Anyone been to Rocking Horse Ranch in NY??

[NHBelle]

OKay we are going to Disney is December (usually go in August) this year so that leaves us without a summer vacation. I decided we should still have some sort of get away. I was looking for something within 4 hours, with lots of activities ( I do not want to hear any I'm bored") and meals too. Anyway I found Rocking Horse Ranch in NY. It looks great, but it's very expensive. Ends of being $2500 for 5 of us for 5 days. Seems like a Disney trip doesn't it. Am I out of control? I wanted a small trip before Disney, fun, but not too much $. For that kind of money I feel like we should at least get to stay for a whole week. I don't know what to do. The kids really want to go there, BUT I am thinking I may regret spending all that money. Has anyone ever been?? Is it worth the $$$$

 

[mjkacmom]

It's fun, but expensive. It's an older resort, and has kind of the 1970's Pocono resort feel. There is a lot for the kids to do, and it seems very safe, and it's small. How about a cruise out of NY or NJ?

 

[java]

Woodloch Pines is another one to check out- Has an indoor pool and characters at dinner. (some unusual ones but my kids liked it) Tons of activities. And there was a place on Lake George too- the Sagamore YIKES though I just checked out their rates!!
I have not been to Rocking Horse Ranch but I have friends that have. They liked it but weren't blown away by it.

 

[donaldduck1967]

I went with the Boy Scouts about 20yrs ago. Yes it is expensive, but 3 meals a day for 5 people are included right? Have you ever been to Hershey Park in PA? That's alot of fun. We usually go every 2 yrs or so and always have a fun time.

 

[java]

We did a PA vacation one summer on an off year. We stayed 2 days at Hershey, did a day at Knoebel's, a day at Dorney, 2 days at Camelbeach and a day at the Crayola factory.

 

[clori]

We used to take my niece to the inn at Easthill which is a farm type place with activities. Location wise it may be close by since it is in NH. It is probably best for younger kids ages 3-9 or so. Meals are included.

 

[Jennasis]

I have been to RHR. Granted it was a shade under 20 years ago but we had a blast! My aunt and uncle took me with their two sons. None of them were the "horsey type", but unfortunately for them I sure was. So I was in absolute heaven! All meals are included and so was (at the time) pretty much all activities (skiing, tubing, banana boat, mini golf and all other sports). The ranch organized tons of fun activites every day and I recall the food being really good.

As for the riding...some gorgeous trails and mountain passes! The horses had stellar temperaments and were wonderful to ride. The ranch assigns each guest their own horse which is yours to ride and then they assign you a ride time. So you might be riding "Chief" at 9am every day. However you can ride ANY time by going to the "standby line" at the barn at the start of each ride. Once all of the assigned horses have been given out, they give the left over horses to the riders waiting on standby.

They also ask you about your riding experience and comfort with horses so they can match you with the right mount. Once you are on a horse you have the choice of going on the beginner ride (all walking) the intermediate ride (mostly walking with some trotting) or the advanced ride (more difficult terrain and plenty of cantering along the way). If you choose the advanced ride, they will actually test the riders skills by having the group canter up a long gentle hill while the wranglers watch. Anyone who does not exhibit control and comfort is taken back to the intermediate or beginner group.

Needless to say, at the beginning of the week my non-horsey fam was plodding along in the beginner group, but by the end of the week they were whoopin' it uyp with me on the advanced ride!

Have fun.

 

[goofy4tink]

Dd's Girl Scout troop went there for a big NE GS thing two years ago. I have to say that it was very nice. Everyone we met there was really nice...all the employees went out of their way to be helpful. My dd, then 12, had a bit of a scare on her horse (a huge draft horse, nice horse, the issue was dd's), the 'hand' gently took her off the horse, and sat her with some other girls who had decided against riding. He told dd that he would take care of her himself the next day when they went riding. Ah no, she said there would be no riding again. Well, long story short, he got her up on a much smaller horse the next day, and never left her side for the entire trail ride. She felt so good about herself because of him.
The food was very good. The rooms were much nicer than I thought they would be. The pool area was nice, the lake with banana boat ride was a big hit. All in all it was a terrific weekend.

 

[Jennasis]

I agree with goofy4tink's assessment of the staff. My aunt was having a tough time with her horse on the first day or two. Wasn't the horse, just my aunt's own insecurities. My aunt is also quite the cut-up! So one of the wranglers noticed this and hung at the back of the pack with my aunt to help her and then eventually took my aunt on a private trail ride/lesson for two days (don't worry...the wrangler was a lady), after which my aunt happily rejoined us on the advanced ride!

 

[alldiz]

We just got back from Rockinghorse Ranch on Sunday...

We really loved the place....it exceeded my expectations. It is EXPENSIVE but
everything is included. I didn't have any room charges.(brought my own
booze)

If you wanted to relax.....they have a "day camp"......keeps them busy
all day with activities. The food was much better than I thought....had
one of the best prime ribs ever.

Staff was very nice and accomodating....we wanted to change our dinner time and they literally rearranged the buffet to create some space for
another table.

yes the nighttime entertainment is a little "campy"....but we usually go
to bed early anyway.

The place is FULL of kids.....tons of smiling kids...BTW
I was amazed at all of the kids running around and playing and i never
once saw an employee look frazzled.

The Oklahoma building is right next door to the lodge.....I would do that
next time....don't think it is worth the money to be "in" the lodge.
With the kids running in the hallways....it might be quieter over there anyway.

Any other questions just ask.
Kerri

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

We go to Rocking Horse for a week every summer. We love it! We meet up with DH's brother and his family--we get adjoining rooms, and the kids have a week of "cousin time".

