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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:
jonkersdeplonkers · 13/07/2021 07:47

@motogogo

Just book a hotel instead, stayed at the Hilton, unlimited swimming and had pool to ourselves. Ok no slides but they allowed inflatables and had balls, noodles etc provided. Paid far less than centreparcs and included breakfast!
Where was the Hilton?
PurpleFlower1983 · 13/07/2021 07:47

@Puppalicious

I thought it was 2 slots if staying 3 nights, but 3 slots if staying mon-fri?
No it’s definitely 2, we went last week.
Minfilia · 13/07/2021 07:49

My teenage DC are going in the summer holidays with their grandparents for 5 days. They usually spend half their holidays in the pool, going morning and evening.

They will not be happy!

Bunnycat101 · 13/07/2021 07:49

I do think continuing some sort of booking to limit numbers wouldn’t be a bad thing as it can be unpleasantly busy but I’d be annoyed if I was on a mid-week break and just had 2x 2 hours.

GameSetMatch · 13/07/2021 07:51

I’m going to centre parcs next week and I’m really glad the swimming is staying the same with precooked slots. It’s so much better, less busy, less time queuing for slides etc. Honestly once you’ve tried it I’m sure you’ll think different.

If your going to centre parcs you already know it’s going to cost an arm and a leg for activities it’s all part of the holiday cost. You don’t have to stay on site you can always go out for the day to the local towns….

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 13/07/2021 07:55

I really like the slots! It means it’s much less crowded, and you don’t have to spend your whole time queueing.

I’d rather have a shorter, better quantity time in the pool, and then go and do other stuff.

There’s plenty to do for free anyway - the forests are beautiful, there are beaches, play parks for the little ones. I also like to explore the area a little bit.

rookiemere · 13/07/2021 08:02

It sounds like the swimming slots work well for families with young DCs who wouldn't be in the pool for more than a couple of hours anyway.

But teens generally don't want to go for free walks in the wood and having paid a fortune to stay in CP, I'm not going to walk the miles to the car park to then drive to visit other areas of the Lake District that we could have stayed in for much less cost.

Not that I imagine they are that bothered. We decided not to go abroad and I had a look to see if Whinfell had any availability but it appears to be fully booked out until November.

NotPersephone · 13/07/2021 08:08

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

bonbonours · 13/07/2021 08:08

Another one here who wouldn't book on that basis, the main draw of a holiday like that for us is swimming every day for several hours. Even when our kids were little we went in the pool for at least 3 hours a day!

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 13/07/2021 08:13

See what I’m hearing is “with these slots, there will no longer be unaccompanied teenagers all over the place” which doesn’t sound bad to me!

bonbonours · 13/07/2021 08:14

Those saying there are other places with pools.... obviously there are pools all over the place but very few with fun slides, wave pools, rapids, flumes etc. We have struggled to find anywhere that rivals CP for that. We wouldn't spend hours and hours in a regular pool, it's all the extra fun pool stuff that means we'd happily spend three hours a day in CP pool.

bonbonours · 13/07/2021 08:15

@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing

See what I’m hearing is “with these slots, there will no longer be unaccompanied teenagers all over the place” which doesn’t sound bad to me!
Yes, heaven forbid teenagers who have had every bloody thing cancelled this past 18 months be allowed to have fun with their friends/siblings. Hmm
gratedbeetroot · 13/07/2021 08:17

@Beefcurtains79

I much prefer the booking system and hope centerparcs keep it. We found that the pool was much more enjoyable this way and far less queues for the flumes.
Same. Have been twice during the pandemic and loved not having to queue for the big slides and the pools being quieter. We were given an extra slot too the last time we went - it depends on capacity.
TheSockMonster · 13/07/2021 08:26

How disappointing. We’ve done Winter Wonderland at Elveden since DS (now 12) was born.

The rapids, flumes and water rides are the DC’s favourite thing to do. We often go in the pool twice a day and usually have lunch there at least once.

I can see how it would work for some families, but it won’t work for ours.

