Surprise Trip to Center Parcs

[bumum]

Hi All,
So 2019 has been a bit of a rough year for me and my family. I was forced to stop working due to depression and anxiety issues about a year ago, and my poor hubby has been holding the fort on his salary alone. Slowly but surely we have crept into the red and are now a couple of thousand pounds in debt as his salary simply does not cover the basics. We are discussing the prospect of putting our house on the market as our mortgage is just a tad more than we can stretch to at the moment, in the hope of reducing our outgoings by going back to rental.
My family (parents and brother) are aware of our financial difficulties. We have cut back dramatically on our spending including not having a holiday over the past 18 months. My parents and brother are all financially very comfortable and I think they are a bit perplexed by our situation - they simply can't relate to it. Anyway, for Christmas they gave me a surprise gift which is 3 nights away at Center Parcs for us and our two boys. They hoped that a change of scene would help lift my mood and that the boys would enjoy the activities available. Well today, I've actually gone on the website to see what it is all about and have been really shocked to find out how expensive all the activities are! Nothing but the pool is included in what my family have booked for us. We simply can't afford to spend money on any of the activities apart from some bowls and maybe a bit of pottery painting. My 9 year old has already expressed an interest in doing archery or aerial assault courses but they cost £30 a person!! I'm now really panicking that this is going to be a horrific stay for us. We can't afford the activities or to eat out so it will just be a weekend of saying "no sorry" to the kids and the entire weekend at the pool, before we go back to our lodge to self cater. I'm also now wondering why on earth my family would have booked this for us, knowing how financially tight and careful we have had to be since I have stopped work. I'm feeling really upset about it now. I know this has come from a kind place, but I just feel like it's a bit thoughtless and callous of them. They would have no problem paying for countless activities for themselves if they went to such a place. I'm considering asking my mum if there is any way she can cancel the trip - I don't want them to lose out on a deposit, but also it would be pretty pointless paying for it all if we get no enjoyment from it. Am I being unreasonable? Is centre parcs actually totally fine if you don't do any additional activities? Will my boys even notice that they are missing out? Or will it be really great and I'm just making a mountain out of nothing? Any insight or advice into this would be really helpful.

We used to go to center parcs for a weekend every January when my dc were growing up and I never paid for an extra activity once! We usually had one meal out (that was rubbish) and enjoyed eating at home far more.

We took bikes and scooters, board games and dvds for film nights and spent loads of time in the pool.

I hope the forest setting is good for you and your MH

Don’t rent extend the term of your mortgage. The aim is to eventually own a house. Holidays and home improvements can all wait . Good luck OP

We were at Centerparcs at the beginning of December , you will definitely not be out of place by self catering as most people appear to do so . We ate out all the time except for breakfast and I didn’t think the restaurants were particularly expensive .

We holiday at similar places but can’t afford the activities, we take our own food and just make use of the facilities that are free (the pool, the woodland walks etc...), my dc are just happy with being away from home. I’m sure your dc will still have a great time.

Hi op, at 9 and 4 they really wont need to do much extra. Ten pin bowling is it too expensive. The high ropes would be my next choice but a bit expensive and Yours would be too young, not sure about the low ropes but probably a waste of money.

You really don’t want too much booked, otherwise you will be on a schedule, best to just chill. Maybe your mum could buy one meal out for your birthday instead, then you can enjoy it too. Alternatively if your children don’t have bikes can your mum pay for bike hire for you all.

Riding bikes is really the most important thing there. CP are very large and if your boys take scooters, then you and DH will need to walk everywhere and it’s quite big. I think bikes are an essential, most people have them and think you will feel left out without them (unless you really hate cycling) .

Also as one op suggested, maybe after the holiday you could look for a part time job, nit too stressful. I ave suffered from depression and getting out ( I realise this will be a huge effort) will assist in your recovery. Small steps, what about advertising yourself as a dog walker, a couple of hours a day, fresh air and exercise is one of the best things for depression and anxiety and lots of people do manage to do some work with these conditions.

