Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo

Reviews

• BO

  Bisola - Sarah Omoba

  Oct 25, 2025
  1.0
  This is review is specific for the horse back riding experience that you can buy at Westgate Resorts river ranch. The horse back experience was expensive ($60 per person). The experience is meant for kids who have never ridden a horse before. You are in single file line and if you are 4th or later in line you can’t hear anything the guide is saying which is a shame. They really need to only take groups of 3 out. The girls in our group were before us and left so much space behind the guide that she had to keep stopping for them to catch up which was annoying. All in all this experience was expensive and not worth it for adults who wants a more authentic horseback riding experience. Westgate rodeo and ranch should create another experience for adults only that allows for a true horseback experience where you get a chance to trot and even gallop the horses.
• DV

  Dayana Valdes

  Oct 20, 2025
  5.0
  Our stay at Westgate River Ranch was nothing short of incredible! From the beautiful natural surroundings to the wide range of activities, it was the perfect getaway for our family. One of the absolute highlights was the horseback riding experience — and I have to give a special shoutout to Cierra, who was absolutely amazing with my kids. She was patient, kind, and made sure they felt completely comfortable and confident during the ride. You could really tell she loves what she does and genuinely cares about making it a great experience for everyone. My kids haven’t stopped talking about it since! Whether you're looking for a fun family weekend or just want to unplug and enjoy nature, Westgate River Ranch is the place to be. We’ll definitely be coming back — and booking another ride with Cierra!
• IS

  Iva Sutton

  Oct 19, 2025
  2.0
  We came here to celebrate my grandmothers 93rd birthday. We saw there were new amenities as we had been here before so we were looking forward to it. There definitely is more to do but the customer service has gone down significantly, not to mention the upkeep of the rooms. I have added pictures. We had a busted toilet and closet door. Called it in and no one came to fix it. They were supposed to decorate the room for her birthday and that never happened either. When we went for the activities we were told to have the reservation card with us to get into the activities center to play billiards. I had left it in the room so I was going to go get it. I wanted to leave my grandmother and aunt under the roof of the center out of the sun since it's difficult for an elderly woman of 93 to get in and out of a golf cart, especially since she is in a wheelchair. The staff said they were not allowed to stay under the roof OUTSIDE of the activities center and herded us out like animals. They said we can come back when we had the card. We did not go back and ended up just staying in the hotel room till dinner time. I highly recommend going somewhere else for your vacation. This place is just not worth it anymore. What a waste of time and money.
• MM

  Melissa Murphy

  Oct 13, 2025
  4.0
  We visited Westgate River Ranch Resort for my daughters 8th Birthday, as she loves horses and we're looking for a different experience. Our room was nice, it was close to the hustle and bustle of the Rodeo, but the 11pm curfew was a great and allowed us a good night's rest. We enjoyed seeing Waffles, and the little white pony with the pumpkin on his bottom. The petting zoo was quite a highlight and much enjoyed cuddling the animals. We also enjoyed the Rodeo, it was a different experience with much excitement and enjoyment. Including one of the staff members giving my daughter frer Cotton Candy for her birthday. Which was very thoughtful and apperciated.The Cowboy Adventure Park was nice, the children enjoyed the climbing wall, and we enjoyed riding the mechanical bull. Though the jumping pad and train were not open. The small fishing area was a bit disappointing, should consider making a floating dock so more indivdiuals can fish. Mr. Alligator was chasing the fish away too, which we didnt mind as we loved seeing the wildlife. The pool was nice, asides from a physical altercation we observed in which two families cursed in front of the children's splash pad and even a man shoved a women and when security came nothing was accomplished despite several concerned guests expressing being uncomfortable. Was a bit disappointing as this is a family establishment. Also the food establishment restaurant took way to long for food and service, the server at the bar was way to overwhelmed. Shouldn't take 45 minutes to get a tea to go! Staffing could be much better. Also should consider looking at different height requirements for the horse trail rides my daughter is an advanced rider met the age requirement but not height she really wanted to ride but was unable due to not being 51 inches. Totally get safety and liability but something should be considered maybe 48 inches and 8. Despite the minor hiccups it was enjoyable, and would go back.
• JG

  Julio Gallo

  Oct 2, 2025
  3.0
  Rating: ★★★☆☆(3/5) Stay Dates: September 26-28, 2025 Accommodation: Luxury Teepee Tent with VIP Wristband Occasion: Birthday Celebration The Good The resort offers a variety of activities, and several were genuinely enjoyable. Skeet shooting was excellent (9/10), and the swamp buggy ride was thrilling (9/10). Target shooting was decent (7/10). The highlight of our stay was absolutely the rodeo—it was authentic, entertaining, and well worth attending. Our luxury teepee came with nice perks: daily breakfast, two bags of ice delivered to an outside cooler, and a golf cart for getting around the property. We also received a welcome basket stocked with chips, granola bars, nuts, fruit, and water. The Bad Unfortunately, the negatives significantly outweighed the positives, especially disappointing given the "luxury" branding and premium pricing. Cleanliness Issues The welcome basket delivery left much to be desired. Whoever brought it to our room walked in with dirty shoes and left a visible trail of mud footprints from the entrance all the way to the bedroom. For a luxury accommodation, this lack of attention to detail was immediately off-putting. More concerning was the bathtub curtain, which had dark spots that appeared to be mold. This is unacceptable in any hotel room, let alone one marketed as "luxury." Activities While most activities were enjoyable, the airboat ride was a major disappointment (2/10). The captain made what should have been an exciting experience uncomfortable, casting a shadow over what could have been a highlight. Birthday Dinner Disaster The most disappointing part of our stay was my birthday dinner at the River Ranch Cattle Company. I ordered a steak at what should be the resort's signature restaurant. What arrived was tough, hard, and nearly impossible to chew. I left the entire entrée untouched on my plate. What made this worse was the complete lack of service recovery. No manager checked on us. No one offered to remake the dish. Despite leaving my steak completely uneaten, we were still charged full price for it. For a special occasion dinner, this lack of care and professionalism was deeply disappointing. The Verdict For a two-night stay, Westgate River Ranch Resort is significantly overpriced for what you receive. While some activities are fun and the rodeo is worth seeing, the cleanliness issues, poor dining experience, and lack of customer service make it difficult to recommend—especially at luxury prices. Would I return? No. Would I recommend? Only if you're specifically interested in the rodeo and activities, and keep your expectations moderate despite the high cost.