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We’ve vacationed at this location multiple times and always stay in the Treetop Cabins, which we love. We always have a ton of fun—our daughter especially loves it here. This year, we noticed a few great new additions: new swings by the lake, new inflatables in the water, and a new lookout tower (which we skipped).
One shift we noticed this trip was a heavier emphasis on character bear meet-and-greets, with multiple scheduled every day. While some kids may love that, ours isn’t into it, so it was a bit of a letdown to see fewer arts and crafts activities as a result.
The biggest issue we ran into this time was with the mountain coaster. We had reserved it in advance, but it was canceled due to thunder—and there was zero communication about how to reschedule or get a refund. My husband called the front desk and was met with a string of “I don’t know” answers. He asked how to reschedule: “I don’t know.” Asked how to get a refund: “I don’t know.” What time the coaster opened the next morning? “I don’t know.” Was there someone else he could speak with? “No, it’s just me.” Not exactly helpful.
There was also minimal information on how to get to the coaster. We happened to spot a sign by the lake that said “Coaster Shuttle Pickup” and assumed that was the right place.
The next day, we decided to go right when it opened—11:00 AM, which was also checkout time. I called the front desk to let them know we were out of our cabin but still had the golf cart so we could get to the shuttle. I asked if we could drive ourselves; they said no, but assured us it was fine to hold onto the golf cart until we were done and bring it back then.
We waited about 10 minutes for the shuttle and I asked the front desk how long it usually takes—they didn’t know. I asked how long the ride is from pickup to the coaster. “Maybe 5 minutes, but not sure.” When the shuttle finally arrived, someone in another group asked the driver to wait because “the rest of the party is just a minute away.” We ended up sitting there waiting 20 full minutes for them. The shuttle could have made two trips in that time. It was incredibly inconsiderate of that group, and frustrating that the driver allowed it.
When we got to the coaster, no one greeted us. I approached a staff member and asked where to go; they vaguely gestured toward the sidewalk and said, “Wait there.” A worker then appeared on the upper level and had us shout out our reservation names—no line, no order. We were told to walk up the stairs and wait again. Then, a family was allowed to bypass the line entirely under the pretense of “retrieving belongings.” But they didn’t retrieve anything—they started asking about doing another round, prices, who would ride with who. Finally, I spoke up and asked if they could please sort it out separately so the rest of us could begin. One employee rolled his eyes and walked off, another mumbled something about the safety briefing (which is understandable, but didn’t require holding up everyone for one indecisive group).
Eventually, the same family was loaded into the first coaster cars—again skipping the entire line—and the rest of us were told to wait to be loaded all at once instead of sending riders out in batches. Why? No idea.
We finally rode the coaster. It was fun, but very short. Then we had to wait another 20 minutes for the shuttle to return—confusing, considering it’s a 10-minute round trip. While we were waiting, someone from the front office called asking where the golf cart was (we reminded them they had already approved us keeping it until we returned). We didn’t get back to check out until noon. So for a five-minute coaster ride and a short shuttle trip, the whole process took over an hour.
As we were checking out, we got yet another call asking about the golf cart—even though we had already returned it.
Bottom line: we still love the Treetop Cabins and the general vibe of this place. But communication and customer service—especially around the coaster and front desk—need serious...