I don't think you need a bike at CP personally, we tend to walk everywhere it isn't that big. Sometimes we've taken one adult bike to share. Renting them there is ££££££ though.

You can have a great time there without paying for the activities. It's a lovely present. The accommodation is lovely and it'll be a nice change.

We could spend all day in the pool. Get there early on the Friday to make the most of it.

I wouldn't book bowling if I was trying to keep the price down, you can probably do that cheaper at home. Look at the centerparcs for families Facebook page for recommendations for the best value activities for your kids ages - some are actually great value, some are money for old rope.

Take bird seed, to feed the ducks and get the wildlife coming to your porch.

Enjoy!

Bikes are definitely not essential as long as your kids have scooters. You'll be able to walk along with them and maybe even pull the younger one in the evenings when he's tired! Definitely don't waste your money on bike hire. You can spend it in better ways.

Have been to centre parcs loads of times with two boys and never paid for any extra activities. They are quite hidden away apart from the high ropes, so it's not like you're walking past them all the time so pester time is low. We'll spend half the day at the pool, sometimes longer and go for walks, use the parks. There's cheaper things to do too, like hiring a pedalo for all of you to go out on the lake. It'll be fine. Go and enjoy it.

You won't feel left out by not having bikes! Especially in the colder months, we went in march without and just walked, as did most people we saw there. DD (4) took her camera and I made her a scavenger hunt style list of things to find and photograph - the tallest tree, a pretty bird, a boat, etc. She loved it, it was free (she had been given the camera for Christmas) and very easy, would that be something your two could do OP?

We did one evening meal out and one breakfast and it was not worth the money. Going again next year and have already said we won't eat out at all this time. Much more relaxed in the lodge.

You honestly don't need to do the activities. They are such a rip off. The aerial adventure etc cost a fortune for a very little time. The pool is the best bit for sure. Take some board games and scooters like you say and it will be grand. Activities that doesn't break the bank include bowling, crazy golf or a game of short tennis. We've done those before and enjoyed them, but it really isn't essential. You can go and look at the animal and bird hides for absolutely nothing too. Last time we didn't book anything and we didn't feel like we'd missed out. I was going to book the segways but couldn't bring myself to spend the crazy amount of money. If I'd have done it I'm sure I would have been annoyed.

OP you’ve had lots of good advice here and I can echo most of it.

We self cater at CP - if you do want one night off then take a look at the takeaway, food is pretty good & not restaurant prices but you will not be out of place at all by self catering the whole time.

We’ve done a mix of holidays where the kids have had activities and those where they haven’t and have equally enjoyed both.

Depending on ages you can just open the patio door and let them play in the woods. Lots of walks, board games, films, swimming pool, log fires (take your own light the bag logs from b&m/Poundland) and your couple of days will go by so quickly.

You really won’t notice that you haven’t done activities. If you do feel you need to do one I’d recommend geocaching - it’s not too expensive, you pay per family and it takes a good while to find all the clues. If you are first back you win a family game of bowling (that was the prize when we did it anyway).

You’ll have a fab time so do go and enjoy it.

I can say with conviction op that getting your kids out of the pool will be a near impossible task!! I also can't work because of quite severe anxiety so am sending hugs and hope the break is good for you ♥️ you and the family deserve it and don't let yourself think otherwise x

I haven't RTFT although I have noticed some PP's have give some good advice and that your mum has offered to pay for a couple of activities. I just wanted to give you my experience of Center Parcs
It is my favourite place, I love it, it is so peaceful there and I find it so relaxing, the cabins are comfy and there are all so many wildlife that come up to your back door. The last time we went we had 2 swans that knocked on our door in a morning for food, it was amazing to see them so close up.
Take food with you to cook, I would also take a few cooking utensils with you, they do stock the basics in the kitchens but not everything and take some snacks for picnics.

