Please tell me it's going to be ok! Probably being over dramatic? - holiday related

[rbmilliner]

Ok I know this is a first world problem etc but.....
Have yet to take 4 year old on a decent family holiday and was determined we were going away come what may this year before she starts school.

So booked a caravan at Perran Sands in Cornwall with Haven last September, have been paying off monthly and everyone's been busting to go - especially me.
This isn't the type of holiday I'd have chosen personally (ideally pack backing and winging it suits) but with a child everything changes and just wanted somewhere we could treat like home and keep costs down.
We booked a stay and play pass so that she could do the activities and the entertainment which cost £120.00
Because of covid all the activities and entertainments have to be booked in advance - fair enough but so far all I've been able to book is a bug hunt (booked over 4 weeks ago as only thing left) and two 60 min indoor swims despite logging on to book at 9am today when they released the swimming slots and being told that we could book up to 8 (which is actually only 4 because a slot = 1 person, not visit as your led to believe in their literature)
I've tried contacting Haven but can't find an e-mail address anywhere and the app your meant to book on crap.
Have mistakenly (try to approach holidays with a 'one mans passion is another mans poison' attitude) taken to reading the reviews only to find this is everyone's experience. I'm annoyed but to be honest we're in Cornwall which by all accounts is lovely (1st visit) so in relation to stuff to do I don't think it will be an issue.
But on reading these reviews I can't find one that has any sort of praise for the resort, (mostly all 1 star) saying the caravan's are dirty and poorly kitted out, uncomfortable beds and worst of all noisy with hen and stag do's (very light sleeper)
I'm really starting to panic now as only wanted a decent family holiday and had such high expectations.
Can anyone put a positive spin on it

I think the Lost Gardens of Heligan is much better for that age- we've been taking mine since they were in buggies as my parents live nearby and they love it. Much more freedom to roam, an outdoor playground, a thrilling wobbly bridge across a gorge and farm animals. They often have trails etc on as well. (I mention as either/or as they’re owned by the same people).

I wasn't very impressed with the Eden project, it's been a few years since I sent but it was basically 2 big humid greenhouses.

Flambards is good, we went midweek and it was really quiet.

I hope you enjoy your holiday, OP, and a positive mindset will help. As you say, nothing is perfect nor are high expectations always helpful. Hope you manage to book a slot in the pool in the end which most DD at 4 will love. If there's a beach close enough then again, most DD at 4 would love. If you're preference befor would have been back packing and winging it then unless you had a high budget, let's hope the beds others find uncomfortable will be better than you've sometimes experienced in the past when backpacking. If you've access to transport then the locality will offer alternates.

Good luck.

Have seen your later post, OP. IME, a four year old might not get as much out of the Eden Project as other choices for the same time and cost.

We go to Cornwall once a year, usually at half term. Started when daughter was 3.
Places I would recommend
Dairy land - great for a 4 year old. Included a tractor ride, pony ride, animal petting, milking a pretend cow and an indoor softplay. Your 4 year old would not be bored.

Lappa Valley, steam train into attraction, then loads of activities.

Fistral Beach at Newquay -can hire wet suits, have fun in the sea.

Flambards - quite fun, but found it a little expensive for what it offers.

Camel creek - thought this was better than flambards.

Seal sanctuary at Gweck - loved this, if you are into sea life/conservation.

Eden project - we love this, just wandering round, soaking it up. Lots of nooks and crannies for a 4 year old to explore.

Or you could just spend the holiday on the beach - your 4 year old would likely love that just as much.

Enjoy - you will barely be in the caravan!

We went to Perran sands on a super cheap Sun holiday in April. We stayed in the cheapest chalet and they were perfect. Just recently refurbed, everything was spotless, didn’t hear neighbours. The site itself has a few children’s play areas, great for our toddler. We went swimming for our 8x maximum allowance and the pool was fine. Short walk to the beach. We went when you couldn’t sit inside so we couldn’t do any activities and it was still a good holiday. It was my first holiday park holiday and I was pleasantly surprised. Hope you have a good time!

It's a break from work, a change is as good as a rest. The beach there is great. Enjoy it and don't just look at potential negatives.

Phone up reception a week before you go and ask for a caravan far away from the facilities.
I always do this as don't like the noise of all the lost drunks trying to find their caravan at closing time.
I know it's extra walking but it'll help burn off all the Cornish pasties and cream teas

Flambards takes Tesco Clubcard vouchers- our kids loved it, all ages.
Newquay aquarium is also on Clubcard vouchers and good on a rainy day.
Perranporth has a great kids playground and tennis club/ football pitch/ table tennis area.
The beach is awesome and loads of fish and chip shops, ice cream places for dinner on the beach.
Lappa valley is great for small ish ones
Boat trips from st ives
Lizard point seal watching and lighthouses are lovely for a picnic and a mooch
You can get the bus from perranporth to Truro for the cinema, shops, all that kind of stuff if it’s raining
Falmouth maritime museum is good for small ish ones and has a playground inside too and you can take your own picnic. Or you can go to Rick steins just across the square… Falmouth also has a great swimming pool with slides, wave machine etc.
You will have a great time- you just have to sleep in the caravan!

I was at another haven 2 weeks ago, we were able to book more swimming slots after we arrived, and got into the kids entertainment each night, needed the passes for the arcades which the kids also enjoyed, so basically don't worry if you can't book stuff, haven said lots of people don't turn up to their booked stuff, so can usually get in, ive heard perran sands is lovely regardless

Cornwall is amazing. You'll find loads to do. I second the recommendations for the Lost Garden of Heligan and the seal sanctuary at Gweck. I have a big list on my laptop of places we went/were recommended when we were there about 4 years ago - I'll dig it out for you tomorrow. We really liked the Eden Project but our ds was about 10.

I am going to a Haven Park on Friday and I was lucky as it was easy to get swimming slots and lots of activities still able to be booked. We always do Haven holidays as my DS has ASD so caravan holidays suit him and we have always had a great time. I have only had an issue once with a dirty caravan and the reception staff were great at resolving it. We don't usually do much activities on site apart from using the pool and arcade, kids don't like the showbar so we don't go but honestly caravan holidays are great in my opinion though would love to try and get abroad next year to give the kids a different experience.

Recommendations that we were given from MN when we went:

"Trebah and Glendurgan gardens are both amazing, great children's play area at Trebah and a maze at Glendurgan, both gardens end up at the beach in an amazing natural harbour, absolutely beautiful."

"We love the hidden hut at Porthscatho near St Mawes. St Mawes itself has some nice places to eat etc, Portholland (at low tide) for a quiet beach, Porthluney near Caerhays for ease as it has a big car park, very easy and nice"

I can vouch for the Hidden Hut - lovely little cafe and a gorgeous secluded sandy beach.

We also went to TangleWood wild gardens - a lovely quiet quirky little place for a picnic. www.tanglewoodmaycontainnuts.co.uk/

I've just got back from a Haven holiday with a 4yr old and had the same issue. However, once on-site I just went to customer services and booked extra activities including swimming beyond the 8 session limit (that's just on the app). We also did the bug hunt and it was fab! Have a lovely holiday