nothing to do. Get there half an hour before they open so you can put your name on the waiting list and get a pager to be notified when its your turn. Call ahead to see if weather (clouds/wind) might delay/prohibit the balloon from flying that day. Follow the orange/white checkered path all the way from the parking lot to the balloon office to get your tickets. Theres a farmers market with food trucks on Sundays at 10am.

Super cool riding the balloon after 4 attempts. Often this is closed due to weather condition. But safety first so dont get disappointed if the balloon ride closed due to wind and other weather condition, visit again to enjoy the ride.

Such an amazing park. There is no shortage for parking and the stadiums are nice. And parking is free. Beautiful!

I only gave 3 stars because they wouldnt let anyone on that night we visited. But it looked like a lot of fun. It is located in a great park!

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

Nice park and easy parking. Both times we waited about 30 min for the baloon ride so expect to wait. They are pretty organized though and have some snacks to offer and seating area while you wait.

A lovely outing, rumor has it that you can see Los Angeles on a clear day! Plenty of activities in the surrounding park for everyone!

Great place for all Sports.

It was a beautiful day for a soccer tournament. Best park Ive ever been to for recreation and history. While watching club soccer on some of the best fields in the state, I observed one of the worlds largest helium balloons rise and decende 400 ft in the sky. Adults over 18 pay $10 and anyone under 18 free. Unfortunately we only made it up 100 ft because of safety precautions due to the wind. Our pilot Jason made the right call. This park is built on a decommissioned Naval Marine base El Toro. It has a aircraft museum with a ton of military history of which I am so fond of. Everything about this place is clean and awesome. A great place for the community, close and far! Well Done

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.

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.

Its a great activity no matter your situation and its free! It makes a good family experience with your children and theres a carousel and an amazing playground available. Similarly, it can be part of a very romantic date. The balloon is only allowed to go up 400ft unlike previously. This makes me want to go to Nappa Valley and take a full hot air balloon ride but that will be much more expensive. I definitely recommend this to all.

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

Its a good place for kids, actually I would say whole family can enjoy there. Apart from baloon ride you can go for long walk, watch and play different outdoor games, children can enjoy swings.Pros:1. Very clean, green and beautiful.2. Ballon ride is worth.3. Nice sitting arrangement all over the place you can chose sitting place according to your view and mood.4. Nice kids play ground, swing and activity area.5. Friendy staff and nice waiting area.Cons:1.Waiting time for ballon ride is too high. So You have to be there at least half n hour before as its on first come first serve basis. However meanwhile you can enjoy the walk and greenery.2. Limited food options so better pack your own food and enjoy there.

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. Sundays, there is a farmers market.

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

We didnt ride the balloon.This review is for the park. Its great for kids riding bikes, playing football.

Balloon ride was fun! Definitely try it out during the day and at night.

Beautiful park, family oriented and clean public restrooms

Incredible experience! My two year old loved it too!

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!

Great view of Irvine from 400 feet hight. And its free!!

Fun! My 8 year old son and I had a private ride. He didnt let go of the rail until we were more than halfway done, but he enjoyed himself.

Neat experience! $10 per adult, and the ride is a good length, about 15 minutes. The balloon does move significantly from the winds and people moving, but the pilot warns you of any bumps.

Go on a clear day, its great.

This place is amazing. They have a limit kid carousel ride for the children for $3 They have a hot air balloon ride for 15 minutes for $10 children under 12 company by adult is free. They have a playground for the children to play, very clean bathrooms and snack machines. They have free parking. A art gallery. Alot more to offer. This place is Huge and out of this world.

Its big, good for kids and the restrooms very clean

Sad they had the balloon shutdown with no wind. The play ground between the balloon and the building you get tickets is horrid. I have visited the great park since it opened and I do not think they have touched this playground for maintenance. Rubber ground looks horrible and there is no shade for the playground. I sure hope they keep the better playground behind the soccer fields in better shape, that one needs shade as well.

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

This was so fun!! You get to see the whole city. Just make sure its not too cold out or that you bring a warm jacket

Third time so the soccer facilities. Great place. After the games we hung out near the mary go round. Clean environment. Lots of greenery. I thought this was a really cool tree

They can occasionally be incredibly slow to load passengers

The price you pay ($10) and the ride itself (being about 10 mins.) was worth it! Very gentle ride when we went and a great sight to see, especially with a date!

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

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

This was awesome. $10 for an adult ride and kids are free with an adult riding. Fun way to see Irvine.

Awesome ride.

Its good park for family and friends.

