When you’re planning a school carnival, corporate picnic, church festival, or even a large city fair, the attractions you choose will set the tone for the entire event. One of the most important decisions you’ll make is when and how to choose carnival ride rentals that fit your audience, space, and budget. The right mix of rides impacts not just how much fun your guests have, but also how smoothly the day runs in terms of safety and crowd flow. At ACP Entertainment, we’re proud to be the largest and safest amusement ride rental provider in Michigan, offering attractions you won’t find anywhere else—like the only rental Ferris Wheel and Momentum Drop Tower in the Midwest.
Our rides are stored indoors, never left to weather for months on end like traveling carnivals, which means they stay cleaner, fresher, and in better condition. Safety is our first core value, backed by multiple in-house NAARSO-certified inspectors who check every ride both in the shop and again on-site before each operating day. While excitement is the goal, event planners often underestimate how much ride size, space requirements, power needs, and guest age ranges matter in making an event truly successful. Some rides fit neatly into small footprints, while others need more room not just to operate, but to allow for safe setup and teardown. Power is another consideration—venues rarely have the capacity to run larger attractions, so we often supply our own generators as part of our ride rental packages.
If you’re ready to choose carnival ride rentals that are right for your audience, event size, and budget, here’s a step-by-step guide to help.
Why Choosing the Right Carnival Ride Rentals Matters
Avoiding the wrong choices – Poor ride selection can lead to underused attractions, disengaged guests, and safety risks.
Prioritize safety – ACP Entertainment ensures guest safety with rigorous ride inspections and trained operators.
Match rides to the crowd – Choose rides that fit your audience’s age range and event type to maximize budget and enjoyment.
Appeal to groups – Offer a balanced mix of thrill rides, family-friendly options, and group-friendly attractions so everyone has something to enjoy.
First and foremost, guest safety across age groups is non-negotiable. ACP Entertainment’s rides undergo rigorous inspections and are staffed by trained operators to ensure every guest has a safe experience.
Matching rides to your crowd is also about making the most of your budget. From toddlers to thrill-seeking teens, every age group has different needs, and that means the rides chosen should reflect the demographics of your event. A school carnival with mostly young children won’t benefit from high-thrill rides like Momentum Drop Tower. Likewise, a teen-heavy corporate family day might not get much use out of a ride like Cruisin’ Classics, which is best suited for younger kids. Instead, a strong lineup should balance thrill rides, family-friendly attractions, and age-specific options.
Guests often attend in groups—families, coworkers, or friends—and the best events give everyone something to enjoy together. For example, the Ferris Wheel, Ballistic, and Phantom’s Revenge make a strong trio that appeals to kids (with height requirements met), teens, and adults alike. A bigger package might include the Momentum Drop Tower, providing a high-energy thrill ride alongside attractions the whole family can ride.
Step 1: Know Your Audience
Carnival Rides for Kids
Younger children need rides that are approachable, gentle, and sized for them. Most of our attractions for kids require a 36” height minimum, though a few, like the Carnival Trackless Train and Spinning Berry, have no requirement at all. These are excellent for preschoolers or families with toddlers.
Other kid-friendly favorites include Cruisin’ Classics, Frog Hopper, Ballistic, Fun Houses, and even the Ferris Wheel when accompanied by an adult. Parents often appreciate when events include at least one or two attractions that little ones can enjoy without feeling left out.
Carnival Rides for Teens
Teenagers are typically drawn to higher-thrill experiences. Popular options include Phantom’s Revenge, Mind Winder, Velocity Super Slide, Cyclone Swings, and the Momentum Drop Tower. These rides deliver the excitement that keeps teens engaged, preventing them from feeling like the event is “just for kids.”
Including a few high-thrill attractions also helps drive attendance among older age groups, ensuring your event has broad appeal.
Carnival Rides for Adults & Families
Adults can ride almost all of our attractions unless a maximum height or weight limit applies. But when planning for families, it’s important to think about rides that can bring groups together. The Ferris Wheel is the perfect example of a family-friendly carnival ride, offering a classic, scenic experience for guests of all ages. The Carnival Trackless Train is another group-oriented attraction that works well in both small and large venues.
Other versatile family rides include Ballistic, Phantom’s Revenge, and Spinning Berry. Together, these create a lineup that appeals to parents, grandparents, and kids alike.
Matching the Best Rider to Rides
The below suggestions are what we feel works best for the different age groups. It doesn’t mean that certain age ranges cannot ride the ride, it just may not be as suited for them.
Kids 3-6
Kids 7+
Teens
Adults
Ballistic Swing
X
X
X
X
Mind Winder
X
X
Cyclone Swing
X
X
X
Ferris Wheel
X
X
X
X
Velocity Super Slide
X
X
X
Phantom’s Revenge
X
X
X
Momentum Drop Tower
X
X
X
Cruisin’ Classics
X
Frog Hopper
X
X
Spinning Berry
X
X
X
Fun Houses
X
X
Trackless Trains
X
X
X
X
X – Rider can ride alone. X – Rider needs an adult present to ride.
Step 2: Match Rides to Event Size & Space
Small Events(School Carnivals, Church Picnics)
For smaller venues and tighter budgets, compact rides work best. Options like Ballistic, Fun House, Spinning Berry, and the Trackless Train bring excitement without overwhelming your footprint. Pairing one to three of these with a bounce house or inflatable slide can provide a good variety without breaking the bank.
Medium Events(Corporate Events, Festivals)
Medium-sized events often have the flexibility to mix family rides with thrill rides. A package might include the Ferris Wheel, Cyclone Swing, Phantom’s Revenge, and a Funhouse. These events also require thoughtful layout planning—leaving room for food vendors, eating areas, and ride queues is critical to avoid congestion.
