Tips for Centre Parcs please

[Mumneedstea]

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 :)

Sorry, it was BumWad who asked about the pool not Purple!

Yes! I always do the 3 hour spa from 6 til 9. I book this in advance online, it's maybe 30-40 quid in that region. You can book treatments also but I just like going in the rooms.
We have the last two times booked for food delivery which when we estimated in compared to Sainsbury's it wasn't too much more expensive and it's good if you've not got room in the car or you're arriving early so the food is sat in the car for hours

We are at Centre Parcs now.Whinfell. I love it here and we try and come once a year,would be happy with more if it was cheaper.
The weather isn't too good,lots of rain at the moment.
Just putting my feet up for an hour while the others are swimming.

Some lodges have towels and a maid service,really does depend on the lodge but if you look back at your booking it should say.

how long does it take to check in - we have an activity booked for 4pm

I was hoping to be in at 3, put bags in villa then out for activity

Is this not the case and if not, will they let me move the time or cancel the activity?

what does the 3hr spa's contain - what can you do in there (thinking it might be fun for me and daughter 15)

Lookatmenow you can check in any time. We've checked in before at lunchtime, then gone and used the pool. It's just you can't get cars on or access lodge till 3. We wait till 4 before leaving the pool so then it's less busy with cars anyway.

So you could just do activity, then go to lodge/get car. Or fit lodge/car unload in that 3-4 slot which would be plenty of time.

We once checked in closer to 3 and then there is a queue then for checkin. But straight through other times.

You can check in online also so when they see your car they type in your reg as you drive up to the desk.

We are off to Bella Italia tonight

The nature type activities are great for preschoolers. Also the creche! Aqua Sana spa at Longleat is amazing (no kids)

The tips on here are great. I've just checked with CP about the travel cot mattresses and they say they are thin, so based on that and coupled with the info above we'll be taking our own.

Thanks everyone for all your wonderful tips!! We just got back from our Center Parcs holiday and we loved it!!

We only used the pool for half a day as DS was more keen on exploring the woods :) We had dinner reservations for the first 2 days and then one day we had a BBQ and then did take away for the last day. Thanks or the tip on taking my own BBQ... We bought 2 in Argos and they were much cheaper than those available at the Parcs supermarket.
Bowling was fun... I recommend it as a family evening. DS also enjoyed his fencing lesson and his science lab activity.
I know most of you had suggested that I book in the 3 hour spa instead of a treatment, but I really wanted a massage .. so I treated myself to an hour of aromatherapy massage and it was bliss!
Yes yes to hiring bikes too! We had so much fun exploring on bikes... We got a trailer bike so the kids could sit together.

I wish I had done Center Parcs earlier! DS starts school this year and from next year I will be paying 3 times more for the same holiday :(

Thanks again :)