Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Center Parcs -extortionate?

110 replies

tomboytown · 30/07/2019 22:01

I’m so shocked at the prices of everything.
Basic pasta dinner for 4, one beer- £85

No availability at 4pm for dinner, the restaurant had just opened and was deserted, nothing available TIL 8pm apparently
Was still half empty at 5pm

V basic (crap) burgers for 4 £35

A badminton court for 4 for 1 hour is £35

The map is really bad

The staff are great, fabulous idea, but needs a massive overhaul

OP posts:
Impatientwino · 30/07/2019 22:25

That included racket/shuttlecock hire - it's only £11 if you bring your own...

TheBiscuitStrikesBack · 30/07/2019 22:27

£85 for four bowls of pasta? £20 for spag boll? Are you sure?

Original poster
tomboytown · 30/07/2019 22:29

Admittedly I think all the badminton must be sold out, the only one I can find looks like some sort of tournament
Honestly, we eat out a lot, London prices, but £11 for one small chicken burger in a really crappy Winpey type place?
just finding the whole thing overpriced and crap really

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Days out
Original poster
tomboytown · 30/07/2019 22:30

What’s with the rapids?

OP posts:
SquirellTamer · 30/07/2019 22:30

We went to CP in May. It is expensive so I just made nice meals and treated the kids to the odd treat. They absolutely love the pool so we spend alot of time there.

teddypasty · 30/07/2019 22:32

I've got friends who absolutely live center parcs and go every year. Each to their own. It's clearly not for you op

Original poster
tomboytown · 30/07/2019 22:33

No, I’m not carrying around drinks, snacks, extra layers, waterproofs when I can just about get on the bloody bike

OP posts:
PrayingandHoping · 30/07/2019 22:33

The rapids are one of the best things at CP.

They may not be at every one though. I've only been to longleat which is excellent

Original poster
tomboytown · 30/07/2019 22:34

Tbf- I think it’s an amazing concept, I can just find a lot of things I think they could do better

OP posts:
eurochick · 30/07/2019 22:38

We are just back and I didn't find it too bad. Most activities seemed reasonably priced. The food prices seemed normal high street chain prices. The kids menus surprised me by seeming very reasonably priced. I always wish they had a slightly higher end eating place at CP. Woburn has Strada which is ok but nothing special. We were just at Elveden which doesn't have anything particularly nice.

I am with you on the map though. It could definitely be improved, as could signposting.

PrayingandHoping · 30/07/2019 22:38

I think it's a consumer learning experience. When you're there at peak times you HAVE to prebook everything. If you don't you'll be frustrated which is what you're experiencing.

I was at longleat over Easter in the heat wave, it was crazy busy but we had everything planned out so had no issues and a great time

sheshootssheimplores · 30/07/2019 22:42

We refuse to pay the ludicrous prices to jostle with a thousand middle class people riding bike.

Dowser · 30/07/2019 22:43

Used to love cp when my children were little over 30 years ago.
Haven’t been for 20 years and at those prices
I don’t think we ever will.

VenusTiger · 30/07/2019 22:52

@Holenewme we went their in 2016 before they built more cabins and it was lovely yes.
We’ve never done Centerparcs as the cost of just the accommodation is appalling! Abroad is way cheaper.

INeedAFlerken · 30/07/2019 22:52

When I think we can pay £3 for a badminton court at the local centres for an hour ... no, just no.

Crazy prices at CP.

Original poster
tomboytown · 30/07/2019 22:57

I wondered what you meant about the rapids cos it was v interesting today.
They switch the rapids off when the wave machine comes on, so there’s a mass exodus and then a mass influx. What on earth is the reasoning for this? It was really fun for 2 minutes, before the 100 people came in!

OP posts:
BubblesBubbly · 30/07/2019 23:02

Rather jostle with the middle class at center parcs than the chavs at haven

Original poster
tomboytown · 30/07/2019 23:08

Ok, so I’ve found the cheaper badminton, it’s only £11, so that’s fine.
Quad bike, laser anything, aerial thing all approx £35 each

OP posts:
Mac47 · 30/07/2019 23:11

I wanted a short break and looked at going this week (sherwood) but after seeing the price, we are instead going for 3 nights in Spain.

Holenewme · 30/07/2019 23:11

venus did you go to Bluestone in the winter? We’ve been pretty lucky with the weather but wondering what it would’ve like in winter as the cabins don’t seem particularly warm. Golf buggies at Bluestone are a million times more fun than riding a bike at Center Parcs. I feel like the queen when I overtake a peasant on a bike/ on foot here.

Holenewme · 30/07/2019 23:12

Also does anyone know if there’s anywhere that does a similarish set up in Scotland or Ireland?

PinkGinFreak · 30/07/2019 23:15

Ha ha Bubblesbuddy, Haven Chav here! The prices at haven are f**ING extortionate too, £40 for 1 hr on couple go karts. Everything is designed to take your money off you, it's the name of the game. That's why we're staying in a cottage in the Scottish Highlands this year 😜

IndieRar · 30/07/2019 23:17

Totally with you on the crap map and awful on site wayfinding. I was almost compelled to write to them after our holiday earlier this year. Hundreds of people must get lost every week!

cocomelon23 · 30/07/2019 23:17

I hate the place. Really do not understand the CP love.

Mammyloveswine · 30/07/2019 23:17

I've been twice and loved it...both fines I was on maternity leave so wasn't in school holidays! Made such a difference!

Swipe left for the next trending thread