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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask whether Center Parcs would be worth it?

40 replies

FizzyOranges · 06/01/2022 12:30

Posting for traffic!

Thinking of booking a 4 night mid week break in Feb (not in half tern) with LG who would be 15 months. She is crawling but not walking currently. She loves swimming which is why I'm thinking of it. I've never been to Center Parcs but heard the pool is good. Would it be good for a very little one though? I.e. if it's all really shallow where non swimmers can go it's a lot of kneeling in water for parent. As I'm holding her the whole time anyway I prefer being stood with water at least up to my waist

Other than swimming I guess we could do walks, maybe biking, maybe soft play.

Thinking of the Sherwood Forest one.

If you wouldn't do Center Parcs what would you do?

OP posts:
Newrunner29 · 06/01/2022 12:32

Center parcs is like marmite on here u either love it and can waffle on about how great it is or u hate it and bang on about how expensive and awful it is!
Im in love it category 😁 we r going in a few weeks and i cant wait! So i say yes go for it!

Newrunner29 · 06/01/2022 12:33

But im sure in a little while u will have someone tell u how expensive and rubbish it is 😁🤷🏼‍♀️

Hospedia · 06/01/2022 12:34

At that age I'd go for a Just For Tots break at Butlins where they have a wide range of activities for her age rather than Centre Parcs where she only really has the pool and a soft play. Yes, it's Butlins. Yes, it's bright and loud and a bit plastic-fantastic but I much preferred it over Centre Parcs, the DC liked it more, and it was cheaper with more included in the price - almost all of the activities were included, pool was included, shows were included, and we paid for a meal plan for breakfast and dinner were included too.

Meatshake · 06/01/2022 12:34

Nah go to Butlins instead there's so much more for the little ones.

LJAKS · 06/01/2022 12:34

Is the swimming back to normal? For a bit it was one two hour slot per stay or something ridiculous due to covid regs. That put me off as I'd be in the pool all day every day. The other activities can get costly, not at 15m right enough.

DreamerSeven · 06/01/2022 12:34

I love it but it’s not worth the price at that age, save your money til they’re a bit older!

BlingLoving · 06/01/2022 12:35

While we are big centre parc fans, I'm not sure I'd spend that on a winter holiday with a toddler. Not least because the pool restrictions are, as far as I know, still in effect? So you'd only get a few slots for the pool anyway and I think there are restrictions on soft play as well (apologies if I'm out of date on this).

Having said that, it is convenient and pleasant and nice and if you can afford it, why not. it's certainly child friendly and safe and those are definitely worth having.

Meatshake · 06/01/2022 12:35

@Hospedia

At that age I'd go for a Just For Tots break at Butlins where they have a wide range of activities for her age rather than Centre Parcs where she only really has the pool and a soft play. Yes, it's Butlins. Yes, it's bright and loud and a bit plastic-fantastic but I much preferred it over Centre Parcs, the DC liked it more, and it was cheaper with more included in the price - almost all of the activities were included, pool was included, shows were included, and we paid for a meal plan for breakfast and dinner were included too.
Great minds 🤣
DreamerSeven · 06/01/2022 12:35

Oh and defo yes to Butlins for little ones!

Hospedia · 06/01/2022 12:37

Great minds

I saw I'd cross posted with you Grin

Honestly when someone suggested Butlins to me I was so sceptical and I'll admit I was a bit snobby about what I expected it to be like but once we got there it was fine, I'd been snobby over nothing. It was clean, safe, and there was loads on offer. The DC were entertained the entire time which is a winner for me.

MsMarch · 06/01/2022 12:37

At that age, I'd consider Butlins rather. You can upgrade to the higher end accommodation and it will still be cheaper than Center Parcs and I think it's more geared up for the very little ones (but I don' know what, if any, restrictions they have on pool/softplay/amusements/shows etc). We took DC there when they were about 4 and 7 and they loved it. Now they are older they prefer Center Parcs because they like being out on their bikes and doing things like the pottery or the adventure trails or archery.

Hospedia · 06/01/2022 12:38

My advice to get the most out of Butlins is to get the highest class of accommodation you can afford, get a meal plan, and get the queue jumper passes for the shows.

Tay17 · 06/01/2022 12:38

We did Butlins last year (never thought I would go there - no judgement at all to anyone) and loved it! It was so much better than we thought it was going to be. Yes the accommodation is bog standard (silver apartment) but we took our own cleaning stuff (as recommended) and reminded ourselves we hadn’t paid for 5 star luxury and we’re literally just using the apartment as a base. The apartment wasn’t that bad, cleaning could have been better in the kitchen/ living area but the bedroom & bathroom was very clean. I imagine it’s a bit like the previous pp said and like marmite in that some people will have a great time and others hate it.

