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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think there is no equivalent alternative to Center Parcs?

258 replies

Onelifeliveitright · 08/05/2023 11:40

We go every year and this year have booked an exclusive lodge with hot tub, games room, sauna and steam room. Looks amazing! My love of CP is growing the older I get. The teenagers still love it and are now old enough to do what they like. We only do a couple of activities to keep costs down. I love the environment, the lodges and the pool. And the fact there's enough restaurants to eat out every night. We like lazy days and going out. So looking at next year. My daughter works in a private school so breaks up early in summer. We can therefore go at the beginning of the week but it's SO expensive even though term time. I've looked at loads of alternatives but cannot find anywhere else that compares like for like. Aibu to think it doesn't exist?!

OP posts:
Opt1234 · 11/05/2023 11:35

Anyone going to the Woburn one in half term coming up? I definitely wouldn't pay over 1k for the 3 nights but because we have an inset day it was half the price which is why we booked it! This will be our 5th time going and the kids like it and it's the closest place with a massive indoor pool which is really the selling point isn't it ...we looked at flights same dates to Menorca and they were 1.5k only the flights...

ZeroFuchsGiven · 11/05/2023 11:55

Ive just had a look on Youtube at the rapids that everyone is raving about, its not half as exciting I presumed it would be according to this thread.

Neededanewuserhandle · 11/05/2023 12:00

ZeroFuchsGiven · 11/05/2023 11:55

Ive just had a look on Youtube at the rapids that everyone is raving about, its not half as exciting I presumed it would be according to this thread.

Some people must enjoy being kicked about by others in water - there's a lid for every pot I guess.

MagpieSong · 11/05/2023 17:41

dontlookbackyourenotgoingthatway · 11/05/2023 09:22

Am I the only person who thinks the lack of evening entertainment is a plus?

It's existence puts me off going to other places

Absolutely with you on that!

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 12/05/2023 08:37

I can’t understand it either. What is a ‘Center Parcs Family’

I found it grotty, insanely priced and really, not very convenient at all.

DanceMonster · 12/05/2023 08:42

I like center parcs (well, the kids love it so that always makes for an easier and more pleasant break for us), but not enough to spend £1000s on a short trip in the U.K. It’s just not worth that amount of money to me.

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 12/05/2023 09:11

Neededanewuserhandle · 11/05/2023 12:00

Some people must enjoy being kicked about by others in water - there's a lid for every pot I guess.

It’s so odd. You slide about for a couple of minutes, getting kicked by other people’s meaty feet in two feet of water. I really, really don’t know what I’m missing.

DanceMonster · 12/05/2023 09:17

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 12/05/2023 09:11

It’s so odd. You slide about for a couple of minutes, getting kicked by other people’s meaty feet in two feet of water. I really, really don’t know what I’m missing.

I don’t enjoy the rapids either but my children do, and I’ve always assumed that’s who most of the things at Center Parcs are aimed at? The joy of it for me is that kids are happy and amused, and usually worn out by the end of the day, which means I can relax knowing they’re catered for without much effort from me!

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 12/05/2023 09:19

I just priced up a week for the lowest end, ‘old style’ accommodation, and it’s £4k for two adults, a toddler and a baby. Before the start of the summer holidays. I just can’t understand it.

£4,000… plus anything you actually want to do on top.

Can someone please explain what I’m missing? Please? Because it was shabby, busy, expensive and on our last night we got told off by security for making noise for having dinner outside with our children last time. We weren’t drinking. The kids weren’t shouting. It was the clatter of plates apparently. Went ‘right through’ them. We just had the misfortune to be next to a couple who apparently. wanted a silent retreat.

Why do people keep going back?

DanceMonster · 12/05/2023 09:25

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 12/05/2023 09:19

I just priced up a week for the lowest end, ‘old style’ accommodation, and it’s £4k for two adults, a toddler and a baby. Before the start of the summer holidays. I just can’t understand it.

£4,000… plus anything you actually want to do on top.

Can someone please explain what I’m missing? Please? Because it was shabby, busy, expensive and on our last night we got told off by security for making noise for having dinner outside with our children last time. We weren’t drinking. The kids weren’t shouting. It was the clatter of plates apparently. Went ‘right through’ them. We just had the misfortune to be next to a couple who apparently. wanted a silent retreat.

Why do people keep going back?

