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Original poster

We see you Center Parcs

265 replies

Doyoumind · 12/07/2021 22:08

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.

OP posts:
OnTheBrink1 · 12/07/2021 23:48

I’ve never been and would really like to. If these slots stay I don’t think I’ll ever bother. The whole point is the great pools and using them every day / when you want!

OnTheBrink1 · 12/07/2021 23:48

@Sparklingbrook

Why does everyone want to spend so much time in the Centreparcs pool?
Because they are good pools for kids? Because everything else is so bloody expensive!
Mixmeup · 12/07/2021 23:51

Honestly I take my hat off to any company continuing restrictions in the face of Boris's big bang madness. Are they trying to make money? Yep, probably (and I'd never go anyway). But any company or individual doing anything that will in any way keep us safe in the face of 100 - 200 K predicted daily infections has my admiration.

Thesearmsofmine · 12/07/2021 23:52

We really like Center Parcs but like others we won’t be going while you have such limited pool access. Usually the dc go swimming twice a day when there, it is part of the reason we go there.

Sparklingbrook · 12/07/2021 23:54

Because they are good pools for kids?

It's just that it's all so expensive to actually go that I thought there would be more of a draw than just a pool. But i guess if that's the only free bit, everyone will want to go.

I have never been though so don't know what's what. I just didn't realise people paid £££s to spend most of their time in the pool.

PseudoBadger · 12/07/2021 23:55

They run at 98% occupancy year round. They can do what they like and people will still go.

TiredButDancing · 12/07/2021 23:56

It's such bollocks that customers like it. We are going over the summer and I am annoyed about the pool. Not so much the 2 slots over 5 days but the set times. I want some flexibility on holiday.

NewallKnowall · 12/07/2021 23:56

Oh no!

The only reason we pay the ridiculous prices is for the pool. We've moved our booking to next year in the hope it will be unlimited again. We go with friends with big age gaps and it works so well to have a family swim in the day and then let the older ones have a second go in the evening where they can go off and be a bit more independent. We don't go for anything else really. Will definitely not go back if they keep it at slots forever. The cost just wouldn't make any sense at all. I'd rather pay for a Premier Inn!

Thekindofwindowsfaceslookinat · 12/07/2021 23:59

It's such bollocks that customers like it

Absolutely. Who on EARTH would prefer it?

Like pp said, this year, they'll be packed. The years to come? Maybe not. They've been teetering on the edge of being just-about-reasonable, in terms of value for money, but this will put many off and see competitors gaining ground.

We'll try something different if the pool restrictions stay - it's just not worth going any more.

DaphneDeloresMoorhead · 13/07/2021 00:04

Is this CP Europe as well ? We're booked on our 3rd rearranged holiday to France next May.

There's not a chance in hell I'd book centerparcs if we couldn't swim every day. We spend at least 2 hours every day in the pool

Sally872 · 13/07/2021 00:05

I hate running to a time table. We get up, have breakfast get dressed and head to pool. I don't want to be chasing people to get ready and get out for a certain time.

We go most years. We are booked for later this year. Happy with swimming slots due to covid but if it becomes the norm we are not likely to come back.

TheChippendenSpook · 13/07/2021 00:15

I've booked to go in a few weeks. Due to reasons too boring to go into, it's the first holiday we've had for a few years.
I'm really annoyed that they won't cancel or add to the two measly swimming slots but my boys would be totally upset if I cancelled.

LaurieFairyCake · 13/07/2021 00:21

What happens if you don't get out?

How would they know ?

notapizzaeater · 13/07/2021 00:29

At butlins last week they emptied the pool at the end of the slots. Im going to CP end of august will be pretty pissed off if they still doing this !

EmergencyHydrangea · 13/07/2021 00:29

Did you not know there was a pandemic on?

earthyfire · 13/07/2021 00:51

I hate booking because I like to be spontaneous especially when I am away. It's one of the reasons I haven't bothered to book a holiday park because I know every activity will require booking this year.

Anythingelseintheboxpandora · 13/07/2021 00:55

At butlins last week they emptied the pool at the end of the slots

Definitely did not take that to mean they pulled the plug out at the end of each slot 😐

BarbaraofSeville · 13/07/2021 04:44

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

And glorious weather, and lovely Greek food at probably a fraction of the chain rubbish at Center Parcs.

I know people are 'desperate to get away' but I think it takes a special kind of madness to pay so much for so little.

I'd rather stay at home and do day trips and holiday type food at home than pay those types of rip off prices. After all, it's being off work, spending time together and having nice food and drink that makes it a holiday as far as I see it.

Original poster
Doyoumind · 13/07/2021 06:35

@EmergencyHydrangea

Did you not know there was a pandemic on?
Yes, but when I booked - a long time ago - the expectation, based on what we were being told, was that life would be more normal. And there will actually be no legal restrictions. I didn't plan a holiday abroad specifically because of the pandemic, and would go along with slots in the short term if I was being offered more than 4 hours over 5 days. My point is that they are exploiting the pandemic and continuing to use slots as this will bring them additional revenue.

I've been wfh full time. I'm not going to stay in my house for the whole summer!

OP posts:
Whitewolf2 · 13/07/2021 06:44

I’m really surprised by this! I at least thought they would increase the number of slots you could book, I get the booking system and at least it means not being painfully crowded at peak times, but let people swim more surely. I don’t think CP will be the only ones though, we’re going on a Parkdean holiday in August and have booked swimming slots there too.

Puppalicious · 13/07/2021 06:47

I thought it was 2 slots if staying 3 nights, but 3 slots if staying mon-fri?

BarbaraofSeville · 13/07/2021 06:50

I've been wfh full time. I'm not going to stay in my house for the whole summer

Well so have I, but I've been working which I wouldn't have to do if I was on leave (and no I don't have a big posh house, it's a small 2 bed ex council property) but I wouldn't pay £2.5k to stay in a shed in the woods for 4 nights.

Twiglets1 · 13/07/2021 06:51

We went to CP and I must admit the pool and queues for the rides were not too busy due to this rule which we appreciated. Overall though, it was very overpriced for what it was. The restaurants at CP at Elvedon were shocking quality and the activities were all expensive.

It probably is good for people with little children but for others it represents poor value for money at the moment.

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 13/07/2021 06:53

We won’t go again until they lift the pool restrictions.

MiddleParking · 13/07/2021 06:56

Absolutely furious to read this and really considering cancelling our booking. What a contemptuous way to treat their customers. Their Twitter responses make it even worse. Plus the rest of the Covid update - “we’ll reinstate indoor play areas when we feel it is safe to do so”. Sorry, aren’t you a fucking holiday company?