Anyway to my point. The swimming pool was brilliant! We loved it as much as the little ones (18m & 2.5yr) - dads couldn’t get enough of the water slides.
The fairground was brilliant too for the little ones and the rides were all included. There were the shows etc too and the restaurants were really nice (reminded us of prezzo, Nando’s that sort of style - different ones to choose from).
We went to the Skegness one.

It was so cheap! I’ve just seen someone this morning post on FB to say they have booked a midweek tots break in Feb and paid £45 for the 4 nights!! That’s the accommodation, pool, shows, fairground included.

I’d love to try Center Parcs one day but the cost has definitely put me off so far so maybe when the little one is older and can take part in more of the activities.

Thehop · 06/01/2022 12:39

Came to say this. Save CP for when she’s a bit older

Zampa · 06/01/2022 12:39

I'd also recommend Ribby Hall near Preston.

Tay17 · 06/01/2022 12:39

Cross post with the other posts above!
Haha I was a bit snobby too but am a convert to butlins. We’re going back this year!

Honestly it’s all for the kids which when they’re toddlers is what it’s all about!

olivehater · 06/01/2022 12:40

I think for a winter break in the uk it’s great. Lots of indoor stuff you can do and swimming. You can get good deals going. Out of the school holidays. Yes there is less to do for the little ones but that’s the same everywhere and why it is cheaper.

Bear2014 · 06/01/2022 12:42

Our DC (4 and 8) are absolutely obsessed with Center Parcs so we have to go every year We do enjoy it. When our first was a young toddler that age, we would do a mid-week city break or something - do cultural stuff and nice food (a long lunch while she naaped) interspersed with little trips to the park etc. It's one of your last chances to do something and go somewhere that you actually want to go. Everything is exciting and stimulating at that age.

fdgdfgdfgdfg · 06/01/2022 12:45

Personally I'd leave it until they're around 4. They won't get the most out of it at that age. Also, check what the situation is with the pool. Due to Covid they were booking slots for pool use, which may not line up with a toddlers mood, tiredness when it actually comes to the day.

emmathedilemma · 06/01/2022 12:46

I'm not the biggest fan of CP but looking at the prices for a mid-week 4 nights in Feb I could probably be persuaded. They're still doing pre-booked sessions for the pool but the timeslot is now 3 hours which is more than long enough for a child that age and you get 4 sessions with a 4 night stay which I think has increased from what it was last year.

sunflowerroses · 06/01/2022 12:48

We have been going for years, including when mine were babies and love it. When they were they were pre school age, midweek winter breaks out of holidays were cheap so we went quite often. Pool has various areas including the bigger pool where you can be waist deep easily. We (as adults) like the forest environment too.

Sn0tnose · 06/01/2022 12:48

@LJAKS

Is the swimming back to normal? For a bit it was one two hour slot per stay or something ridiculous due to covid regs. That put me off as I'd be in the pool all day every day. The other activities can get costly, not at 15m right enough.
At the moment, you need to book a slot if you want to swim before 6pm. I think (although happy to be corrected) that you can book one three hour slot each day. After 6pm, you don’t need a slot and can just turn up and swim. So you could go twice a day, or book a slot at 3pm and theoretically stay in the pool for 6 hours. You can book a cabana for 3 hours for feeding etc but this obviously adds to the cost.

I’ve never been to Butlins so can’t compare them, but if you do decide on CP, the pool would be fine for a 15m old. It’s a walk in one, so starts around the knee and gets deeper, so you just stop at where is best for you.

MyDcAreMarvel · 06/01/2022 12:51

I agree with pp just for tots and Butlins is a much better option. Skegness has a great pool and they have kids characters and shows.

rookiemere · 06/01/2022 12:52

We went when DS was young and I really enjoyed it. It was great having all the facilities on site and I liked the feel of being in the forest with the lodges. I've not been to Butlins but we have been to Haven and I found it noisier and much less relaxing.
They used to have special early morning toddler swim times at CP, but that might be a thing of the past now.
I'd say go to CP whilst your DC is young enough that you don't need to go during pricey school holidays and see what you think.

CupcakesK · 06/01/2022 12:52

Another vote here for Butlins! We went with our 15mo last summer and had such a great time - it was so easy and that was when there were still a lot of restrictions. We went to Skegness, so sandy beach (which was our preference)

DS loved the pool, loved the playground, loved the fairground rides. The shows were good, but my DS had very limited attention span so we ended up leaving before the end most times. We also went to the seal sanctuary which we all enjoyed. Eating out was easy and fairly nice (pub type food, pizza, fish and chips). We cooked most meals ourselves, and although possible, it was challenging with the limited kitchen equipment - would recommend food that requires minimal prep (chopping etc)

Easy for him to run around everywhere as much fewer bikes! Save your money on CP until they are older