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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why on earth anyone goes to Center Parcs?!

533 replies

CakePigeon4 · 31/07/2019 17:50

I’ve had several friends who have been to various sites and raved about it, but to me it just looks like a slightly more upmarket Butlins?! It’s extortionately expensive, the chalets look like they’re furnished by Premier Inn, you have to pay for activities, you’re stuck on site eating at their overpriced restaurants... Am I missing something?!

OP posts:
ashtrayheart · 31/07/2019 19:05

So bloody expensive - we are going to a Eurocamp in France this year, much better value and meant to be great.
Also not always that tranquil - I had to call the police out for my eldest daughter the last time we were there (she’s on a section and was behaving very dangerously) and they told me they attend a lot of trouble and had had to deal with sisters attacking each other with scissors that evening already Confused
Nevertheless - the first thing she wants to do when discharged is go back to bastarding center parcs HmmGrin

Original poster
CakePigeon4 · 31/07/2019 19:07

@ashtrayheart yes we were thinking of Eurocamp! I had several of the happiest holidays at Eurocamps in France as a child, they seem a much better option.

OP posts:
Skinnychip · 31/07/2019 19:08

*Can’t think of anything worse than a self catering cottage in the country
“Look kids, it’s just like our house, but that bit less familiar and comfortable. PS, we’ll be cooking as washing up ourselves like in our own house.”

But surely the scope for doing your own cooking and washing up is the same whether in CP or self catering elsewhere? We stayed in a cottage in the centre of a seaside town at ht, i did very little cooking and washing up (it had a dishwasher anyway)

Doyoumind · 31/07/2019 19:09

Pre DC and actually not being very well informed about the place I would have said you wouldn't find me dead in one.

Now, I have been several times and love it. It goes down so well with DC.

I would go more regularly if I could.

AuntieMarys · 31/07/2019 19:11

Not my idea of fun. Entertainment and other families.

Passthecherrycoke · 31/07/2019 19:12

But eurocamp is just a caravan park in a different country? They make CP look luxe

PooWillyBumBum · 31/07/2019 19:15

cherrycoke you can get lovely cabins at Eurocamp. Last year we had one in front of a lake. Also been to the caravan type accom and found everyone really quiet and respectful.

I agree OP, so expensive. Would rather drive to France and spend a week at eurocamp eating out and having all sorts of day trips and activities. But we are all different I suppose!

Neverender · 31/07/2019 19:15

Because it's bloody great Smile

Alicatz66 · 31/07/2019 19:17

I agree OP ... I hated it ... I'm not keen on my fun being over organised and wallowing about in a pool with billions of toddlers ! ... plus you have to book everything up days in advance

Hecateh · 31/07/2019 19:18

Used to go to the Sherwood Forest one in the late 80s early 90s. About 8 families all at the same time.

3 of us were single parents with 2 kids each and the others couples mostly with 2 kids too.
It was great, it was an annual even so we all knew what was there. One of the guys would do a spreadsheet before we went. And everyone said what activities they wanted to do. So long as a couple of parents wanted or were willing, any combination of (age appropriate) kids could go with them. (Mostly aged 7 - 12). My kids got to do things I would never have done with them. I was also happy supervising others kids at different times. Sunday mornings the men used to take all the kids and the women went for a sauna etc then we all met up again at lunch time. As the kids got a bit older they would go off on their own.

The chalets were pretty new when we were going though - not sure what they will be like now - and the wildlife, though some were cheeky, were not as brazen as they sound now.

DeRigueurMortis · 31/07/2019 19:20

We've been loads as a family and love it.

Why?

Frankly because the kids do and surprisingly enough still love it as teens.

When they were little it was a great place to go that's geared around families (no-one batting an eyelid about BF a baby, having lots of activities for small children etc).

As they grew older it's more centred around activities - quad biking/archery/climbing etc

The accommodation is lovely (even the basic villas, though I confess we tend to book the deluxe ones with a hot tub/sauna outside and even the treehouse on the odd occasion).

Our nearest CP is only a few hours away and as soon as you get there you're on holiday.

The parc Market is well stocked (though I tend to take quite a bit with us as it's not cheap and there are some speciality ingredients I like to use).

As there are no cars the kids were able to "free range" at quite young age, now older they book their own activities (to a budget).

