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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Tips for Centre Parcs please

85 replies

Mumneedstea · 17/06/2017 22:19

Not an AIBU, but posting here for traffic.

We will soon be on our first Centre Parcs holiday with a pre schooler and a 6 month old. Need some tips on what to pack, how many activities should we book, anything to avoid?

I have made dinner reservations for the first 2 days only. Is that ok or do I need to book for all 4 nights? Do I need to book more than one activity for each day?

We are getting there on a Monday and given that they only do check in at 3pm, I haven't bothered to book anything for that day as we will just settle in. Then on Tuesday I am hoping to spend most of the morning at the pool (any pool tips?) and then we have an hour's family activity booked for the evening. Other 2 days are mostly the same... spend mornings either at the pool or in the woods or the outdoor play areas and then a child friendly activity later in the day.
Does that seem ok? I don't want to overdo it with extensive pre booking, but at the same time a lot of activities are already fully booked and I may not get to book them once there.

TIA :)

OP posts:
KTD27 · 17/06/2017 22:22

Oh I'd be super keen for tips too as we go next week with our 15 month old. Didn't even think about booking dinner!

StealthPolarBear · 17/06/2017 22:22

We have older children and don't book any activities other than maybe a session of bowling.
You can swim on the first day, just can't get into the lodge. Same for the last day in reverse.
That said if you can swim at odd times (eg 6pm) it's much quieter.
Waves go on at certain times, ask what they are.
Takeaway service is good and food nice.

StealthPolarBear · 17/06/2017 22:23

In fact with small children I'd be tempted to do beans on toast for their dinner and then takeaway for the grown ups once they're in bed

purplenessy · 17/06/2017 22:24

If you book takeaway to be delivered, do it in good time. I rang at 6 to be told they couldn't deliver til 9pm

One adult gets out of the pool first and gets dried and dressed, they can then do same for the children

beela · 17/06/2017 22:28

You can arrive early on the first day (from 10am? Or maybe 12), even though you can't get into your lodge until 3. You can still use the pool etc though, and it avoids the mahoosive queue when everyone else piles in at 3. You just have to leave your car in the car park and then get it when they open the gates at 3.

beela · 17/06/2017 22:29

Don't forget to take boring stuff like washing up liquid. We always forget and have to spend a fortune at the shop on the first day.

Original poster
Mumneedstea · 17/06/2017 22:30

Thanks for the takeaway tip! What about lunches? Do you usually make your own? Also, how is the on site super market.. I mean is it more expensive? If it's the same then I won't carry that many food items from home.

purple great pool tip!

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumneedstea · 17/06/2017 22:32

Also, are the spa treatments worth it? I really wouldn't say no to a nice massage while DH looks after the kids :)

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 17/06/2017 22:33

On site supermarket is like a spar. That sort of range and level of expense.
Lunch is usually bread cheese etc. They do LOVELY baguettes. Definitely recommend

StealthPolarBear · 17/06/2017 22:34

Take salt and pepper if you use it.

cheminotte · 17/06/2017 22:34

On site shop is very expensive. Definitely bring basics (eg toilet paper, pasta) with you.
They do offer on site babysitting which is great.

Rachie1986 · 17/06/2017 22:34

The on-site shop is more expensive (captive market..). We have always taken as much as we can in the car.

I love centre parcs! It's my happy place (but we can't afford it anymore).

Enjoy!

MinnowAndTheBear · 17/06/2017 22:37

The onsite supermarket is super expensive so I would take as much as you can from home if you're trying to save money. Last time we took a M&S 2 dine for £10 and had that one night.
I would think one activity per day would be plenty. Mini Trek and soccer coaching are both great.
Take some monkey nuts to feed the squirrels at your villa.
Have fun! We love CP!

StealthPolarBear · 17/06/2017 22:38

I really didn't think the shop was too bad

AlexandraEiffel · 17/06/2017 22:40

I'm very envious! We've had two trips to center parcs but they'll be our last now my eldest is starting school.

Mine are similar age. We do pool for half day, bike riding and playgrounds for other half of day. We have done a few activities but would be happy enough without. We've done mini jet skis, baby Owls, magical creatures, go karts. All fine but not necessary.

You need to book if you want to eat out every night. You won't get in a kid friendly time otherwise. Takeaway you can't book in advance, but I'd recommend booking your slot when it opens at 3 (I think)

The pools have little life vests for kids to borrow so you don't need anything like that. And toys to play with in little kids bit so you don't need to bring anything like that into pool either.

On first day, park up when you get there, collect bikes and go to the pool. Then leave pool say 4 to go back to lodge then send someone for car. Beats the rush and you get extra time. And on last day, pack up and everything, then return to pool till you really need to get going.

And do hire bikes. It's brilliant going round on them, one of my favourite things. It always looks a bit miserable to me schlepping round. I'd recommend the shopping bike type rather than mountain bike. They are much better suited to the terrain and so easy to ride.

Loved our trips to center parcs! Have a brilliant time!

Rachie1986 · 17/06/2017 22:41

I enjoyed the spa treatment but it was very expensive for the length of time.
Better use of similar money in my opinion is booking a 3hr spa session. There are upwards of 12-15 saunas, steam rooms and relaxation areas plus pool and you can wander around in a robe they lend you and just chill. It is bliss.
I'd definitely recommend that.

moreslackthanslick · 17/06/2017 22:42

Bum sex is a must apparently?

Skinandbones · 17/06/2017 22:43

When we go on hols, not Centre Parcs, I look for a good farm shop on the way there, or near to where we are staying. Get some nice nibbles for later or a couple of things to make for tea.

nothanksbyenow · 17/06/2017 22:43

The kids football session is nice, as is mini ballerinas, but there will be playgrounds as well (grab a Starbucks for the occasion).

If you're planning on cooking, don't forget to bring cooking oil, foil if you'll need that kind of thing.

Blackout blind for kids room as the curtains are a bit thin. And a nightlight for when your pre-schooler needs the loo.

Enjoy!

KTD27 · 17/06/2017 22:44

Do you need to bring towels for the pool??

cleanasawhistle · 17/06/2017 22:45

Hope you have a great holiday.
We love Centre Parcs and we will be there in a couple of weeks.Its very expensive in the supermarket but very well stocked.Eating out also costs a lot. When we go we mostly do self catering. If you are going to Whinfell Forest then there is a Morrison,Aldi and Iceland just off the round about as you exit the motorway....then Centre Parcs is about 15 mins up the road.
I think one activity booked a day is plenty.

moutonfou · 17/06/2017 22:46

Yes towels needed for the pool.

No gendered changing rooms - there are big family cubicles you can all go in together, with changing tables.

When you arrive, there are machines where you can put money on your wristbands - you can then spend it in the pool area without needing to take money in.

mineofuselessinformation · 17/06/2017 22:46

Find the nearest local supermarket. One of you drops everyone else off when you can get into villa. The other one goes off and does a shop for the week - breakfast things, snacks, evening meals etc - as much as you want. You will still be able to go back and drop off at the villa if you don't leave it too long.

nothanksbyenow · 17/06/2017 22:46

Which CP are you going to? We find the Whinfell parc market fairly reasonable, but just came back from Woburn and found the prices very expensive.

cleanasawhistle · 17/06/2017 22:48

KT2D7....If you are staying at Whinfell Forest then you have to take your own towels for the pool or you can hire some form the Supermarket.
If you have a lodge with towels provided you cannot use those ones at the pool