Large Events(Fairs, City Festivals)
For large festivals or fairs, big attractions like the Ferris Wheel, Momentum Drop Tower, Velocity Super Slide, and Cyclone Swing create lasting impact. Add variety with Phantom’s Revenge, Cruisin’ Classics, Frog Hopper, and Spinning Berry, plus midway game trailers. ACP Entertainment also helps with logistics—staffing, safety, and planning—to ensure smooth, unforgettable events.
Step 3: Factor in Safety & Compliance
Safety and compliance are central to every ACP Entertainment rental. We maintain detailed inspection and maintenance logs for every attraction. We also provide clear signage for rules, height and age requirements.
Our sales team members can help you navigate permits and local inspections, which can otherwise be overwhelming. Weather is another factor—rides cannot operate in moderate to heavy rain or high winds. Our team is trained to monitor conditions and shut down attractions when necessary to keep guests safe.
Step 4: Balance Budget with Impact
Every planner wants to maximize fun without overspending. While inflatables are budget-friendly, they don’t create the same wow factor as mechanical rides. If your budget is limited, consider renting one marquee attraction like the Ferris Wheel or Momentum Drop Tower, then rounding out the lineup with smaller rides or inflatables.
For planners with larger budgets, attractions like the Ferris Wheel, Velocity Super Slide, Momentum Drop Tower, and Ballistic deliver high value in terms of guest excitement and crowd draw.
Step 5: Plan for Flow & Guest Experience
The way rides are arranged at your event directly impacts the guest experience. Entrances should be staggered to prevent bottlenecks, and ride queues should be designed so they don’t block pathways or food vendors. For larger events with multiple rides, ACP often provides a layout plan to ensure smooth traffic flow.
A mix of thrill rides and family attractions keeps everyone engaged and reduces downtime between rides. And while not every ride is accessible to every guest, we always do our best to make sure there’s something for everyone when building your event proposal.
Examples of Matching Rides to Events
School Carnival (small budget)
Bounce house, inflatable slide, Funhouse, and Ballistic Swing offer variety while staying budget-conscious.
Corporate Picnic (medium budget)
The Ferris Wheel, Cyclone Swing, and a Funhouse paired with inflatables ensure kids, teens, and adults all have something to enjoy.
City Festival (large-scale)
A lineup featuring the Ferris Wheel, Momentum Drop Tower, Cyclone Swing, Phantom’s Revenge, Cruisin’ Classics, and Velocity Super Slide creates a true carnival midway experience.
Why Work with ACP Entertainment?
Partnering with ACP means working with a team that puts your event’s success first. Unlike sales-driven companies, our team does not work off commission. Instead, we recommend the rides and packages that truly fit your goals, budget, and demographics.
With over 17 years of experience and thousands of successful events, ACP Entertainment is trusted by some of Michigan’s largest organizations. We bring a safety-first mindset, offer curated ride packages for every age group and event size, and save planners time by handling the details.
When it comes to carnival ride rentals, ACP isn’t just another vendor—we’re your partner in creating safe, exciting, and unforgettable experiences.
Corporate parties are evolving. Companies are no longer satisfied with just a buffet and a DJ—they’re looking for experiences that bring employees together, create memories, and engage the whole family. That’s why amusement ride rentals for corporate parties are becoming one of the fastest-growing trends in corporate event planning.
According to an EventMB survey, 85% of event planners say interactive entertainment increases engagement and satisfaction at corporate gatherings. By adding rides that adults and families can enjoy, companies create an atmosphere of fun and excitement that strengthens workplace culture, boosts morale, and sets the stage for stronger employee retention.
This guide will show you how to use amusement rides strategically at corporate events, covering the types of rides available, planning tips, safety standards, and the long-term benefits for employees and company culture.
Why Choose Amusement Ride Rentals for Corporate Parties
Corporate event ride rentals aren’t just about fun—they’re about connection. Studies show that engaged employees are 21% more productive and significantly more likely to stay with their company (Gallup, 2022). Hosting events with entertainment options like carnival rides encourages employees to relax, bond, and feel valued.
Key Benefits: – Strengthens team building in a relaxed environment – Provides inclusive entertainment for families and kids – Leaves lasting memories that reinforce company culture – Attracts higher attendance at company picnics and celebrations
Best scenarios for adding amusement rides to corporate events: – Company picnics – Employee appreciation days – Grand openings or milestone celebrations – Corporate family fun days
Types of Amusement Ride Rentals for Corporate Events
Different groups enjoy different types of rides. The right mix ensures that adults, children, and families all have a reason to participate.
Ride Type
Age Range
Thrill Level
Event Size
Swing Rides
5+
Mild to High
Medium to Large
Ferris Wheel
3+
Low
Large
Drop Towers
5+
Mild to High
Medium to Large
Mechanical Bull
6+
High
Small to Medium
Fun Houses
3-10
Low
Small to Large
Climbing Walls
6+
Mild
Small to Medium
Trackless Train Rides
All Ages
Low
Small to Medium
Carnival Slide
6+ Medium
Low
Small to Medium
Classic Carnival Rides for Corporate Parties
Carnival staples like Ferris wheels, swings, and slides never go out of style. They appeal to nostalgia, making them popular with both employees and their families. These rides set the perfect tone for relaxed corporate family day events.
How to Plan Corporate Events with Amusement Ride Rentals
Checklist for planning corporate event ride rentals:
Determine your budget (don’t skip or skimp on budget), date and time frame for the event.
Connect with our sales team to get availability, pricing and information for the rides and amusements you are interested in.
