Why do so many people dislike Centre Parcs so much?

It’s not as nice as it was 15-20 years ago (though what is?) and their prices are insane for school holidays. We only ever used to go during term when our kids were under 5 because of this.

I've been on holidays where I have washed and where I haven't.... It's hardly inconceivable to pack a weeks worth of clothes is it?

Same way people go camping without washing machines. You go to the laundrette or you just pack plenty.

My sister in laws sister in law. So outing haha.

Had rats nesting behind the headboard. When they pulled the headboard forward you could see their stash of food. Definitely rats not squirrels. As well as other cleaning issues.

Agreed. I go away every summer for 2 weeks, in a haven van and we manage. I just pack each days clothes and then 4 outfits for nighttime and try to wash in the sink/shower for stuff that’s not too gross.
if I’m stuck there is a laundrette on site.

Too much like organised fun for me. We prefer renting an apartment or villa somewhere abroad or in the UK and just exploring (we have young kids), I’m not interested in being contained. There’s plenty to do everywhere you
go.

And they don't have washing machines apparently? I don't understand how anyone can go away and not wash their clothes, especially if they're outdoors or have kids.

You just pack enough clothes 😆😆

The only holiday I have ever washed clothes is at family holiday home when there for 4 weeks plus

Agree, plus it’s such a long term.

It’s colossally overpriced shite. There were loads of cars and vehicles driving round when we went and nowhere to really cycle. The food was absolutely appalling, it was inedible and so expensive - I had to throw away a vanilla slice as it was like rubber and impossible to eat, and I’ve never thrown away a vanilla slice in my life. The activities were eye watering and we went to do activities, not sit around eating beans on toast and playing games we brought from home.

I can see that if for whatever reason you can’t fly then it’s somewhere you can go for a family holiday. Or if you don’t care you are being ripped off. I much prefer Butlins and I’m going half board mon-Fri for two for about £400 next year - a great break for me and my dd and with the £2k I’ll be saving on a similar centre parcs break I can buy my own bloody red squirrel 😁

Agree about the rude staff. I know Disney is way more expensive, but we were so used to smiles and staff bending over backwards for you that it was quite a shock to pull up at Center Parcs and get 'greeted' by this rude woman who spoke to us like she hated us and could barely be bothered to give us directions to our cabin.

And, like everyone else says, the price is extortionate and then you have to pay extra to do almost every activity. Never again.

Hope you have found some more accommodating and caring holiday providers.

I’ve been a few times and it’s never been damp, although is that a recent thing ? Once had a dirty grill pan , told guest services and got wine and chocolates as an apology.

I've never washed clothes on holiday ... even with baby/toddler twins.

They pack accordingly, so that there’s no need to wash clothes.

I’ve never been on a single holiday/break where I’ve done a wash.

the most is a quick rinse of swimsuits

I've never been as it's catastrophically expensive. But whenever I've looked at the websites it just looks like a middle class Butlins. Nothing special. Touch of 'enforced fun".
And they don't have washing machines apparently? I don't understand how anyone can go away and not wash their clothes, especially if they're outdoors or have kids.

I feel like I'm in prison - the rules about cars, the difficulty bringing in groceries. the booking of activities, the restaurants are shit, too many over excited kids. Our kids loved the pool - I hated it - dh went in with them, I sat in the coffee shop - only place with wifi whilst a baby screamed her lungs out for at least 45mins - I don't know why the parents thought that was OK? Maybe because it was Centre Parcs and maybe that's why I hate it.

My DN in the Midlands also. It's common enough to be unremarkable but it's also not the standard.

Teachers who want a couple of weeks of out of season sunshine...

It is shit. Instead of an extra week in the summer when the weather is lovely and the nights are light it’s an extra week in the cold, dark and wet.

Schools are increasingly using it as a recruitment tool. Teachers enjoy the possibility of having 2 weeks away, other than Summer and Easter.

Maybe some areas have fewer recruitment issues than others, but once some schools in an area do it, it's very hard to recruit if you don't. It's usually achieved by adding minutes to the school day, rather than taking holiday from elsewhere, so it feels like extra iyswim.

Becoming more common in London, my dcs school started last year.

You can ride a bike or do anything you have in CP elsewhere and have choice. Only difference is you as a parent have to take them and join in the activity and sometimes I think it is that which is the attraction to CP.

What’s wrong with that? We are Londoners, my dc loved being able to cycle to the shop alone at CP, at home they had to wait until they were older.

Some state schools do 2 weeks at October half term but it's not standard, in England anyway.