Terra Ceia RV Resort - Thousand Trails

This Encore park is in good overall condition with adequate amenities. The pool is at the back of the property near an ornamental pond and fairly quiet. The clubhouse and laundry room are spotless and well maintained. Sites are very tight (somewhat typical for FL). A large portion of the sites are for long-term stays, with many full-time/year-to-year residents. There is a lot of noise from proximity to US 41 and a railroad track. Staff here are polite but more oriented to the long-term residents than "transients". We had an extended stay (90 days) here in order to complete several significant projects on the rig as well as having extended visits with family and friends in the area. Per night price of $18 reflects the 90-day rate. Traffic going south over the bridges in Bradenton can frequently get backed up. Good overall proximity for day trips all along the Sunshine and Cultural Coasts of Florida. www.ourepicfieldtrip.com

We’ll start with the Cons as that’s why we’re all here.

For reference I am a travel nurse who has been traveling for over 11 years. I have stayed in countless RV parks throughout the country. I travel with my wife and 4 kids. I have a 36 foot class A. I have stayed in Terra Ceia for a few months.

Cons: they have a MAJOR mosquito and no-seeum PROBLEM. No-seeums are very tiny biting bugs like mosquitos. The bites hurt and leaves a welt and itches for weeks. I tried complaining on multiple occasions but the facility stated they “can’t” do anything about them, it’s a Florida thing. I am from Florida and have traveled all around and that is not a normal Florida thing. That is a lazy cheap facility thing. I reported them to the city for a major infestation and they are being investigated according to the code compliance officer. It’s so bad you can’t enjoy your time outside without being mauled by these pests. They carry disease just like mosquitos so be very careful

The trash in the dumpster piles up for days where it overflows. Leaves area smelling and flies.

There is an old run down trailer park attached to the new park, it is the original Terra Ceia RV resort. It is a typical run down trailer park with a few spots for RVs to park that are packed in like sardines. Many of the residents there look pretty rough. All the residents in the trailer park walk their dogs in the new part of the resort and many of them do not pick up after themselves. There is rules but there is nobody enforcing rules.

Many residents leave their dogs off leash running around. Again nobody around to enforce rules.

1 laundry facility for the entire huge park. Has about 6 washers and 6 dryers. Cost at time of writing is 1.75 per load. Almost always someone washing clothes. They have a new laundry facility but no washer and dryer yet.

Fitness center only has a few treadmills with nothing else, at all, nothing.

There is no security gate when you drive in, it’s just wide open for anyone to come right in. There is also no fence around the park. You could be walking on the sidewalk along the main road and just walk straight into the park. Some of the bordering spaces are right on the road where the back of your rv space is a few feet from the sidewalk, not very safe.

They do have 1 night security that drives in their car around the park.

There is a train that runs right behind the park. It is literally 20 feet from the sites that border the park. They go through the park at all hours and they constantly sound their horn as they are driving by the park. Which is extremely loud and disturbing to everyone. They even come in the middle of the night and wake up the whole park. There is no fence separating the train tracks, just a thick set of bushes

The park is not very kid friendly. No park or play area for kids. The activity center also does not have any kid activities.

The park is extremely expensive. You will pay up to $2500 a mo off season and $3-5k a month in season. Not much to offer for such extremely high rates.

The activity center is in the old trailer park. It’s an old building with a couple pool tables and couches and TV. It is pretty big but looks pretty run down.

The have stagnant ponds around the park with no fountains to move the water. Gators and snakes have been seen on many occasions.

The surrounding area has mostly industrial plants. I would worry about the water quality. I have good expensive filters and they have been taxed to their limit. I have had to change them 6 months early.

Pros: New facility is nice looking. Sites are open and large with ample room between sites. Has pool and room with treadmills. Grounds maintained very well. Internet and cable offered. Can’t speak to speed of internet or quality of cable as I don’t use their service.
Facility bathrooms and showers are new and nice.
Pool looks clean, haven’t used it but have been by there a few times
Facility had a thanksgiving dinner for residents with everyone bringing a side dish.