Secure the venue for your event, keeping in mind the space requirements for the rides you’d like at your event.
Sign contracts with ACP Entertainment for rides and other entertainment and confirm your vendors for tents and food.
Acquire permits if necessary (very rare but sometimes required).
Budgeting for Amusement Ride Rentals
Costs vary depending on:
Type of rides (ranging from $1,600 to $8,000 base rates per ride)
Event duration
Power requirements (generators and power distribution that we have to bring)
Location and the cost of travel
Safety Standards for Corporate Party Rides
Safety is not only our first core value, it’s woven into the structure of our operation. ACP Entertainment safety plan consists of the following:
Multiple on-staff NAARSO trained and certified inspectors
Annual inspections by the State of Michigan
In-house inspector on staff that inspects rides after they return from events
Daily inspections of each ride by our operators
Trained and qualified ride operators
Multi-million dollar insurance policy
Rigorous maintenance protocol with a zero tolerance policy regarding cracks, breaks or damage that could adversely affect the rides operation
Scheduling and Setup for Maximum Guest Enjoyment
Summer is our busiest time of year, as you can imagine, so it’s best practice to book your event at least 2 months in advance. Many of our customers are booking 6-8 months in advance to ensure the best availability of our attractions.
When your event is booked, we recommend that you leave the layout of the attractions to us-the professionals! We know the best way to layout the rides we are bringing to your event. There are multiple factors that we take into consideration when laying out an event:
Power Runs; How far away can each attraction be from the power source and what is the best way to run that power so that there are none or minimal trip hazards
How it Looks; What is the best way that we can position the rides to it looks the best to your guests arriving to the event. We don’t want to block the smaller attractions with the larger ones.
How it Functions; What is the best practical way to positions the rides so that entrances, exits and the rides features are best shown, or hidden.
Benefits of Amusement Ride Rentals for Employee Engagement
Choosing amusement ride rentals for corporate parties is more than just about having fun—it’s an investment in long-term employee engagement. When companies provide interactive entertainment, employees feel appreciated, morale is lifted, and stronger team connections are formed outside of the office. These experiences also help reduce turnover by improving overall workplace satisfaction and loyalty. Adding corporate event ride rentals to a company picnic, appreciation day, or family outing ensures that employees and their families feel included, which strengthens company culture and creates lasting memories.
Employee engagement benefits include:
Boosted morale and workplace satisfaction
Stronger team connections outside of the office
Improved retention and reduced turnover
Family inclusion enhances company culture
ACP Entertainment’s Approach to Corporate Amusement Ride Rentals
ACP Entertainment has over 17 years of experience in corporate event ride rentals and other amusements, providing safe, exciting, and memorable experiences for companies across Michigan. With a wide selection of rides—ranging from classic carnival attractions to high-energy thrill rides—ACP ensures every event is tailored to the client’s audience and goals.
Planning an event should be fun. Booking rides, games, food, music, attractions—it’s the kind of thing that sparks creativity and excitement. Unless, of course, you’re dealing with legal and risk management.
Yes, we said it.
You know who we’re talking about—the folks whose job is to say “no” before you even finish your sentence. The ones who hear “mechanical bull” and immediately imagine someone getting launched through a drywall partition like a cartoon character. Or who see “carnival ride” and assume you’ve personally assembled it with duct tape and dreams.
And hey—we get it. Their job is to ask “what could go wrong?” But here’s the thing: most of what they think could go wrong is based on outdated, misinformed, and frankly overdramatic ideas. So let’s clear the air and talk about how to plan a fantastic event without triggering a corporate panic attack.
First, Let’s Talk Safety. (Spoiler: We Take It Seriously.)
At ACP Entertainment, safety isn’t just something we slap on a brochure—it’s a full-time job. Literally. We employ multiple NAARSO-certified ride inspectors, even though we’re not required to. We have a full-time, in-house Safety Supervisor who inspects every ride before, after, and between events. And we perform thorough daily safety inspections on every attraction before operation.
We carry millions of dollars in liability coverage, exceed industry standards in maintenance and operation, and have one of the cleanest track records in the business.
In short, if safety were a sport, we’d have more trophies than Michael Phelps.
But… Your Risk Department Still Isn’t Convinced?
Welcome to the club.
Sometimes, no amount of data, insurance, or sparkling safety records will convince a department whose motto seems to be “If fun is happening, shut it down.” So, what do you do if you still want an exciting event but need to avoid giving your legal team heart palpitations?
You give them safe bets—the attractions even the most cautious departments can’t argue with.
Risk-Friendly, Lawyer-Approved Attractions
Let’s call these the “legal-easy crowd-pleasers.” These attractions bring energy and engagement, but don’t involve anyone getting strapped in, buckled up, or bouncing skyward.
Here are the MVPs of low-risk fun:
Game Trailers – High throughput, high player count, and high energy. And not a seatbelt in sight. These games are huge, have bright flashing lights, draw a lot of attention and give away awesome prizes.
Digital & Arcade Games – Zero liability, all nostalgia. Think PacMan, Pin Ball, Skee Ball and more.
Small Carnival Games (Without Prizes) – Fun for the kids, plus no one ever sues over a bean bag toss.
Yard Games– Giant Jenga, Giant Connect 4, Giant Pong. Giant fun that’s safer than a company potluck.
Photo Booths – Because the only risk here is someone posing too enthusiastically.
Casino Parties (Indoors only) – Blackjack, poker, and roulette with no real money on the line? It’s basically just fun math homework in tuxedos (we’re talking those fake tuxedo shirts, actual tux’s are way too fancy).
What About Inflatables?
