Our flagship Balboa Island destination
Once Upon an Island
Where Imagination Has an Address.
Some stories are too wonderful
to stay on the page.
Remember that place you could only visit in your imagination?
We built it.
What is Once Upon an Island?
Once Upon an Island is Southern California’s premier immersive children’s entertainment company — three magical destinations on and around Balboa Island in Newport Beach, offering mermaid, princess, pirate and Santa experiences, luxury birthday parties, and traveling character magic.
You know that feeling when the story ends and, for just a moment, you wish you could walk through the wardrobe instead of closing the book? Find the hidden fairy house everyone else walked past? Dive into the mermaid lagoon instead of watching from the shore?
We never got over that feeling either.
So we built a doorway between imagination and reality.
Three living fantasy worlds where wardrobes really open, fairy houses wait to be discovered, mermaid lagoons shimmer beneath your feet, and every hidden door invites one more adventure.
Because some places are simply too wonderful to exist only in stories.
As featured in
E! NewsPeopleLA TimesGood Day LAKTLA 5NBC 4POPSUGAROrange Coast Magazine
Three worlds. Three adventures.
Start with the world that fits your family.
Each destination offers a different way to step into the story.
Balboa Fun Zone
Mermaid Cove
Express mermaid transformations, tail reveals and photo moments — a splash of magic in your Fun Zone day. Visit Mermaid CoveOur seasonal world on Balboa Island
Once Upon a Christmas
The real Santa experience — where Santa knows every child by name. Enter ChristmasOur founder’s story
One family. Three worlds. A whole lot of love.
Our founder, Heather, grew up inside the magic. Her first job — from sixteen to twenty-one — was portraying princess characters at Disneyland. From there the story only got bigger: Disneyland Paris, entertaining aboard cruise lines around the world, and a film and television career with box-office hits to her name.
But her true love always circled back to those moments with children at Disney. Her only complaint? There was never enough time. Every magical meeting was hurried along by the next family in line.
So she built Once Upon an Island — a place where children are never rushed.
Where a shy kid (like she was) has all the time in the world to warm up. Where it isn’t just photos, it’s play. Today it’s still a family-owned business — and when you walk through our doors, no matter the location, you’ll feel it right away: we just get it. Those moments that live in your head, the things you’ve always wished for your littles — we made sure it’s all here. Why? Because we’re moms too. Every hidden fairy door, shimmering tail and treasure map was dreamed up first with our own children in mind, then built to share with yours.
And none of it happens alone. Behind every world is an incredible creative team — artists, performers and storytellers who pour real heart into every detail. Because this has never been just a business. It’s a collection of worlds, perfected the way only a parent would.
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2015
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2020
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2025
Once Upon an Island
Mermaid and princess adventures launch on Balboa Island with one goal: intimate character experiences that bring stories to life. Imagination takes flight in a setting unlike anything families have ever seen.
Once Upon a Christmas
Boldly opens in the middle of a pandemic to serve one truth — Santa should know your kids, and you shouldn’t have to watch a Christmas movie to get in the spirit. You should get to walk inside one: wardrobes, talking reindeer, magical portals and the North Pole itself.
Mermaid Cove
An express, accessible version of the magic launches at Wild Rivers water park and then the Balboa Fun Zone — our core experience packed into a small-but-mighty transformation, proving magic can happen on any timeframe.
We can’t wait to welcome your family into ours.
— Heather, Founder of Once Upon an Island
More than meeting a character
Children don’t simply attend. They transform, participate and belong.
They share tea with mermaids, join a pirate crew, celebrate beside princesses and discover spaces built to make fantasy feel completely real.
Our signature celebration
Not just a party — a story she steps inside.
Childhood memories blur together, but some moments shine all the way into adulthood — like being crowned a princess in a real mermaid grotto.
Private venue. Professional cast. Transformations, stories, activities and celebration moments led from beginning to end—so your child feels like the center of an extraordinary world and you get to enjoy it with them.
Explore Birthday PartiesBeautifully hosted for parents
A children’s celebration designed for adults to genuinely enjoy too.
While your child is completely immersed in the magic, you can settle into our gorgeously designed parents lounge with comfortable couches, bar-top seating and a dedicated full-service bar attendant available throughout the celebration.
We care for our adult guests with the same thoughtfulness we bring to every child. Enjoy complimentary handcrafted lattes, relax with friends and actually look forward to your Saturday—rather than simply enduring another crowded party venue.
Trusted by generations of families
Over a decade of making childhood feel extraordinary.
A Balboa Island gem with an impeccable neighborhood reputation — and a quiet favorite of celebrity families, whose names we’ll never drop. Every feature you’ve seen, from People to the LA Times to KTLA and NBC, came to us organically. We’ve never hired a PR firm; the magic speaks for itself.
But don’t take it from us —
Demi C.
Huntington Beach, CA
2222
via Yelp
WOW. I seriously cannot even begin to say how epic this venue is and how absolutely magical they made my daughter's 5th birthday. I literally did not lift a finger at the venue. I showed up around 8:30/845 A.M. with my daughter's cake and food for the other parents who would be accompanying their kids. I was immediately greeted and the cake, adult refreshments, and gifts were immediately whisked from my hands and set up inside.
