We see you Center Parcs

[Doyoumind]

Due to go to Center Parcs later this summer.

Following today's announcements, they've said they will keep the restricted swimming slots. So where you used to pay a lot for a holiday but at least had free use of the pool whenever you wanted, you now get only 2 x 2 hour slots over 5 days/4 nights. They say customers like it.

I'm not convinced ending all restrictions now is right but clearly if people have limited time swimming, they will be paying for expensive alternative activities and CP will be making money from it. They know people are so desperate for a holiday they are unlikely to cancel.

I know they are a business and want to make money but they can't just carry on with 4 hours of swimming when people have paid so much and not expect a backlash.

I've thought, even pre Covid, that CenterParcs was overpriced. But people still booked to go there, even at eye watering school holiday prices. So I guess they will still have enough people booking that they don't care that those who just wanted the "free" swimming aren't going to bother any more. And if at any point the booking numbers start dropping off, they will drop prices/change the swimming restrictions again.

We have just got back from Center Parcs and I think the swimming booking system is a little ridiculous. On Saturday we went at 4pm and the pool was absolutely heaving, Sunday the only slot we could get was at 9:15am and it was much quieter. A bit annoying that on Monday we didn’t have the option to go in before we headed home etc, as you say especially after paying so much to be there.

The response on twitter isn't positive, but people will be in a position where they have to suck it up or cancel and risk not being able to book anything else.

I booked a long time ago, confident that things wouldn't be so restricted by the summer and legally they won't be. Even adding in extra allowances for slots or adding to the number of people in slots would be better than carrying on as they have been.

I'm not surprised by this. I have friends who work there

Other activities are now filling up quickly too

They have to recoup lost revenue somehow ... people will, and are paying

This is exactly why I postponed our holiday with them again until next year - hoping we can then go swimming every day. This is the main reason of going tbh as otherwise it makes it a very expensive holiday - as they charge you for every cough and sniff.

I think they will keep this system well after covid

I'm glad they are keeping the restricted swimming slots. For us, 2 hours with young children in the pool is plenty, and it is far more pleasant with less crowds and queuing for the flumes. Of course, I'm sure you're right that the making extra revenue (though other activities) plays a big part in Centre Parcs decision!! But it's not inconceivable that customers do prefer it too - after all, we do, and families with kids (who are paying the higher prices for school holidays) are probably their most valuable customers.

@gardeninggirl68

I think they will keep this system well after covid

I agree. You can bet they will be relaxing the rules that have limited the numbers booked on other activities so they can fill them up even more. I can't cancel now though as DC would be devastated.

We went last week. It was fine and I would live with it this year however if it was a long term thing, I'd not be happy. We go every year and as much as anything, having to book EVERYTHING did make us feel a bit less relaxed as we were aware we had to be places on time.

Urgh. The other annoying part of it is making everyone in your booking go to the pool at the same time. We are going with my parents, sister and BIL and they would probably enjoy going off on their own rather than only with us and the kids at times we dictate to fit in with nap times etc

Oh- I like booking things. I know it means it won't be packed.
Miss center parcs.

We have been to centre parks most years since kids were tiny and they keep nagging to ho back. I've told them not until swimming is open again. We don't and wouldn't pay for lots of expensive activities, we might do one or two in a week at most. Swimming is our main reason for going and we like to go every day.

Butlins have already announced swimming will be unlimited from 19 July. Just turn up and as many times as you like.
Works much better for me as my kids love the pool but are a bit big for the shows.

We arrived back from Center Parcs on Friday, some of the restaurants were closed and the activities cancelled due to staff having to isolate. While ever the need to isolate is there I don’t see how they can lift the swimming restrictions although I do agree 2 slots isn’t enough. They weren’t strict on leaving times when we were there though.

It does appear that slots may be here to stay though which would be a shame.

Are lots of activities being cancelled then Purple?

I’ve just got back from a weekend at CP and said to DH that I hope they keep the booking system, it’s been really nice using the pool without it being heaving.

@Doyoumind

Are lots of activities being cancelled then Purple?

Not lots but the climbing wall and something else was cancelled due to staff isolating. The whole country club was closed all week and one of the restaurants only opened at 5 due to staff shortages.

We had a great time though!

A weekend with 2 slots might be fine but that's not the same as it being what is for us a major 5 day holiday with only 2 slots.

@Doyoumind

A weekend with 2 slots might be fine but that's not the same as it being what is for us a major 5 day holiday with only 2 slots.

I think 3 slots should be the minimum, one a day in the middle days and now they’re opening up Starbucks/the café it should be longer so you have time to grab food etc.

I wouldn't go. My kids want to be in the pool. It's the only reason we'd go really.
Same reason I wouldn't book a villa or hotel abroad with no pool. It's what they enjoy.

I have been suspecting they’d do this. Must drive a lot of people to the more costly activities. Haven’t been to centerparcs for a while (our last trip there was booked for late March 2020!) but we love the swimming and would probably go 6 or 7 times in a weekend - and want to stay more than 2 hours too. It’s what made it worthwhile for us - we didn’t have to pay for anything else.

We like to swim every day at center parcs. So on a weekend trip we drop our stuff and go straight to the pool and on the Monday we swim once we're kicked out of our lodge. The Monday and Friday are usually quite quiet. But if we have to book slots, we will go for Saturday and Sunday. So I'm sure there's spare capacity on the Monday and Friday that won't be used. That's quite annoying.

We're going with baby DS in September. I'm just annoyed about the booking because we could end up spending an hour with DS napping/feeding and lose our time in the pool