You dont need to do any extra activities. We could quite happily spend the whole time in the pool. You can sit in there and read too. My boys have enjoyed walking or cycling round the woods and watching wildlife from the window. You can arrive early & use the pool before checking in & stay ages after checking out on the last day to make the most of it. You'll really enjoy it.

Sounds like some really good advice already.
Go and enjoy the holiday. It's a really generous and thoughtful gift. Sounds like you need a break as well so make sure you take some time out for yourself too.
Your kids will have a brilliant time without any of the extras.

top tips for saving money for me are....

1. Buy the £1 Wilkinson fire logs
2. Go to a charity shop or Poundland and make them an activity pack
3. Have a drink in a bar whilst the kids play on the soft play and eat their tea and then have tea when we get home
4. The park market is eye wateringLyexpensive so we take literally all of our food and have eggs and bacon for breakfast, with nice toast, easy pasta for lunch and then sometimes we take and m and s dine in as a treat.
5. We just literally stay in the pool either all morninf or alll afternoon and then play on the playgrounds, the mazes, etc
6. We do one activity which is the boat on the lake
7. I take stuff for kids like kinder eggs for when we finish swimming and gins in a can for the long walk home to save money too

Oh someone mentioned bird seed

You can buy a bargain box of cornflakes in the supermarket and feed the ducks and swans. They love it

Don’t forget the squirrels that come to visit! My kids loved them running in stealing food.

That's an amazing gift OP. Center Parcs is very expensive, I would be over the moon if someone bought that for me!

As others have said, you don't have to do any extras, it's not necessary and you just need to tell your kids ahead of time that they will have tons of fun in the pool, cycling, playing in the parks etc.

Or, you save up for a few months and your kids can do one activity each as a compromise?

Either way, I don't think you should be turning this into a negative.

My children are allowed to choose two activities each. Though the first time we went we did none and just used the pool. It was just as enjoyable both times. We didn't eat out as my kids were fussy. We did bbqs and I took a shop with us - delivered in the morning at home and loaded straight into the car before we left. We did wrapped up warm walks out in the cold and then stayed in the lodge in front of the fire on the winter stay. We took scooters so didn't hire bikes. Honestly it was great both times. You don't need to do activities

Please don't worry op! The pool is free and amazing. With that and the parks you are sorted. We have been three times with 4 kids and didn't book any activities. Food on site is very expensive so we always cook a frozen batch of spag bol/curry/pizzas etc...and take it in freezer bag. Bring all your own food/drink to eat (box of oil/salt/pepper/butter/jam) stuff from home. Snacks for kids. Take bikes or scooters for the kids ( very safe once every one has unloaded for the weekend because its a car free place). And that is it really. Between cycling round, the pool and parks you are going to be busy. If you have a any cash left over get a pub drink each and a bowl of chips on the last night. You are going to have a ball! Trust me! Enjoy your weekend away

We took our two DC to Center Parcs this Summer. I got a bit carried away and booked a few activities.

I needn't have bothered. Both absolutely loved the dome, and got upset when having to leave. The only successful activity was laser tag.

Seriously - plan to self cater in the lodge (kitchen surprisingly well equipped and plenty of storage space).

Eating out is expensive - we'll be better prepared if we go again.

We were pleasantly surprised by the onsite shop at Longleat - it was cheaper than the Morrison's in nearby town.

I've read your updates and I'm so happy you've decided to go.

My in laws booked for us all to go to the Lake District one while I was on mat leave and after hearing so many people go on about how expensive it was, I was similarly apprehensive. All I can say is once you've booked, Center Parcs is as cheap or expensive as you can make it. We all took food with us, kids were happy to spend hours in the pool, parks were fab and the rest of the time was spent exploring on bikes. We only ate out once on the last night and didn't book any extras and the kids (and adults) certainly didn't feel like they'd missed out! Have a lovely time op.