Some departments are cool with inflatables. Others? They picture chaos, kids somersaulting into each other, and a parade of twisted ankles. The irony? Inflatables are often more risky than rides.
Climbable inflatables can lead to bumps and bruises simply from kids doing what kids do—running, bouncing, crashing into each other like a hundred bouncy balls dropped in the middle of your driveway. Meanwhile, rides are supervised, secured, and controlled. Guests are buckled in, monitored by trained operators, and far less likely to injure themselves from pure enthusiasm.
Still, if inflatables are frowned upon, here are a few examples of non-climbable options:
Inflatable Axe Throwing (Make sure they know that the axes are foam and Velcro, otherwise they may blow a gasket)
These inflatables are interactive, but no one’s flying off them or climbing inside. Engaging, exciting, and engineered to keep feet firmly on the ground.
Final Thoughts
Look, we love our friends in legal and risk management (really, we do). But we also love fun, and we believe the two can peacefully coexist. So next time they raise an eyebrow at your event plans, just remember: we’ve got the credentials, the insurance, and the impeccable safety record to back you up.
Whether you’re aiming for mechanical rides (we’ll help you make your case), or you’re stuck planning a zero-risk, fun-filled day that won’t send your compliance team into a tailspin, ACP Entertainment has the attractions—and the experience—to make it happen.
And if your risk department still says “no,” just remember: photo booths never hurt anybody.
At ACP Entertainment, we’ve started noticing something interesting—and honestly, pretty exciting. More and more of our customers are planning their events on weekdays, and here’s the kicker: their turnout is often higher than expected.
That’s right. While the traditional mindset leans toward planning events on weekends, the tide is shifting—and for good reason. Weekday events might just be your secret weapon for a more successful, more attended event. Here’s why:
1. Less Competition for Time
Weekends are packed. Birthday parties, weddings, sports tournaments, family obligations—you name it, it’s happening on a Saturday or Sunday. That means your event is just one of many on someone’s calendar, and it may not make the cut.
Weekdays, on the other hand, are a lot quieter. With fewer competing events, your gathering has a much better chance of having higher RSVP’s and turnout.
2. Easier to Secure the Best Entertainment
Booking your event on a weekday opens up a lot more availability—not just for venues, but also for premium entertainment options. Our inflatables, rides, and carnival games are in high demand on weekends, but weekday slots often have much more flexibility and availability. That means you often get first pick of our attractions (just make sure to book early still).
3. Great for Corporate Events
Businesses already operate on weekdays and often your staff doesn’t want to spend one more day of their week at a work function. So why not plan your event during days when your team is already working? You could shorten the work day to have the event or have the event in the evening when their families can attend. We always recommend planning work events where families can come-it’s so much better for morale with when spouses and kids can see where you work and who you work with.
4. Higher Engagement, Less Stress
When attendees don’t feel like they have to “squeeze in” your event, they show up more relaxed and ready to enjoy. We’ve heard it from our clients time and time again: weekday events feel more focused, more laid back, and more successful—because people aren’t rushing from one thing to the next.
5. It Just Works
We’ve seen the data firsthand. Our customers who plan weekday events often report better-than-expected attendance and stronger engagement throughout the event. Whether it’s a company picnic, church celebration, or school carnival, weekday events are proving to be a smart move.
Bottom Line? Don’t Overlook the Power of a Weekday.
If you’re planning an event and want to maximize turnout, avoid schedule conflicts, and get more value for your budget, consider a weekday. It might feel unconventional—but it works. And we’re here to help you make it happen.
Let’s bring the fun to your weekday event.Contact us today to start planning something unforgettable.
At ACP Entertainment, we exist to create memorable experiences through safe and innovative attractions, while providing first class customer care. It’s not just a purpose statement, it’s our way of doing business: bringing energy, excitement, and excellence to every event we’re a part of.
In addition to our purpose statement, we have a set of ten core values; Safety, Colossians 3:23, Excellence, Fun, Team, Communication, Integrity, Courageous Decisions, No Gossip and Self Employed Mindset. While many companies operate with three or four core values—and that approach works for them—we view our core values, along with our purpose statement, as a comprehensive roadmap that guides every aspect of our organization.
First and foremost, Safety is at our core-not only for our team members, but also the participants using and riding our attractions. It’s not just a word or a cliché; It’s a principle we live by in every decision we make-from equipment maintenance and staff training to event setup and operation.
Colossians 3:23 is our second core value which reminds us daily that we are working for the Lord by bringing joy to his children. Colossians 3:32 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man” and we keep that front and center, even when the going gets tough.
Our third core value is Excellence, we believe we are the best at what we do-and we stand by that! We have the very best attractions, staff and best equipment for our industry-not only in Michigan, but across the country. We’re proud to set the industry standard and then raise the bar even higher.
Our fourth core value is Fun. It’s in our DNA and literally what we do. We provide fun and bring smiles to everyone!
Core value number five is Team. We act as one cohesive unit, working together toward our mission in everything we do. The term “employee” may be the legal term, but “team” and “team member” paint a much more accurate picture-one we fully embrace.
Communication is our sixth core value and boy oh boy, do we do a lot of it. We believe that over-communicating is better than under communicating. We’d rather something be seen or heard too often than not enough.
Our seventh core value is Integrity, something that should go without saying yet a value that we hold especially dear. Integrity to us means honesty, respect, and living by the Golden Rule; Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Sometimes we face tough choices, and our eighth core value, Courageous Decisions, empowers our team to make them. Not all decisions are popular, easy to make, or fun-but they’re necessary. We choose to be confident in our choices, even when faced with uncertainty, doubt or fear.
