Visited Hangar 18 on a weekend in December 2025 with a group of total beginners. Tyler led our orientation and made it fun, clear, and not intimidating at all. They offer both top-rope climbing and bouldering, and both require an orientation--which I appreciated as a first-timer. I was surprised by how many people were bouldering, from novices to very experienced climbers. There's also a small gym with basic equipment. Overall, it was a fun, spontaneous activity for a random free day--kind of like bowling, but more physical and engaging. Definitely requires some strength and problem-solving. Would absolutely come back! read more

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Our friend bought a few $25 Groupons for a 30 min the beginner's bouldering class and had invited us to try this place. My daughter and 2 of her friends wanted to try this place out. Well, the 30 min class turned out to be only a 5 min introduction to the rules of the rock climbing place and the only technique taught was how to fall. The instructor hastily dismissed the kids and said "Have fun". That was basically it. i thought the class would cover more bouldering techniques. I have just pulled up the class description (see pic). Had I seen this while we were there, I would've spoken to a manager about this. This is not right at all. The instructor only spent 5 min with our kids. There was only so much the girls could do on their own with that inadequate 5 minute "lesson". It could have been a fun playdate if they were given more instructions so they could've done more than climbing up 3-4 steps on just the 2 easy routes. 1 star and not likely to return. You did not deliver what was promised and wasted our time and 25 bucks each. Poor business practice. Thumbs down. read more

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This was my parties first time climbing, and it was overall an amazing time and a great learning experience! The manager, Tyler, made us feel very welcome, was a kind person, as well as giving our party confidence in climbing. Despite my fingers being shaky and now hurt when I flex them, it was a great experience, and I recommend to those who are feeling brave. read more

I've been wanting to try rock climbing for a while, so I was glad when I found a Groupon for this place! I came with a friend and I wasn't sure what to expect but oh man it was way more fun than I anticipated,we spent about 2 hours and enjoyed every minute of it! We had the honor to be trained by Tyler, who is so down to earth and knowledgeable. I'm definitely adding this to my monthly things to do for a fun workout! read more

Hangar 18 - Arcadia - Rock Climbing Near Me - Arcadia, California

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Been coming here for years, even been here before Hangar 18 absorbed them. They have slowly upgraded the gym over time. Repainted the walls. Redid the floor padding. Added more and more gym items in the back room. Air circulation fans. Only thing we lost was the yoga room which became storage for the facility. Maybe not the worst loss as it was an oven in the summer with the west facing concrete wall against the afternoon sun. The front area has a really tiny auto belay area that basically stays empty due to the low height. This place is known for it's bouldering. Used to be known to build some really strong climbers but the setting has changed since the lead setter went to touchstone gyms a couple years ago. Staff is always friendly and super chill. As the only gym near me, it's my go to gym for weekdays. read more

I've been looking into some new hobbies and rock climbing was on the list. I picked Hangar 18 Arcadia as the facility to give it a try. They required first timers to sign some waivers and complete an orientation class. For the class, I was able to book a slot on their website. I went around 2pm on the weekend and it was a lot of people. There is a parking lot on the side. For the check-in, it was straightforward. They accepted payment right after check in. American Express was accepted. If you need rental shoes, they offer some at the front as well. For the orientation, it wasn't really a class with a big itinerary. It was more of a basic climbing best practices and focuses on safety. Afterwards, they allow you to free climb at any walls. Overall, the facilities seem like a great place to climb. It's definitely a busy spot, so expect to wait in between climbs, especially on the weekends. As a beginner, it might be a good idea to pair up with a friend/expert. read more

Great for first-timers! Did the intro class this past Monday was pretty nervous about heights, but the staff here is amazing. They walk you through all the gear and techniques so thoroughly that the nerves just disappear. The atmosphere is super welcoming and non-intimidating. Great for the whole family! Definitely ready to come back for more. Highly recommend! read more

Hangar 18 - Arcadia - Rock Climbing Near Me - Arcadia, California

Sets have been way too hard for an average or beginner climber. Been going here for a while, not sure if there's a new setter, but since the last year, even V3s have been harder to complete (i'm usually V5). Went to Orange Hanger and had way more problems that i can attempt and eventually send. Hope Arcadia can offer more do-able problems for more average climbers. read more

