Photo: Cruz Isela Contreras Rendon
Photo: Yun “雲飄飄” Zheng
Photo: Enchanted Island Amusement Park
Enchanted Island Amusement Park
★4.3(3,137 reviews)$$Amusement Park
🕑 2-3 hours for the amusement park itself, or plan a 4-5 hour outing if combining with a picnic and playground time in Encanto Park👶 Best for ages 1-8, with the sweet spot being 3-7 years old. Toddlers can safely enjoy the carousel and train rides, while kindergarteners and early elementary kids will love graduating to the parachute tower and bumper boats. Kids over 8 may find the rides too gentle for their tastes.🧡 Saved by 30 families
About
Enchanted Island is a delightfully nostalgic amusement park nestled in Phoenix's Encanto Park, specifically designed for the preschool and early elementary crowd. With gentle rides scaled perfectly for little ones,including Arizona's oldest carousel dating back to 1948,this charming park offers the magic of a classic amusement experience without the overwhelming crowds and intense thrill rides of larger theme parks.
Highlights
- ✓The historic 1948 carousel with beautifully painted horses and organ music
- ✓C.P. Huntington train that circles the park perimeter
- ✓Parachute tower offering gentle drops with park views
- ✓Bumper boats perfect for summer cooling off
- ✓Classic Ferris wheel sized just right for young children
Pro Tips
- 1.Arrive right when gates open on Saturday (10 AM) for the shortest lines,afternoons can get crowded, especially during cooler months
- 2.Purchase an unlimited ride wristband if your kids are enthusiastic riders; it pays for itself after about 8-10 rides and eliminates ticket negotiations
- 3.Bring a picnic to enjoy in the surrounding Encanto Park before or after riding,there are shaded tables and a playground just steps away
- 4.The park only operates Friday through Sunday, so plan accordingly and check their website as hours vary seasonally
- 5.Wear sunscreen and hats year-round; while there's some shade, you'll be standing in sun during queue times
Best Time to Visit
Visit on Friday mornings (11 AM opening) for the smallest crowds, or late Sunday afternoons when families with early bedtimes have left. Fall through early spring (October-April) offers the most comfortable weather, as Phoenix summers can make daytime visits quite hot.
What to Know
Rides operate on a ticket or wristband system (wristbands typically $20-25 for unlimited rides). Free parking is available in the Encanto Park lots. Food options are limited to snack bar fare, so many families pack their own picnic to enjoy in the surrounding park.
Seasonal Notes
The park closes or reduces hours during peak summer heat (June-August), so always check their schedule before visiting. They typically offer special events around Halloween and holidays with extended evening hours. Winter months (November-February) provide the most pleasant riding weather in Phoenix.
Nearby Eats
Encanto Park features picnic ramadas and grills throughout, making BYO lunch ideal. For sit-down meals, The Vig Uptown (about 2 miles away) offers a kid-friendly patio and children's menu, or grab tacos at nearby Someburros for easy, affordable family fare.
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