Everglades Holiday Park

21940 Griffin Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33332, USA

Address:	21940 Griffin Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33332, USA
Phone:	+1 954-434-8111
Site:	evergladesholidaypark.com
Rating:	4.3
Working:	9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 4

Maite Bielorai

My review was originally written in spanish (see below), but I am going to write it in english too. Hopefully, Ill get an answer. Overall the experience is good. We went with my grandparents (86 years old) who are visiting from Argentina. The park is nice, but the service is POOR. Every staff member we encountered was RUDE. None of the staff is smiling; they make you feel you are an inconvenience. Anyways, we paid $30.00 each (not cheap at all) and we enjoyed the boat tour. I would have given 4 stars if Captain Rocky (that was our Captain) didnt make fun of my grandparents in english, with a fake smile while suggesting that "Argentineans dont tip". What he did not know was that: 1) I do speak english and was right there hearing everything he said 2) I had the money in my hand to tip him ($10.00 tip, rather generous) Of course, I had to confront him about the disrespectful comment. Argentineans, do tip. He was very uncomfortable after I briefly spoke to him after giving him a gracious tip even after the disrespectful comment. And I am glad he was. Nobody should be making fun or saying those type of things. Especially while dealing with tourist that may not understand your language. I strongly suggest they hire a bilingual and nicer staff. To conclude, the only word I am going to write about the show is PATHETIC. Never going again. --------------------------------------- La experiencia fue buena. Llevamos a mis abuelos (86 años) a que conozcan y disfruten un paseo al aire libre. El parque es lindo, la atención bastante mediocre, podrían ser todos un poco mas simpáticos, dado que viven del turista y de nosotros que vamos de paseo en vez de hacerte sentir que estas ahi molestando. Igualmente pagamos los $30 por persona, que no es nada barato. Le hubiese dado 4 estrellas de no ser por el ignorante, irrespetuoso y mal educado Capitan que nos toco. Capitan Rocky (como se hace llamar) solamente hablaba en ingles, obviamente. Mis abuelos, que son personas muy mayores no. Pero yo si. Y tuvo la mala suerte de que yo pasara justo por al lado de el cuando muy irrespetuosamente se dirigió a ellos con una sonrisa burlona y reclamándoles que no estaban dejando propina. Lo que el tampoco sabia, es que yo llevaba en mi mano el dinero para dejarle. No lo dude y lo enfrente. Le dije que al contrario de lo que el pensaba, (y decía) nosotros si dejábamos propina. Y se la di. Pero me quede con una muy mala sensación. Por supuesto no voy a volver, ni pienso llevar a ningún familiar ni amigo a que vayan. Lo unico que voy a decir del show es que es PATETICO. Te tienen sentado al sol para ver unos pobres cocodrilos apelmazados unos sobre otros en una piscina que no tiene mas de medio metro de agua sucia...

Amber Molitor

The positive thing about the boat tours at the Everglades Holiday Park is that we actually saw gators on our tour. We have taken other airboat tours in the past and did not see any wildlife other than a few raccoons, and on one occasion, we saw a dolphin. We also appreciated the knowledge of our airboat captain. There is no organization or flow to the lines of people waiting to get on their airboat tour. The deli line at the supermarket is more organized than these guys! We were not impressed to find that everywhere you turn, someone is hitting you up for a tip. The airboat captain lets you know that he "doesnt stop the boat and come down for a one on one with all his riders, but he did especially on this trip because the tour group was all so awesome." Come on, what a bunch of BS! Then, as we were approaching the dock, the captain is sure to let you know that 80% of his income relies on tips, and its not expected, but any tips are greatly appreciated. We ponied up a tip and headed on over to the so-called "free" gator show that was included with our tickets. The Gator Boys cast member that gave the gator show was less than enthusiastic, you could tell he was just going through the motions. Thats okay, we all have off days. Of course, towards the end of the presentation, the Gator Boy lets everyone know that he is volunteering at the park and any tips are greatly appreciated. Once again, we coughed up a tip. We gave it to my nephew and he got in line. He was so impressed to be able to talk to someone he has seen on TV before. When it was his turn, he asked a question about the gators. And this arrogant jerk had nothing but smart remarks to make in response. He told the guy in line in front of us "you wouldnt believe the questions I get," implying that hes too good to deal with the idiots that filter through the park every day. But, you can bet that he has his hand out for a tip! If you think that the shake down is over, you are wrong. On the way out of the gator show, there is a station to view a baby gator and a python. The park has employees there to take your picture if you want. My nephew wanted to have his picture taken, so we got in line for that. We asked how much it costs, and the reply was $10. As hes sitting down for his picture, they ask if he wanted his picture with one or both of the animals. He wanted his picture with both, and they were happy to inform us that it would be an additional $5. Once again, we stick our hand back in our pocket to fork over more money to the park. I gave 2 stars because we actually saw gators on our tour. If youre going here, be sure to have a pocket full of $5 and $10 bills, because the airboat is not the only ride youll be taken on!