I bought an Intro class for Auto Belay (with rope) and found this an amazing experience. The staff was friendly and was able to give a quick introduction then just left us so we can enjoy our time there. Everyone at the location was super friendly and understanding. The staff was also very patient with me. He told me to let go of my hands and just kick the wall, but I was scared and he guided me through a few times before I was brave enough to do as told. Would definitely come back when I get a chance. Heard from one of the regulars: they change the walls every 6 weeks (all of them, they change one wall here and there every week). This really requires brain as well as strength! Even just for 2 hours being there, I was burned out and my fingers and toes couldn't handle it anymore. Regardless, still fun. Was able to capture a lot of precious moments. Give it a try and see from there if you're hesitant! read more

Hangar 18 - Arcadia - Auto Belay (one of the walls compared to the other) - Rock Climbing Near Me - Arcadia, California

One of the best climbing gyms I have been to. The staff, especially Miko and Nate have been super helpful and extremely friendly. The gym is well maintained and the rout-setting is a very unique and rewarding experience. Would recommend 100% read more

Great place if you know how to climb already. The instructor gives you a quick class on how to climb if you don't know how to and showed you how to fall but the place was fun and had a decent amount of walls to climb. It was also clean , they had a cool little lifting gym as well. definitely will be coming back. read more

We visited Hangar 18 as part of our StayCation where our main goal was to try new things during our time off from work. Neither of us had ever tried indoor rock climbing before and so this qualified as a new experience. We called ahead to book our time slot for orientation/training since this is mandatory for first time visitors. You will need to sign all the waivers and acknowledge that if you get hurt, that is on YOU. We understood the risks and signed our life away. We opted to train on the Auto-Belay system and learned in the beginner area and then we were left to do whatever auto-belay options we wanted. It is challenging and fun to learn how to navigate the various walls, and each one was its own little puzzle to solve. The beginner area got us feeling confident and then we moved on to a harder area and quickly realized we had a lot to learn. We couldn't make it very far on the intermediate area, and had a good time failing in this area. My forearms were toast by the end of the visit, but we had fun and learned more about this sport. We stayed for about two hours, but your mileage may vary. If you are interested in trying something new, give it a chance! On a side note, the provided climbing shoes were not very comfortable, but I dunno if that is normal for climbing shoes or not. My toes felt cramped but maybe I should have sized up. read more

Hangar 18 - Arcadia - Rock Climbing Near Me - Arcadia, California

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the combination of very stiff/tough mats and poor DYNO route settings makes for a terrible injury waiting to happen. I sprained my ankle for the first time here after multiple attempts at a dyno and as I'm reflecting, if i had landed the way at any touchstone gym i would've been fine. mind you, it's not a skill issue I've landed many insane dynos but you live and you learn though. I would highly recommend AGAINST going to this gym simply because of the very very bad dyno route setting and tough mats. Go to touchstone. Workers are friendly but the main attraction at the end of the day is rockclimbing and they fail to bring the fun I crave from fun and safe dynos that you can get at touchstone. read more

Need a last minute adventurous Friday night date? This is your spot. It was my first visit and I was offered an intro class and rentals, $35 in total. I started with a waiver or two and watched a safety video. As soon as I got some hiking shoes on, the intro class begun. They taught us the very quick basics and more importantly... How to fall. For someone who hates falling, I definitely had to practice this more than the actual climbing. It was worth it though. Got used to the padding and attempted more beginner-intermediate color levels! As intimidating as it first looked, it was a pretty sweet date night. The front desk workers were awesome and approachable. I believe Patrice was the one who taught us? She was patient and cool. Appreciated her tips! She almost convinced us to get a monthly! Although we left without a membership, my boyfriend and I agreed this was a good spot to have in rotation for some solid quality-time. A little pricey to pick up as a hobby at the moment but we'll definitely come back. Pro tip: Tired of the heat? The way they air out this place is very cooling and perfect for catching the sunset as you climb indoors. Ironically, it does almost make you feel like you're climbing outdoors. Get your climb on, yelpheads. read more

