OT Jellystone Campgrounds or similar?

[Stimpy]

I posted this on the Community Board and someone suggested I should post it here too. I wasn't sure if I should or not since this was a Disney camping board. Sorry if it's the wrong place!

Any feedback on Jellystone? We are not campers. I grew up camping but hate it, DH has never ever been (but pictures himself as Daniel Boone or something ). So we are looking into camping-lite by renting one of the cabins at Jellystone (deluxe, has to have a bathroom! ) for the kids sake. They really want to experience the whole camping thing. We'd like to stay some what in our area, NY, NJ or PA. Dh is really rooting for Cooperstown (Hmmm I sense a side trip to the Hall of Fame ) Are they as nice as they look in the pictures? Are they non-camper friendly? How are the kid activities? Are there any other type places like this I should look into?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Rhonda]

Welcome to the Camping Board!

When our son was little we used to take him camping at Jellystone Park in Wisconsin, by WI Dells. It was a blast! They usually have lots of activities (candy bar bingo, contests, etc.). They also have great pools and waterslides. You'll have a lot of fun!

I've never been to a Jellystone in your area, but I'm guessing they're all pretty much the same.

 

[McRed]

We are going to take our 3 year old DD to the Jellystone Park at Cave City Kentucky in October. I'll let you know how that goes. We are preparing for the Fort Wilderness Experience with Halloween Next October.

 

[beagles7278]

I have only been to one Jellystone in Michigan and it was nice, but I have heard they vary. I would post the same question on RV.net in the campground forum, you will proably get more feedback. Here is a link:
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/listings/forum/29.cfm

You could also look up the campground you were interested in here, select the state and then pick the city, it should have some reviews for you:
http://www.rvparkreviews.com/index.html

Good luck.

PS - I would not tell anyone over at RV.net that you hate camping.

 

[emoose]

I have stayed in several Jellystone Campgrounds. MOST of them are good to nice. Some are very nice. Stay away from the one in Portage Indiana. That place is scary bad and not fun. I didn't even stay there. After one look at it I left never to return. Granted this is does not seem to be the case with Jellystone.

Cave City Ky was quite nice with lots of nearby attractions and I would return. Scottsburg Indiana was nice even though it was a cornfield turned campground. It makes for a nice weekend excursion. I have also stayed in Many nice and some not so nice KOAs.

The KOA in Valdosta is just great and a perfect overnight stop on my way to the Fort. Frankly that one would be perfect for a long weekend.

Most "chain" campgrounds (KOA or Jellystone) are kept to a minimum standard (the one in portage being a serious exception)

rvparkreviews.com is a great site for checking references. Be aware that some people are excessively picky and spoiled by FW but the reviews on Portage are spot on.

Don't forget the nations wonderful national park system. Many have cabins.

All said and done - IMHO - except for private campgrounds - nothing is as nice as The Fort and even then.

 

[disneynewbeemom]

We stayed in a Jellystone campground in the Smoky Mountains last month. It was wonderful! That campground has a river/creek running throughout the campground so our boys played in the creek all day. The pool was great! Mini golf was $1! They had organized childrens activities. Our boys went to Camp Yogi every morning for free and loved it! We could have easily stayed for a week and I am not a die hard camping person! We stayed in a tent for our visit and loved it! Yogi came to our campsite each night which was a huge plus! Definitely try it!

 

[marybrat]

We have stayed at the Jellystone in North Java, NY. It's great. The activities planners are amazing. I swear it's the same crew all weekend, as if they never have a break. You can tell they all love what they do. My kids love all the activities. DH prefers state park camping, so we only do Jellystone 1-2 times per year.

 

[Yensid_MD]

Definitely look into each Jellystone. We loved the one we stayed at in Hagerstown, MD It was clean, new pool with slides etc. Then we stayed at one in Sturbridge, MA and it was a shock, most campsites were for longterm campers, there were people running businesses from their campsites, and the big shocker was the bar. Teenagers were running around acting up, not a good experience. We were packed up and out of there so fast the next morning we did not even want to make our breakfast there.

We have had much better experiences over all with KOA. We have been to four of them so far and they were all very nice.

 

[Stimpy]

Thanks everyone! Does KOA also rent cabins? I'm off to check out the links provided so far for reviews....thanks again!