We had a mini co-ed mermaid-pirate party. I can't say enough wonderful things about the performers. The mermaid and pirate were absolutely fantastic--fully in character, full of energy, and completely captivating for the kids. My daughter was in awe the entire time, and they truly made her feel like the star of the show.
They were incredible with all the young guests--engaging them with games and jokes that had every child giggling and wide-eyed with excitement. The mermaid was graceful, sweet, and silly while the pirate had just the right mix of silliness and swashbuckling charm to keep the little ones entertained.
I HIGHLY recommend hiring the professional photographer they offer. He was there the entire time and VERY familiar with the venue. He was totally on top of capturing all the priceless moments and he was also amazing with the kids.
The decor inside makes you feel like you flew straight into Neverland. Also-everything inside was immaculate-from the parent lounge to the bathroom.
I can't wait to go back and I HIGHLY recommend Once Upon an Island for anyone looking to add some magic to their child's special day!
Erin C.
San Francisco, CA
041
via Yelp
I cannot begin to express what a magical experience this was for our family. I was amazed at the care to detail that was put into the location, costumes, planning and experience. The mermaid and pirate who helped us were so good with kids. My son is shy and he was having an amazing time. They were so good with neurodiverse kids! My kids left feeling so special and they had the best time. It will live in their hearts for a long time.
Hana E.
Newport Beach, CA
011
via Yelp
I honestly can't believe I didn't know about this place! I did so much research for our trip to SoCal looking for fun places for kids and of ALL of the things we did (recommended by out hotel concierge!) This was far and above the absolute coolest, most magical and memorable day!!!!
The level of theming and execution of detail rival Disney and all but blow most other theme parks or venues out of the water.
My kids minds were totally blown- Our sons absolutely loved the pirate elements from the face paint, to climbing inside a treehouse hide out, playing on skull rock and more while our daughters dreams absolutely came true turning into a mermaid from head to toe! One of the main highlights was definetly making our own stuffed animals as well, SO cute!!!
As if everything wasn't already amazing enough for the kids, there is an entire parents room with couches, television, bar seating etc. for parents to relax in with free latte's and they even offered us champagne!!! I WANT TO INVEST IN THIS COMPANY! The perfection & thoughtfulness of not only the theming but the service and performances were truly just so impressive.
THANK YOU for the highlight of our trip.
Naz E.
Los Angeles, CA
1229411
via Yelp
I had my daughter's 4th birthday here. And as organized and picky as I am- this place exceeded my expectations.
The princesses are Immaculate! They looked like they are plucked right out of the cartoons. The gowns are not the cheap gowns you see - they exceed even Disneyland quality. Each princess stayed in character the ENTIRE time speaking even to each other in character.
Mermaid Chloe and Taylor helped run the show perfectly- surprise after surprise - and the best part is they are so considerate and nice. If you run a few minutes over- they don't kick you out. They help you carry your items to your car. I can go on and on - but believe me- this is the real deal.
Rick B.
Riverside, CA
0121
via Yelp
From the moment we entered it was magical! My Granddaughter was greeted by her Mermaid "Merina" who was 100% in character!! She spent every moment talking, playing, engaging with Sage (my Granddaughter). The tea party, jellyfish salon, dress up, learning to wave hello & goodbye with her mermaid tail! It was the most MAGICAL experience for Sage!
She is still talking about it!!
Extra bonus for all of you! We took the ferry across to the island. I told Sage we are going to a "magical island". It was the perfect bonus!
When we returned home & Sage was asked what she did today her 1st response was "I took a boat to a magical island and met mermaids!"
My heart it truly full!!! Worth every penny!!! BESTGrandma & Granddaughter Day EVER!!! She will never forget!
Chrissy H.
Orange, CA
1057302495
via Yelp
To start off, I never in my wildest dreams expected such a magical experience for my daughter and family. The reviews are so solid for this business, but the effort and imagination they put into the experience is just amazing.
Our visit started with Santa's wonderful helpers guiding us into the elfavator to travel to Santa's Village. Then we met a talking reindeer, and were ushered into the workshop, where my daughter was greeted by the friendliest elf. She got a super cute wooden toy car, which she proceeded to push up and down the ramp. Then, she got to pick a special Christmas stuffed toy out to keep. And if that wasn't awesome enough, we got to help her make a snow globe.
Then, the guest of honor came to see her. Ava had cried in the past with visits to Santa, but she was so comfortable the whole time. We could tell, because she sat on the floor with Santa and went through their fun little gift boxes and dumped them out and put things back in.
Santa graciously tried to read a story to her, but she was so amped, that we got through only half. Haha. Then we had some more time to explore, and got some family pics.
Overall, this was absolutely magical for us. I can't say enough nice and wonderful things about each and every person we met today. This was the most special gift of our holiday season. We are so grateful to the owners and staff of Once Upon an Island for having us today.
I encourage you, that if you can do this activity with your children, do it. I know it can be on the higher end of holiday family activities, but the memories made will last forever. Which makes it an amazing experience.
Where will your story begin?