We decided to buy tickets online, thinking it would save us some time, but despite purchasing online, we still ended up waiting quite a while, around 10 minutes or more. Surprisingly, the line for people buying tickets at the gate moved much quicker.

Once inside, though, the experience was worth it. The setup was fantastic, with some early Halloween decorations and fun mascots that really tap into your inner child. From the moment you step in, you’re immersed in a beautiful environment. The greenery and trees make the place visually pleasing, adding to the overall vibe.

There are tons of games to play, but realistically, you won’t be able to try them all, especially on weekends. The more popular games have long lines, and you can end up waiting anywhere from 10 minutes to half an hour or more, only to have 15 to 30 seconds of gameplay. While the games are a lot of fun, you should prioritize just a handful—maybe 5 to 10 games—because time goes fast. Ten is probably a stretch unless you visit during the week.

Patience is key here. If you go, make sure you’re not in a rush, and plan to spend the whole day at Gold Reef City to really enjoy it.

That said, it’s an amazing place. The games are exciting, the park is well-maintained and beautiful, and I was surprised to learn they even have a casino, a hotel, and a fun company arcade nearby. Overall, it was a great experience, but just be ready for some long waits.