Mayport's Pelican Roost

Checked in today and got a great site. Woody checked me in and was very pleasant and professional as was everyone I've talked to. I can't say enough nice things about this CG. Folks busy cutting the grass and everything looks great. Even a beautiful day today. The first time we stayed here was at least five years ago. We still judge every CG we stay in against the "Pelican Roost Standard." They've set the bar high. Merry Christmas to all.

I bet they put you on the front row. That makes you like it there. We loved it there last December. Had a air craft carrier come in fully loaded while we were there.

We stayed there 11/11/08 - 11/18/08. We got put on the back row so in order to see the ships go by we had to walk around to the front.

The laundry is terrible. > Only two washers and three dryers, so good luck finding one open to use! It is located in back of the office and there are no signs telling you where it is located. I found it by accident. However, they are free, which is great, if as I said, you can find one open. Plus there is a sign saying you have to stay in the building if you are using the laundry. I didn't. I just set the timer for 50 minutes on the dryer and then set my timer in the trailer for 40 minutes. I found out just how scared the other RVers were about this rule when I set the dryer and went to leave, there was a couple (the only other people in the 'Roost') that told me as I was leaving that I had to stay with the laundry! I told them I would be back in plenty of time, I'm an adult and I could handle doing the laundry as such. They were very nice and said they would 'cover' for me if the manager came back! They would claim the laundry was theirs! OMG! When I went back they were very happy to see me. I told them I'm 57 years old and I think I can be responsible enough to get my laundry done without hampering anyone else. I think a more appropriate sign in the laundry might be that if you leave your laundry unattended and it finishes the cycle and people are waiting, then your laundry will be removed from the machine and placed in a pile on the table.

On the plus side they have free wi-fi. We were right in back of the 'Roost' so we had a very good signal.

On the minus side the Commissary and BX are off base, quite a ways off base.

On the plus side the Commissary and BX are very big.

Lots of things to see and do in Mayport or nearby Jacksonville.

I would stay again but would prefer a front row spot next time.

Janeen, I respect your point of view but having spent most of adult life in the military, I guess I'm used to rules, even ones that don't make sense to me. Just in case you visit again, last night I noticed a very nice laundramat on base, less than a mile away, next to the Subway and Taco Bell, that has many washers and dryers. Unfortunately they want you to remain with your laundry also and it's not free. Safe travels and all the best to you this holiday season. Bob

I don't understand all the complaining about Mayport. We've stayed there. Last spring my wife used the laundry twice and had no problems getting a machine. I also say that if you don't like the rules don't stay there. Some people think that rules are for other people, not them!!

Sometimes a little constructive critism can be good for a customer service type business. And good customer service is in the eye of the beholder. Frank, I think you and I like the way they're operating the Roost. The fact that some others see it differently keeps this board interesting. I've been on the front row, the grass and in between. I've heard folks comment on the number of work campers. If the condition of the grounds and the cleanliness of the facilities is an indicator of proper staffing, I think they've got the proper number. I've heard folks comment on the pet rules. Nobody loves their pet more than us. But we've all seen campers tying their dogs outside their rigs, noisy pets, and folks not cleaning up after their pet. I for one am glad they have rules and enforce them. I'm also glad someone else is making the rules for length of stay, reservation policy, whether you can wash your rig or not, trash disposal, quiet hours, generator usage and the host of other policy that must be made and enforced to run a quality campground. Sounds like work to me. For me, blue sky, 75 degree weather and the sights and sounds of Navy ships make me a happy camper. Maybe their putting something in the water.