Yeah it’s definitely not worth £4k. Like I said above I quite enjoy a CP trip but I doubt we’ll ever go again because the prices now are just insane. The most we’ve ever paid was £600 for a weekend at the beginning of jan (the Christmas lights were still up)

Theelephantinthecastle · 12/05/2023 09:27

@Tiddlypomtiddlypom we have never paid anything like that much. We usually do a weekend during termtime for £450-600 which I don't think is bad value

dontlookbackyourenotgoingthatway · 12/05/2023 09:46

Why hasn't anybody set up a competitor? Isn't that how capitalism is supposed to work?

Fizbosshoes · 12/05/2023 09:47

If my budget for a holiday was 4k I'd be going abroad

prescribingmum · 12/05/2023 10:03

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 12/05/2023 09:19

I just priced up a week for the lowest end, ‘old style’ accommodation, and it’s £4k for two adults, a toddler and a baby. Before the start of the summer holidays. I just can’t understand it.

£4,000… plus anything you actually want to do on top.

Can someone please explain what I’m missing? Please? Because it was shabby, busy, expensive and on our last night we got told off by security for making noise for having dinner outside with our children last time. We weren’t drinking. The kids weren’t shouting. It was the clatter of plates apparently. Went ‘right through’ them. We just had the misfortune to be next to a couple who apparently. wanted a silent retreat.

Why do people keep going back?

Are you sure you selected an off peak date? It doesn't cost that much for the lowest end of accommodation in mid August - 4k gets you an executive/exclusive lodge in holidays.

We used to go mid/late June before DC started school and never paid more than £450 for 4 nights (Mon-Fri) or £500 if included a weekend. Prices have risen slightly but not that much

We now go first/last week of private school holidays and post covid have been paying around £500-600 for Mon-Fri hols

HurryShadow · 12/05/2023 11:00

Theelephantinthecastle · 10/05/2023 20:04

Yeah not really comparing like with like here - 4 bedroom lodge Vs 4 people in one cruise cabin

I know - it was just the only lodge available with a hot tub! 😂Perhaps I should have looked at next year instead!

DanceMonster · 12/05/2023 11:06

We finish school for the summer a week earlier than most people (just due to location) so can usually find slightly cheaper weeks then.

Mum2jenny · 12/05/2023 20:21

I found deals for 2 adults, a toddler and a baby for just over 2k for a week in August in a basic apartment, so I cannot understand a 4k price tag unless you really want a fancy place

TheGuv1982 · 12/05/2023 21:02

I found it massively underwhelming, but then I have countryside and woodland on my doorstep.

At the same time, I can see why it appeals to families. Plenty to do and everything within walking distance.

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 12/05/2023 22:13

Mum2jenny · 12/05/2023 20:21

I found deals for 2 adults, a toddler and a baby for just over 2k for a week in August in a basic apartment, so I cannot understand a 4k price tag unless you really want a fancy place

The dates I found was for a week, very beginning of July, in an apartment, not a lodge. Two bedrooms. I put down two adults, toddler and infant. But it was a week, not four nights. £3,968.

Neverplayleapfrogwithmrpipes · 13/05/2023 19:34

If you are willing to travel, there is also Villeges des nature in Paris. It's much cheaper than CP and you have the bonus of being able to visit Disneyland.

nicc1000 · 14/05/2023 07:51

Go to Europe. Lalandia in Billund has a better swimming and central area.

Theelephantinthecastle · 14/05/2023 08:45

nicc1000 · 14/05/2023 07:51

Go to Europe. Lalandia in Billund has a better swimming and central area.

When I look at that it's showing as almost £500 a night for a 2 bed apartment. Am I doing something wrong because that is more expensive than Center parcs

nicc1000 · 14/05/2023 13:11

It wasn't more when we went at Easter. We did book earlier though so maybe variable prices.

CreeperBoom · 14/05/2023 19:18

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 12/05/2023 22:13

The dates I found was for a week, very beginning of July, in an apartment, not a lodge. Two bedrooms. I put down two adults, toddler and infant. But it was a week, not four nights. £3,968.

That week will be almost fully booked by now, all the lodges allocated, and the activity booking window will have opened so lots of activities will also be booked up. With CP, it is much cheaper to book in advance. E.g. First week in July next year is £1.5k, for 4 people/7 days in a lodge.

APurpleSquirrel · 15/05/2023 21:05

Interesting - Centre Parcs Uk is up for sale:

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/may/15/center-parcs-uk-goes-up-for-sale-with-near-5bn-price-tag?CMP=ShareiOSAppp_Other