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.

Im gutted and means we probably wont go back, my daughter has autism and sleeps very little we know if we take her swimming for most of day she will sleep which is a holiday for us, 2 2 hour slots just isnt enough and we cannot book another activities even if we wanted to as she is unable to do them , im gutted

In that case I’ll never go again. The pleasure of CP was the lack of having to organise anything. Not having to clock watch, no pressure of having to be somewhere at a certain time. Having slots for swimming removes that.

We are usually in the pool for more than 2 hours a day. Plus On arrival day and departure day so if you can’t do that it stinks. Obviously I understand why social distancing is in place but once that’s gone there’s no excuse.

Bollocks do people like it. Unless the question theyve asked is “do you like the pool being quieter”. Bet they didn’t ask “do you like being restricted to short pool slots and not being able to swim as much as you used to”.

I assume next year if abroad holidays are back on there won’t be the same demand for CP as this year.

As with anything, vote with your feet.

I’ve cancelled a spa weekend for the same reason. An hour’s swim per day and a lot of expensive treatments to fill your day.
No Ta.

Kids spending all day in the pool every day is the only reason we would go. So we won't be back.

My friends are paying £2.5k for Mon-Fri with two swimming slots. No extra activities in that price, and they're as stressed as hell about getting anything booked (setting alarms for 6am to get online when activities are released). I think they're mad. What a rip off.

No way would I book Centre Parcs if they keep the timeslots. It completely takes the spontaneity out of the holiday and as its the main selling point of the holiday to have it so restricted means not enough time in the pool.

@saraclara

My friends are paying £2.5k for Mon-Fri with two swimming slots. No extra activities in that price, and they're as stressed as hell about getting anything booked (setting alarms for 6am to get online when activities are released). I think they're mad. What a rip off.

Crikey. We took 4 of us to Kefalonia for a week for that. With a pool all day every day. Bonkers prices.

Our kids LOVE CP and we always go in the winter. No way with restricted pool access. We're just not going to do it - it's all about the pool for us.

I'm not paying £200 for my family to perch owls on their arms/drive a Segway for 12 minutes/attend a paint your own Elf party/whatever.

We won't go again if this remains in place, and we've been going for 30 years. The pool is what we go for.

Plenty of cheaper places to go if the free swimming ends. We've been more and more dissatisfied with the prices over the years, anyway. It's begun to feel like a blatant rip off.

Which is why I will never go to a glorified Butlins.

Centre Parcs has always been expensive but we often go because the pool is so great. With restricted swimming I wouldn’t bother. You need flexibility if you have young children. Being somewhere at a set time with a baby can be stressful.

They should open up more slots ie 2 hours per night booked. This is poor. We have booked loads of activities due to this crap. 3k on holiday plus £250 activities. Thanks CP.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/1385104-Center-Parcs-Anal-sex

I suppose they're encouraging a return to older corporate values.

Centerparcs is completely sold out for the whole six weeks. They already have their customers.

We’re booked to go later this year, but I’ll be cancelling if this is still in place. The reason we like CP is the freedom to swim when we fancy, often mornings and then later just before it shuts (I also think the pools should stay open later!). Who wants the stress of trying to make allocated time slots with babies, small children and grandparents to consider?! Really hope CP reconsiders. We won’t be back if they keep their own arbitrary restrictions.

We go to CP quite regularly but there's no way we would book a holiday there whilst these restrictions stay in place. It's just not worth it as we spend alot of time in the pools with our young children. I am not sure what we do if we couldn't use the pool everyday as we've done many of the activities already plus the cost of activities increases the cost of an already expensive holiday. Think we may have to say bye bye to them too which is a shame as their winter wonderland is lovely as part of the christmas build up.

@NotTheFunKindOfFeminist

Centerparcs is completely sold out for the whole six weeks. They already have their customers.

Yes, this year...because too many people with money to burn are feeling desperate for a break after the last 18 months, and can't go abroad.

It's short sighted and poor business practice to alienate long standing customers. What will happen when the people who have booked up this summer can holiday in Italy, or wherever they usually go?

The slots are fair enough but they don’t seem to turf people out when their 2 hours are up. If you want to enjoy a quiet pool it’s worth booking early in the day.

YANBU, can't believe people are booking it.

I was waiting for someone to bring up anal sex!

I am really shocked that you don't get more slots for staying longer. We went for the weekend recently and 2 slots was only just enough. I would be miffed at getting the same number of slots for a midweek stay as people on a weekend break !

When I go with my children we spend a lot of time in the pool. They would be really gutted to only get 4 hours!

I’ve been going for years, pre kids, young kids and now teens. No way will we be going if you have to book slots for the pool. Over the weekend we usually end up going twice a day. That is our activity and we do not pay for any other activities as it is expensive enough already.

Maybe spend some time sunbathing in the dome instead.

Why does everyone want to spend so much time in the Centreparcs pool?