Our ninth core value of No Gossip is our way of saying that we don’t tolerate rumors or talking down on each other. We spread positivity all around and address concerns directly.
Finally, we encourage every team member to have a Self-Employed Mindset. This doesn’t give them unlimited power over decision making, but rather empowers them to think, “What would the owner do?” or “If I owned this company, how would I want this situation handled?”
At ACP Entertainment, our purpose and core values aren’t just words on a wall—they are the heartbeat of our company. They guide how we serve our clients, how we support one another, and how we continue to grow as a team and as leaders in the event entertainment industry. By staying true to these principles, we ensure that every event we’re a part of isn’t just fun, but meaningful, safe, and unforgettable.
ACP Entertainment is taking the thrill ride experience to new heights—literally! We’re excited to introduce our newest attraction, the Momentum Drop Tower, a 30-foot-tall, heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping experience that will leave riders craving more.
What Makes Momentum Drop Tower Special?
Manufactured by Altitude Attractions in Logan, Utah, this 2-seat launch and drop tower is packed with innovative features that set it apart from other amusement rides. With a bumping sound system and vibrant lighting effects, Momentum brings a whole new level of excitement to thrill-seekers of all ages.
But what truly makes this ride revolutionary is its randomized ride programs. The operator selects the program, but the riders won’t know what they’re getting! Will it be a gentle ride for beginners? A medium-intensity drop for those easing into thrill rides? Or will it be a wild, unexpected freefall experience that leaves riders breathless? The mystery factor makes every ride unique, setting Momentum apart from anything else in the portable amusement industry.
A Ride with a Story
Originally introduced as “Hammered” at IAAPA in 2021, this ride made waves in the amusement industry and even won the prestigious Brass Ring Award. Initially designed as a park model attraction, the first trailer-mounted version debuted at IAAPA in 2023. ACP Entertainment is proud to own the third-ever trailer-mounted Momentum Drop Tower, and we are the first to rename it—a fitting name for a ride that launches riders up and pulls them down faster than gravity itself!
Designed for Maximum Fun
We worked closely with Altitude Attractions to enhance and customize the Momentum Drop Tower, adding:
✔️ New and innovative ride programs
✔️ Bright and engaging lighting effects
✔️ Bold, high-energy colors
✔️ A powerful sound system for an immersive experience
The result? A ride that is not only thrilling but also visually and audibly electrifying!
Who Can Ride?
Momentum Drop Tower is designed for both kids and adults, making it perfect for events of all kinds.
Looking to bring big thrills to your next event? Momentum Drop Tower is available for rent anywhere in Michigan and Indiana. Whether it’s a festival, corporate event, fair, or private party, this ride will be the highlight of the day!
With a new year comes new attractions that you can bring to your event! This year we are especially excited about our brand new 30 foot tall thrill ride called the Momentum Drop Tower. Also new for 2025 is Cruisin’ Classics, a kiddie ride that accommodates up to 26 riders at once under a colorful 26 foot umbrella. We are also introducing a few new inflatables like Arctic Plunge, Soccer Fever, 30′ Obstacle Course and Dual Axe Throwing. Carnival games are also joining the lineup with the Mad Dog Dash midway game trailer, Basketball Toss, Snake Pit, Mega Fish Bowl Toss and Mega Plinko. Finally we are adding multiple new mini golf courses to the lineup including a glow in the dark mini golf course!
Check out all of the new attractions below. What new attractions will you bring to your event in 2025? We look forward to another spectacular year of Memorable Events!
New Website!
First and foremost, you may or may not of recognized our brand new website! With better navigating functions and an overall updated look – this is sure to be a much more friendly browsing experience when you’re planning your next event!
Rides
Momentum is a 30 foot tall drop tower that is brand new to the market! This drop tower attraction not only drops riders faster than the speed of gravity, but it also sends them flying up into the sky! Momentum is a great attraction for tweens, teens and adults alike.
Cruisin’ Classics is a kiddie ride filled with motorcycles and classic cars that spins around under a giant 26 foot colorful umbrella. This attraction is being completely refurbished in house by our incredible maintenance team and is set to be completed in March of 2025. This attraction can accommodate up to 312 riders per hour and is built for kids only.
Games & Activities
While not totally new for 2025, Mad Dog Dash made a late arrival in 2024 and so for many of our customers this is the first time they are seeing it. Mad Dog Dash is a one of a kind game trailer (only one ever made!) with a scoreboard that’s analog in function by featuring dog balls that drop from the ceiling. Each ball acts as a point. To score points, users will roll another dogs ball up the alley and into the dogs mouth. Every time they score, they gain more points! Mad Dog Dash is unique in the way that it is a “center” trailer, meaning it opens up from all sides and is commonly placed in the center of an event.
Lets glow golf! Introducing out brand new glow mini golf- a portable blacklight 9 hole mini golf experience. Every hole of golf comes equipped with battery operated UV LED strips that illuminates the UV reactive carpet, golf balls and putters. We also will position black lights around the room for additional ambient UV rays to make everything glow! This attraction is for indoor use only and is best suited for adults.
With the smashing success of our first Gem Mining Experience setup, we decided to add another! Now you have the choice to choose between the double sluice or single sluice (this one) gem mining setup. Kids can find their treasure from a bag of “rough” filled with dirt and sludge but only when mixed with water will they discovered the diamonds in the rough! See what we did there?
We are also debuting our Putt Putt Mini Golf Challenge, a complete 9 hole mini golf course with pop up obstacles. This mini golf course is great for all ages and is great for indoor or outdoor events.