Hangar 18 - Arcadia - Rock Climbing Near Me - Arcadia, California

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Fun rock climbing experience with bb. I highly recommend. The instructors are super chill and knowledgeable. If you like climbing and had too much energy sometimes, you need to try rock climbing. read more

The climbs here are fun and creative, and definitely challenging! They change the routes pretty often. There's also a small top rope area with an auto belay system. It's a pretty small gym but there's definitely a good amount of stuff you can try so you can spend a couple hours here per session. read more

5 stars for Max making my first time doing auto-belay as an adult a great experience and for his co-worker being friendly and customer service-oriented as well. I signed up for the required orientation class. They were very chill when I called that I would be a few minutes late and when I needed the bathroom as soon as I got there. I struggled with going down in a safe correct manner. Both workers gave me instructions on what to do and tips. When I completed one okay enough I was allowed to continue on my way climbing, but was basically nervously staring at the wall and being awkward since I still wasn't comfortable, Max took the time to walk me through it. I really appreciated being taken from just getting used to the concept of let go hands, then feet from the very bottom and once comfortable, just go up one level/to the next rock set. I apologized for wasting his time and he said it was his job, not to worry. And he encouraged me to take things at my own pace, that it's okay if I need to take it slow or redo it over and over to be comfortable. And that even if it looks that way, most people don't just immediately get it. Thanks to that, I ended up slowly working my way up the first wall practicing "falling" (should I call it descending?) correctly. This gave me the confidence to try other routes and use this same method. I felt so much more calm after this and excited. I went from wanting to leave and feeling bad about myself for not getting the technique ASAP to spending majority of those three hours (if you do the auto-belay class, it comes with a day pass) I was there on the walls to the point that I am now bruised up and in a lot of physical pain, but got so much joy out of it. I'll just pace myself next time LOL read more

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If you have kids under 18, Hanger 18 makes you go through a crazy amount of hurdles before hitting the gym - even for self-belay and bouldering. Maybe that's why they have 18 in the name?? Hit up The Stronghold instead!! read more

Great for second visit and so on but the first visit was very confusing. The front desk just sat there chatting to one another and did the bare minimum for first timers to sign the waiver and that's it. Nothing was explained about logistics of membership and stuff. The intro class was great though and it has everything you need about climbing. After the first time at Hangar, you basically know what to do. This gym is relatively new and clean. Can't deny it's a great environment for climbing. Just that the customer service is not beginner friendly at all, otherwise if you just go there and climb, it's a good gym. read more

Hangar 18 - Arcadia - Rock Climbing Near Me - Arcadia, California

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Hanger 18 is a fantastic rock climbing gym that caters to climbers of all levels! The gym gets bigger as you walk in, but it is still a small to medium-sized place. Despite the limited selection, the variety of climbing routes available is impressive. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced climber, you'll find plenty of challenges to keep you engaged and motivated. The gym was packed in the evening, which made it feel lively and energetic. However, there were only two workers, and they seemed very busy and on the go. When you arrive, you need to sign two forms and then watch a video. The video is in a separate room, which feels a little weird, and it's long and boring. They also make you wear special shoes. After the video, you need to demonstrate that you know how to fall properly, as they will test you on that. Once you get past the initial process, the climbing experience is great. The climbing walls are diverse, offering everything from bouldering problems to top-rope and lead climbing routes. There are even auto-belays for those who want to climb solo. The variety ensures that you can always find something new to try, which keeps the experience fresh and exciting. The staff at Hanger 18, despite being busy, are friendly and knowledgeable. They took the time to explain the different routes and gave me tips to improve my climbing technique. Their passion for climbing is evident, and they go out of their way to make sure everyone has a great time. The other climbers at Hanger 18 are really nice, and there are great groups of people. There is an etiquette when going onto the rock climbing wall, but you will quickly pick it up. The sense of community is strong, with climbers being supportive and friendly. It's easy to strike up a conversation and get tips from more experienced climbers. The gym also has excellent facilities, including a well-equipped fitness area, a lounge space, and clean locker rooms. The fitness area is perfect for warming up before a climb or for doing some strength training. The lounge is a great place to relax and socialize with other climbers, and the locker rooms are always clean and well-maintained. In terms of pricing, Hanger 18 is very reasonable. They offer a variety of membership options and day passes, making it accessible for everyone. They also provide rental gear, so you don't need to worry if you don't have your own equipment. Overall, Hanger 18 offers a great climbing experience. From the fantastic climbing routes to the vibrant community, it's a solid choice for climbers. I'll definitely be returning for more climbing sessions and to continue improving my skills! read more