The cost includes breakfast and dinner--lunch is available, but only inlcuded for children. You could buy a burger, etc., but the breakfast and dinners are HUGE! Plus, every other day, they have a munchie buffet by the pool in the afternoon.

Every year they add something new, and my kids really look forward to going. One ride per day is included, and if you want to ride more often, you can go standby. They have a Fun Barn that has cannons that shoot foam balls, indoor and outdoor rock climbing walls, water skiing, gemstone mining, archery... Really, there's a lot to do. Typically, we put our kids in day camp for the mornings and then they have the option to be with us by the pool in the afternoons.

It definitely has a "family" feel. We see the same counselors year to year who have watched our children grow.

Any questions, just ask away! My kids are already looking forward to our trip this July.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

I used to live near there and was there for 1 day with my dd's preschool class about 2 years ago. When I first arrived I thought, wow, maybe we should come here for a weekend! A few hours later and after looking at the price tag, I was less excited. Some things are old, not everything is newer looking like Disney. I think I would be bored to spend more than a weekend there because it isn't as big as you imagine it to be. ALso, the kids day camp room was nice, but nothing fancy or state of the art.
If you are concerned about the price, I would not go. And check trip advisor.
I think you could go somewhere else and spend less.

 

[AuntPatti]

OMG!

I went to RHR nearly 35 years ago! (Did I just admit to that?)

I have great memories from a Girl Scout trip I went on in the early 70's. I would love to go there again. Can't believe it's still around.

 

[NHBelle]

Wow, thanks for the reply's. For those of you who have been there, it's starting to sound like it may be worth the $. I do have lots of questions. I would like to know what the supervised activities are like? Do you have to sign up or can you just drop your kids off as you'd like??? What kind of entertainment do they have at night? How crowded is it, like the pool and other rec areas?? Hmm, I guess that's all for now, but any other info would be appreciated. We are already booked for July, so maybe I should just save a little harder and make it happen.

 

[Jennasis]

I found the nightime entertainment a tad cheesy but fun. There was a ventriloquist, a magician and a hypnotist IIRC.

 

[LakeAriel]

Love RHR!!!!!!!!!!! We went at least once a year up until I bought my house in the Pocono's. My granddaughter talked about her horsey school all year..Up until age 4 you drop them off for free at the nursery..They do all sorts of arts and crafts, swimming, a pony ride..They take them to lunch also. After 4 yrs there is another camp with a very moderate fee..You can leave them just while you ride or all day..You are allotted one guaranteed ride a day..BUT you can get on standby and ride as often as you can get a spot and your legs can handle it! There are hay rides..banana boat rides, paddle boats..an indoor pool, archery..playground..Oh well I guess you have a brochure..
I have gone in the winter too tubig and skiing and the Fall is beautiful.. Go for it..I can't wait to go back. I, too, recommend the Oklahoma building (the larger one)...
www.rhranch.com

 

[NHBelle]

I just looked at their website again and it looks like they are updating the rooms. I am sooo happy, because that was one of my concerns. We are booked in the Main Lodge ( AA?) in a larger room because we are a family of 5. It really does look like so much fun and so much to do. I just want to be able to keep the kids busy every minute and not have to pay any extra. Plus I love to eat and it sounds like they have pizza parties and cookies and cake all the time. Yum

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Just a clarification--children under 4 are free, but they do charge ($5 an hour?) to put them in the nursery. Depending on the age and interests, the younger children might go feed the fish or play mini-golf, or they might just hang out in the very well-stocked nursery.

They also have day camp for ages 5-12. You're supposed to sign up the day before (takes 2 minutes), but on arrival day, we're usually just told we can drop the kids off if they have the staff. The kids play games, go swimming, win a ton of prizes (cheezy Oriental trading Co. stuff, but it's a huge hit with mine!). You're free to drop off/pick up your kids at any time.

The pool does get a little crowded in the afternoons--there is also an indoor pool that's much less crowded in summer, and they also have a morning lap swim for adults.

I should say too--if you're looking to go-go-go all day, it might not be the best choice. There's plenty to do, but you can also do nothing, and it's very family-oriented. They have family (and beer) softball or volleyball, bingo, and other games. In the evenings, there's typically a comedian or dancing. The comedian might have one "family" show, then later in the evening, a more adult-content show.

 

[AnnaS]

We went about 6 years ago and had a blast. We went with our friends and their children were the same age. You park your car and forget about it. It felt like a cruise only on land. My kids still talk about it. There are many children, adult and family activities organized. You can do as much or as little as you want. It is expensive but we felt it was worth it.

 

[alldiz]

Wow, thanks for the reply's. For those of you who have been there, it's starting to sound like it may be worth the $. I do have lots of questions. I would like to know what the supervised activities are like? Do you have to sign up or can you just drop your kids off as you'd like??? What kind of entertainment do they have at night? How crowded is it, like the pool and other rec areas?? Hmm, I guess that's all for now, but any other info would be appreciated. We are already booked for July, so maybe I should just save a little harder and make it happen.

At the kids camp they do everything but horseback riding and skiing(in the winter that is).....they did crafts, tubing, fun barn and swimming.

They recommend you sign them up....but you can drop them off whenever.
they will radio where the kids are and you can go and drop them off there.

This weekend they had some country music and line dancing on Fri....
Sat had a "family show"......I think it was a magic show....and a adult only
comedy show at 10:30. Missed them both.....early to bed here

It was winter and the indoor pool was CROWDED.....10:30 at night still crowded......but it was of full kids having fun....if thats what you like
Kerri