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This weekend has been one for the books! We had planned a trip to Yogi Bear's Jellystone in Golden Valley/Bostic, Nc for last Thursday thru today. Thursday my husband called to see if we could get a refund due to the weather but were told that we could not and the park would be open like normal. We are a middle class working family that can't afford to just throw $750 away. So, we packed up and went down right after school. A little before 7:00 and about 2 minutes before we arrived at the check in station we received a call asking if we were still coming that the check in station closes at 8. We check in and go into the park to find campers in campsites everywhere abandoned. Their things set up outside, kids toys out and golf carts sitting at sites but no ppl!! It was such an eery feeling. There was probably 20 ppl along with the ppl we camped with in the campground. At about 5:00 Friday morning Matthew and I were woken up by the intensity of the rain and the wind shaking our camper! 😳 Shortly after we lost power and then water. We wait until about 10:00 am get ready and decide to try and get out of the campground. Everywhere is flooded, the front gate is completely impassable due to trees and powerlines being down. We find the back way out of the park only to find every road leading out impassable. We then decide to make our way to the check in station and then the rangers station where we found NO ONE!! So we go back to our campsite. About an hr later we get a call from a lady with the campround telling us not to come that they have closed the park. We told her we had checked in yesterday and were in fact stuck in the park with no power, water, it is flooding and now we have no way out. All we were told is sorry. We asked why all the campers were sitting here deserted. She told us that they run a special, you pay $700 and camp every weekend for a month. Lies, we paid right at $800 for 4 days and they wouldnt leave golf carts sitting at empty sites all week when they could make money off of them!! After the rain stopped we went to the pool area and were going to fill up buckets of water so that we could atleast flush the toilet. A manager came out and told us that we could not be in there and locked everything up. Until that point we had yet to find anyone from the park!! We asked if we could purchase food and other items from the store with cash and were told no bc they had no power. 🤦♀️ Then to say they were driving and going to find somewhere for their family to stay. We were never checked on. The ppl in ther park were abandoned!! We were told the fire marshall would come in the park at 9:00 Saturday morning to show us a safe way to get out. We met a nice older couple from Mississippi and we sat and waited and no one came to help us. If you know me at this point I am low key panicking!! We are not familiar with the town or roads, we have no service to reach out, we have no power or water, and do not have enough fuel to make it home. The ppl camping in the campground checked on one another and tried to get info on how we could leave. If it were not for the locals in Bostic, Nc I believe we would still be stuck!! Saturday afternoon we finally got out and traveled about an hour to find fuel. I finally had cell service again and called family bc we had not been able to reach anyone in over 24hrs and last they new we were stuck and it was flooding! They reached out to the campround to check on us and they ignored them! 😳 I am just thankful that my god kept us safe! It could have been so much worse! What normally would be a 2.5 hr drive took us a little over 6hrs. The Town of Bostic, Nc was devastated. I have never seen anything like it!! While you are saying a prayer for our sweet small town please say one for theirs as well. They could...
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I really contemplated on writing this, but after reading some of the other reviews and seeing the response from this park, it verified what I was feeling. I really hope this doesn't fall on deaf ears and someone does something about this.
The customer service was horrible. We have been to several Yogi Bear parks (Tabor City is the best) and we were so excited to try this one, but unfortunately we will not be back.
Ranger Randy was amazing. He was helpful and always went above and beyond to help us, but the ones working behind the counter anywhere acted like we were an inconvenience the whole time we were there.
We went to get ice cream and a young man kept complaining and saying that he wanted to be put out of his misery. We consistently had to keep telling him what we ordered. He tried using a waffle cone that had already been used on a previous order that he messed up. Our order didn't even get fulfilled because he didn't understand what we ordered. It was a waffle cone with chocolate ice cream and a cookies and cream milkshake. We tried to get our money back and she said she refunded it, but didn't. We complained to the manager and she said she would say something to him. She did explain some things about him and I do understand certain situations, but if he had come in contact with the wrong person, it could have been a lot worse. I do think the manager said something to him.
So the next day we go to get a pizza and a young girl was working the register, my husband was waiting to order and she was on her phone. When she realized he was there she rolled her eyes and said "what?" while shrugging her shoulders. He proceeded to order the pizza and it wasn't even cut when we got it. He asked for a knife or the pizza cutter to cut it and they told him to go purchase one in the store. We spent $50 on food that evening and they didn't even have the decency to cut our pizza.
My son went to get ranch that came with the pizza and that same girl didn't even acknowledge him. He went up to her while she was on her phone and asked to get ranch and she didn't even look up. She just said this guy needs ranch and then someone else gave it to him. Might I add, this was the same girl who was on her lunch break talking on the phone outside of the store and talking straight garbage about working there and the customers there.
Anytime our boys wanted to do the pedal boats we went to the lakeside shack and tried to pay (because on the website it says you can do that) but they always referred us to scan a QR code that didn't work. They never wanted to help us.
Our boys signed up for laser tag on Saturday night and the guy working the booth got an attitude with us because we showed up 10 minutes early. Generally at other Yogi Bear parks they go over the rules before the game starts which is why we assumed we needed to be there early. It got to be 8:30 and it was time to start the game then he told us that we had to read the rules and we should have done that before hand. How did we know? You were the one who cocked an attitude and told us to come back.
We paid good money to come here to this park and to be treated as if we were the problem was very hurtful. It's a beautiful place filled with rude employees that do not want to help you at all. The people they have working there are too busy on their phones to want to help you.
Like I said, I really hope someone does something about this. There is no reason why we paid $1,200 on this trip (just for the small cabin and a golf cart) to be treated as...
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