The Mega Fish Bowl game is a 4 foot by 4 foot square that multiple players can be using at the same time. This game has rotating fish bowls so that when a ball gets into a fish bowl, you simply just turn the entire row of fish bowls over. Pretty neat! This mega game has a total of 42 fishbowls on it-plenty of chances to win a prize!
4-Way-Fairway is a new golf experience that you’ve never seen before! 4 players putt the ball at the same time down the lane, up the ramp and into the square section where there is one singular hole. The player to score first wins! Or if you don’t want it to be as competitive, just a single hole of golf with 4 lanes in an X or + layout is just as fun.
Rounding up the new games for 2025 is Snake Pit, Mega Plinko and Basketball Toss. On Snake Pit, players will navigate a marble through a maze with the hopes of getting the marble all the way to the end of the track. Mega Plinko stands almost 6 feet tall and challenges users to pick a lane that they think the puck will land in. Will it land in their chosen slot? If so, they win! Basketball toss is a fun mini basketball game that’s more challenging than it looks!
Inflatables
Race your friends through this 30 foot inflatable obstacle course, a perfect size for smaller kiddos but still a great attraction for teens, tweens and adults. This 30 foot inflatable obstacle course features blue, grey and orange marbled vinyl making it an extremely unique and one of a kind attraction.
Can you score a goal on Soccer Frenzy? Players will kick the soccer ball towards the backdrop with hopes of getting the ball into the labeled holes valued at different points. It’s a lot harder than it looks!
Slide with an adorable polar bear and his companion penguins down the slide-what an arctic rush! This very attractive slide will surely to be a hit at your event with the size and design alone, not to mention the 2 individual slide lanes. This is a dry slide only and is not made for use with water, snow or in below freezing temperatures.
Embrace your inner lumberjack with our Dual Lane Axe Throwing. This axe throwing inflatable is the same design as our other inflatable axe throwing games but two lanes in one. Now we have a total of 4 axe throwing lanes for your event! As always, these are not real axes but yet foam axes wrapped with final and velcro to make it stick on the target.
We’re excited to bring you so many amazing attractions for 2025 and we hope to speak to you very soon about your event! Remember, we book up fast so please do not delay in getting your events planned.
Are you wanting the feel of a Las Vegas casino at your next party or event but don’t have the budget to fly your entire guest list to Vegas? Bring the casino party to you with our casino party rentals! Now we obviously can’t bring the total atmosphere of Las Vegas to your event, but we can sure bring the casino games and the dealers directly to you.
At ACP Entertainment, we offer casino party rentals to the tune of a variety of casino game tables, the dealers to operate them and of course setup and delivery. Our event specialists will work with you to determine what and how many casino tables to bring to your event that fits well with your guests and your budget.
The games that we offer include Poker (Texas Hold ‘Em), Blackjack, Craps, Roulette and Money Wheel. Poker and Blackjack are the most popular games in terms of people who know how to play them. After that, Roulette is the next favorite and understood followed by Craps. Many people don’t understand the odds of Craps and Roulette, but especially Craps. Craps has what seems like a million different payouts which is difficult to learn and understand. Roulette has many different payouts as well but the player will typically only bet on what they understand. The most pictured games by far are craps and roulette. The giant roulette wheel and then pictures of someone throwing red clear dice across the table are iconic! Money Wheel is an alternative game to all of the others because it’s very easy for new players to understand and it takes very little math and no skill. It’s a great add-on if you think that you may have guests that may not be interested in learning other casino games.
Generally we recommend booking tables in this order: Blackjack, Poker, Roulette, Craps. For example, if we were to book 5 tables for an event, we’d probably recommend 3 Black Jack, 1 Poker and 1 Roulette table. If you had 8 tables, we’d recommend 4 Blackjack, 2 Poker, 1 Roulette and 1 Craps. These recommendations vary but as you can see, we recommend leaning heavily on blackjack as it’s the game most are familiar with and it’s fun to play.
Why should you consider booking a casino party?
Fun for All Adults: Casino parties are not just for the experienced gamblers. With games ranging from poker to blackjack and roulette to craps, there’s a casino game for everyone. Whether your guests are casino aficionados or novices looking to try their luck, the inclusivity of a fun casino party atmosphere is attracting for most any partygoer.
Social Interaction and Networking: Casinos naturally foster social interaction. The dynamic and engaging nature of casino games encourages guests to interact with each other, fostering a lively atmosphere. This not only enhances the overall enjoyment of the event but also provides an excellent opportunity for networking in a relaxed setting.
Themed Decor and Atmosphere: A casino-themed event offers the opportunity to decorate in a glamorous and sophisticated way. The classic red and black color scheme, along with iconic casino decorations, instantly transforms any venue into a high-energy entertainment hub. The immersive atmosphere created by the thematic decor ensures that guests are transported to a world of excitement and luxury.
No Gambling Risks: Casino parties operate with no real money, just chips. Having no real money elements involved eliminates the financial risks associated with real gambling and thus relaxes your guests and makes them more apt to learning and trying something new. It’s all about the entertainment value, making it a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Professional Dealers: To enhance the authenticity of the casino experience, our professional dealers run each game for you. These experienced dealers not only ensure that the games run smoothly but also provide guidance for those who may be less familiar with how to play. Our dealers are fun too, not stingy boring and serious dealers like you may find at the casino. Just like there’s no stress on the players end, there’s no stress on the dealers end-it’s all play money!
In Michigan, casino parties are completely legal when those events do not involve actual gambling with real money. This distinction ensures compliance with Michigan’s gaming laws, allowing individuals and businesses to host casino-themed events without running afoul of any legal restrictions. There are ways to play with real money but that involves getting the Michigan Gambling Control Board involved. The only events that the MGCB grants temporary gambling permits is established 501C3 organizations. For more information about legally retaining permits for a casino event with real money, visit https://www.michigan.gov/mgcb.
