Such a fun place to visit! There are so many restaurants and activities all in one area, plus…read moreparking is easy. Not too fun during the summer though because it's open parking! It's also a great spot to entertain and tire out the kids! Lol There's even a Ferris wheel, but it was way too hot for us to ride. We also found a photo booth near the restrooms ($8), which was a fun little bonus. It's conveniently located near OdySea, Topgolf, and Talking Stick, and it's super easy to get to from the freeway. If you're visiting during the summer, I'd recommend saving the outdoor walking for the cooler months and spending the hotter afternoons indoors at OdySea.

1 Star - Dangerous and disappointing experience on the Big Wheel…read more I rode the Boardwalk Big Wheel at Arizona Boardwalk today with my two young boys, ages 2 and 4. The experience was honestly terrible and, more importantly, felt unsafe. It was 105°F outside, and we were placed in the orange #15 gondola. The gondolas are primarily enclosed by glass and have no effective air conditioning. The AC in ours was clearly broken and was blowing hot air instead of cooling the cabin. Within minutes, all three of us were drenched in sweat and the heat inside was becoming extremely uncomfortable. The biggest issue was that the attendant locked us inside the gondola despite the extreme heat. We waved at her to let us out, but she didn't. We went around the entire wheel and, when we came back around, we waved again. She saw us, but still didn't open the door. I ultimately had to yell and knock on the glass to get her attention before she finally let us out after the second trip around. When we got off, I explained what had happened to the attendant. Her response was essentially an unenthusiastic, unapologetic "sorry." There was no concern about whether my children or I were okay, no offer to move us to a functioning gondola, and no refund or other attempt to make the situation right. I paid $22.71 for the ride, but the money isn't really the issue. What concerns me is putting young children into an enclosed, extremely hot gondola with a malfunctioning cooling system and then failing to respond when the passengers are clearly asking to get out. I would strongly recommend that Arizona Boardwalk inspect and properly maintain these gondolas and, more importantly, make sure attendants respond immediately when passengers are signaling that they need to exit. I would not recommend riding the Boardwalk Big Wheel, particularly with young children in extreme heat.

it was actually a very smooth experience with all slides and pools open! The workers and lifeguards…read morewere very kind and welcoming. while it can get expensive I rate it a 5 star with a clean, kind and fun experience

We are prestige pass holders. This is our 3rd time visiting. We had a wonderful time! Sure, the…read morelines are long and it is packed, but what do you really expect? It's 115 degrees outside.... There are only so many places we can go to escape the heat! Parking is free, plenty of places to get a drink from the water fountain. Multiple restrooms, plenty of slides & an awesome playground for the little ones. They have locker rentals for your belongings, if you're interested. The best part is, the water is actually pretty clean considering how many people are getting in and out! I am not sure that we will renew our passes because it's an 80 mile round trip trek for us... All in all, great value for the price if you live nearby!

So there we were, headed to Castles N' Coasters a wholesome amusement park in the desert... a place…read morefor families, laughter, and apparently, poor decision-making. Now my buddy this man reaches into his pocket and pulls out what I can only describe as a historical artifact. I'm talking a doobie so big it looked like Bob Marley himself rolled it during a greatest hits tour. I said, "Absolutely not. I am a grown man. I got responsibilities. I got a mortgage. I got snacks at home I haven't even finished yet." That didn't matter. Next thing I know, windows are up, car turns into a Dutch oven of bad decisions, and now I'm just along for the ride literally and spiritually. Somewhere between "this is a bad idea" and "why is everything funny," I lost control of the evening. We pull into the park around that magical time you know, that in-between hour... not quite day, not quite night... like God dimmed the lights and said, "Alright boys, let's see what happens." The whole place is glowing neon lights, arcade buzz, roller coasters rattling in the distance. Felt like walking into a carnival dream... or maybe a fever dream. Jury's still out. Now here's the thing about this place it's been around since the late '70s, sitting right there in Phoenix like a desert time capsule of fun. You got four roller coasters, including the Desert Storm, which sounds fun until you're on it reconsidering every life choice that led you there. Then there's the Patriot wooden, loud, and about as gentle as a bar fight. And somehow... SOMEHOW... we thought tequila beforehand was a good idea. So now we're buzzed, slightly baked against our will, and wandering this park like three philosophers who lost their notes. We're laughing at everything. Nothing's funny but everything's hilarious. A trash can? Comedy gold. A churro? Best thing I've ever eaten in my life. A child running past me? I'm emotionally invested in his journey. But I'll give credit where it's due the park itself? Clean. Staff's friendly. Nobody's judging three grown men giggling like idiots. It's got that old-school charm too arcades, mini golf, rides, the whole deal. You can bring a family here... or whatever version of a situation we were. Now the rides... oh, the rides. Let me tell you something nothing will make you rediscover fear like being slightly out of your mind on a roller coaster you thought you could handle. I got scared... not once... not twice... but a few times. The kind of scared where you start making promises to God you don't intend to keep. "I'll be a better man if I survive this drop..." Didn't mean a word of it. By the end of the night, we had the munchies, the laughs, and just enough dignity left to get back to the car without needing a group meeting. For a couple hours, though? We were kids again. No responsibilities. No stress. Just lights, noise, and pure, ridiculous fun. So yeah Castles N' Coasters might be a family amusement park... but under the right or completely wrong circumstances, it turns into one hell of a story. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just... maybe crack a window on the way there.

