Is Centre Parcs worth it

We've only been to one in Germany (calm down, we weren't living in the UK at the time) but apparently it's basically identical to one in the UK. DP said he 'felt like he'd been processed through a holiday experience' there. It's a bit odd. And I'm not a snob, I'm at a caravan park right now!

The pool was good and I liked it was car free. For 6 though I might look at Butlins Bognor if you're close. The pool there is excellent for that age. And everything is included. Lots to do in the area.

I thought I might be useful for the OP to know that it is cheaper to go to CP in The Netherlands.

Is this a revelation? It comes up on every bloody CP thread including this one!

I think the sarky comment about GFG and “European” along side implying that I’m not prioritising time with my DCs due to travel time was quite sniffy, was it not?

You are taking it way too personally and again no more sniffy than your comment about the ridiculous cost.

I think the sarky comment about GFG and “European” along side implying that I’m not prioritising time with my DCs due to travel time was quite sniffy, was it not? I wasn’t judging anyone for going to the UK CP. I thought I might be useful for the OP to know that it is cheaper to go to CP in The Netherlands.

As you say, we all prioritise differently. Your sniffy tone was is really unnecessary.

How was @DenizenOfAisleOfShame response anymore sniffy than yours @diabolicalfolicle 😆

I’m not sniffy at all. I’m anti-sniffy. It’s the Center Parcs trashers that are sniffy.

Of course it all depends on where you live, and on other things. If my family owned a splendid property in Tuscany I wouldn’t have bothered with any Center Parcs, even Dutch versions.

But we don’t. So we take the best holidays we can, and in the past we took the best holidays that we could with younger children. And I think Center Parcs here are very good for what they are and what they cost.

And Going for Gold was absolute shite, made by an Australian company.

We love the overnight ferry!
Surely it would also depend on how close you live to CP v how close you are to Dover / Harwich?
Plus there are lots of things you can combine with CP that are fun for kids, such as Plopsaland / Efteling.
As you say, we all prioritise differently. Your sniffy tone was is really unnecessary.

You could discount the price of a UK Center Parc against the absurd amount of time you spend getting to and back from a Dutch equivalent, via Harwich or Hull or whichever port you use in England.

I never found hours and hours with my children in a car very much fun. Or overnight ferries either.

Just a thought.

I was one of those posters. Because even with paying for the ferry and petrol, four nights at CP in The Netherlands in the Easter holidays is cheaper than a long weekend in the UK CP. I’d actually like to try a UK one but I can’t bring myself to spend that much on a weekend away in the UK. It’s ridiculous.
And I do have very fond memories of GFG from when I was a student.

Yes, that was my point?

So what about it isn't outdoorsy? So what if it's man-made on private property, it doesn't matter to those that enjoy it, so not sure why it's amusing to you. I enjoy being outdoors but I also like CP. It's nice to have everything we need within walking distance - a subtropical pool we all enjoy, toddler can free roam without the worry of cars in beautiful surroundings, a place where there are plenty of other toddlers to play with in all the play areas, we enjoy eating out at the restaurants, and also have animals (muntjac, ducks, squirrels) that come up to our lodge.

That is not “at one with nature”. I rest my case.

Nope. Not for me. How could you tell? 🤣

Yes totally different. Unless you’re intentionally paying thousands of pounds to live amongst the trees at both places …🙄

But everyone would moan if it wasn’t maintained!! Low behold a loose branch or some leaves on the path!

each to their own. But we like it. I find it quite calming especially if you have a lodge away from the sports plaza/plaza. And actually around the further away lodges it is fairly wild. We saw deer in our little garden which was really nice.

everyone’s different so hopefully the OP can choose something that suits them

I guess if lots of people have the same objections then some of those could be rectified by somewhere charging £2k+ a family a week for accommodation. Particularly the food quality when they’re charging £20 for a deep fried frozen burger and chips.

I overlook the tired paintwork and grubby changing rooms at Butlins because I’m not paying 1000s to be there. I don’t understand why people are happy to pay out so much and find it enjoyable and relaxing to be honest. I have money to spend but I hate being ripped off.

I guess it wasn’t for you then.

The pools are very warm, and there are slides etc too, so lots to keep you in the water longer.

Definitely worth it - we live it there.

I thought CP was an absolute rip off and the most boring holiday I’ve ever been on. Packed pool
area, terrible food and (very short!) activities. And there really are only so many bike-rides and walks you can go on. Both of which we can and do all the time at home anyway so the novelty wore off very quickly. The accommodation was damp and mouldy and woefully ill-equipped. You couldn’t drag me back! I’d rather stay at home and do day trips to different places, which we’ve done since the awful CP trip. I can’t afford to jump on a ferry and go elsewhere so am happy to spend a lot less and stay local.

We’re piling up all the usual sniffy Center Parcs objections in super quick time!

We’ve had the cost, the superiority of Belgian camps, the state of the accommodation, and now we’ve got nature purity. Can anyone throw in a terrible badminton injury for good measure?

Of course it's maintained, but so are my local
parks and the NT place I go to.

The difference is it’s completely maintained.

No.

or hire a mobility scooter

You can’t take your car to your cabin either except to pack & unpack, unless you’re in a disabled cabin but even then, you can’t drive around the park during the stay. So if you’ve limited mobility and unable to use a bike, then you need to hope that you’re staying close to the facilities.

Forest holidays don't have the swimming complexes though do they? different holidays imo.