OC Fair 2023: These rides are worth the price

Jul 10, 2023

Pretty soon now, the Orange County Fair will end its four-week stretch and pack up for good until 2024, calling it quits on Aug. 13.

Of course, a proper goodbye entails one last sweep through the fair’s amusement rides, and if you’re planning on saying sayonara to the fair this week in person, there are a few we think you shouldn’t miss.

While we can’t objectively say which rides are the best, we can say this: There’s something for everyone.

To make your decisions a little easier, we’ve compiled a list of our favorites, depending on what you’re looking for.

Perfect for the Family

My pick is the bumper cars, a tried-and-true classic. I mostly went on for the bit (I was about two feet taller than the average rider), but I can’t deny that it’s a fun time, both for the kids and the adult spectators. The level of control on the bumper cars is low, and paired with the mostly-child drivers, it’s a hilarious sight. Who wouldn’t enjoy spectating 5-year-olds with road rage?! Ranking on the lower side of ride costs at four tickets, the ride will leave plenty of tickets for other rides, making it a must. This is a guaranteed good time for kids and adults alike! -DE

I took on the “parental figure” role for bumper cars where I watched Dorothy from the sidelines as she navigated her vehicle. It was truly the highlight of my day to watch a bunch of children bond over a common goal, to trap Dorothy in a corner.

While your spectator perspective might not be as eventful, I think bumper cars are a fair classic for a reason. It takes me back to the excitement I felt as a kid on the day I was finally tall enough to drive a bumper car at Fun Zone on Balboa Island all by myself. Nothing compares to the feeling of freedom while you drive a bumper car with the intention to knock into as many other vehicles as possible, even if it’s only for a few minutes. – CB

For the mellow-minded

I highly recommend taking the Sky Flyer, the OC Fair’s lift from one side of the fairgrounds to the others (conveniently taking you from the KidLand section of the rides to the Main Carnival area). First of all, I’m all for the practicality of this ride: On a hot summer day, there’s nothing like getting lifted to your next destination. Being that high up, there was a lovely breeze as I watched the fair’s happenings from a birds-eye-view. For five tickets, this one-way lift was definitely worth it. -DE

There are plenty family friendly rides in the Festival Fields, including the Kite Flyer. It got a little repetitive, but I did enjoy being able to lie on my stomach as I soared through the air with a nice breeze. The four tickets are worth it, especially if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be Superman flying through the air to save the day. – CB

For the thrill

By far, my scariest experience was the Joker 360, a flying, twisting stomachache waiting to happen. Even better, it’s new to the fair this year. The first few twists give you lots of direct eye contact with the ground, flipping upside-down so often that you can barely get a grip on what’s happening. And as if that isn’t enough, you’re in for a surprise when the seats start rotating as you’re being violently rocked in the sky. It was our most expensive ride of the day, costing eight tickets, but if you’re looking for a thrill, this is the one. -DE

If your favorite part of a roller coaster is when it makes you go upside down, Endeavor is the ride for you. It starts off similar to a carousel before it gradually lifts you up at an angle. It’s fun, quick and worth the six tickets. You might be a little dizzy getting off but nothing a quick rest in the shade can’t solve. – CB

With a friend

You’ve got to try the Rave Wave, but you better be ready to get really close with your partner: It’s almost impossible to avoid being tossed together. In this six-ticket carousel-style ride, duos are put in booths and spun in circles as the ride speeds up and goes over a series of bumps. If that isn’t enough, a booth cover pops up midway through, leaving you in the dark as you fight the dizziness. Carolyn and I truly brought new meaning to what it means to be co-workers as we collided and could not fight the forces to separate as the ride sped up. Get ready to belly laugh. -DE

I thought I knew what to expect from Rave Wave having ridden a similar ride at the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival. Nothing could’ve prepared me for this experience. If you sit on the outside, be warned, your seating partner will be flung toward you and there is nothing either one of you can do about it besides accept your fate and laugh.If you are looking for a calmer alternative, the Big Top Swinger allows you to be paired up and be able to chat as you get a bird’s eye view of the fair for five tickets. – CB

Final thoughts:

If you’re going on a Wednesday or Thursday, invest in a wristband: It will grant you unlimited rides for $49. To put that into perspective, it’s normally $50 for 40 tickets. Especially if you want to try some of the new, more-thrilling rides, you’ll find that 40 tickets can be spent pretty fast.

Be sure to wear closed-toed shoes, wear sunscreen and take a picture of the map when you enter the fair for the smoothest experience. – DE

We found the lines to be relatively short when we arrived in the morning and began to lengthen in the afternoon.

Fair food doesn’t necessarily mix with rides so I’d suggest bringing in some of your favorite fruits to help stay fueled throughout the day, personally, I love an apple sauce pouch. Hydration is also key so bring a water bottle, which you can refill on-site. We found a refill station at the entrance near the Festival Fields. – CB

There’s more to see on Instagram

We aimed to ride as many rides as our stomachs could handle at the OC Fair this year. Watch the Reel below to see our quick takes on each ride.

A post shared by OC Register (@ocregister)

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