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Original poster

Center Parcs help please!

38 replies

MountainSun · 13/04/2022 21:38

Can’t find the answer anywhere on the site, but I know we have many Center Parcs experts here!

I’d like to add 2 guests to a booking, but we have booked a 3 bed lodge and will then have 7 guests.
The youngest will be 5 and can sleep on a camp bed but I’m guessing they won’t allow that.

Is it possible to change the lodge at this stage!? Going next month. Or do they let little ones sleep on a camp bed?

Thanks!

OP posts:
NeedleNoodle3 · 13/04/2022 21:41

3 bedroom lodges are for 6 people so you’ll have to call up and see if there are either any four bedroom or two two bedroom villas available.

BakewellTart01 · 13/04/2022 21:42

They are unlikely to let a camp bed to stay. They also have the lodges assigned about a month before.
Best to give them a call and ask.

Floralnomad · 13/04/2022 21:44

Have you looked at the week you are going to see if a bigger lodge is available as that’s the best place to start .

Interested in this thread?

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Days out
Muchtoomuchtodo · 13/04/2022 21:45

Just take an air bed with you for the lo.

user1471443411 · 13/04/2022 21:51

They do look in your car when you go to check in, to see how many guests you have, but if you were going in two or more cars you might be able to get away with it. Would you have room in your car for the camp bed? If they have any bigger lodges still available on the website, I'd give them a call and see if you can change your booking. Otherwise, just be careful when booking activities with names and be aware you won't all be able to go swimming together.

Cleopatra2022 · 13/04/2022 21:58

You would never be able to sneak someone in. They ask names of who is in the car when you arrive.

Ginfilledcats · 13/04/2022 22:03

As PP said, if you're in a 3 bed max people you can have is 6, unless you have an under 2.
They count the people int he car in too.

Have a look and see if any bigger lodges available for when you go!

Furrybutts · 13/04/2022 22:05

Is this counting people in the car a new thing?

NeedleNoodle3 · 13/04/2022 22:06

No, I’ve been going for 27 years and they’ve always done it.

ScoobyGrew · 13/04/2022 22:08

@Furrybutts

Is this counting people in the car a new thing?
No! I remember being counted 15 years ago. I did not enjoy it.

When my dd was a toddler my sister went to the one 40 minutes away from where we live and my toddler dd tricycled over the 'border crossing' and spent the day with them.

Leah2005 · 13/04/2022 22:12

My DH and friends used to smuggle their smallest friend in the footwell of the back seats. Put coats over her and rested their feet on top. Grin

FairyCakeSprinkles · 13/04/2022 22:13

I agree with @user1471443411, I think you'd get away with it if you arrived in a few cars.

We've been as a large party with three lodges before, my step nephew decided to come at the last minute (he went in a bed and my 2 year old nephew went in a travel cot) and no one noticed.

Peasandcabbage · 13/04/2022 22:14

Remember if you were to sneak someone in, they then do not exist.

So no activities, no restaurant bookings and no swim slots. Again I suppose you could get them in on an evening but not officially.

And no insurance if something went wrong.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 13/04/2022 22:14

I’ve only been a few times but met friends there. I don’t recall being counted or even who arrived first to know if there were more people already there,

underneaththeash · 13/04/2022 22:16

@FairyCakeSprinkles

I agree with *@user1471443411*, I think you'd get away with it if you arrived in a few cars.

We've been as a large party with three lodges before, my step nephew decided to come at the last minute (he went in a bed and my 2 year old nephew went in a travel cot) and no one noticed.

You can have a 2 year old in a cot as an extra. You won’t get away with an extra 5 year old - they won’t be able to do anything. You just need to call and potentially upgrade.
Furrybutts · 13/04/2022 22:16

I'm genuinely perplexed here as until 2 years ago I used to do long weekends at the Sherwood Forest and Whinfell ones at least twice a year for over 20 years, and not once has anyone counted who is in our car!
I've bought holidays cheaply from people who haven't been able to claim on their insurance, booked directly with CP and been added as a guest when friends and family are staying, and have on numerous occasions had more people with me than were booked in.
Never been questioned.

JaniceBattersby · 13/04/2022 22:17

They were really bloody strict last time we went in October. Made us open the boot and everything.

Problem with having an extra person is that they aren’t going to be able to do anything. Literally everything has a check-in list or needs to be booked. They make it deliberately impossible to sneak someone in.

Furrybutts · 13/04/2022 22:18

ScoobyGrew
Yes, I've done similar Wink

Muchtoomuchtodo · 13/04/2022 22:18

@Peasandcabbage
You can book restaurants and activities for more than the people in your lodge. It’s not against the rules to meet friends or family from other lodges so being over the number for your own lodge is fine!!

BungleandGeorge · 13/04/2022 22:20

The 4 bed are popular and usually quite a lot more expensive than 3 bed because 2 families often share them. You also pay a charge to add people on the booking (even if there’s room in the villa). You might be better booking a hotel room or lodge for 2 presuming there’s more than 1 or 2 adults going?

Favourodds · 13/04/2022 22:20

When my dd was a toddler my sister went to the one 40 minutes away from where we live and my toddler dd tricycled over the 'border crossing' and spent the day with them

Really enjoying the thought of your toddler furiously pedalling for 40 minutes 🤣❤️

Peasandcabbage · 13/04/2022 22:20

@Muchtoomuchtodo yes I understand that, but how do you name them?

Like I was there last week, and had to go

Eg

Book tree top climbing

Name

Then it would come up with my three year old only, as she was the only one named in the correct age for that activity.

Restaurant

Name
Select
Me
Toddler
Baby

Pay deposit for everyone except baby

LadyHelenaJustina · 13/04/2022 22:21

We've always been counted in.

I do know people who were booked in as day guests, then stayed the night. I also know people who lied about the ages of children so they could get extra people in.

LadyHelenaJustina · 13/04/2022 22:22

I also know people who have driven in, been counted, then gone back out and collected some more people. Apparently they don't count you as you go out.

Goldrill · 13/04/2022 22:25

If you happen to be going to Whinfell there are a couple of public footpaths which run through the site. Quite well used, I believe!