RE: Highly anticipated ( first) family camping trip ruined.
Thank you to all who took time to comment on my post. I guess I truly just needed to vent, mostly out of frustration for our experience overall. I intend to camp again, just not sure now that my family will want to go again( this was their first time camping) after what they witnessed. Looking back now, we were arguing with each other, because of the circumstances. This was certainly not how I wanted to introduce them to something that both my daughter and I thoroughly enjoy! Some of you posted about things not being all bad, memories made and you are correct. The mornings were gorgeous, quiet, peaceful,perfect time to walk and think. Also, again kayaking on the Wekiva River ( directly at the campground) was awesome. Another plus, our new Coleman tent went up easily and served our purposes for the weekend. My neighbor now has plans possibly to camp with her family over 4th of July. When she asked what we were doing, told her we are staying home that weekend for sure:)
Highly anticipated ( first) family camping trip ruined.
I Could not wait to get back camping, as it had been a few years and this time the rest of my family - husband and teen son,wanted to tag along. As it was Memorial weekend, not many places to choose from, only a KOA at Wekiva FAlls in Orlando, had avaialability still. Price was great, and the place sounded amazing, promising something for all of us to enjoy. First mistake was we arrived near dark. Staff was friendly, but stressed. Someone drove us out to our remote, "wonderful" tent site, which turned out to be an rundown RV site,with no picnic table, no grass, a broken pad, numerous fire ant mounds and little shade. We quickly set up and went to settle in for the night due to the late hour. We did not anticipate the neighbors tent, where there was plenty of drinking and loud noise till nearly 1 am. In addition, golf carts were a constant driving by, with loud music playing and again alot of drinking. In the am, I was up early around 5 and had a chance to wander around. Place was huge. 800 sites and all occupied. The ladies bathhouse was trashed during our stay, and always flooded, the few stalls, were inadequate for the sheer size of this place. Only other bathhouse was on the extreme other side of the park, literally across the river and quite a hike to get to. Day two saw the crowds swell to a record number of people, again drinking and partying seeming to be the theme. The pros to this place, was the swimming area and slides for the kids and yet even that was tons of people crammed in literally on top of each other. The kayak rental was a great bargain at $7.00 for two hours and the river was gorgeous, and quite peaceful, until the numerous powerboats would come by filled with more of the party crowd. The small pool at this KOA was also inadequate again, for the sheer number of people camping there, also the water when tested was lukewarm at best. There were plenty of sites and areas within the park that were very nice, and without the holiday crowds, my thoughts would be that this place would be ok to visit again after some of these serious issues could be addressed by management. Even with that though, I still think that next time, I plan to camp at a state park and definately not on a holiday weekend.
