To think nipping to Tesco at center parcs is no biggie?

[GreatBrickMoose]

four adults /2 cars going to center parcs in a few weeks. Original plan is for us to get their early and go swimming etc then at checkin time, one car goes to lodge with children and luggage and second car goes to Tesco to get click and collect.

my partner thinks this is a bad idea and that getting out and then back in to center parcs on day 1 will be stressful and chaotic.

my sister has tried to mitigate this by booking early checkin but he’s unconvinced.

the alternative suggestions are one car arrives later and comes straight from Tesco (so miss morning fun) or we go to Tesco very early and have food in car for a few hours (sister is worried about food spoiling with this option).

wwyd? I’ve not been to centerparcs before so not sure how chaotic day 1 is. He has but not for a long time. . is it really THAT busy outside of half term in winter?

yabu- he’s right you should rethink.
yanbu- tell him to shush.

We go to c&c beforehand so that we only need to queue once, is that doable? Even if you're able to move some luggage from 1 car to the other to make space.

Which Center Parks site? When we went we stopped in the nearest town on the way to do the shopping, so it was only in the car for 1/2 hour or so.

It shouldn't be a problem.

We've done a Morrisons shop and a booths shop before.

One you are checked in it's no different to leaving any other hotel carpark.

Oops should have said Woburn!

Shop before you go? Ise cool bags and ice packs/frozen bottles of drinks to keep perishables cool.

Early shop with a cool box !

Just click and collect on the way. Ice packs total overkill in February.

I’ve only been once but we were best part of an hour queuing to get in.

Wouldn’t fancy doing that twice.

On check in day queues are long until about 7/8pm

Can you book delivery directly to the chalet?
I know you can at haven/parkdeans etc

Just take food with you?

You should get to centre parcs at noon when you can get in, park up, walk to restaurant for lunch and then a swim or activity, loads to do before going in cabin at 4pm, wouldn't waste my time shopping on arrival day 🤦🏼‍♂️

Just do a good shop to arrive at your home the night before you go. Take it with you in cool bags. That's what we are doing. There is a shop there too.

I'd either do it before you go in, or do it much later when most people have arrived, unpacked, and parked up. You're wasting time otherwise, and yes, will be queueing for ages.

I've only ever been to European Center Parcs and never have to queue longer than 5 minutes, why does it take so long in the UK?

We go to Woburn quite a lot and always do early check in. If the car leaves to pick up the c&c so they are back on site for 1:45ish you will be fine. Probably a slight queue 10 mins but nothing compared to the 4pm rush.

Yes it's chaotic , your car will be miles away and you can't drive to the room after you have checked in. The point is it's no cars .

You should go on the way so you can drop it off at the lodge before you go and stow your car for the duration .

Why do husband/partners insist on adding to the mental load!? Tell him to zip it or plan and supply the food on his own time.

You won't be able to drive the car to the cabin with the foodshop in if you check in before that. Will be a pain to carry the crates of beer and the foodshop from the car park.

Just get it before you go - we're hardly in the midst of a heatwave, it will all be fine in the car for a few hours.

Is that right? I thought you got all your check in stuff when you arrived and then had to park in main car park until 4pm anyway? Why would nipping out and back into main car park before 4pm mean we can’t drive shopping to chalet?

Either go before you get there, or go once checked in.

It's not a prison.

I have only been to Elveden, but I can’t see any difficulty in popping out.

The queues to get in are long until all the cars are let in just before 4, but once I was later, around 6.00pm, and went straight in.

You should still be able to take the car in to unload. The normal rule is that they must be moved back to the car park once unloaded, and certainly before midnight on check in day.

Never been. Are you saying this place is hell that once in you can’t leave to go get food? And even if checked in you have to queue for hours to get back in to park??

I'd do shopping on the way. You don't need ice packs at this time of year but you can take some if you're worried. Can take ages leaving and coming in again and I personally wouldn't want to leave to do a supermarket shop once I'm on holiday, as you're only there for a few days.

Just arrive with your shopping. It’s February! No need for ice boxes and ice packs. Food will be fine in the car for a few hours 🙄😂