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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Center Parcs Swimming

61 replies

SFCA · 21/09/2020 17:19

After 6 miserable months of shielding we are taking our lovely 3 year old to CP next week 🤞

Due to COVID CP have changed their rules to say that people can only swim twice during their stay for up to 2 hours. I do understand this but I do think it takes the p**s rather that they are offering no reduction in fee and no alternative activity. Everyone knows that swimming is included in the price of the booking unlike all other activities you have to pay for on booking or arrival. I should think a lot of families spend large parts of the day in the swimming pool!

Our son has complex needs including physical disabilities and visual/hearing impairment. He can swim because there is a changing bench and hoist but there is very little else he can access! He can’t ride a bike, eat, play in a playground or soft play etc. I suspect I am BU whinging I just feel that CP must know people are desperate to get away so likely to pay up and shut up although it isn’t terribly fair!

OP posts:
FrankRattlesnake · 21/09/2020 17:20

Why not give them a call and explain the situation. We were meant to go in May and it was cancelled. Had the opportunity to go in august but decided not to for this very reason.

SummerHouse · 21/09/2020 17:22

I would just contact them, explain your circumstances and ask for additional slots. I am a regular and in normal times we would swim all day everyday. I would not begrudge you extra allocation for a moment.

MomToTwoBabas · 21/09/2020 17:23

Agree give them a call OP. Have a lovely time x

Cuddling57 · 21/09/2020 17:23

We have cancelled a similar holiday for a similar reason.
I would say ring them too and explain your situation.

Original poster
SFCA · 21/09/2020 17:37

I did call them and after half an hour on hold was informed that I should cancel my booking if unhappy! I can’t cancel, my LO doesn’t understand he is going but so deserves a nice time after those endless months at home.

I think we will swim on Monday and Wednesday and see if I can find somewhere accessible to take him out for the day on Tuesday and Thursday.

I know our situation puts an unusual importance on swimming but I also really feel it is unfair on everyone. They have essentially paid for swimming with their booking and whilst I understand the need to reduce traffic I think CO should be offering some kind of ‘compensation’

Thank you all, sorry to whinge!

OP posts:
bbn81 · 21/09/2020 17:44

I understand your concerns but consider the alternative - packed pool with no social distancing possible. Changing rooms that are crammed and can't be cleaned. A friend of mine recently went and was amazed how clean the swimming pool and changing was. The rules are there so you can reduce numbers and give everyone a fair amount of time at the pool.

movingonup20 · 21/09/2020 17:48

What do you suggest? If you get more time in the pool someone gets less. Why not go to a hotel less child oriented, they will be much quieter and you are likely to be able to swim a lot more, I've often had the pool to myself. Several places I've stayed at recently have had hoists suitable for an adult and accessible changing cabins by the pool. (Added bonus likely to be cheaper!)

MaryShelley1818 · 21/09/2020 17:49

We are due to visit in December for 5 days and will be cancelling. Taking our toddler who would be turning 3 during the trip and there really is little else for him. Plus a lot of the Winter Wonderland activities won't be going ahead. Just not worth the money for us unfortunately :(
Will transfer to next year and hope the world is in a better place.

AllPlayedOut · 21/09/2020 17:50

If they're so concerned about being fair then they should make allowances for the OP's child who due to his disabilities is unable to access any of the other activities. It isn't asking that much of them.

AllPlayedOut · 21/09/2020 17:53

I'm sure that they could allow him to swim once a day without it preventing others from having their two allocated swimming sessions.

Babymamamama · 21/09/2020 17:58

I would cancel. And rebook when the restrictions are reduced. I used to love CP but can't think of anything worse than all day in a warm bathing area with a load of strangers. Given the current virus concerns.

boobybum · 21/09/2020 17:59

AllPlayedOut Exactly right.
We are in a similar situation as the OP and contacted Centre Parcs to ask if any allowance could be made and were basically told where to go. It wouldn’t be ‘fair’ on all the non-disabled users apparently!

Original poster
SFCA · 21/09/2020 18:01

@movingonup20 I did consider that as it isn’t really a holiday for us, it is all about our DS and he really can’t access much that CP has to offer. However he also has autism, is profoundly deaf and doesn’t sleep... The only hotel I have ever stayed in with him is the one attached to Great Ormond Street and I struggled to meet anyone’s eye the next day in case they were the poor family in the room next to us! I wouldn’t want to spoil anyone else’s holiday.

It will be lovely to be away from home anyway and I am sure our son will have a lovely time. Hopefully it will be dry and he can get outside in his wheelchair for a lot of the time 😊

OP posts:
stayathomer · 21/09/2020 18:06

Yanbu and not being moaney op. Hope you have a lovely time whatever happensFlowers

Ratatcat · 21/09/2020 18:06

I think that’s quite poor of them. As a non disabled user I would have absolutely no issue with disabled children having extra sessions.

AllPlayedOut · 21/09/2020 18:06

@SFCA You wouldn't be spoiling anyone's holiday. I doubt that they're so inflexible that they couldn't allow your DS to swim once a day and that making that perfectly reasonable accommodation would prevent anyone else from having their swimming sessions.

Clymene · 21/09/2020 18:07

I'd cancel tbh. It's a total rip off - twice in a week for 2 hours? The pool is why CP is so expensive. Take that out of the equation and it's just a souped up mobile home.

Original poster
SFCA · 21/09/2020 18:09

As I said I understand that measures need to be in place. An alternative would be to give guests some vouchers to spend on alternative activities for their children (providing they can access them of course) or a meal out as a family. My opinion is that it is unfair on everyone as we have basically already paid for a service that is now not available...

OP posts:
AllPlayedOut · 21/09/2020 18:09

boobybum What a depressing attitude. I've never been a fan of CP but I certainly wouldn't give them my money if they have such little regard for their customers with additional needs.

10pennychews · 21/09/2020 18:11

You need to contact them in writing/email and remind them about the equity Act as this rule will disproportionately affect you compared to families without needs who can do other activities.
List your issues with other actives free and otherwise and what the pool means and why this is one of the reasons you choose this holiday.

TheDuchessofMalfy · 21/09/2020 18:16

Yeah I’d also give them a ring.

TheDuchessofMalfy · 21/09/2020 18:17

For other people I think it’s ok as the times you do get in the pool will be sooooo much nicer as it won’t be overcrowded!

Estrellente · 21/09/2020 18:18

2020 is shit from top to bottom, isn’t it. I’m really sorry.
I think CP, like most businesses, are trying to get through the year. I wouldn’t be inclined to ask for special measures, though I agree it would be a nice gesture.

TweeBree · 21/09/2020 18:19

Not worth it. I'd cancel. What about a local hotel with a pool? You might be able to get longer/more frequent slots.

OoohTheStatsDontLie · 21/09/2020 18:20

It sounds a good idea what @10pennychews said, I'd try again. I'd also tweet / facebook them the same if you don't get a good response. Actually I'd do this first. It isnt fair that the one activity that he can do is restricted so much

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