River Ranch Petting Farm
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
River Ranch Petting Farm offers a unique family experience centered around rescued animals from the county shelter, providing a petting farm environment with diverse animals (including a wallaby!) and engaging activities like horse trail rides. The standout feature is its exceptionally helpful, knowledgeable, and kind staff, consistently praised for amazing customer service. It's a place where children are sure to love the animals and parents appreciate the attentive support.
Key Highlights
- ✓Engaging horse trail rides with knowledgeable and kind staff (Darby specifically mentioned).
- ✓Consistently excellent customer service and attentive concierges (CHay highlighted).
- ✓Animals are ethically sourced, rescued directly from the county shelter.
- ✓A wide and diverse range of well-kept animals including goats, ponies, donkeys, chickens, deer, pheasants, a potbelly pig, and a wallaby.
- ✓Offers 'tons of fun and relaxing activities' suitable for various interests.
Standout Features
- ⭐Staff's knowledge and attentiveness, particularly guides like Darby for trail rides and concierges like CHay.
- ⭐Commitment to animal welfare through rescuing animals from the county shelter.
- ⭐A unique animal collection including less common petting farm animals like a wallaby.
- ⭐Well-kept and clean animal environment.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Make reservations for specific activities well in advance, as they are popular and 'will sell out'.
- →For horse trail rides and other outdoor activities, consider going in the morning to avoid the heat.
- →Plan to bring your own snacks or meals, as on-site food options are very limited.
- →If planning an activity involving a 'wagon bed', be aware that comfort levels may vary.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Very limited on-site food options for purchase.
- ⚠Beds in the wagons for certain activities/accommodations may be uncomfortable for some guests.
- ⚠Popular activities can sell out, requiring advance reservations.
- ⚠Outdoor activities, such as horse trail rides, can be impacted by heat in the afternoons.
Price & Value
No specific pricing information is provided, but the consistent praise for staff, variety of activities, and ethical animal care suggests a strong value proposition for the experience offered. One review mentioned an 'uncomfortable bed in our wagon' which implies a specific paid activity or accommodation where comfort was a factor, but no associated cost was given.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility accommodations were mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Places to get food on-site are 'very limited'.
🚗Parking Info
- •No information regarding parking facilities was mentioned in the reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Activities 'will sell out', indicating it can get busy and popular, especially for specific booked experiences. No general crowd level for the petting farm itself was noted.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No explicit safety features were mentioned, however, the 'well kept environment' for animals implies general care and management.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Impulsive visits for specific activities without prior reservations, as they often sell out.
- • Visiting in the afternoon for outdoor activities if you or your children are sensitive to heat.
- • Expecting a wide selection of food or dining options on-site.
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
🍎Food Policy
- • Feeding of gentle animals is permitted.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Activities Waiver available online, required for participation.
📅Booking Policy
- • Activities Waiver can be filled out online before arrival.
🚗Parking Information
- • On-site parking available at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo.
Photos
What People Say
What's Great
- Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 8 reviews)
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Joel Makielski
5 years agoWe went on a trail ride with the horses and it was great. The staff was helpful, knowledgeable and kind. For us, going in the morning worked out well to keep us and the horses from being out in the heat and we were able to go on and enjoy the rest of our day. Darby was a blessing to have on the way with us as she was able to share alot of insight on the trip. Highly recommend.
Gray Reyes Reyes
3 years agoCustomers service here is AMAZING to say the least CHay was our concierge and she was so helpful and attentive.. they have tons of fun and relaxing activities for any age group . I didnt give 5 stars for 2 reasons. The places to get food very limited. And the bed in our wagon was uncomfortable for me . But maybe someone else would find it just right. If you plan on visiting make sure u make reservations for activities. They will sell out
Donald Cejovic
2 months agoAdorable animals and they rescue them from the county shelter. Staff is so nice. It’s a great program would love to see it keep growing!
Henry Ariza
a month ago👌
Bill B
3 years agoVery nice! Lots of goats, ponies, donkeys, chickens, deer, a wallaby, pheasants, and a potbelly pig in a well kept environment. The kids loved the place!
Contact Information
River Ranch, FL 33867, USA
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