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Balboa Fun Zone Rides
Category: Active Life Amusement Parks Amusement Parks [Edit]
600 E Bay AveSte R
Newport Beach, CA 92661
(949) 673-0408
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
21 reviews for Balboa Fun Zone Rides
Review Highlights
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"The ferris wheel is fun for both young and old." In 5 reviews -
"the bounce swing thing for kids was hilarious." In 4 reviews -
"I've been visiting the old photobooth for the past 9 years." In 3 reviews
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21 reviews in English
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Review from Chynna Y.
Cerritos, CA
4/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
I heard so much about the newport beach Christmas lights and I really wanted to check it out. Plum http://district.com had a deal on tickets, but I missed it and paid normal price ($19). We got there 20ish minutes before boarding and grabbed a slice of pizza (you can bring food and drinks on the boats, I recommend bringing a blanket too)
There are 3 different boats to choose from, but I definitely recommend "the showboat". The top deck gives you a really great and unobstructed view of the houses.
The guide we had did a really great job. He was informative but super entertaining with a perfect hint of sarcasm.
Try to go before Christmas. We went on the 27th, and not all the houses were lit. Our tour ended ahead of schedule, so our tour guide took us to see a 50 million dollar yacht. FAAANCY. -
Review from Al A.
4/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
When you're a kid, this is the only reason you come to Balboa Island.
When you're an adult, this is the fastest way to hemorrhage funds while keeping the kids occupied.
Good thing the they got a lot of places to sit or I'd just grab the family and leave.
Nearby parking is 3 bucks, spaces are usually scarce on busy weekends and they take plastic. -
Review from Schel H.
10/20/2011
Well... I remember this place from when I was a kid and am now taking my daughter here. The rides are the same and a blast for children without a doubt. The ferris wheel is fun for both young and old. If you want a unique date spot, bring a woman here for a ride on the ferris wheel and watch her eyes light up. Follow it up by a walk over to the pier or dinner in one of the many little restaurants (beachy or nicer, casual or fancy).
The arcades are great, the candy store tasty, the prices touristy (well come on now it is a tourist trap), and the vibe is a fun/frivolous/exciting/etc.
It is hard to have a bad time when you here to play, smile, laugh, and have fun. Since that is what 99.9% of the others are there for as well.
Reasons why its not a more highly rated place;
1 the bathrooms are beyond nasty
2 parking is a nightmare
3 pricing is a bit to touristy (err progressive shall we say)
4 the bumper cars are not always working
5 its too small
6 it needs to be cleaned better and/or a new coat of paint on a number of buildings (this needs to happen regularly as they are by the ocean)
None the less, my daughter and I still love to go here and enjoy it greatly everytime we do... -
Review from Mike W.
La Quinta, CA
6/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
The ferris wheel ride was long which allowed us just to enjoy the views.
the bounce swing thing for kids was hilarious. The college kids running had my kids laughing and having a great time -
Review from Lauren J.
San Diego, CA
3/17/2011
Well, this place was a total bust when I went there because EVERYTHING WAS CLOSED! I guess it's off season, which seems silly in So Cal.
This places seemed so cool when I was little. Now, it seems so small especially compared to the Santa Monica Pier.
The best part is probably the candy. If you have kids, the little fairs wheel is cool too. -
Review from T S.
Orange, CA
I love it here, friends and I have been here twice for cruses, one harbor and one whale watching, fun trips. Great place to walk, parking is easy.
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Review from Christina S.
Costa Mesa, CA
12/21/2009
BIG CHOCOLATE COVERED BANANAS, VIDEO ARCADE, HOT COCO& A FERRIS WHEEL!! What is not to love! We had our company employee party at the Harborside Restaurant and after the entire gang roamed through the "fun zone".. My boss and a coworker and I got on the ferris wheel. Some may say LAME but the view was fantastic! The arcade was something that i wanted to hit but unfortunately there was not time! Coming here for the Xmas boat parade is also a sight!
Traffic is a bloody bitch! -
Review from Chase A.
Tustin, CA
3/21/2008 1 photo
Scary Dark Ride.... You will be missed :(
This review only pertains to that amazingly cheesy ride -
Review from Alina M.
5/6/2011 1 photo
Great spot for some engagement photography. People running the place don't care if you're shooting, as long as you're not in the way. Buy some cotton candy, some tickets for the Ferris wheel and make some happy memories for the lucky couple. The only note of caution for photographers is that the wheel is FAST, so have your camera preset to shutter burst and just go at it!