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Tried climbing for the first time and it was actually pretty fun! The instructor was super friendly and patient with me--even though I was a bit difficult since it was my first time. The rest of the staff was also very welcoming and made the experience more comfortable. The process was fairly self-explanatory, but I was still a little nervous. Not sure if I'd come back since this type of activity isn't really my thing, but I can definitely see why people enjoy it. read more

Signed up for an intro class online and filled out the waivers and watched the orientation video in advance. Went on a Sunday around noon and got free parking in their lot. Checked in easily and paid for our intro class which was $35 per person and included rental shoes. We were directed on instructions, a safety overview including how to fall, and where the cubbies were to put our shoes and belongings. Did a few V0 and V1 as a beginner and people were very respectful of giving a good amount of space( taking turns etc. people here were nice. read more

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This location is fairly small, but makes good use of the space available. This location accomodates for auto belay (harnessed climb with no spotter required) climbing and bouldering(climbing with no harness). The team there is very easy to work with. Casual friendliness, and genuinely concerned with safety. I opted for a membership and did introductions for auto belay and bouldering (again, these are the two activities specifically available at rhis location) The introduction classes are brief and cover the basics needed to understand, and require participants to demonstrate a easy climb to make sure lessons are applied. If you do the introduction class the day pass and rentals are included, but if you have the membership the introduction classes do not need to seperately paid for. Membership also grants access to all Hangar18 locations (most likely I will only be going to this location for the foreseeable future out of convenience) There is a small gym near the restrooms. With a bench press, leglift/pullup station, and a grip wall for practicing hanging pinches. I just realized where this was the other day I have not used it yet. read more

Place was so small and not worth the price. Workers are so condescending and unprofessional. The worker just had his nasty feet on the desk while I was signing the waiver. Just save the trouble and go somewhere else. read more

I purchased the Groupon for Hangar 18, and scheduled a intro to the auto belaying class. Pros: - easy to book online - good for beginners - chalk available - friendly staff Cons: - small facility - parking lot is small, limited street parking - lots of forms, waivers to sign. Additionally a 10 minute intro video must be watch. Overall, good experience. It's quite small compare to other climbing gyms I've been to. read more

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Been coming here weekly for my climbing adventures and it has been so fun. If you are a first timer even if you are someone's guest, be sure to make a reservation for a mandatory intro class, watch the safety video, and sign all the waivers before coming in. It'll make everything a lot easier. You can find everything in this link here: https://climbhangar18.com/arcadia/first-time-visitor/ I would say the grading on the routes in this hangar are a little more difficult and it is one of the smaller hangar gyms out there. Their belay section is very limited and the bouldering section is sufficient. The gym section is separate with a few pull up/tricep dip/ab bars, a bench, few dumbbells, rings, and hang boards. It gets pretty hot in Arcadia in the summer and there is no AC in the gym so keep that in mind. The service is great although it's often just one person working everything so the wait might be longer if you need help/service. read more