In the world of event planning, the key to success lies in creating experiences that leave a lasting impression. Casino parties offer a winning formula by combining entertainment, social interaction, and a touch of glamour. Whether you’re aiming to impress clients, celebrate a milestone, or simply provide a night of fun for your employees, a casino party is a sure bet for an unforgettable event.
Tis the season to spread joy and merriment, and what better way to do so than by planning an unforgettable Christmas party? Event planners, get ready to elevate your holiday celebrations with unique and engaging ideas that will leave your guests in awe. This year, consider adding a dash of excitement to your festivities with arcade game rentals, casino party rentals, and the cool charm of a synthetic ice skating rink.
Arcade Game Rentals: Fun for All Ages Kick off the festivities with a blast from the past by incorporating arcade game rentals into your Christmas party. Classic games like Pac-Man, pinball, and air hockey provide nostalgic charm, while modern options like skee-ball and driver games add a contemporary twist. Arcade games offer a fantastic opportunity for guests of all ages to compete, collaborate, and, most importantly, have a jolly good time.
Casino Party Rentals: Roll the Dice on Elegance Transform your Christmas party into a glamorous affair with casino party rentals. Create an atmosphere of high-stakes excitement with professional dealers, authentic casino equipment, and a variety of games including poker, blackjack, and roulette. Guests can try their luck with play money, adding a touch of thrill without any financial risk. The sophistication and social interaction fostered by a casino-themed event make it a surefire way to make your Christmas party stand out.
Synthetic Ice Skating Rink Rental: Glide into the Holidays Dreaming of a white Christmas? Bring the magic of ice skating to your event, regardless of the weather, with a synthetic ice skating rink rental. Perfect for indoor or outdoor settings, synthetic ice rinks offer a realistic skating experience without the need for freezing temperatures. Guests can twirl and glide amidst a winter wonderland, creating lasting memories and capturing the essence of a traditional holiday season.
Trackless Train: All Aboard the Festive Express Renting a trackless train ride that mirrors the enchanting allure of the Polar Express is a great addition to a Christmas or holiday event looking to create a magical and festive atmosphere. The whimsical charm of our train creates an immersive experience that transports guests of all ages into the heartwarming world of holiday wonder. Imagine the joy on children’s faces as they embark on a journey reminiscent of the beloved storybook and film, complete with festive decorations, cozy seating, and perhaps even a visit from Santa himself (there’s another idea for you!). Such a unique and memorable addition adds a touch of nostalgia and excitement to the festivities, creating lasting memories for attendees.
This holiday season, let your creativity shine as an event planner by incorporating these unique and festive ideas into your Christmas party. From the nostalgia of arcade game rentals to the elegance of casino parties and the enchantment of synthetic ice skating, your guests are in for a treat. Unwrap the magic of the season, foster joy and camaraderie, and make your Christmas event a cherished memory for years to come. Happy planning!
AHH! You were just tasked on planning an event, why you said yes-you have no idea, but now it’s all on you! THE PRESSURE IS MOUNTING!!! Ok, now take a deep breath…and relax. You’ve got this! Be honest with yourself, you can do this because you’re not alone. You have a company or multiple companies that will do the hard work for you. Do you know what that means? They do the hard work and you take the credit! Boo ya!
Now let’s get down to business. This article is the guide you need to start planning your event, a checklist if you will. A checklist with a load of information from a guy with over 16 years of event planning experience. My name is Ryan Strayhorn, founder and president of ACP Entertainment. I’m going to give you a semi-deep dive into the event planning process giving your tips and tricks that I’ve learned over the years with the more than 7,000 events our company has produced. Now this list is definitely catered towards outdoor events, but indoor events can take note of these points too. Ready? Let’s go.
Budget: What’s your budget? Before you even start to plan, get a budget. Don’t have one? Make one. This is crucial! Without a budget, you’re throwing darts in the dark after spinning a circle 10 times.
End Goal: What is it you’re trying to accomplish and who are you catering to? Are you planning a company picnic, festival, school event? What’s the main demographic-adults, teens, kids? Obviously this determines where you go, what time the event is, what food you serve and what activities you bring in for the event.
Location: Where is the event going to be? Will it be outside at a park? In your parking lot? Or possibly inside? When choosing a venue, there’s many things to keep in mind. We won’t go into detail here because it deserves it’s own blog article…which we have! Check that out by clicking here.
Venue: Depending on the venue, you may need a tent because some sort of shelter is a must. Not just because of rain, even though that’s a great shelter for rain, but also sun. There’s nothing worse than having an outdoor event in the middle of Summer when it’s 85 degrees out and there’s no shade. Not to mention, you want some tables and chairs for the food you’ll serve so a tent is a must if you don’t have a shelter. Regarding tent sizes, you don’t need to have enough seating in the tent for everyone that signed up to come to your event. Let’s say your event is 4 hours long and you have 100 people coming. Seating for between 40-60 people (depending on how many people each size of tent holds) is just fine. If you plan on having everyone in the tent for some sort of ceremony though (which is totally not recommended, people generally don’t care), then yes you’ll need enough seating for all of those people. Some great tent vendors in West Michigan that we often use are B-n-T Tents, Alpine Events, Kentwood Rental and Baker Tent Rentals.