Castles-N-Coasters has always been a total vibe in Phoenix. My only concern with this place is that…read morethe employees do not seem to care if people are buckled in or not. So I'm always very careful when I come with my kids, especially on the bigger posters. None of the rides are super dangerous, but I would hate for somebody to fall out! So thankful that it's still there and has survived all of the businesses closing around it. Will definitely be back.

This place has been our go-to birthday spot for both of my kids for years, and we keep coming back…read morefor good reason. The train ride is a blast, the climbing wall is massive, and watching kids lose their minds on the bumper boats never gets old. The party packages are reasonably priced, which is a huge plus when you're hosting a group. They also recently added fans and misters to the party area, and it makes a world of difference especially on hot days. If you're looking for a fun, affordable spot for a kids' party (or just a family outing), definitely check this place out. Highly recommend!

We attended a birthday party here yesterday, and it was not a bad experience! My friend got the…read morehighest package for the party: which was a private area and it's own tables, play area, and grill. They were also given a set of tickets for the kids to ride on, which was pretty cool! My son was too young for the rides, but we were able to walk around. It is not a very big space, and I think there was maybe 8 rides total. The amusement park area was very clean, and the workers seemed helpful and chipper. We had a good time, and did not have any expectations when we came in, but it was pretty good. I would recommend this place for a lowkey birthday party and to rent out the cove!

beautiful splash pad AND park! absolutely awesome splash pad and park for littles to explore - lots…read moreof shaded areas to sit or set out a blanket at the park (not pictured), the splash pad is also very shaded with lots of bench space available inside to sit. So many squirt gun, jumpy pads, and little water falls for younger kids to play in and of course the awesome center structure that has slides and a bucket that dumps when full. Amazing park to spend a few hours at, the littles will not be bored. They also have concessions and very clean and nice restrooms available. Plenty of trash cans throughout and ample parking!

We came around 9:15 for a play date on a Friday, it was super hot so the splash pad was busy.. or…read moreso I thought. Not long after we showed up and started playing, a ton of other people came too. The parking lots were almost full when we got there, but I think there was an event at the swim center. My son loved the fire truck theme and enjoyed playing under the sun shaded splash pad! The only concern was the number of people that kept showing up, nobody had any room to move near the splash pad and shade became limited fast.

I had a lot of fun here. I brought my sister along and we both enjoyed exploring the grounds. We…read morearrived at 2:30pm so we missed all the fun but still go to see all the animals. The animals were up and about walking around their areas. We walked around pretty quick and made it back to the front right on time for the last safari ride of the day. The safari ride was the best. We got to feed the giraffes which I thought was super cool. Def worth the stop!

Wanting a safari-like experience, we came out to Out of Africa to see the animals on their 104 acre…read morewildlife preserve. Pro-tip: If you come on your birthday month, it's only $12 for admission which is substantial savings! I booked the expedition tour which included the general admission, Super Mog tour, and a chance to feed a tiger. The Super Mog tour is an hour long ride in an all terrain open-aired truck. You have to be at least 5yo and able to climb up the steps to get into the vehicle. They offer 2 times, 11AM or 2PM. Because it was June, I opted for the 11AM tour bc of the heat. Even though there was no AC, it was fully shaded and we didn't feel too hot. Our tour guide Robby was incredible and gave each of us a small stalk of willow-like leaves to feed the giraffes. We had the option to feed them from our hands or if we're brave, our mouths! We started off on the super mog tour visiting some apex predators like their mountain lion, hyena, grizzly bear and Robby would tell their stories and also do a live feeding. We also drove past their rhino, lions, zebras and much more. Then we got to feed the giraffes as they walked up to our vehicle. It definitely had more of a natural feel vs a zoo. Then we got some snacks, walked around for a little bit to see their smaller mammals (sloth, lemurs, marmoset) and reptiles. Lastly, we attended the tiger splash show. It was as adorable show watching the tigers play with their trainers using various toys, balloons, and meat. After the show, we got to feed a tiger through a special feeding tube and you can also request a picture with the lion. Out of Africa is also know for their popular predator zip lines where you have views of the animals and the Verde Valley. We didn't do this bc my kiddo is still quite young. We got the chance to run into the owner Prayeri who described how many of the animals were raised at a young age or rescued. There is a strong emphasis on the human-animal bond and trust at this park. Love that mission and much love to all the animals!

