Page 2 | Center Parcs holiday looming up and getting giddy !

Bunty55 · 2022-03-04T00:50:32+00:00

We have been once before so I know you need to take some essential kitchen items and other things like ketchup ,teabags ,sugar etc etc I have a box with groceries in and on the day we go we will buy other food items. I don't want to get caught out and have to use the shop there as it is expensive so that is one lesson learned. My question is, have you been and do you have any tips and recommendations - do's and don'ts that made your stay better? Thanks in advance

eatyourcrustspls · 04/03/2022 19:47

Oh and the sheets are noisy AF. My DS kept waking up. Take your own pillows as well, ours were like rocks.

Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 04/03/2022 19:55

I can't believe people pay so much money for crap ovens, hard pillows and rubbish sheets.

We went to the Netherlands a few years ago and paid a fraction of the UK prices. Very superior lodge, real snow ski slope with dirt cheap lessons, super cheap activities, Lidl next door. We stayed on Bruges on the way over so got some culture too. Srayed in a spa hotel. Uk center parcs are hideously overpriced.

Original poster

Bunty55 · 05/03/2022 12:24

Thank you for all the suggestions. And the weather forecast is for sun ! Wehay

OP posts:

HelenWick · 05/03/2022 12:30

Last time I went (the lakes) I took loads of M&S food. I unloaded DC and one case and when I got back to the car someone had stolen all my food. CP refused to review the CCTV footage and were absolute arseholes about it blaming me for not locking the car and being extremely patronising (implying I had left it behind and imagined the whole thing and telling me to 'check with your husband'.

Original poster

Bunty55 · 05/03/2022 12:36

@HelenWick

Last time I went (the lakes) I took loads of M&S food. I unloaded DC and one case and when I got back to the car someone had stolen all my food. CP refused to review the CCTV footage and were absolute arseholes about it blaming me for not locking the car and being extremely patronising (implying I had left it behind and imagined the whole thing and telling me to 'check with your husband'.

Oh that is awful. Last time we went we took our dogs. They have specific lodges for people with dogs. Moorland view. This time we could not get in for love nor money and are leaving the dog with family. I am gutted about this. I know she will be fine but she is my life and I know how pathetic that sounds :) We thought about sneaking her in but we have been told that CP have CCTV... EVERYWHERE.. and that if you bring a dog when you should not, they either tell you to put the dog in kennels and then issue a fine or tell you to leave. There is CCTV so they should have helped you.

OP posts:

MrsDThomas · 05/03/2022 13:47

Never realised CP have CCTV by the lodges. Been going for 20 years and never seen any cameras by lodges.

The gas ovens are awful. Take as much food as you can as its expensive. I also take my alcohol. And into the sports plaza. Buy a 1st drink then fill the glass.

Have a great time!

pupcakes · 05/03/2022 14:42

@Invasionofthegutsnatchers

I can't believe people pay so much money for crap ovens, hard pillows and rubbish sheets.

We went to the Netherlands a few years ago and paid a fraction of the UK prices. Very superior lodge, real snow ski slope with dirt cheap lessons, super cheap activities, Lidl next door. We stayed on Bruges on the way over so got some culture too. Srayed in a spa hotel. Uk center parcs are hideously overpriced.

And I can't believe people feel the need to comment on positive threads about an upcoming trip with random, pointless negativity like yours, @Invasionofthegutsnatchers.

OP wasn't asking for a cheaper alternative, nor opinions on completely different holidays.

Nelliephant1 · 05/03/2022 14:47

Take as much as you can. It's an over priced rip off of a place. Done it once, never, ever, ever again!

MsSquiz · 05/03/2022 15:05

Whinfell is currently a cashless site.

The pancake house is definitely open there and apparently the pool bar has reopened in the last few days for drinks. When we were there in December, they had plenty seats around the pool if you wanted to take in your own drinks and snacks to have during your swim slot.

The sports cafe is walk in only, no bookings taken. Everywhere else is prebookable, but some might have slots available on the day.

The only softplay open is the one in the Lakeside Inn. They have a few tables in front of the softplay area if you just want to pop in for a drink while the kids play.
You will need your own swim towels or you can hire them from the pool (I think they're £2 each)

For the lodge, if you're cooking, you'll need:
Foil, seasonings & condiments, oil.
You get 2 dishwasher tablets and a sachet of washing up liquid so I always take a ziplock bag with more dishwasher tablets.
Most lodges have tassimo machines with a few pods
You'll need to take your own chalk if you're likely to use the chalk board

We always take birdseed for the birds/ducks depending on where you're lodge is, as well as hazelnuts for the squirrels

Definitely try to include time at the spa, it's one of the best I've been to.

Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 05/03/2022 19:04

Just sharing my experience in European CP sites because some of you might not have thought to look further afield