Has anyone been to Centre parcs for Christmas?

[itwasntmetho]

I decided last Christmas that I'd like to change it up for me and DS and go away for Christmas.
I don't have a close family and as DS gets older Christmas day falls a bit flat with just the two of us, he doesn't ask for much, I buy crap so he has stuff to open and stuff to play with on the day. We love a water park and I love Centre Parks in the winter, has anyone been for Christmas day and can answer whether we can use the pool or any activities on the day itself? If it's just a day in a hotel room and a nice dinner then it's no better than any other hotel on Christmas day!
Also if anyone has been somewhere that we could have a fab time on Christmas day itself and not feel like it's a day that everyone is with family accept us then I'd love to know about it.
We love swimming, seeing a show, street food, arcade type things, bowling/ crazy golf type stuff. I'd like it to not feel so much like Christmas ideally.

Yes. Love it. Cost split between family who share a chalet. No activities on Christmas Day, but the pool is open (shorter hours) and restaurants are open (book ahead). Obviously, you can go for Nike rides/ use the parks on the day.

They have the Christmas lights up around the place and other small displays to wander round and see. Love the lights.

We went for new year last year and had such a great time that we’ve booked Christmas this year. They have a really brilliant winter lights walk and make the whole place so magical. Pool is open. You can book the restaurants (we probably won’t). There’s ‘breakfast with Santa’ in the lead up. I can’t wait!

How busy is the pool on Christmas Day? Is it busier than normal because all the other activities are closed?

Used to be nearly empty. When they introduced the slots (covid), it ,ade it much busier because everyone need to stick to the timings. Not sure what will happen now that things are returning to normal.

Thank you, that sounds great!

I haven’t but my sister has and she said it was magical

We did it when I was 14 ish and it was the best Christmas ever. So memorable!! We had our favourite food rather than Xmas dinner, spent hours in the pool, bike ride, games / toys it was ACE!!

We loved it! We went just before Christmas and were home for Christmas Eve.

It was busy but with a really happy atmosphere.

Thanks for the responses. I've just booked Elveden for 23rd to 27th.
Super excited now!!!

Have a fantastic time OP! Take some tinsel!