R.i.p love ones Mamba out

Loved it.... Ballon ride is near to the place where I was staying in orange County.... Kids were thrilled to have this ride... This ride is safe for kids of any age and they will love it... There is also a small park near the reception area where kids can enjoy sometime... Moreover good fun for family

Absolutely great facility clean and very spacious for every sport.

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

Great for the kids. Theres a playground while you wait to get on and their admission is free with a paid adult. My daughter has been talking about flying in the sky on the big orange balloon for weeks now.

Great scenery and a must if you’re in Orange County

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.

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.

Most do!!! It is awesome. Sign up at 6pm early and watch the sun set. Definitely got me some love from the wife.

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

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.

No reservations and they are closed during middle of the day. Its a bit of a crapshoot on when you actually get to ride. Price is very reasonable.

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.

Truly a fun and amazing place. the waiting time was a little long but it was okay

Quite place, nice place when you just want to take a afternoon walk.

Very good place like an open air time out of home place.

Free air balloon ride just takes a while to get a boarding pass come early

Wish the balloon had been open but the carousel was fun

Open place great time to spend time with your friends and family and also girlfriend

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

Whether youll get to go up in the balloon is dependent on all sorts of factors ranging from weather to dates to demand... So dont visit the Great Park thinking, We ARE going to go up in the balloon. Think, We MIGHT go up in the balloon if were lucky. That said, the surrounding park is a lovely place with shade, grass, and lots for kida to climb on and explore. And if you do get to go up, yay! Its a smooth and pleasant flight.

We had a great time though it was a little cloudy in the distance. The staff were great helping the 96 year old birthday girl off the balloon.

Nice park. Staffs are very friendly. You should check out weather before you go there. Because of temperature change in air can cause delay the balloon. If u want to make ur visit worth.

Great way to get a birds eye view of the amazing city of Irvine.

Amazing and great prices

Carrousel, Air Balloon, WWII Museum, soccer Stadium, concert stadium and more...

SO much fun!! Surprising smooth, calm, and quiet at the top. Im normally terrified of heights, but this didnt bother me once we arrived at 400. Try it, you wont regret it.

Great park! If you never have been you have to try the balloon ride.

Great Staff, EXCELLENT staff.Balloon ride is wonderful, and you can ask the pilots questions about balloon and they CAN answer.My 2 yr old LOVES it just as much as I do. Carousel is great also.

Fun! Cheap to.

Nice park. But it gets very hot in the summer. I have been here when they have had soccer games and it is so hot. The place is beautiful. There are park benches which are around and they look new. I would like to ride the balloon ride once. I have never done that. The stadium where they have the soccer games is very nice and clean. Depending on where you are, it can have a breeze. Nice place.

Due to the high volume of fake five star reviews, four stars is the highest rating I ever give for the best service.My experience was really great, but the one impression I get from my visit is a bunch of government employees who are so friendly and helpful, you almost get the impression they are faking it, but you then realize they are really just nice helpful people. From the you kid who sold us tickets, to the tall brotha who helped me with the vending machine that owed me a candy bar, on an early Friday night, they are just genuinely nice people, not to mention the awesome view.

The balloon was so good

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

Fun

What a fun activity for the whole family! Our daughter (3) has been noticing the orange balloon in the sky for the past several months and we finally decided to go and see it up close. We assumed (incorrectly) shed be too young to ride. Turns out there are no age restrictions. Everything is quite safe and the attendant was informative and friendly. We went on a clear day and the views were great! Well definitely go back and visit again, and would recommend it to locals and visitors alike.

Was a great experience to see size of park and in distant the Irvine Spectrum all lite up. We went on just the end of Sun setting. Highly recommend tickets are $10 a person the do over discount for certain people and children.

Very beautiful view from up top.

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

First time here and I love it

Fun things to do here!!!

The website says the balloon takes up to 30 passengers at a time, but when we went they were limiting it to groups of six or so... By the time our turn finally came around (after waiting for forty minutes) the wind picked up and we had to keep waiting.We are still waiting to see if we are going to get to ride or not... I dont see why they had to limit the group size like they did.

Beautiful fields, well maintained fields. Bring food, only food trucks when on site.

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.

Closed both times I tried to go. Apparently dont even try anytime after 12, its usually too windy. I guess Ill try again right when it opens.

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.

Really nice folks and awesome view. Amazing park, especially the carassol opperator who plays awesome music.

Very affordable for a great experience!

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

If you want to see the city from new heights, go here! Fair rates! Fun ride!

Thought it could have been a better exhibit.