Sas H

Der Eintritt kam knapp $ 60 - für zwei Erwachsene mit Sparcoupon für Airboat und Show. Das Airboat startete nach ca. 15 Minuten und die Tour dauerte auch eine ganze Weile. Wir sahen drei Vögel, einen großen Leguan auf dem Baum und einen kleinen Alligator. Leider kam absolut kein Naturfeeling auf, weil teilweise drei Boote auf einem Fleck waren. Man hatte ständig das Geknatter von den anderen und von der Lautstärke erinnerte es fast an einen Flughafen. Die Tiere interessierte die Lautstärke kaum. Was ich nicht gut fand ist, dass der Alligator vom Boot verfolgt wurde, anstatt den mit etwas Abstand anzusehen, oder wenigstens den Motor auszulassen. So wurde das Tier mehrmals mit lautem Motor umkreist, damit man es ja nah an das Boot bekam. Der Alligator tauchte schon ab und man sah, dass er richtig genervt war. Die Show danach haben wir uns erspart, weil es durch Schulklassen an dem Tag sowieso überfüllt war. Das Personal an der Kasse war sehr nett, das Personal für die Fotos abgenervt. Der Airboatfahrer war nett, aber leider konnten wir seine Durchsagen aus dem blechernden Lautsprecher absolut nicht verstehen. Schade. Es hat sich für uns absolut nicht gelohnt. Zu wenig Naturfeeling.

Jared Dmartino

We rented a boat to go out fishing this past Sunday. The boat was great, very clean and in good shape and the rental price was fair at $75.00 for 5 hours. We caught bass, Pike, Oscars, and Sunfish and had a terrific time. Now for the negatives: We have rented before at another place on route 27 and all of there boats have anchors. Sounds silly but without an anchor to keep from floating around while fishing it wasnt the fun it could of been. I hope someone from the park reads this and corrects the problem. The other really bad issue Holdiay Park really needs to do something about is there are some very nice people working there but there is also to many VERY RUDE and LAZY people working there. First problem came when we purchased 3 dozen shiners inside at the store and they were quite nice inside. But you have to wait outside for the shiners at another door. Well when I got there 3 people were talking in the shiner room. The door was open and I said Hi Im here for my shiners. Instead of them helping me, this older skinny gentleman said "You have to wait" and slammed the door shut! I said OK, must be a bad day for him...Well, with them talking inside, I waited no less than 10 minutes for my shiners. Not very nice was he.... Everything was fine then until we returned our boat at the end of the day. We get back tired after 5 hours in the hot sun, and theres absolutely no one letting you know where to return your boat, or even to help you bring it onto the dock they leave them on. Since it was our first time out we had no idea how this was done. Now think about this, no one was there at all. So I did my best and after I was done bringing the boat in, and we were taking our stuff off of the boat, this person shows up and actually yelled at us. I was requested to jump back in the boat and bring it in better onto there dock. Not an easy task to say the least. Then with my bad neck (less than a year from surgery) I was asked to lift the boat further onto the wooden dock they keep their boats. I said, are you kidding! I was really pissed off, what an attitude. I said is this your normal procedures? I was told yep. Honestly we will never come back again.