After more than a year of closure, the Orange County Great Park Balloon has reopened for flights. On Thursday, May 6, the Great Park Balloon reopened to the public, and resumed flights with modifications in place.

In a Facebook post, the Orange County Great Park shared more details about what this means for those eager to climb aboard. The Great Park Balloon will be welcoming riders on a first-come, first-serve basis. Per state guidelines, there will only be six riders per-flight.

https://www.facebook.com/orangecountygreatpark/posts/10159093662934932

“In keeping with the city’s commitment to safety, the balloon is now open for rides with safety measures in place. Rides are weather-permitting and available on a first-come, first-served basis; check in at the Visitors Center to sign up for a flight,” said the Great Park in a post on Facebook. 

Reaching heights of more than 400 feet, the Great Park’s iconic balloon offers 360-degree panoramic views of Orange County, which can span up to 40 miles in any direction on a clear day.

As portions of the Great Park reopen with modifications, the Great Park Balloon will also have a few modifications for riders. In addition to health and safety modifications, the Orange County Great Park announced upgrades to the Great Park Balloon itself, including a new covering, which is filled with 280,000 cubic-feet of helium.

All balloon riders must check in at the Great Park Visitors Center to sign a registration waiver in order to acquire a boarding pass. Riders must also remain six feet apart, and face masks are required. A parental signature is required for riders under the age of 18.

Riders under the age of 13 must ride with an adult.

While the balloon is soaring high above Irvine once again, the carousel is currently under renovation and is expected to reopen in fall 2021.

The Orange County Great Park Balloon is open Thursday – Sunday. For more information please visit ocgp.org/balloon.

Hours

Monday – Wednesday: Closed

Thursday – Friday: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; 7 p.m.–10 p.m.

Saturday – Sunday: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; 7 p.m.–10 p.m.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting Irvine Weekly and our advertisers.