Encore Tropical Palms
Tropical Palms is the Disney-area park that actually feels like a resort. Unlike the cramped Encore parks nearby, you get real space between sites, a solid pool, mini golf, and a vibe that says “vacation” instead of “parking lot.” The Wi-Fi costs extra (seriously, in 2026?), and the bathhouses need love, but for a Thousand Trails included park this close to the attractions, it punches above its weight. We scored it 75/100 (M) on our SCOUTED scale.
The Full Review
We pulled into Tropical Palms on a Sunday afternoon after wrapping up a week at Sherwood Forest, and the difference hit us immediately. The roads are wider. The sites are bigger. The whole place breathes. That matters when you’re traveling with three kids and a 40-foot Class A.
Tropical Palms sits right on US-192 in Kissimmee, about 15 minutes from Disney’s front gate. It’s an Encore resort, which means it’s part of the Thousand Trails network. If you have a TT membership, you can book here at no nightly cost for standard sites. The Trails Collection (TC) premium sites cost extra but are worth it for the pull-through convenience.
Site & Setup 14/20
Most sites are gravel with concrete patios. The pull-throughs in the Elite section are long enough for our 40-footer without unhitching the toad. Back-in sites vary quite a bit. Some are tight, others are generous. The shade is better than most Disney-area parks since the property has mature trees throughout. Hookups worked fine on our visit, though we heard from neighbors that some pedestals have intermittent 50-amp issues.
Connectivity 12/20
T-Mobile was strong. Starlink worked but was spotty during peak evening hours with all the Disney-area interference. Park Wi-Fi exists but costs $3/day or $15/week. For a park that charges nothing for standard sites, we get it. But compared to parks like Cherry Hill that include fast Wi-Fi, it stings. We worked remotely on cellular without issues.
Offspring & Family 13/15
The pool is the star. It’s heated, clean, and big enough that our kids actually enjoyed it. There’s a decent playground near the back of the property. Mini golf is a nice bonus. The dog park is fenced and maintained. Speed limit enforcement is loose, which docks the safety score. Golf carts fly through here.
Unity & Community 8/10
Good mix of full-timers and weekenders. The seasonal residents are friendly and helpful. Weekend nights get louder near the pool area but nothing unreasonable. Staff at check-in was efficient. Maintenance responded same-day when we reported a wobbly picnic table.
Territory & Location 12/15
Location is the whole point. Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, ICON Park, and Gatorland are all within 20 minutes. Publix is 5 minutes down 192. The scenery is Florida flat, but you’re not here for mountain views. You’re here because your kids want to meet Mickey and you don’t want to pay $200/night for a Disney resort hotel.
Essentials & Facilities 7/10
The bathhouses are aging. Functional, clean enough, but could use a renovation. Laundry room is well-maintained with enough machines that you rarely wait. The camp store has basics but don’t expect a Wawa. Clubhouse is spacious with events posted weekly.
Dollars & Value 9/10
This is where Tropical Palms shines. With a Thousand Trails membership, standard sites are $0/night. Even the premium pull-throughs are affordable compared to the $80–120/night you’d pay at nearby private parks. The value proposition is absurd when you factor in the Disney proximity. Booking through the TT portal can be fiddly during peak season, but that’s a TT-wide issue, not a Tropical Palms problem.
Thousand Trails Booking Info
| Site Tier | Style | Hookups | Amps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elite | Pull-through | Full (W/E/S) | 30/50 |
| Premium | Pull-through | Full (W/E/S) | 30/50 |
| Standard | Back-in | Full (W/E/S) | 30/50 |
| Value | Pull-through | Partial (W/E) | 30/50 |
| Value | Back-in | Partial (W/E) | 30/50 |
Site Tips
Elite pull-throughs in the 500s loop offer the most space and shade. Sites 520–540 back up to the tree line with good privacy. The Premium back-ins in the 300s loop near the pool are ideal if you have kids.
Anything in the 100s loop closest to US-192 gets road noise, especially at night. Sites near the front entrance see constant golf cart traffic. The Value sites along the back fence are tight for anything over 35 feet.
Bottom Line
Tropical Palms is the Disney-area TT park we keep coming back to. It’s not the fanciest Encore resort in the network, but the combination of location, site quality, and $0 nightly cost makes it hard to beat. If you’re doing a Disney trip with your TT membership, book here first and use Sherwood Forest as your backup. Your wallet and your kids will thank you.
Connectivity Details
Local Intel
Restaurants
- Golden Corral2 mi
- Cracker Barrel3 mi
- Bob Evans2 mi
- Outback Steakhouse3 mi
- McDonald's / Wendy's / Chick-fil-A1 mi
Groceries
- Walmart Supercenter2 mi
- Publix3 mi
- ALDI4 mi
- Target5 mi
Shopping
- Old Town Kissimmee4 mi
- Loop & 192 Flea Market5 mi
Auto Parts
- AutoZone2 mi
- O'Reilly3 mi
Propane
- Available at park office
Amazon Locker
- Whole Foods, 3201 Rolling Oaks Blvd, Kissimmee FL (5 mi)
Post Office
- 1415 E Vine St, Kissimmee FL 34744 (4 mi)
Mail Policy
- Packages accepted at office, $5 per package
Attractions & Activities
Things to Do
- Walt Disney World — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom8 mi
- Universal Orlando18 mi
- Old Town Kissimmee — Shopping, dining, rides4 mi
Outdoors
- Shingle Creek Regional Trail5 mi
- Lake Toho Marina — Bass fishing6 mi
Entertainment
- Medieval Times6 mi
- Fun Spot America10 mi
Flea / Farmers Markets
- 192 Flea Market5 mi
Nearby Services
Hospital / Urgent Care
- AdventHealth Kissimmee5 mi
- Poinciana Medical Center8 mi
Pharmacy
- CVS2 mi
- Walgreens2 mi
- Walmart Pharmacy2 mi
Clubs
- Elks: 1655 Kings Hwy, Kissimmee (6 mi)
- Eagles: 4171 W Vine St, Kissimmee (8 mi)
- Moose: 1023 N Main St, Kissimmee (7 mi)