Love it here. Don't waste no time take the family out here. So many fun things to do!read more

Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park is not a "quick stop" zoo -- it's a full-on adventure…read moreday. First of all, this place is massive. You need time, comfy shoes, and realistic expectations because there is SO much ground to cover. Zoo, aquarium, safari park -- it really does feel like three attractions in one. The aquarium section honestly surprised me. That massive prehistoric-looking fish (looked straight out of a dinosaur era) was unreal. Between the giant tanks and the variety of species, it didn't feel like a small add-on -- it felt like a legit aquarium experience inside the zoo. The animal variety is wild. We saw everything from vibrant macaws perched up high greeting guests, to monkeys lounging in the sun, to antelope practically close enough to admire their horns in detail. The white tiger was stunning, and the big cats pacing in their enclosures definitely command your attention. You're not just looking at one or two showcase animals -- there's a LOT here. It's not super polished or ultra-modern like some major metro zoos, but that's kind of the vibe. It feels expansive, a little rugged, very Arizona. More spread out, less theme-park aesthetic. A couple things to note: it can get warm and it's a lot of walking. Food options are typical park-style fare -- nothing I'd go out of my way for. Pricing can add up with admission and extras, so plan accordingly. Overall, a solid four stars. If you're looking for a full day with serious animal variety -- from aquarium tanks to safari species to big cats -- this place delivers. Just come prepared to explore.

This group puts on great events. I attended the Halloween ride and tonight, I took my grandkids on…read morethe Christmas train ride. Everything was well decorated, and ran smoothly. There was hot cocoa, cookies, and gifts. The train rides are free although they do accept donations

This was so fun!! I really can't believe it's free! Be prepared for a little wait, and then when…read moreit's your turn, you sit in the little train and head off - at a fun speed! - for a 20 minute ride! It's fun and relaxing at the same time. :) I definitely gave a donation after because there really should be an entrance fee!! After riding the train, my girls loved walking around the little Western village and playing pretend. My only complaint is that babies can't ride if they can't walk, which was not currently stated on the website. But it's surprising because a baby strapped to a carrier on someone's chest or back shouldn't be a problem at all, but my wife had to stay back because of that.

I can not say enough good things about this place. I love coming here, the staffs are super super…read moresweet. If you spend a ridiculous amount of money on a machine and still can not win, they will help you out for sure, and you will leave feeling happy. Not sure why this place has lower average rating than the other one in Chandler, but this Glendale location is superior in every way. The claws machine aren't rigged, and the toys are very very win-able. I love coming here to play, destress, and donate to the kiddos over at PCH. When one of the staffs learned that I was trying to win more for the kiddos, she was more than willing to help make it easier. Thank you for your kindness!!!! The kiddos appreciate it ! Photo 1 in review by Minh Phan

We spent 100 dollars per ticket for 6 kids 2 adults thats 800 dollars. Altogether, we barely got…read more700 tickets. We decided to pour all our tickets together in order to get something small for the younger kids. Although these ridiculous scams, had a fun time and very nice staff. SAMUAL DESERVES A RAISE. I don't doubt that you could go and buy most of the things at this prize spot for less than what you have to spend here... Had a really fun time with my family but got totally ripped off. 3 stars

This play place is awesome! Our son has so much fun and it's great for play dates too!…read more He had his 6th birthday party here! All the kids had a great time!

Indoor joy for all! What a wonderful play place smack dab in the middle of the outlet mall. We took…read moreour 2 & 3 year olds to My Play Place for the first time and it was a huge hit with everyone! We donated a can good for the hungry and got a sweet discount so it was affordable. We signed up for 90 minutes, put on our grippy socks (bring your own or buy a pair there) and we went off the explore. My Play Place seems to have it all for various ages groups to enjoy. They have multiple ball pits for different levels, an indoor playground, cars and scooters to ride around, texture games, a coloring station, a mini grocery store, a dress up area, and lots more to keep you and the kids engaged and having fun for hours! Not only was there lots to do, but everything was immaculate and cleaned constantly. The wonderful woman in charge (whose name escapes me) was very friendly and making sure each and every thing was clean and put in its place (don't know how she does it all!). This place was incredible and we all had a blast. It'll be a place we enjoy regularly and is perfect rain or shine!