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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to think that Centerparcs is a waste of money at the moment

84 replies

quirkyquails · 30/12/2020 13:04

They have just emailed us to encourage us to book a break but if you are staying for four nights you can only go swimming twice and only for two hours.

For us swimming has always been the main attraction as we all love swimming.

OP posts:
1FootInTheRave · 30/12/2020 14:57

We won't go until restrictions have lifted.

Shieldingending · 30/12/2020 14:58

I agree! What I find strange is you get 2 swims whether you stay 3 nights or 4. For a weekend I’d be ok with swims Saturday and Sunday, but for the longer break it’s not enough. The other thing that put me off is you can’t arrive early / leave late. We’ve usually made the most of the facilities before / after we have the lodge. We’ve often benefited from “cheaper” stays in Jan but that’s obviously off the cards this year ...

WhatWouldPhyllisCraneDo · 30/12/2020 14:59

Its always a waste of money! I'd need more than unlimited swimming to make me pay their prices!

pinkpetal2 · 30/12/2020 15:03

Never been but before all this new tiers and stuff, we went to Butlins in July there was a lot of rules, however it was still fun.
More cleaning everywhere and you had to sit down during shows etc, but it was really nice. Swimming I think was two visits on a four day break, 3 on a 7 day break.

bigpricklyfern · 30/12/2020 15:03

Center Parcs fan here! For us, it wasn’t the lack of swimming that put us off, even though that is all we usually do, it was the fact that you can’t arrive early and leave late on arrival and departure days, effectively cutting down the holiday by a full day.

westenddweller · 30/12/2020 15:07

@Hoppinggreen

It’s always a waste of money, I hate it However, I wouldn’t have an issue with the restricted swimming, it would probably make it less awful than usual
Grin
Burnthurst187 · 30/12/2020 15:13

I've been twice, as a child about 25+ years ago. I looked at prices last year, incredible. Seems like a huge rip-off. Tiny little hut to sleep in and a few activities available

Arthersleep · 30/12/2020 15:20

Aha, yes, but there are....erm....other 'things' that you can do at centreparcs, if past threads are to be believed! 😉

AlwaysLatte · 30/12/2020 15:31

Oh is the swimming limited? Is that normal or because of coronavirus? We're thinking about CP for the first time for a mini break in May if they're open but not if the swimming is limited to that extent - it would be their favourite part!

AlwaysLatte · 30/12/2020 15:32

I do think there are other similar places that copy the CP ideas? I haven't really looked into it yet but really want to add an extra holiday next year to make up for this sorry year.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 30/12/2020 15:41

If you share a villa with friends and spread the cost it doesn't work out too expensive. We did it several times when DDs were younger and had fab times.

Ferrylights · 30/12/2020 15:48

How are you considering any trips away when practically the whole country is tier 3 or higher ? Or am I missing something ?

AnnaSW1 · 30/12/2020 16:00

We still enjoyed it a couple of weeks ago even though we avoided the pool. It's lovely for little ones at Christmas

Titsywoo · 30/12/2020 16:13

We have been a few times with a group of friends and to us it was like very upmarket camping - we got a posh lodge and the kids had massive freedom to go off cycling/swimming etc in an enclosed place. It is expensive though - we are going to Duinrell next year instead and it is cheaper even with flights, the most expensive Duingalow and we get the water park and theme park included plus there is a lovely beach in cycling distance and a town just outside so we can go to other restaurants etc (the CP ones are awful).

TrySarahTops · 30/12/2020 16:15

We were going to do centre parcs this year, but due to the swimming pool restrictions decided against it and got a woodland lodge with a hot tub instead. Not only was it cheaper, the location was much nicer with beautiful views and a nicer lodge too.

Children are older, but they loved the hot tub. They'd prefer to do that again instead of centre parcs.

bigpricklyfern · 30/12/2020 16:19

@AlwaysLatte restrictions on swimming are only because of COVID. It’s usually come and go as you please.

WhoLettheCatOut · 30/12/2020 16:32

I agree. We are booked in for Easter as I anticipated pool would be back to normal by then but now I reckon it won't and for us it will be a complete waste as it's the only thing we go for. Mind you I went to LEGOLAND this summer and it was an equally huge waste of ££. I plan on asking if I can delay CP but then I'm worried they will not survive this and I will lose the money anyway...

thevassal · 30/12/2020 17:53

Depends - I think 2 sessions in a week is a bit low because but I went for a weekend two months ago and it was 2 sessions for 3 nights so 3 sessions for 4 nights would seem fairer.

I was tempted to cancel but it was actually really good, they let you in quarter of an hour early for your slot and were not bothered at all if you overstayed so actually had nearly three hours which with drying, getting changed time etc, was more than enough, particularly because you didn't have to queue for the rides. It was a much nicer experience going down the rapids alone rather than as part of random stranger body soup!

However they didn't have the wave machine on and because they were limiting the hot pool you couldn't stay in there very long which was a pity in the night time session!

So it depends what you like doing. If you have small children and spend most of the time in the pool then yeah it will be a bit of a waste. However if you have older kids or like doing other activities and are happy to just have two sessions it's actually a much nicer pool experience than normal and I preferred it. Ideally when they go back to normal I would actually prefer them to keep the timed booking slots and limit pool capacity, but increase the number of slots you can book to once per day (or maybe one fewer).

Slightly off topic but I don't get the poster above who says they justify the expense by swimming 'at least' twice a day? What an absolute faff to get from your chalet, get changed, swim, shower, dry and change again, then go back to chalet, and then repeat multiple times - what's the point? Half your day is surely spent travelling and changing! I understand spending a few hours in the pool once you're there but not going back and forth multiple times!

AlwaysLatte · 30/12/2020 18:02

Thanks @big Hopefully it will settle down soon and not so many restrictions.

Bluewavescrashing · 30/12/2020 18:05

Center parcs in Belgium and Netherlands is hf the price even factoring in travel. Amazing facilities eg real snow indoor ski slope. Top of the range waterslides (Dutch companies make the best ones). I'd never pay through the nose to go to CP UK.

Tbh CP in a pandemic wouldn't be a fun holiday.

quirkyquails · 30/12/2020 20:31

@Ferrylights

How are you considering any trips away when practically the whole country is tier 3 or higher ? Or am I missing something ?
I'm not but they emailed me to encourage me to book a break Confused
OP posts:
quirkyquails · 30/12/2020 20:32

@Arthersleep

Aha, yes, but there are....erm....other 'things' that you can do at centreparcs, if past threads are to be believed! 😉
With my teenagers ?! I think not !
OP posts:
Ferrylights · 30/12/2020 21:16

@quirkyquails ahhh.... they are keen to take your money then :-)

underneaththeash · 30/12/2020 21:45

We went at half term. I like the quieter pool times and we were given the opportunity to book an extra slot whilst there.
We did lots of fun things too - I’m organised and booked everything in advance. and it felt safe.
It’s an easy break
(When it’s open).

VerbenaGirl · 30/12/2020 21:49

I’ve heard from a few that have been that although your swimming sessions are limited, the pool is nearly empty and there are no queues - which is a bit of a silver lining.

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