Epperson Lagoon — Attraction in Wesley Chapel

I went to Epperson Lagoon on June 14th, 2023 (last year). Whoever was running this place that day did not balance the pool chemicals or something. I’m writing this as a warning to others to NOT trust places and to protect your hair and skin if you can!!!

I went with 5 of my friends who ALL had similar experiences but mine was by far the worst. As you can see by the timestamps, a few weeks prior to visiting I had long red very healthy hair. While at the lagoon I kept my hair in a bun in the water but naturally some did get in my hair. I noticed a little while after being in the pools that my white swimsuit had turned NEON green. I thought it was weird but didn’t really think anything of it. Fast forward to about 4 or 5 hours there, we decide to leave. It wasn’t until we got in the car that my friend said “your hair is blonde!” I was confused and sure enough, my hair was VERY light. (Even with hair bleach my hair has never been this light.) I took it out of the bun and tried brushing through my hair but it felt like straw. My hair was shedding.

MIND YOU. I have had dyed hair for 7 years I know what happens when it’s in chlorine. But for the LITTLE water that got in my hair, this was extreme. I tried not to panic and just washed my hair when I got home and tried masks and heavy conditioners but it was no use as my hair was coming out in CLUMPS. Entire handfuls of my beautiful hair was falling out and the ends were practically snapping off. I didn’t put anything else in my hair that day, or even within 3 days before this happened so it could be nothing other than the chlorine levels and pool chemicals. The 3rd photo is my hair after it fell out. It was brittle and 8 different colors and I had spots on my scalp that were so sensitive it burned to the touch.

It has been a full year now and I have JUST NOW regrown the bald patches and my hair is stronger again. But it is still short and will take me years to recover it. I cried for months and spent hundreds of dollars in products and treatments to try and fix it but honestly this place was a traumatic experience and I will never come back. What was a fun girls day with my friends turned into a nightmare because someone was careless. If anyone else visited on June 15th and had a similar experience, I’m so sorry. “It’s just hair” and maybe “it’ll just grow back” but it is going to take years of healing my hair.

I didn’t write this review back when I went because I was honestly embarrassed and humiliated by the experience but to this day it affects me and so I am making this review not to tell people not to go here, but to PROTECT YOUR HAIR!!!!!!!! Do NOT trust them because you never know and it’s not worth the risk. Yes I am aware of my dyed hair but it has NEVER been an issue anywhere else I’ve ever been and I hardly got my hair wet so what little did get in my hair caused a...

Things I loved: The water was very clear, very pleasant to swim in. It was not too crowded and there was enough space for us to not be swimming too close to anyone else. There were decent food and drink options and the bathrooms were well maintained. No long lines for them either.

Things I did not love: There was no recording of other people allowed which is great, I don’t want anyone recording me or my family and kids in swim attire. However, this rule is more for show than anything else because a person was allowed to bring a handheld gopro camera and record while on the obstacle course. While they were recording their party, they were not only blocking the way for everyone else, but also waving the camera all around strangers faces as they tried to go past. Not a pleasant experience and definitely not fun to wait for someone to finish their recording while a line builds up. When each group is limited to 30 minutes, you don’t want to stand around while someone waves a camera.

The employees were not too friendly. When my child had a question regarding the group activity life jackets, the instructing guard had attitude. Asking questions to clarify is so important especially for a water activity involving kids, annoyance is the very last thing a guard should express to such an event. It is also important to note there are really no other employees to ask questions to so ? What is one supposed to do…

Last up, there was an issue for the obstacle course. I guess only yellow and blue life jackets are allowed, but someone had given my child a red one. Just as she started the obstacle course, she was kicked out by a lifeguard. The life jacket had absolutely nothing wrong with it except the color—but my child wasn’t permitted to re-enter after this. So she ended up not being able to enjoy the obstacle course. Why isn’t there someone ensuring the correct life jackets are provided? The lifeguards must’ve been able to see it when giving instructions unless they don’t pay attention, either way not great.

Also important to note some of the life jackets are extremely raggedy and have the strands tied together randomly. And the food and drinks are priced higher than what you can get at Disney! Obnoxious.

Parking is a mess. Not entirely clear where you can park and a major portion of it is on the grass. Additionally, it seems like this is an unfinished project as there was still what looks like construction going on when we visited. It does not look nice from the parking entrance angle at all.

Overall, I am so disappointed with my visit. Not worth the money, I would rather visit a spring, water park, or discovery cove for the...

Parking (free) and entry was easy and for a Saturday. We did purchase tickets online, so all we had to do show the QR code and grab our wrist bands. The lagoon and the facilities were clean. The lagoon is a good size, but the swimming area does get packed by noon. A good part of the lagoon is reserved for the obstacle course and other water activities. I would recommend reserving a cabana or chairs in advance to ensure you have a place to sit unless you plan on spending the entire time in the water. There are a handful of spots for you to use otherwise. The food is overpriced for what you get. It's priced like you are at a Disney without the customer service. A 12 ounce can of soda is 3.00 and a hamburger is 16.00 to give you an idea. Ordering and waiting for the food took about 30 minutes. During lunch I would recommend having a full staff to ensure customers get in and out timely. My group each had a cocktail, and the bar only had one bar tender working out front and one assisting those who used the swim up bar. The Pina Colada was not great, and the bar tender switched it out without any issues. It was more like drinking syrup as it was not even frozen. The rest of us were happy with our drinks. Now, let's talk about the obstacle course. The wait was long as they take about 50 people at once. While in line they could be handing out life jackets to reduce the time. This would help from people trying to figure out what size is available as there is no rhyme or reason how the life jackets are hung up from the previous group. One of the staff should also help those who cannot find the size they need. None of the team were attempting to help those who looked unsure. Give the lifeguard instructing everyone on next steps and the rules a microphone. Many couldn't hear the instructions even though he was talking as loud as he could. After waiting in line You are allotted about 15 minutes on the course. This means the kids take off and have no respect for others on the course. I witnessed people being knocked off or made to slip due to others not being patient. An adults only time would be great or having access to the course throughout the day instead of a small amount time would reduce the urge to complete it in such a short time like it's Ninja Warriors. I definitely wouldn't pay to use the...