To think that Cente Parcs might be a bit [hmm]

[DrunkenDaisy]

I've never been so have an open mind. My parents want to do something nice for the family for their birthdays next year. My DS and DB have loads of little sprogs, but I have just one DD aged 14.

Will I have a shit time? Or will it be fun?

Having said I loved it earlier in the thread, have seen some more posts and it's true the food is shit. I've never been for more than 4 days and half the boot is filled up with a shop done on the way, so that we only have to buy bread and milk in the shop there. The restaurants all have a captive market and don't seem to be bothered about actually providing you with decent food.

That might be more of a problem with older children, as when they're young it's easier to cook for them at home anyway.

I went to one when I was about 10 and had the best time ever - the swimming pools are great and we hired bikes and rode around a lot. I haven't been back and actually that was about 23 years ago so things may have changed since then!

When we go we stop at M&S on the way and buy some Chinese food for one night, we eat at Cafe Rouge one night, and I cook the other night.

We love to be all snuggled up after a bath in the jacuzzi bath, eating dinner in our PJs with the fire going

I am going with a group of 8 girlfriends in November and can't wait

I a just looking at the prices of CP in the Netherlands in October

i usually prefer to DIY on holiday but with a group with kids of really different ages i think it's great. or a group where some have kids/babies and others dont.

it's easy to spend time together and book different people into different individual 'treats' but then get together again afterwards.

on a DIY holiday with a group IME the whole group tends to either stay together despite different ages/interests or it fractures and then stays split all day rather than being easy to meet up again.

flipthefrog.....lordy,no!!! a good few miles from Luton!this one being built here is to attract londoners,its up near Bedford. place called milbrook

The food isn't great, but it is a bit of a novelty for us (living in the sticks) to have a choice of food on our doorstep. So we eat out every night. It isn't cheap, but we don't eat out a huge amount at home so enjoy the novelty factor. Plus the DC love the kids cocktails in Hucks...

We love it, go every year. I think it really does depend where people's pain thresholds are for holidays. My horror is airports and flying, ruins any holiday abroad for me whereas for others it's just a means to an end. The bit that I'm not mad keen on at Center Parcs is the pool, I would agree with those who say it is crowded and the changing areas not clean. We go once and make sure we're there for open time at 10.00am as for the first hour it is not too crowded and the muddy feet haven't taken over the changing area!

We just find CP so.....easy. I also don't think the food is as bad as people say - we didn't dare go to Hucks for years as we'd read so many terrible reviews until we finally gave it a go and it was fantastic, sort of TGIs without the dirty tables! The curry house is also really good. It's one of those places to try once at least.

My kids love it! When they were little it was all about the pool and the soft play areas oh and practising riding their bikes. Now they're 8, 6 and 4 and love all the activities.

We go Oct half term most years. Now they do stuff like archery, soccer school, ranger walks, birds of prey experience, horse riding etc. They love it and DH and I find it very relaxing.

ooh might go for a job there then tiff

We have been 3 times (Longleat twice and Elvedon) when the DCs were preschool.

They did indoor play ( football, tumble tots, Teddy Bear Picnic) and loved the childrens end of the swimming pool.

Main downside ( for me as the only driver ) was taking the car down, unpacking, the queue to get back to the carpark then the walk back.
Then on departured day ,you do it in reverse.
There are cars/vans driving round (C/P staff) so though it is safer than a road, children have to be aware.
It pi**ed with rain the whole time on two visits (May was fine). We got the bike trailer for DCs (on DHs bike ) which is hard work on hills.
Accomodation good,clean.
But it is expensive.
We've taken DCs to Butlins the last 2 years. Nearly everything is included so we weren't continually shelling out.( And it's half the price) Gold Appt B&B +dinner.

I have been twice with my parents and DD. My mum, myself and my daughter LOVED it. We practically cried when we left. My dad didn't enjoy it quite so much as he is not a big swimmer and we spent alot of time in the pool. I think you will enjoy it.