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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Holiday park with toddler - too big for travel cot but not in own bed yet

30 replies

WishingonaStar77 · 15/08/2021 11:41

Hi ladies, not sure if I’m asking for the impossible here but we are looking to book to go away for Christmas. Myself, my partner and our daughter.
She will be 2 in November and at home she is in a cot still in our room. We plan to move her straight into a single bed in her own room next year but for now she will stay with us.
When we try to book at a holiday park they only let us book 2 bedroom lodges because she will be 2 when we go. But we will only need one room. I wouldn’t mind but can’t justify the cost difference when we won’t be using the extra room.
I contacted Centre parcs live chat and they said we cannot book a one bedroom lodge if she is 2. Their travel cot is not suitable for her but we would bring our own. She still said it’s not allowed.
I’m also looking at Bluestone but again I’m worried their policy will be the same.
Am I being unreasonable?
Thanks ladies

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 15/08/2021 11:42

Can you not lie about her age?

April88 · 15/08/2021 11:42

I’m pretty sure the cots at center parcs are not travel ones. They’re standard cots (not cot beds) so she should still fit?

Ohshitiveturnedintomymother · 15/08/2021 11:42

Do you have to put in her birthday? Can’t you say she’s one and then take your own travel cot?

Original poster
WishingonaStar77 · 15/08/2021 11:44

Ponoka7 yes that did cross my mind but I’d rather be honest and not have to worry. But yes it’s an option

OP posts:
Overthebow · 15/08/2021 11:44

It’ll probably be because of fire regulations. Are there options for one bed plus sofa bed in sitting room instead of having to book 2 bedrooms?

Scotsmaw · 15/08/2021 11:45

Just lie. Centerparcs don't take birth certificates on the way in. Check in is so busy they wont even notice.

Original poster
WishingonaStar77 · 15/08/2021 11:46

@April88 I asked them via the chat and she read off what appeared to be some kind or terms and conditions about children over 2 no longer being an infant and having to be included. For the comfort of the guests! But it would most certainly not be comfortable if we tried to force her to stay in a bedroom on her own

OP posts:
HippeePrincess · 15/08/2021 11:49

You’ve got time, why don’t you just start getting her used to sleeping in her own room? Or if it’s a twin room get a bed guard she can sleep in one bed and you can take it in turns to sleep in the other.

Original poster
WishingonaStar77 · 15/08/2021 11:50

My parter isn’t keen on lying or trying to be deceptive. He’d end up worrying the whole time.
Plus some of the activities we book are only suitable for 2 years plus. And we’d have to say she was 2 for those.
That’s where it all gets a little uncomfortable and that’s not what we want for a Christmas break.
I just think they are being very inflexible as all children are different and have different needs

OP posts:
spongedod · 15/08/2021 11:50

Find somewhere else that suits your needs?

CP have their booking conditions and if you don't like them don't go.

Original poster
WishingonaStar77 · 15/08/2021 11:53

@HippeePrincess we have a 3 bed house but the box room is too small and being used as a home office and the other spare room needs work doing to it to make it suitable (new safer wardrobes - currently glass sliding doors which are not the sturdiest)
That’s why we are waiting until the new year to give us chance to get things sorted

OP posts:
Original poster
WishingonaStar77 · 15/08/2021 11:55

@spongedod yes definitely I said to the lady on the chat we would be looking elsewhere. No point in trying to argue like you say that’s their conditions. I jus wanted opinions really in case I was asking for something that was actually unreasonable. I am looking a at a few other places now

OP posts:
FTEngineerM · 15/08/2021 11:56

The people booking you in to activities aren’t going to be the same people booking it for you online, as soon as you’ve ‘checked in’ on arrival you can still use the activities.

Either lie about her age, book the 2 room or don’t go there..

Lineeyesoverhere · 15/08/2021 11:58

Lie about her age. They’re normal cots anyway, not travel cots

loopyapp · 15/08/2021 11:58

Look at haven. Speak direct with the site you want to visit. They aren’t as posh as centre parcs but
Lord the customer services is above and beyond and I’m willing to bet my next holiday they will work out a way to accommodate you x

Original poster
WishingonaStar77 · 15/08/2021 11:58

Thanks for all your replies, Just to confirm - I won’t be going to centre parks now. £500 difference in the cost of an extra room for 4 nights is not worth it.
I’m looking elsewhere now Smile

OP posts:
Katjolo · 15/08/2021 12:05

Did you try Bluestones?

DGFB · 15/08/2021 12:11

Go elsewhere or lie, that’s an outrageous policy. The idea that this is all to do with fire regulations is silly, in the US you can put lots of people in a room and nobody bats an eyelid

Original poster
WishingonaStar77 · 15/08/2021 12:55

@Katjolo yes I’m looking there now, I’ve asked the question just waiting a reply. Hoping they are a little more accommodating Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
WishingonaStar77 · 15/08/2021 13:40

@DGFB yes I agree. Having her in my room at 23 months old in a cot versus having her in my room at 24 months old and about a cm taller.. no difference Confused

OP posts:
sashh · 15/08/2021 15:10

Another vote for Haven. They don't require a second bedroom until 5.

I've never been to CP so I can't compare. You won't have swimming under a big dome so pack wellies and coats to get around the site.

welshweasel · 15/08/2021 15:20

Bluestone and CP both have the same policy. A 2 year old will deffo fit in their cots though, or if not they will provide a bed guard. We used to go to CP with friends and share a 4 bed lodge, now both our smallest are over 2 we have to get 2 lodges as we don’t fit in one (even though we could take travel cots and squeeze in!)

gogohm · 15/08/2021 15:29

Just book a hotel - so much better at that age because they can't do the activities anyway. Find one with a pool, take your own floaty things (check pool rules but Hilton's have always been accommodating) I've just booked 4 nights halfboard in Scotland for £880, has a pool, spa, bike hire etc - aviemore MacDonald resorts

Mumofb0y · 10/07/2022 07:50

Hi everyone,
We’ve booked to go to centre parcs in December with our little boy who will be 20 months. At the moment he wants to ‘explore’ everything! So I’m worried how to keep him out of kitchen cupboards, the log burner, and anything else dangerous! Any tips much appreciated! Thanks x

Simplelobsterhat · 10/07/2022 08:04

FTEngineerM · 15/08/2021 11:56

The people booking you in to activities aren’t going to be the same people booking it for you online, as soon as you’ve ‘checked in’ on arrival you can still use the activities.

Either lie about her age, book the 2 room or don’t go there..

That might be a risky strategy. We went to bluestone recently and activity booking was online linked to your accommodation booking so it was actually coming up with the names of the guests who would be eligible for that activity to tick who you were booking for. I'm pretty sure those not meeting the age requirements were greyed out. Center parts may well be similar?

To be honest I think I'd take the extra room for storage space if you are fitting 3 of you and a travel cot into one bedroom - it's bound to be a squash for clothes, suitcases etc. And more flexibility for sleeping arrangements if needed. Or hiding Xmas presents!

I was going to say look at hiring a caravan on a holiday park direct from private owners as always cheaper and less rules but maybe not in December!