Of all the possible names one could have selected for an RV park, I’m not really sure why a Florida establishment landed on a Polynesian theme (and yes, I checked and the owners do not hail from the Pacific isles), but surely one must feel a bit of Mahalo (or welcome) here at Aloha RV Park as immediately upon entry, you’ll be greeted by a very small, but nonetheless welcoming community pool. Adjacent to the water-splashing promenade you will discover the main office, where you’ll meet the onsite manager who will check you in. From the folks that work here to the soon-to-be neighbors you will meet, there is very much a sense of friendly welcomeness to this community. 

Located due south of Orlando and just due west of Kissimmee, you’ll find Aloha RV Park just off the I-4 corridor (the main artery leading to the city of the Magical Mouse and all his friends) on Route 17. One of the two primary reasons you might be here are both location and budget. This RV roadside stand is compact and offers about 100 or so well-paved RV slots. When we stopped by to see about availability there were only 2 available spots – neither long-enough for our needs – so if you are interested in this location, you’ll definitely want to make reservations well in advance as it look as though quite a number of the spaces here are rented out by the month or even on an annual basis. 

As far as amenities are concerned, there’s a handful: fire pit, small heated pool, 50 / 100 amp electrical, water and sewage hook-ups, shuffleboard, WiFi, doggy park, mediocre maintained restrooms and showers. You are also quite close to a number of fresh-water lakes, of which, I highly recommend Lake Tohopekaliga (which sounds Polynesian, I know, but it’s not! This was actually named by the fabled might Seminole Indians meaning ‘we will gather here’) offering plenty of options for kayaking, hiking, sunset viewing, biking canoeing, stargazing, paddle boarding, fishing, sailing and horseback riding. 

Insider’s tips? Sure, here’s a handful: (1) If you come hauling your own watercraft (kayak, canoe, waterbike, etc.) then definitely head on over to the lower half of Lake Tohopekaliga where there’s some seriously amazing little bends to careen around as well as some very awesome fishing holes, particularly for Bass; (2) Check out Lake Toho Fish Camp, which is another place you might be interested in setting up for the night if Aloha is fully-booked, plus they offer a boat slip along with a bait & tackle shop; (3) If Latin food is your thing, then you’re in luck as there are about 5 different Latino restaurants within a short walking distance. Be sure to try out Chaufa de Mariscos at Mi Gente Restaurante, Cuban Mofongos at Maracas or a nice Guanabana fruit shake at Rancho Latino. 

Happy Camping!