Also, if you only ask people who have booked if they prefer the 2 x 2hr swimming slots you will get a skewed answer. Regular bookers who are very opposed to it will not have booked in the first place.

wedswench · 13/07/2021 08:26

We also really enjoyed a spontaneous evening swim for a quick half hour on the slides to finally knacker the kids out.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 13/07/2021 08:29

We're booked for November. I'm fully expecting swimming to beimited to 2 visits even by then. I usually only go twice, but dp and the kids go more so it would be a shame if they are still limiting it. Won't be surprised if they keep booking in place for good now though.

Doublestar · 13/07/2021 08:30

It's not just centre parcs - I think a lot of places will keep these restrictions because it suits them.
At some point it may bite them in the arse but some places with have realised "the new normal" works better for them. A lot of places won't go back to the old ways of doing things.

mabelandivy · 13/07/2021 08:33

We went a few weeks ago. It was our first time at a Center Parcs. We liked the fact that booking a slot meant restricted numbers. To be honest we found the pool rather chilly so didn't stay anywhere near our 2 hour slot.

I think booking keeps the numbers down and avoids overcrowding, BUT 2 slots a week is pretty rubbish when in reality other than spending a fortune on activities, what else is there actually to do!? I'd prefer booking slots to remain but with a slot a day.

CovidCorvid · 13/07/2021 08:33

The reason for previous “overcrowding “ at the pool is simply CP greed. Every time I go they are building more and more cabins. Every time I go there’s more people. Not just in the pool, walking around, the paths are crowded, can’t get a table for dinner in the evening unless you book before the holiday, can’t just decide to do an activity on the day as they’re booked up, struggle to get a table at lunch because everywhere is so busy.

They just keep ramming more people in but don’t improve the facilities. I think CP has jumped the shark to be honest.

Twoforthree · 13/07/2021 08:39

We only go a couple of times too, so the slots would suit us as less queueing for slides - but I see why others are annoyed.

notapizzaeater · 13/07/2021 08:42

@bonbonours

Those saying there are other places with pools.... obviously there are pools all over the place but very few with fun slides, wave pools, rapids, flumes etc. We have struggled to find anywhere that rivals CP for that. We wouldn't spend hours and hours in a regular pool, it's all the extra fun pool stuff that means we'd happily spend three hours a day in CP pool.
We prefer butlins pools tbh, the Skegness one is far better, bigger and better slides, rapids etc. We normally do both each year.
Unicornish · 13/07/2021 08:43

I'm pretty annoyed about this too. We often go to the pool several times a day for shorter visits. This booking system is bullshit.

lightand · 13/07/2021 08:59

@jonkersdeplonkers
I have just come back from a short hotel stay[can look it up to see if it was a hilton].
Was there two days, asked for 4 swimming slots[3/4 hour slots] and got all of them].
They did some sort of opening times for non residents too. And definitely had swimming slots for mums and toddlers in one half of the pool, at one of the sessions. will send details by DM to anyone who wants them.

NewallKnowall · 13/07/2021 09:00

For those saying booking works for them as they have v small children...

Your children grow up, want increased independence and enjoy different things. They start to want to go on the rapids and flumes 685235 times a visit and to go as soon as they wake up and at night to see the lights... They don't stay little and confined to the paddling area...

I wouldn't pay CP money to stay in a teeny cabin with another family, in less comfort than you get in a youth hostel, for any reason other than the pool be something that my DC love and see as a massive treat. If that ceases to be an included part of the trip then I no longer want to go. I can visit woods, parks, lakes and beaches near home and they bigger, better and less busy. We go for the pool and I doubt we're the only ones who feel like that.

We've been to Bluestones and we're seriously impressed. The accommodation was much bigger, cleaner and more comfortable than CP and the kids loved the pool there. It's a v long drive from us which makes a weekend stay difficult but the balance may tip in their favour. I've never even looked at Butlins but may have to!

notasillysausage · 13/07/2021 09:01

Going against the grain slightly here. I prefer the slots, much less busy and feels safer. I would like 3-4 slots though rather than the 2!

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