Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition, Inc. — Attraction in Doral

I love the fair I go every year. Every year my experience is slightly different. As due to being bigger now I cannot ride as I used to for safety issues but it is fair. Regardless I enjoy it. First off I'd definitely say if you haven't been to the fair in years don't expect it to be the same. I loved last years 'christmas edition' very calming and cute. and if they manage to do a twice a year fair instead it would be amazing.

However if ur planning to go here's what to expect this year.

-Parking Parking attendants that dont always listen. Handicap in front Or paying for preferred parking if you want to be pushed to a closer parking spot. Otherwise be prepared to walk. -Admission You go to pay admission. Lines are shorter than ever. Price is higher than ever. They do have an $8 before 6 coupon which u print before hand. Which was great for spring break since they open at 12 but not very factible when they open at 4 the rest of the time. First year I was not checked at the door just pass through metal detector. No bag check like all the years before. -Rides Some usual standard rides are long gone. Many rides are repeated and there are definitely less. Lines are long after 6. -Food As far as food the options are less varied and no more $5 cheaper booths like other years. If you plan your visit you will find a $6 before 6 food list ( which is not super factible since they open at 4). However you will see this list contains mainly small items. Corn desserts. Fries. The only thing close to food u can find on that more affordable list is a combo of a cheese pizza and drink. You can take other years cup for $4 refill. Everything else is definitely more expensive. -expo The expo is at its emptiest ever. They have the usual booths at the entrance. Then you reach the middle and that's where all the kiosks are to buy little souvenirs and things you may like. The smallest number of booths I've ever seen and set up super inconvenient for the sellers. As a buyer you have to go out of ur way to search. When before it was basically on the way. After that you reach the usual tables. Fighters, cops, safety things. Behind which there if just open space with computers. You pass some desert kiosks and you reach the open space before the exit. Here is all the project you are forced to see as you pass. ( this part was more convenient for the kiosks). After the exit where there was usually kiosks there is none and then you reach the pets and farm. -Parade, stilt walkers, otritch man, clowns, etc. All of these are in the areas stated in the lists. And they definitely roam longer than ever -shows Circus is okay every year different. There are no longer bleachers. There is now chairs zip tied together and not very accessible for bigger people which can make the whole experience uncomfortable. Ice skating show is as beautiful as ever. Probably one of my favorite additions. They still have the pig races. And musical performances. They now have pogo stick jumping which is cool. Shows are super nice. All at the times in the list. My only thing would be that during spring break there was less show times compared to after when it was open longer.

Overall I'd say I love it. Very fun and chill. But they can definitely do some crowd control if they opened as long and earlier as in...

I immediately saw changes for the better, this year, upon approaching the entrance. Fair staff was outside the gates directing the flow of foot traffic through the entrance, ensuring guests with special needs were sent to the stall with accommodations. Others were directed to insure no one gate was overwhelmed with guests while others were empty. Metal detectors and bag searches were done, QUICKLY BEFORE approach to ticket Booths.

Photogs at the entrance were mindful of the background that would appear in group photos.

Who doesn't love the fair? I always have, the rides, the food, the shows! Just being there was like days from my youth!

Today, I'm a senior woman with more than my share of mobility issues. My kids took turns pushing me around in a wheelchair. I brought my own, but they are available to rent, along with scooters and wagons. The pathways are clear of trash (thanks to the workers who walk the park tirelessly, constantly sweeping up.). Cables from the rides and food trucks are all kept behind the attractions so there're no obstructions in the path.

The bathrooms are clean and well stocked, attendants ARE ATTENTIVE, offering whatever assistance may be needed.

My family and I so enjoyed, the circus, the pig races, the petting zoo, and Beatle Maniax! With the exception of the petting zoo, each venue had Handicapped accommodations and fair staff to guide us.

We ate, shish kebab, Saratoga (ribbon) fries, icecream, cotton candy, candy apples, hamburgers, popcorn, corn dogs, all of which were fresh and delish!

All of the rides had appriate advisories on the physical effects of that particular ride on the body and cautions for riders with certain conditions. That said, the very few rides I rode, an enclosed ferris wheel, a rolling haunted house, and the sky glide, all ran smoothly with no glitches. The attendants with American Midway were all kind, clean, neat, and so accommodating!

I honestly felt like they took it as their personal responsibility to ensure guest safety and enjoyment. The experience one might see from a family owned and operated carnival. Like they had a personal steak in the operations. At every ride, there was an extra hand extended to help me on and off the rides. On the sky glide, attendants stopped the ride for us to safely onboard, they affirmed that we could ride round trip without the need to exit and re-enter, and made the extra effort to call ahead to the other side to advise we were comming, round trip.

To be fair, we did not ride during peak hours, which might preclude their ability to offer such accommodations, but it was such a joy and comfort to see that behavior as the go to when they could.

I would personally like to thank the organizers. This time with my family was more than just the money we spent, the food we ate, and the shows we enjoyed.

These were precious moments spent together that we could never get back for a redo, and they were made all the more cherished due to the contributions of hospitable team members, who represent The...

12/4/2021 saturday was chaotic. Arrived 6:00 PM to Coral way, parked at 7:40PM, accessed the premises 8:30 PM Left 11:42 PM

1. Entrance for parking took over 1 hour to be able to access the premises
2. Online purchase should make access faster and easier. It did not. Long lines to access due to metal detector screening, ( which I agree on screening) but lines were not properly delineated, so onsite purchase buyers mixed with online access lines. Took 1/2 or so to access this area.
3. Then you needed to redeem your rides in a white tent, in which there was a group next to the white lane tent in which sold rides cash only or Supermarket brand in which lead to miscommunication and blocked access to the redeemable section for rides. This lead to another 20 minute delay to access the rides.
4. Ride lines were not properly controlled not sectioned, therefore kids that went on rides cut lines and went over and over again without any control from staff. As per staff member, he was alone and did not have enough help to control. People stood in lines for at least 1 hour. Worse than Disney, Therefore Lack of supervision and staff.
5. At 11:00, kids were able to ride on 1 ride only due to the amount of people in lines and uncontrolled line cuts, so we decide to leave the premises.
6. At 11:10 while walking to exit, a stampede started running everywhere, people saying there had been gun shots, families desperate to leave the premises, crying and jumping the fences, hiding behind the complex trucks and walking through wires which connected the games. People found their way out, not knowing what was going on. Families with children, babies, teens and toddlers. Again, Lack of staff members and security. Place was overpopulated. We were able to exit.
7. This was the last time that my kids will attend to this Fair, Paid $ 106.00 for 1 ride and left with a bitter taste for what should have been a time to remember.
8. Not...