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AIBU?

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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:
Purplepixiedust · 21/09/2020 18:23

CP have been clear about the situation with the pool though. It was closed for a while. We went to a caravan park bank holiday week and their pool was closed. Tbh I wasn’t bothered as a heated pool with loads of other people doesn’t seem very safe. It would be impossible if CP pools were a free for all. We did look to go but BH week was fully booked so they are at capacity which I assume is lower than usual overall. I understand your disappointment but if they are being up front about what you are getting for your money they aren’t doing anything wrong. It is up to you if you want to go or look for an alternative.

Just out of curiosity if your son is unable to take part in any of the other activities what would you like CP to offer in lieu of more swimming? A reduction in price won’t give him a better experience.

I hope you have a lovely time if you do go.

SonjaMorgan · 21/09/2020 18:24

Can you not cancel and book somewhere on Airbnb with a pool?

1FootInTheRave · 21/09/2020 18:25

We usually go in dec but aren't bothering this year.

Tbh, I have felt that the prices for the last 2/3 years haven't really reflected the enjoyment we get so will probably look elsewhere in future.

madamy · 21/09/2020 18:27

If you're going to Sherwood, I'm local and might be able to recommend some off site stuff.

LasagneLady · 21/09/2020 18:29

How long are you staying for? My understanding (we are going in Nov) is that it's 2 slots for a 3 night stay and 3 slots for a 4 night stay. Might you be eligible for the extra slot?

teaandbiscuitsforme · 21/09/2020 18:32

We went in the summer and I would be one asking for Center Parcs to keep this current system!! Maybe 3 visits if you are there mon-fri but honestly the pool is so much better like this. It's not absolutely packed with ages queuing for rides like normal!

I understand in your situation it's harder. Mine could go on the play equipment etc so it didn't affect us like that. My point is just that this booking system actually makes the pool a much more pleasant place to be for us the two hours, particularly with the current situation.

Cuddling57 · 21/09/2020 18:56

Find out the manager/area manager or directors of the company and write to them.
Offer them an alternative - can we be in the queue if someone else doesn't show up for their session so we can take their spot. The lack of flexibility for that price isn't good enough.
I would highly recommend Potters Holiday resort op if you want a more caring attitude. They are exceptional and go out of their way to accommodate their guests. They are really expensive but sometimes you get what you pay for. Not got CP though 🙄

DaisyDreaming · 21/09/2020 19:00

Which one are you going to? A friend who shielded went to one recently, they didn’t swim at all (no chance I want to be in that hot bubble of germs!) but spent most of the time enjoying the wildlife. They took tons of food and the deer and birds were happy to come up close and eat out of their hands, it created so much joy

BornOnThe4thJuly · 21/09/2020 19:02

I would speak to Guest Services on site when you get there, hopefully they’ll be more sensible about it. I’ve always found them to be helpful in the past.

MaryShelley1818 · 21/09/2020 19:06

@LasagneLady

How long are you staying for? My understanding (we are going in Nov) is that it's 2 slots for a 3 night stay and 3 slots for a 4 night stay. Might you be eligible for the extra slot?
Hi, no that's not right. It's 2 slots if you're there for a weekend AND Mon-Fri. You only get extra if you're there for a full week. I think that's what's caused a lot of people to cancel. Personally I feel 3 slots for Mon-Fri would have been fairer.
Skyla2005 · 21/09/2020 19:14

Swimming at centre parks is the only thing that is free ! They should be reducing their prices for sure. We wouldn’t go there without full use of the pool as that’s what our kids Iove about it and all the activities cost a fortune They are definitely taking the piss there but they alwayS do anyway with their prices of everything

schmum · 21/09/2020 19:26

I would contact them on Twitter and Facebook - let us know and we will back you up on there. Your lovely little one deserves as much time in the pool as he wants, and CP should provide you guys with that.

cologne4711 · 21/09/2020 19:27

I've heard bad things about them before - they think they are above the law in the same way as Ryanair. Maybe Guest Services will be more helpful.

Floralnomad · 21/09/2020 19:30

I don’t think you can really complain when you have had the option to cancel , the swimming restrictions have been well publicised for quite a while now .

LasagneLady · 21/09/2020 19:39

@MaryShelley1818 ah sorry I must have misunderstood

Venicelover · 21/09/2020 19:52

They are also not enforcing the rule of 6, they are simply leaving it up to the customer whether they comply or not. I know of a family of 10 ( 5 households) who are booked in a 4-bed lodge.

I would ask again OP, I suspect a lot of those going won't want to swim.

alliejay81 · 21/09/2020 20:22

I'm rapidly teaching the opinion that CP are a bunch of twunts. They should be able to accommodate within guidelines.

We had our booking cancelled in June and when we rebooked they charged us double without telling us. We only found out when we checked the credit card statement.

DarkDarkNight · 21/09/2020 20:29

I looked but didn’t end up booking because I didn’t want to pay the same price for less access. Also I thought with less access to the pool other activities would be sold out. It would be nice to think in your circumstances they would make an exception.

Rosebel · 21/09/2020 20:31

But for your son to get extra that means someone else misses out. Surely most people go for the swimming?
I do feel for you and it's not fair that your son can't do a lot of the activities but they need to be fair to everyone.
You'd think people will be understanding but you'll always get certain people who will bitch and moan about your son having extra time.

DarkDarkNight · 21/09/2020 20:33

Hi, no that's not right.
It's 2 slots if you're there for a weekend AND Mon-Fri.
You only get extra if you're there for a full week. I think that's what's caused a lot of people to cancel. Personally I feel 3 slots for Mon-Fri would have been fairer.

I thought exactly the same. 2 sessions for a weekend, 3 for mon-fri and 3 for a week would have been much fairer.

MoreCookiesPlease · 21/09/2020 20:46

You are not being unreasonable. It was precisely because of the swimming issue that we cancelled the break outright.

MaryShelley1818 · 21/09/2020 20:59

[quote LasagneLady]@MaryShelley1818 ah sorry I must have misunderstood[/quote]
That's ok 😊
Just wanted to prepare you in case you were going to be expecting more.

Fantabulous1 · 21/09/2020 21:13

I know someone who went here and they were told on arrival that they could use the pool for 45 minutes (or maybe an hour i remember exactly!) Daily but would have to get an additional pass in order to do this, despite them having paid out the most you can for a lodge. This was only a few weeks back so my guess is with the recent increase in covid cases they are taking preventative measures.

I think wherever you go we'll be seeing lots of restrictions unfortunately.

Mapletreelane · 21/09/2020 21:18

As it is less crowded it may have the potential to be much more enjoyable for you and your child. Especially if they do gave visual and hearing impairment, then it will be calmer and quieter for you to communicate and enjoy the sessions you can have. It is usually so busy and stressful and chaotic. It is a shame you don't get extra time though. Maybe speak to customer services when you are there. Hope you have a wonderful time.

SideAfries · 21/09/2020 21:24

We went to centre parcs last year & whilst it was nice it was so so SO over priced. Everything was over priced! From food, to activity’s, to groceries in the shop. 4 of us & 4 children went out for pancakes & it came to over £100!!!! Total piss takers - I won’t be going again.

& their lack of consideration for OP & her son has only solidified that decision!