Hangar 18 - Arcadia - Inside - Rock Climbing Near Me - Arcadia, California

I think I found a new hobby. Who knew I would like this as much as I only imagined it to be. Thanks to one of my friends they taught me the ropes of climbing. I was able to make it to the top for a handful of the contraptions. Parking: near the back of the building. Entire vicinity enclosed by a gate. When you enter: bright, spacious, colorful, and clean. What you'll do: Check-in (if you're a member) you'll scan your card, you can check in guests (1 time pass) or a fee after the next visit. Fill out a waiver form. Grab a pair of climbing shoes (they need to be well fitted and no spacing at the front the close fit will let the rubber traction at the front keep you planted to the rocks, keep in mind to not put them on if you need to go to the bathroom first, which I highly recommend doing before climbing!). Ask for some chalk, you will need this to combat the sweat. Head over to the walls! What they kept in mind for you: Cubbies for your belongings, sanitizer and lotion for your well being, scales in the bathroom for physical checks, tampons and pads for the women (love this!), nice and upgraded feel washrooms, funny signs that remind you to be well mannered around the place. Mentally prepare: You will need to fall. And you will fall either gracefully or kerplunk onto the soft pads. Just make sure you aren't close to the wall when you jump off. Practice doing so by climbing a foot from the ground. There are walls farther in the back that include rope walls. You will wear a harness, this will ensure to catch you. You will find labels on some of the rocks that say "start, 2nd starter" something along those lines, this is where you place your hands, place your feet where you prefer. The "V[insert number here]" stands for the corresponding level, from beginner to advanced". Get a feel/grip for the shape and texture of the rocks. The more angled the wall the harder it will be, so be kind to your soul and start off small haha This kind of sport usually gets a reputation for being "risky" or "dangerous". But with all extreme activities you must proceed with caution and learn to properly climb. The risk is up to you but it is kept to a minimum. You want to make sure to use your chalk to prevent micro tearing of the skin. Watch out for how tired your body can get, especially your wrists and fingers. Take rests in between climbing! Watch others while you wait for your body to recover, it's a perfect learning opportunity. If you're afraid that you need to know more about safety, ask the staff! Start: Keep in mind once you choose a climbing route, hold only the rocks that are color coded with that route. It's not mandatory but it will be considerate for other climbers who are waiting to have fun too! When you're waiting, make sure to look around for other climbers and be careful not to get in their way. You do not want to get smashed. My favorite part: Facing my fears. Climbing new heights, reaching the top, and looking down to see how far I've come but also how far I need to jump down. What a rush! Other: What to wear? This sport requires a range of motion. So wear something you can move often in. You will also sweat so keep that in mind. Kids also have fun here! Happy climbing!! read more

Hangar 18 - Arcadia - Rock Climbing Near Me - Arcadia, California

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I've been going to Hangar 18 in Arcadia and love it! The routes are harder than they look. Very challenging for someone with a short reach. read more

Hangar 18 - Arcadia - Rock Climbing Near Me - Arcadia, California

Score: 8.5/10 Buzzwords: Great Distribution of Routes, Good Location, Small but Cozy Came here on a Wednesday morning around opening with a buddy of mine and save for 4-5 others, we had the entire climbing gym to ourselves. Having climbed at the Hangar 18 in LB and Orange before, I found myself really enjoying the routes here. In equal and ample supply were the technical and straightforward routes which I feel lends itself well for beginners as well as for those such as myself who find themselves returning back to climbing every few months for short stints. At $22 for a day guest pass, a community chalk bag, AND located by REI? Sold. Overall, while I'm unsure how well this place could support a weekend rush due to the sheer overall size, this little gym packs a major punch. There are plenty of auto-belays for high altitude climbers and yet still a great distribution of fun routes throughout the bouldering areas. read more

My daughter really enjoys this place, I would recommend brining kids here ages probably 3-4 and up. Great exercise and build confidence. read more

Hangar 18 - Arcadia - Rock Climbing Near Me - Arcadia, California

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I visited hangar 18 with my 6-year-old daughter and her two friends, met Ari at Arcadia location when we walk in to register. I appreciate her patience to answer all my questions in the process of registration of the membership. She also displayed a knack for teaching my daughter and her friends. She is very friendly and her happy energy makes the learning fun. For those considering a visit, especially with children, it's worth noting that Arcadia location has more array of equipment for kids, enough number of auto belay ropes which are fantastic for little beginners. Upland location is also nice as you can clime much higher than Arcadia but keep in mind there are only two auto belay ropes, and the Anaheim location, might not have these facilities. Check out before you go to ensure the best experience for your little climbers. read more