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Review from MAY J.
San Diego, CA
4/6/2009
Dear owners of the fun zone, PLEASE bring back the scary dark ride, the bumper cars, and the black and white non-digital photobooth.
This place used to be 5 stars, the cheesy dark ride being the best. I haven't been in years but have been wanting to go back, and now yelp tells me that all the stuff I loved is now gone.
This place was a part of history, and now it sounds as though it's been ruined
:( -
Review from Erica B.
Los Angeles, CA
1/18/2010
Dear Fun Zone.. I hope I find you in good health and standing conditions, last time I saw you, you looked a little pail and you were leaning to the side a bit..
We visited you this weekend, and you were nice to us. You were kinda empty, but all your games worked, and your prizes were fun, I felt like I was 5, and your ticket man was cool and gave us an extra 10 for a stretchy bracelet that lasted no more then 30 minutes after we got in the car (because we wanted to see how far it could stretch). Your games were a little faded and full of germs *just like you should be.... (HOORAY FOR HAND SANITIZER)
We will be back later then sooner, but nonetheless we will return. -
Review from steven r.
Apple Valley, CA
7/31/2011
Classic family fun, I just wish it had more acreage. Love to play the games at the arcade, and even love to ride the rides. Fun beach times!!
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Review from Joelle P.
Newport Beach, CA
1/8/2011
Yes it was fun and peppy when i was a kid and couldn't wait to go to balboa fun zone on the weekends. Now, after several years of either passing by or coming here for a bite, it is typical happenings and sad to say, it has lost some of its luster. Maybe if they added another sort of attraction??? Regardless, it is a must for any first-timer, especially going across via the balboa ferry.
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Review from Anita L.
4/22/2007
Hmmm now that Cee has reviewed it I might as well. We were there not long ago, perhaps a month ago? I didn't even know that they had a name for this place since it was really lame. Even lil guy didn't want to go on the ride.
On top of that, we broke one of our cameras right in front of the ferris wheel. Lil guy was holding his digital camera and looking at the ferris wheel and he dropped his camera. Couldn't get it to work again.
I don't have good memories of this place. -
Review from Jenn S.
6/7/2011
Looking for something fun to do in Balboa? The Fun Zone Rides are a great little thing for the kids, a date night, or engagement shoot (which is why I went here recently). Haha. Although the staff don't like you taking photos and aren't the happiest group of people, it's still fun! The prices are fair and it's near all the restaurants, parking, ferry, and walkable to the pier. Just be sure to check the hours before heading here. I'll race you to the merry-go-round! :)
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Review from Kira B.
Updated - 9/7/2008
It's truly the end of an era for me. The Fun Zone has removed the old black & white photobooth from the Bay Arcade and replaced it with a cheesy digital booth. I've been visiting the old photobooth for the past 9 years. Needless to say, I am quite sad. This place is not the same. The only redeeming thing for me is the old ice cream stand. Their waffle cones taste like cinnamon, which earns them 2 stars.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/23/2007
The Fun Zone has a special place in my heart. I remember a wonderful day when I was in high school… Read more »
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Review from Jimmy K.
Township of Independence, MI
10/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
nice way to view the island. friendly crew. price was right. must do! Very informative.
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Review from Edwin P.
Oak Harbor, WA
1/13/2009
I'm only giving the Fun Zone a 5 star rating due to the fact of myself remembering how it used to be back in the late 80's and early 90's when I grew up on Balboa Island. I went the the Zone every weekend and rode the coolest and of course cheesiest ride of them all the "Scary Dark Ride", it used to be a fun small place, but as it seems now it has gone downhill, the bumper cars are gone and the "Scary Dark Ride" is gone, so besides the acrades that are just "ok" it has lost it's magic and it's charm. As poster Chase A. stated "You will be missed".
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Review from Amy K.
9/25/2007
I agree with Anita...the Fun Zone looks fun from far away on Balboa Island, but it's not very fun once you are there. I enjoyed the little ferry ride across the bay better than the Fun Zone. We played a little ski ball and traded our winning tickets in for some candy. I think I'd rather go to Boomers.
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Review from Amanda M.
San Clemente, CA
super fun time with the kids.... Good place to take kids by day, and a romantic spot at night...
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Review from KitchenDick J.
King, WA
7/28/2010
Sad But True, the scary dark ride is gone, as are the bumper cars. I do however, have pictures of the ride and also a recording of the laughing track that played and could be heard outside the back of the ride. - Kitchen Dick Jones, Seattle/Huntington Beach.
