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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Centre Parcs is a very weird place.

342 replies

MOIST · 25/01/2017 20:23

Fake forest. Plastic stuff. Signposts and advertising everywhere. Like Ikea in a fake forest with one-way system and bad feng.

Most peculiar.

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 27/01/2017 16:27

I didn't even think the shop was thay expensive. Sort of like a coop but without the deals that make coop cheapish. I didn't feel ripped off although I accwpt it was probably a bit more than normal.

cowgirlsareforever · 27/01/2017 16:38

I've been to Butlins. CP is far better.

TotalConfucius · 27/01/2017 16:51

Dh's 40th and MIL 70th fell within a month of each other. I took them for a long weekend to CP Longleat.
MIL got stuck halfway down the highest water slide and lost her false teeth during the hoohaa to get her out. We've not been back, we may actually be barred.
She turns 80 this year and gave me her 'hopeful' look. No way.

Stillwishihadabs · 27/01/2017 17:19

Yy to the car comment. I have to drive everyday for work and be a teen taxi. I love leaving the car at home (or in the car park) and cycling everywhere for a weekend. You can also try things out in a lovely low key way (for example ds and I really enjoyed badminton last year and now play together regularly). We went last year with myou family and I love the fact people can just opt in and out of things as they like (so go home from the pool early/ come and join us in the bowling alley when the baby wakes up etc). I think the resturants are shockingly overpriced though and bring all our own food and our own bikes.

itsmine · 27/01/2017 17:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Barmymum2112 · 27/01/2017 19:18

Hated it, for what it cost for us to go I could of had a week in the sun, didn't enjoy it at all, the highlight was an Indian 'take away' and someone stealing my purse within 1 minute of dropping it outside the apartment door

TinselTwins · 27/01/2017 20:27

You know what? we did loads of activities and they were exactly the same price as comparable activities at home

We spent 100 on top of the basics and did loads of extra, we booked them in advance so they were all budgeted for before we arrived.

TinselTwins · 27/01/2017 20:31

center Parcs is the safe, sanitised version of the countryside that people like to believe they have been on holiday to. People like to feel they have been on holiday in the forest, not on a holiday park

Oh flip off with that nonsense! everyone who goes to CP know it's a holiday park… it's just a more forestey holiday park than others where the trailers are sardined right next to each other - you can look out your window and see trees, and not trevor and his 15 relatives drinking tinnies!

Guess what, we go on holiday to "real" forests too! we do know the difference, we just sometimes like the CP instead for a quickie rest/break

MrGrumpy01 · 27/01/2017 20:51

Hoseasons have some quieter parks and lodges. We stayed at a lovely one in Shropshire many years ago (pre-children) and it also had a swimming pool and tennis courts and beautiful views.

But that takes finding and effort and there is always the worry of 'will it be dreadful?' I guess CP does what it says on the tin.

2014newme · 27/01/2017 21:25

It's nice to open the curtains and find deer on the patio

bellie710 · 27/01/2017 22:39

Scattymere Centre Parcs exist for people who either just can't be bothered to or don't have the time to actually put bit of thought/research/ imagination into arranging a holiday.

Really.... or maybe it's for parent who take their kids on holiday to places they love??

Gardencentregroupie · 27/01/2017 22:49

We thought about it

We researched it

We came to the conclusion that somewhere an hour away, no flights, take all the shite associated with a very small child, no need for car or transport, everything on hand, pool, restaurants, playgrounds, soft play, bars all in the shortest of traffic free walks, would make for a fuck load more relaxing time than any other options. There will be time again for adventures and exploration when we're not in thrall to nappies and nap times and daddy eating. For now I want to swim and tire out the rugrats and eat chips and drink wine and not worry about luggage allowances and car parking and car seats etc. It's not for everyone, I appreciate that, but other than oxygen and water what is?

Gardencentregroupie · 27/01/2017 22:51

Daddy eating? WTF autocorrect?? That was supposed to say faddy eating!

Neem · 28/01/2017 02:02

I did exactly that. We stayed at a Hoseasons just up the road from Center Parcs, and went out to discover activities at a fraction of the price. I have been before and hated the fact that they charge premium for absolutely everything. Have me the shudders

ChocolateWombat · 28/01/2017 10:08

I can see that there is a time and a place for CP type hols. I can see that when you have nappies, naps and tantruming toddlers, anything which just allows a bit of relaxation time witho stress and makes managing the family relaxing and feel like a real break is very welcome and that people will pay a premium for that convenience.

I can also see that a holiday park whether it is Cp or Bluestone or Butlins or wherever is good for allowing pre teens and early teens that bit of freedom they couldn't have elsewhere......so they can go to the park of half and hour in pairs, or for a a bike ride - they feel safe gaining some independence, as do the parents. They can send them out, gaining a bit of 'me' time which can only come later in the real world. These positives can be gained in most holiday park type places - Bluestone, Sandy Balls,......doesn't have to be CP.

Wandainn · 28/01/2017 11:34

If the DC are happy I'm happy.
Mine loved it as toddlers. Loved it at primary age. I thought they might grow out of it as teens but no. Last year I took DC and friends aged 18 to 20. They still spent hours on the rapids and loved it although evenings are a bit tame.
Personally I'd rather go to a nice hotel but DH and I can do that on our own.
We go on other holidays but CP is an hour away and if it's pouring down it's a reliable short break.
Every time there is one of these threads I look at the recommended alternatives. There is not one that offers the water slides and rapids which are the big attraction to my DC.

Spikeyball · 28/01/2017 12:21

We have done Haven and other holiday parks but they don't offer anywhere near as good facilities for our child who has learning and physical difficulties.

maternityleavemummy · 28/01/2017 13:09

Center Parcs is obviously a very 'marmite' place. You either love it or hate it. We love going there, but do tend to stick with term time as it is a fraction of the price.

It can be very expensive if you participate in lots of activities and eat out lots. We usually eat in our lodge, and only eat out once or twice. We spend quite a bit of time at the pool, attend an activity or 2 and spend lots of time outdoors.

Bettercallsaul1 · 28/01/2017 14:21

Agree completely that it's a marmite issue! We love it and I'm actually going to be booking our next holiday there today. However, you're absolutely right about term time/school holidays - we are going in May, when a week is literally half the price of a week at Easter.

maternityleavemummy · 28/01/2017 14:29

Snap! We're heading back in May as well. Checked prices and the difference is ridiculous!

penguincrumble · 28/01/2017 15:16

What is the maximum weeks of pregnancy you would go on the water slides at? Sorry I have no idea how to phrase that grammatically.

Bettercallsaul1 · 28/01/2017 15:21

See you there, mlm! (I'll be the one wobbling about on my bike due to lack of skill practice.)

Wandainn · 28/01/2017 15:47

penguin Some of the slides are quite wild - which is the entire reason my grown up DC still like going and why there is nothing quite the same in the UK. I would think you should take a look. Some are bog standard tame slides but on the rapids you tend to get ducked, bashed and generally thrown about quite a bit.

Verbena37 · 28/01/2017 16:56

penguin this ride is at Elvedon and Woburn parcs.

Verbena37 · 28/01/2017 16:59

I think you'll catch find you can't go on any of the rides when pregnant.
I cancelled our center Parcs hol when I realised I was pregnant with dd as we spend much of our time using the chutes and Rapids.....all of which are pretty unsuitable for pregnancy I think.
Also, you can't use the jacuzzis I don't think.