First time climber here and I had a positive experience with the brief training class and the actual rock climbing was fun. The walls have different difficulty levels for what seems to me like all types of fitness and expertise. I greatly appreciate that in COVID times, folks are wearing masks indoors (staff and guests), and the fact that the large door to the warehouse-style gym stays open and air flows makes this place feel safe. Shoes and gear rental for auto belaying included with the training class which was great. A cool place, will be back! read more

I've been here twice as a very beginner climber. The first time I used the auto belay machines and the second time I bouldered. The first time I came, I had to pay for an intro course about how to harness safely for the auto belay. Workers are friendly and neither time has been too busy. There's a parking lot right behind. I was concerned about the heat, since I came on a very hot day with friends and half of the building is open, so there's no AC. The fans and air flow were actually good enough to not feel hot, but also we came in the morning. There's community chalk, which is nice so we don't have to pay extra for that. There's also a mini gym and bathroom area that was convenient. Not sure if it's comparable with other climbing rates, but the second time I got in for free as a guest of a member. read more

I've never been bouldering before unless you count the mini walls at chuck-e-cheese. But other than that this is my first time. My friend told me about how much she enjoys it so I decided to give it a shot. She checked me in with her guest pass which was nice, there was a good amount of walls to learn from. But personally I just started with the V0-V2. This was honestly a lot harder than it looks to be but so freakin fun. Absolutely puts your upper body to work no joke. Watching my friend she was literally a pro and so glad to have her push me and get me to come out to try it out. Woke up pretty sore the next day but would love to do it again soon. We wen't around 4pm and it got pretty packed around 6pm. Workers there are all so friendly and encouraging. The whole community there are all just so supportive of one another which I loved. Worth the time to check out! Was tough in the moment but honestly with more time and practice, it'd get more manageable! Getting to the top and getting down was probably one of the more scary parts. read more

It was my first time doing auto belay / rock climbing in general, and the Hangar 18 staff did a great job in teaching me and my friends the basics! I signed up for one of the classes through Groupon for a discount, and it was relatively easy to redeem the voucher and book the class through their site. The class includes everything you would need, including rental shoes and harness. Me and my friends have never tried auto belay before but the staff was really patient in explaining things to us and encouraging us, such as when we had trouble getting ourselves down using the rope. It was much easier than I thought in terms of the general concept but it definitely isn't easy to actually do for those of us with less upper body strength/ weaker grips. Other minor downsides include like not having AC as others have said, but it wasn't too bad with the fans. Also no private lockers, so they run the honor system with the cubicles. That's where it's nice to go with a few friends to look over stuff or to hold your phone, or even help you look for where to put your foot etc. There isn't really another place like this in the SGV area as far as I know, so it's nice to have a gym like this for local beginners to try out. But I can see why some people dislike the place because it is small, and later in the day it becomes packed with people waiting around. read more

Getting there: Located on the corner of Santa Anita and St Joseph street. Parking can be found on the street and around the back of the gym. Experience: I love Hangar gyms and this one was no exception. I love that the front of the gym has a garage door pull up. It makes the gym feel bigger and allows for more air flow. I found some challenging v1's I was working on for the day; pretty bummed I don't live closer to continue working on it. This gym has a workout room and some snacks you could purchase at the front desk. read more

We had a great experience climbing here. I got the Groupon for auto belay class and it was well worth it - Mark was a helpful instructor and it was a good and supportive atmosphere. The climbs were fun and beginner friendly - although I've climbed in the past, it was a few years ago and I was pretty much starting fresh again. read more

I really like this location, the climbs are super awesome and well planned. Some are 2 climbs in 1, which is an AWESOME use of their space. Their facilities are overall really clean and I'm really happy I stopped by between work sites while traveling. I will def be back! read more

If you start climbing here or just switch to climbing here regularly, you'll get really strong. A lot of the problems are sandbagged, but don't worry. This will make you a strong and technical climber. The setters really know what they are doing and out of many gyms across the country I feel like the setting here translates really well to climbing outside. Great and inviting staff! read more

Great place for some fun time. Luke was very friendly and helpful! It's a lot of fun and good workout. After 15-20 mins of instructions we were on our own having a great time. Awesome staffs , Highly recommended. read more