To think Center Parcs really isn’t middle class

[GodAgainstAll]

Just spent a few days there for the first time. It’s expensive and the people there seem to be v affluent in terms of clothes/cars, but middle class? I was surprised.

We have just got back from 3 nights, i thought it was crap tbh and overpriced. The cabin stank, to the point they came and put a black box in to take out some of the smell which didn’t do anything. All our clothes had to be washed when we came home whether we had worn them or not, even our coats and my baby’s Bedding from the cot it was vile. £1300 for 3 nights absolute waste of money.

Class is security blanket for the shrinking middle classes, they need a way to make themselves better when people are richer than them or whatever.

I think this nails it. Middle class professional incomes have been shrinking in real terms for years. Their children face more obstacles than they did in securing well paid work. The status anxiety is off the chart and intellectual superiority is all they have left.

Went there this summer with friend and two teens - tbh I didn't think much about the other guests at all. Didn't meet anyone unpleasant. We went for the swimming pool so that teens could have fun. Fun is for everyone?

We're regular visitors, and not at all middle class, we just go because we enjoy it, I didn't realise there were rules 😳

Most MN thread ever…

but I think I get what OP is trying to say…

we all know that many ‘working class’ jobs pay way more than some traditional middle class jobs. ( I’m sure many builders earn more than an out of London/ non magic circle law firm)

I’m imagining that rather than the quiet middle class types who cycle to work, shop at Boden and eat couscous, the place is now full of plumbers and their beauty therapist wives who drive Range Rovers ( leased obvs!). The type whose dream holiday is Disney rather than camping in a chic little campsite in the Dordogne.

as a pp has said, lots of swearing in queues, smoking, and poor grammar.

I post without judgement or comment! It takes all types to make a world! 😁

I dont think center parcs is very posh or upper middle class, lots of normal sounding voices. However I recently tried a haven caravan park and that did have a very different feel, especially in the evening. So I think there is still a difference between the two places. Not meant to be offensive. I enjoyed both holidays. But they were different. I wouldn't do the evening entertainment that caravan park again but lots of people might enjoy it but it wasnt for me.

The only time I went there it was full of people trying a bit too hard, equating spending money to parenting too. Entertainment was a bit rubbish too, haven is better. As for the class issue, who cares? It's purely down to if you can afford/justify it. I personally prefer hotels which work out no more

Well in 2023 ,middle class doesn't really mean anything does it? Middle class is by definition, not needing to work...That's a tiny percentage of society now.

More wealthy?? might be a better term.

I visited centre parcs and Butlins every year for over a decade. Honestly we had more fun at Butlins, children loved the fairground, the arcades, the entertainment!! Yes I preferred how CP looked, but they didn't see that, they enjoyed the go karting, laser quest, plus all of the free activities..where else can you ride the waltzers or bumpers cars for free all day long?

I also witnessed a very horrendous violent incident..at centre parks! plus I had the misfortune of seeing a tampon in a CP pool.

Cp have the best outdoor swimming and rapids in the UK, which is why I booked every year. Butlins will always be the holiday's they remember.

Also worth remembering that private school holidays are longer than state school, so you may find more "middle class" guests during the weeks where their children are still off but state school children aren't (it will be cheaper then).

The OP went when state educated people were allowed in?! What on earth did you expect? 🤮🤮🤮🤮

Bang on. So many people done realise this- how!!?

So what were they, aristocrats, royalty? I’ve been to CP (not keen and won’t go again) but I didn’t notice what ‘class’ people were, they just seemed ordinary to me (but I am very unobservant generally).

yes!

It doesn’t mean that at all.
working class doesn’t mean the only class that ‘works’ it’s not literal!
How wealthy you are doesn’t always relate to class- increasingly doesn’t.

It’s funny how the middle classes are accused of being class obsessed, but when you come onto threads like this, half the posters appear to think they aren’t middle class, despite their obvious class obsession and desperate attempts to distance themselves from people they want to “other.”

The middle classes always denigrate things they get priced out of. See also private schools or having a nanny.

It’s an easier pill to swallow than admitting that they are getting further and further away from upper/established middle class and slipping into - horror of horrors - lower middle class.

Omg not the "class" question again.
Who bloody cares they're only humans like you and I on a holiday.
Why does this matter so much?
I've only ever heard this discussion on this forum. It's ridiculous.

We spent another relaxing Christmas at Woburn and had a lovely time.
Interestingly, we didn’t spend it trying to work out who was which class 😂.

We spent it minding our own business, moaning about CP have upped their prices to joke level (but knew they would) but mostly having a really nice time and not caring who had what amount of money or nice/not nice cars!

I would say the majority of people who go to CP don’t go to splash their cash but to spend some quality time together in their little family or to get together with extended family they don’t see very often.

For us, with an autistic child, it’s a relaxing place for them because everything is always the same pretty much. The villas all look the same, the restaurant menus always have what he will eat and we can do as much or as little as we want.

Next time you go @GodAgainstAll forget about class and why anyone else is there and just have fun and enjoy yourself.

Have CPs by clever advertising created an expectation of slightly superior standards. Whereas they do not in real life provide the space the ease of access the better restaurants which are depicted.
There are never enough bikes and you have to book the pool as soon as the car stops or you wont get any.
The outdoor activity such as archery or kayaking are really only for people that cannot do these sports but have rather bought into the idea or the vision.

Booking of pool slots was only for a specific time during lockdown.

Yup. Spot on.

Think so!

My cleaner goes to CP.

Why does it matter what 'class' people are. Who cares? Apart from the OP obvs ...

How could you tell?

No. It’s very naff.

expensive but very Mrs hinch