Irvine Park Railroad — Attraction in Villa Park

My family and I have visited the Irvine Park Railroad for their Easter and recently the Pumpkin Patch events, and both have been a very good experience. Nice and organized, everything seems reasonably priced for the experience that you are getting. Excited to visit them for their Christmas event. Staff is very friendly, and helpful. All children win prizes (no matter what) which is a very nice treat at their carnival games. The value is the $90 Ticket Book. It's just worth it. Tickets get you access to train ride, hay ride, carnival games, activity booth(s), and Bounce Houses. Entry into the Irvine Park Railroad itself is free so you can browse around and look and take tons pictures. Pony Rides are available, but they ONLY take cash. There is an ATM by the snack bar. Snack Bar itself is either cash or card and prices are what you would expect. Any other experiences or products there are also available for purchase individually. They also have a boat house where you can rent paddle boats and bicycles separately. Boat House is across the lake, on other side of the Irvine Park Railroad main section. Entry to the park (Irvine Park Railroad is INSIDE of Irvine Regional Park) is either cash or card. Obviously if you go on the weekend avoid peak hours to get entry into the park. So either go early as soon as they open, or go in just after the lunch hours, and the closer to the holiday the more people that will be there. So go early in the season or during the week if you can.

12.02.23: Visited again for their Christmas Event and it is a very amazing site to see. To see Santa you do need a reservation for the train, but other than that all other events are available. The...

Are you planning a birthday party at this park? I suggest you look at other options. First time doing this and even if everything went well and a had all the help I need it's still not with it. It's beautiful in not going to lie but there are a few factors to consider before making your reservation. 1. Pricing! $350 for the revenue sure you get your own spot with benches, the grill, garbage disposal and restrooms all conveniently near but your also right next to another family's party event oh but don't forget the additional $80 bucks paid to the city for a permit to host tour event. 2. Parking! Even after paying $430 your 80 guest won't have a secure parking spot at the park. We had to let our guest that hadn't arrived yet that the park was closed for two hours because it reached its maximum capacity. Our guest that had been in line for a long while were the first to inform us. 3 if your hosting a kids birthday you have to get permission for a bouncy house or for anything else you have to get a permit (which is additional $80) i mentioned. BUT it gets better! because it can't be just any one you found that rents a bouncy house no it has to either be from their approved list of vendors or the vendor of your choice must be licensed. Which they charge an extra fee on top of the rental fee just to present their license. If that's not enough you have to pay everytimme you leave the park....maye I would've had better luck if I purchased party pack from the park and served our guest burgers and...

My experience was a the weekend before Halloween. We had never been here before and it looked really fun. We got there and it was a little time consuming trying to find open parking. We figured it would be busy, but that is actually an understatement. It was beyond busy. Obviously a popular place. The food lines were very long. I just wanted water for the family but couldn't justify $3 a bottle. It was so crowded and our 3 year old wanted to ride the train so we stood in line from tickets and asked how long it usually takes to get through the line. The line was really long so if the wait was ridiculous, we would have passed. The guys said no more than 30 minutes. But the size of the line, I didn't believe it so I asked if he was sure. He said yes, 30 minutes. We bought tickets and waited in line for and hour. Our toddler was hot and tired and crying by the time we got to the front. We knew an hour wait wouldn't have been good in this heat, but tickets are non refundable so we stuck it out. We did notice a lot of line cutting and people climbing over fences to get in which made the wait longer I'm sure. I do have to say, the train ride itself (10 min ride around the park with a historical narrative of the land) was very pleasurable. The pumpkin selection was crazy good. So many. The prices were reasonable and the lady in the purchase cottage was very nice.

Overall, the park looks beautiful, I just don't really recommend it in the heat and right before Halloween because the crowds were too...