I love the chance to visit the spa/treatment rooms and have some "me" time. DH likes quite a few activities/sport eg tennis with DS and going for a run through the woods.

No, it's not cheap and it's not for everyone (well the basic villas if you fully occupy them aren't bad value but the extras really do add up) but if it suits your family then it's great.

I don't understand why people knock it. If you don't like it, don't go....

Popfan · 31/07/2019 19:21

We had a great holiday at CP last year. It's just so easy and we loved having all the activities in one place. My DS really enjoyed it, especially riding his bike around it and the pool which was really good. I don't think you can judge unless you have actually been!

Jenniferturkington · 31/07/2019 19:21

You aren’t missing anything. I’ve been once and hated it. The chalet was small, cheaply furnished and cold.
The activities were very expensive and frankly pretty shit. For example dd was 3 and went on a balance bike activity. They rode balance bikes around cones in a hall for 45 minutes. The older kids did the high rope course and found it far inferior to Go Ape (it was more expensive!)
The restaurants were over priced and crap.
And why anyone would choose to be at the pool all day I will never know- it’s like holidaying in a leisure centre. Yuck.
And it’s full of wanky families decked out in Rohan and Joules thinking they are experiencing the ‘Great Outdoors.’

FWIW I have done day trips to Butlins and the kids enjoyed it far more than CP. and Euro Camps are in a different league.

PQ77 · 31/07/2019 19:21

It’s so so unbelievably shite and poor value. Why not get a really nice cottage on air bnb or holiday cottages for a fraction of the price? And not living cheek by jowl with other families? Why not use the money get an off peak family membership to your local David Lloyd and swim in the lovely uncrowded pools all you like?

We went when DS could not fly for medical reasons and I was blown away but how crap and overpriced it was. No way never again.

Flupibass · 31/07/2019 19:21

I can’t say I like it. We went to one in Holland which was pretty quiet even though school holidays but I just don’t lIke the feeling of being packaged . Food was poor. Kids loved the pool and just wanted to go back when we tried to do day trips to visit Amsterdam etc. 😢

DaffyDuck473 · 31/07/2019 19:23

I agree the prices are ridiculous for what you get! You basically have to pay for everything once your there anyway.

Sunshinegirl82 · 31/07/2019 19:24

It's like anything really, different things suit different people. If you don't fancy it then don't go. I can completely understand that it wouldn't appeal to everyone.

It's not morally superior to go on the cheapest and/or best value for money holiday ever. Plus CP really isn't super pricy at non peak times, most people who go are probably paying a few hundred pounds for a break not thousands.

We do a real mixture of stuff, all inclusive luxury, Center Parcs, self catering cottages in the UK, they all have pros and cons. I also have fond memories of Eurocamp holidays in France but Eurocamp isn't really comparable to Center Parcs. Not better or worse just completely different,

Karwomannghia · 31/07/2019 19:24

I’m at eurocamp right now and the Mobile is ancient. Really not ok. Feel so sorry for the staff having to manage these shitty vans. Check carefully before booking. And you have to pay extra for sheets and towels, buy your own toilet rolls etc etc.

Pepperstripe · 31/07/2019 19:25

CP is lovely. Super safe for the children and it's great just wandering about and not seeing any cars. You really do feel like you're away from it all!!

Karwomannghia · 31/07/2019 19:25

CP was luxury compared to this.

jarhead123 · 31/07/2019 19:26

I love Centre Parcs!

Pepperstripe · 31/07/2019 19:28

@CakePigeon4 - We get it, you don't like or get it! Each to their own as many love it!

MilkTrayLimeBarrel · 31/07/2019 19:31

Why is it spelt incorrectly anyway?

BurnedToast · 31/07/2019 19:35

We're going in a few weeks and I can't wait. The kids love it and will go off on their bikes to the pool when they like. We only go for 3 nights though. We will eat lunch out but will have breakfast in the chalet, bbq for dinner and a takeaway pizza. What's great is the kids having the freedom to roam, the pool, being able to try activities we wouldn't normally consider and all in one place. It is expensive but it's all paid for in advance with the exception of food.

VenusTiger · 31/07/2019 19:35

Saw your OP title at side of page and guessed the last two words correctly [smiles]
Yep! Hyped up, money making... probably alright, but soooooo expensive! Typical British holiday I guess.

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