Kiddie rides bring out the inner child

Danette Goulet

T

FAIRGROUNDS -- It was a trip back to my childhood -- although some

debate whether I’ve ever left it. We rated the biggest and newest rides

when the Orange County Fair opened, but what about that other carnival --

Kiddie Land? I decided if anyone needed a rundown of what rides to hit

and which to miss, it was children. So, if Mom and Dad only give you so

many tickets or limited time, here’s what’s out there. Each ride reviewed

was rated on a four-star scale, with one being the worst and four the

best.

Flying Bumble Bee Ride: These little insects are adorable but not the

most comfortable carts. Once everyone is secured, which is double-checked

by the ride operator, the bees start buzzing around. There are a couple

of buttons children can push -- because children love to push buttons.

Riders are in for a huge letdown, however, when they discover that the

joystick to move the bumblebee up and down is bogus. Riders must be 3

feet tall and have three tickets to ride.

Rating: **

Swings: Red plastic swings, which seat two, spin passengers around and

around. It’s not so fast that riders get nauseous, but it is quick enough

to be great fun and cause a cooling breeze. Caution: As the little girl

in front of me found out, you may loose your flip-flops on this one.

Riders must be 3 feet tall and have three tickets to ride.

Rating: ***

Super Slide: This one is great. Big and little riders can get some

good speed going. Some of the lighter patrons can catch air on the third

bump. Children, take a hint from Nick, the 4-year-old ahead of me in

line: If your potato sack is too heavy or awkward to carry -- just turn

around and hand it to the adult behind you -- that’s what he did. Sliders

must be 3 feet tall and have two tickets.

Rating: ****

Ghost Pirate: Possibly the worst ride I’ve ever been on. It’s hot,

smelly and extremely lame. The first sight that greets riders is two

breaker boxes followed by a skeleton in a plastic case next to an exit

door, which was ajar. Two more plastic cases with skeletons and visible

speakers are the extent of the ride. You must be 3 feet tall to endure

this and give up three tickets.

Rating: *

Kiddie Bumper Boats: Since the possibility of sinking a kiddie bumper

boat was too mortifying to contemplate, I asked Alexis Moore, 6, what she

thought. Alexis said it was lots of fun, especially because she got to

steer the boat.

Her Rating: ****

Little Dipper Roller Coaster: All the screaming I heard from riders

got my attention. It’s a great introduction to its big brothers out

there. The first big hill whips riders around and the rest is rather

sedate. Its caterpillar counterpart next to the Silver Streak looks to be

a wilder ride. You must be 3 feet tall and have three tickets to ride.

Rating: ***

House of Mirrors: This is never outdated. It was fun when I was a

child and it’s still fun now. A few wrong turns and a painless face plant

into a mirror or two make this a riot for everyone. Any size works as

long as you have two tickets.

Rating: ****

Ferris Wheel: Forget the huge and boring Ferris wheel in the adult

park -- this is the real thing. Riders are out in the open air, the view

is spectacular, and it even rocks -- although that’s not allowed.

Rating: ***