5. Catering: Determine what food and beverages you will serve. This is a loaded question and quite possibly one of the most fun things to do but don’t get caught up in it. Instead, trust what the experts recommend and don’t micromanage. Remember, these vendors you choose are professionals and they have a good idea of what may best fit your event. If you’re in West Michigan, some caterers to check out would be Distinctive Catering, Gilmore Collection, Maddalena’s Catering, Catered Creations and many many more. One big note, food trucks are NOT catering service. We love food trucks and aren’t hatin’ on them, but they aren’t made to cater large scale events. If you have 20-30 people at your event, yea a food truck or two may work. However, if you’re planning any event larger than that, use a catering company that is very familiar with serving a lot of people in a small amount of time. The last thing you want is angry attendees because it took 25 minutes in line waiting for food. Where food trucks would be ok at larger events is in the dessert category. We love Kona Ice and always recommend them as a desert option!
6. Activities: This is the fun part because it’s all the fun stuff! It’s also our specialty, obviously. So you have your date and time, a budget, your venue and food. What else are people going to do but come, eat and leave? Time to plan the activities! Your attendee demographics plays a pretty big role here as well in determining what kind of activities you should bring into your event. There are entirely too many activities to talk about here, but some ideas are as follows; Games, Inflatables, Carnival Rides, Band, DJ, Casino Tables, Arcade Games, Juggler, Magician, Dunk Tank, Side Show Acts and Yard Games. You should also adding at least one take-away item activity in which your guests will actually leave with something, besides food in their bellies. Some takeaway ideas are Caricature Artists, Face Painters, Balloon Artists, Gem Mining, Wax Hands, Photo Booths and Fun Food items. Your activities is another area in which you should rely on the professionals for, like us! We recommend that our customers give us the information above (date/time, budget, location, demographics) and let us propose some options for your event. Use our experience and knowledge to your advantage in planning the best activities possible for your event and within your budget. Having ideas to bring to the table is great too and if we don’t have it, we’ll do our best to point you in the right direction or find it for you.
7. Power: Now on to the necessary, but boring stuff. First up is power; where is the electricity coming from to power everything for your event? It’s very possible that your venue has some of the power available, but sometimes that falls short to your actual needs. We have an entire blog article written about power if you’d like to get into more detail, read that article here. An average venue will have 110v power, if any, but it will be on a building most likely and potentially limited in quantity. If you have rides and inflatables out in a field, you’ll need a generator. In fact, you may need a generator for other activities and entertainment as well. There are different types of generators you can use but we typically recommend using larger diesel powered generators because they are ultra quiet. This compared to the small portable generators that are extremely loud. Click Here to watch a comparison video of the two different types of generators.
8. Trash and Restrooms: People generate trash and need to use the restroom, your event is no exception. Make sure you’re providing plenty of trash cans and restrooms for your event. The amount of trash cans and portable restrooms depends on a few factors. To mention a few, will there be alcohol served? Will there be food served? How long is the event? How many people will be in attendance? These questions will be asked when talking with the trash/restroom company so make sure you’re ready with those answers. The best company in the West Michigan area, and the only company we refer our customers to, is Plummers Disposal. Plummers provides the best and cleanest portable restrooms, restroom trailers, trash cans, dumpsters and hand washing stations in West Michigan.
9. Music: Have you ever been to an event where there’s no music? Just the sound of people talking, generators running, cars passing by on the street? Blah! Get some groove going! The music doesn’t need to be blaring, it doesn’t even have to be a band or a DJ, but music is pretty important to the atmosphere of events. You can absolutely bring in a DJ to spin some tunes or a band to play live music, but those options are fairly expensive. Unless the music is a focal point to your event, then you may want to consider just having a small sound system with music playing off an iPod or something similar. PLEASE don’t use your phone, it’s so embarrassing and awkward when your phone rings or you get text message, email or any other sort of notification. The notification plays over the loud speaker and everyone can hear it. Feel free to ask us about sound system rentals, if we can’t help then we can point you in the right direction depending on your needs. Please note, your everyday Bluetooth speaker is not big or loud enough. It may sound loud enough inside, but outdoors for a large group, it’s no good outside of a 20 foot radius.
10. Clean Up: This is definitely the worst part, but it’s not so terrible if you have a plan going into it. Making sure your event is cleaned up afterwards is crucial. If you’re at a venue where they do it all for you, great! But you don’t have that luxury everywhere. Put together a cleanup crew to help you tear down and clean up the event when done. Make sure you have a line item in your budget to cover clean up costs, even if it’s just little thank you gifts for your volunteers that stayed to help.
11. Spread the Word!: Or in other words, marketing. Get the word out to your guests about the event! How to do this is completely dependent on your situation. Posters, emails, web pages and Facebook event listings are all potentially good options to promote your event, again depending on your situation. Another thing to consider is if you want your guests to RSVP. In most cases for private events, RSVP’s are pretty crucial to know how much food and seating you’ll need. You’ll have a pretty good idea of what you’ll need depending on the type of event and how many people are in the company/school or organization. But a RSVP definitely helps you plan a little better. Don’t get fully tied up in that RSVP number, we find that usually only 70%-80% of the people that RSVP actually show up. Don’t take it personal when it happens, just be ready for it.
Safety and compliance are central to every ACP Entertainment rental. We maintain detailed inspection and maintenance logs for every attraction. We also provide clear signage for rules, height and age requirements.
The way rides are arranged at your event directly impacts the guest experience. Entrances should be staggered to prevent bottlenecks, and ride queues should be designed so they don’t block pathways or food vendors. For larger events with multiple rides, ACP often provides a layout plan to ensure smooth traffic flow.
features that set it apart from other amusement rides. With a bumping sound system and vibrant lighting effects, Momentum brings a whole new level of excitement to thrill-seekers of all ages.
