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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU or is Center Parcs SUPER expensive?!

162 replies

Crisscrosscranky · 28/12/2016 15:11

This week it appears all of my friends on FB have gone to center parcs- it looks lovely.

DH and I usually use our Xmas money to book a European city break in the late spring but I will be 7 months pregnant this year so we're looking a little closer to home... just priced up a weekend at our nearest center parcs and OMG Shock - 3 days in the cheapest lodge Suffolk would cost us the same as 3 night staying in a 5 star hotel in most of the European cities... and have I got it right that you have to pay extra for teabags and toilet paper (they are coming up on recommended extras!?)

Am I missing a trick or do I have some secretly wealthy mates?! off to google the latest dates I can fly

OP posts:
sj257 · 28/12/2016 15:13

I agree, I've looked into it before and can't believe how much it costs. Think our 2 week siblu break in France was cheaper!

backwardpossom · 28/12/2016 15:15

YANBU. I've just priced up a week in Austria with Eurocamp in the summer holidays cheaper than Centre Parcs.

LordEmsworth · 28/12/2016 15:16

It's self catering, including bringing your own loo roll etc.

It can be eye wateringly expensive, or very reasonable - if you book for an unpopular time and/or well in advance (and/or mid week not weekends). The self catering bit can help even it up as well.

It is 3 nights, so 4 days. Not sure it's 5 star though...

Niloufes · 28/12/2016 15:17

Its hugely expensive, and you have to pay for everything else on top, very little gets thrown in with the booking payment. Go on your weekend away instead.

dangermouseisace · 28/12/2016 15:18

I've been once at the cheapest time when DS was a baby. I would never have been able to afford any other time.

In my opinion I think Haven holiday parks are more fun if you have kids, and a lot cheaper, but I know a lot of people are snooty about caravan parks (their loss ) As you don't have kids yet I'd take full advantage of being able to relax without them somewhere cheaper and nicer than both!

rookiemere · 28/12/2016 15:19

Plenty of time for CP once you have DC. Then you will appreciate the huge swimming pool, play areas and other facilities. I'd totally recommend the city break abroad if you're still able to fly - little chance of that with DC (laughs hollowly).

Fairylea · 28/12/2016 15:21

Hugely overpriced. I've stayed because we have someone in our family that works there but I'd never pay full price.

Wild Duck Haven in Suffolk is a woodland setting with ducks and a lake etc etc and swimming and it's easily half the price even if you stay in a deluxe top range caravan.

Tootsiepops · 28/12/2016 15:21

I've been to cp twice in the last year and not had to take my own toilet paper Confused

FitbitAddict · 28/12/2016 15:21

It was a long time ago, but we once went to Center Parcs in Normandy which cost about £400 less for a week including ferry etc compared to a week in the UK. Worth comparing rates maybe?

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 28/12/2016 15:22

Do NOT go to Centre Parcs if you are pregnant with your first.

Centre Parcs will make you wish you weren't having children.

Once you've actually got children then it's expensive but worth it.

Original poster
Crisscrosscranky · 28/12/2016 15:24

We actually have a DD already (she's 9) but we're lucky enough to have 2 brilliant sets of grandparents nearby (sorry MN, I like my MIL) so we get away just the two of of us once a year for a long weekend. I can't warrant spending all that money to be an hour away from home in a shed, in a wood.

CP isn't really DD's thing actually - she prefers a caravan park with cheesy entertainment and --creepy- entertainers who dress up as giant animals Grin.

OP posts:
I8toys · 28/12/2016 15:25

We go to CP France, Belgium and Holland. Much cheaper and better activities in my opinion

Branleuse · 28/12/2016 15:27

its only affordable if you go in term time, or use the european parks. Parks in Holland, German and Belgium are a fraction of the price, and according to people on here when ive researched it (although not actually been yet) theyre still very nice, if you dont choose the very cheapest accomodaton

Madbengalmum · 28/12/2016 15:28

Yup expensive, and crap too!

Eolian · 28/12/2016 15:29

I looked at bookings there once just out of curiosity and laughed like a drain. Thousands of pounds to stay in a glorified holiday camp where the food is apparently awful? No thanks. And if I'm going to self-cater I'd rather get a cottage/ahousr. Unpopular times aren't much help if you have to stick to school holidays.

Eolian · 28/12/2016 15:29
  • a house
Honeybee79 · 28/12/2016 15:31

Yanbu. Especially in school holidays! It's v expensive.

brasty · 28/12/2016 15:32

We went twice, many years ago, on the cheapest weekend in the year. We really really enjoyed it. But part of that was because it only took us 40 minutes drive to get there, but it felt like we were miles away. We wouldn't have travelled far.

I have looked since and am surprised how much it is for the type of accommodation we stayed in, which is really pretty old fashioned these days.

namechangingagainagain · 28/12/2016 15:33

:O
I am just trying to book something for may half term..... just about managing to bring in flights and airbnb with pool near rome for £2kfor the 6 of us..... I thought I'd have a look at center parcs.....

I could stay 30mins drive down the road in a wooden (basic) cabin for £1878..... if I want a hot tub it goes up to OVER 6 THOUSAND POUNDS! And then you still have to pay to eat in Ask or Frankie and Bennys or whatever! Crazy

namechangingagainagain · 28/12/2016 15:34

Apparently though it's nearly always fully booked so they are obviously doing something right!

MoonriseKingdom · 28/12/2016 15:37

Mon-Fri term time is much cheaper than any weekend. The cost partly reflects the things you have access to (e.g. Swimming pool) as well as the accommodation. It is still expensive and activities are extra. I think it is a good holiday when you have babies/ toddlers - you can go when it is cheap and relatively quiet and they are too young to pester to do expensive things. You can keep costs down by taking food as the onsite shop and restaurants are not cheap.

Obviouspretzel · 28/12/2016 15:37

6 grand for that hahaha!

gamerwidow · 28/12/2016 15:40

Hugely expensive plus all the activities are extra so all you are paying for is a self catering cabin!
Much prefer Haven for kids holidays. Cheap and all the entertainment is included in the cost. Plus I've never met a kid who didn't love cheesy kids disco and an arcade.

brasty · 28/12/2016 15:40

It is good if you live close by. A short trip in the car is a relatively stress free holiday travel. And if we ate out, we always went off site. There was lovely places 5-10 minutes drive away.

CaptainMarvelDanvers · 28/12/2016 15:44

I think sometimes people who spend more are getting more for their money, even if they're not. It's a bit like sunk cost fallacy.

It's like people who buy branded £2 pack of paracetamols when they have the same ingredients as a non-branded 69p pack. People are convinced they're getting more for their money and they're not.