Carousel Arden Fair, Heritage Amusements
3.9(14)3.9 out of 5 stars, 14 reviews Sacramento, CA
About Carousel Arden Fair, Heritage Amusements
A traditional carousel located within the Arden Fair mall, primarily offering a classic, short amusement ride for young children. The overall experience is heavily influenced by the specific staff member on duty, with significant inconsistency reported.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: **Quick Mall Break with Young Children:** A convenient and short traditional ride to entertain children while shopping at Arden Fair.**Children Who Enjoy Carousels:** Suitable for kids who appreciate the simple charm and movement of a classic carousel ride.**Infants & Toddlers (9 months - 3 years):** A 9-month-old was present, suggesting it's suitable for very young children who can ride with adult supervision.**Young Children (4-8 years):** A 7-8 year old was riding, indicating it's popular and appropriate for early elementary school-aged children.
Why families love it
- One specific older white male attendant is consistently praised for being super nice, polite, always smiling, and waving to children, creating a very positive and welcoming atmosphere.
- **Engaging Male Attendant:** The presence of a specific older male attendant who is consistently polite, kind, and actively interacts positively with children (waving, smiling) significantly enhances the experience.
Insider tips
- **Inquire About Adult Rider Cost:** If you plan to ride alongside your child, explicitly ask about the cost for an adult rider before committing, as this policy appears to vary by staff member.
- **Be Prepared for Inconsistent Staff Experience:** Staff demeanor can range from exceptionally kind to extremely rude and impatient; your experience may depend on who is working.
- **Consider Timing for Noise Sensitivity:** If your child (or you) is sensitive to loud noises, be aware that music levels can be excessively high, potentially impacting the enjoyment.
- **Advocate for Children with Disabilities:** Parents of children with special needs should be prepared to advocate for their child's needs due to reported instances of staff impatience and disparate treatment.
Good to know before you go
- **If You Prioritize Consistent, Friendly Staff:** The high likelihood of encountering a highly rude and impatient older female staff member (mid-50s, short dark hair, possibly glasses) makes the experience unpredictable and potentially unpleasant.
- **Parents of Children with Disabilities:** If staff patience, understanding, and inclusive treatment are crucial, consider alternative venues due to reported negative experiences.
- **If You Expect to Ride Free with Your Child:** Be aware that some staff may charge an additional fee for an accompanying adult, so avoid if you are unwilling to pay this or expect it to be free.
- **During Loud Music Periods:** If your child is sensitive to very loud music, avoid visiting when 'Mary the shift leader' is on duty or when music is played at full blast.
- A particular older, Caucasian female staff member (mid-50s, short dark hair, possibly glasses, potentially 'Mary the shift leader') is repeatedly described as extremely rude, impatient, miserable, and prone to yelling at children even after the ride has stopped, causing discomfort and anger.
- Crowds
- Can be quiet at times, with reports of 'nobody in line waiting nor on the ride.' No specific peak times were identified, but being in a mall, weekends and holidays are generally busier.
- Value
- Inconsistent adult pricing: an adult riding with a child may be charged an additional fee depending on the staff member on duty, which can be an unexpected cost. One parent noted the ride seemed shorter than previous visits, implying variable value for money. No specific child ride price was mentioned.
- Food
- Not explicitly mentioned. As it's located within a mall, mall food court policies likely apply for food consumed nearby, but the carousel itself doesn't offer food or have a specific policy mentioned.
- Accessibility
- A significant concern was raised regarding an older female attendant's 'lack of patience' and 'discrepancy in treatment' towards children with disabilities, suggesting a lack of adequate training or willingness to accommodate special needs. No positive accommodations were mentioned.
- Safety
- Riders are required to remain buckled during the ride for safety, although the method of enforcing this rule by one particular staff member was heavily criticized as inappropriate and overly aggressive.
What parents say
"Went for a visit yesterday during our day out with my 9 month old. There was an older, Caucasian lady possibly mid 50s with short black/dark hair to her ears & possibly wore glasses, who was working the register (didn’t catch her name nor did I care to with her bad attitude). She was extremely rude, impatient, & seemingly miserable. She had no patience for those little kids & lacked basic customer service skills. Towards the end of the ride when it started slowing, a young girl, who couldn’t have been older than 7 or 8 yrs old, unbuckled her belt & sat sidesaddle, calling for & waving to her "
9 months ago
"Disappointing Lack of Patience Towards Children with Disabilities As a concerned parent, I must express my disappointment with the lack of patience displayed by an older, Caucasian female attendant assisting children, particularly those with disabilities. It's disheartening to witness the noticeable discrepancy in treatment between neurotypical children and those with special needs. Every child deserves equal respect, understanding, and patience, regardless of their abilities. It's imperative for all personnel working with children to undergo proper training to ensure they can provide the sam"
a year ago
"Went there today with my niece for the first time. The older white male attendant was super nice, i regret not getting his name. He always waves his hand to children in the carousel. He looks tired but still puts a smile on his face and is very polite. I hope employers are treating him right. Thank you sir, whoever you are."
a year ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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