Why do so many people dislike Centre Parcs so much?

[coulditbeme2323]

Following on from the thread about over rated things, CP came up again and again.

I feel I am in the minority on MN, but in real life it runs anywhere between 95-100% capacity.

Of course people are entitled to their opinion and if you dislike it you dislike it, but honestly what do people find so awful about it?

I don't dislike it at all, I just think it's massively overpriced for what it is.

Used to really enjoy CP as an easy break with young kids. Now they’re older, the activities are far too expensive.
Also prices have gone up while the standard of accommodation has deteriorated. Last couple of times we’ve had stained carpets that smell of vomit and very chipped furniture. I think it’s because they now have tiered accommodation where you can pay eye watering prices for the top end treehouses with hot tubs etc,
Also, and I hate myself for saying this as I know it’s snobby, but there always seem to be a lot of toxic louty dads there now. Extremely hench with turkey teeth, bad tats and dressed head to toe in Hugo boss, allowing their kids to act like shits.
Although the one in the lakes is slightly better in this respect.

I don't want to cook on holiday so the fact the restaurants are all crap makes it somewhere I don't want to go!

We went to the canaries last year on the whit holidays for a week for £2300, 4* AI, plus about £100 for the taxi to the airport and home and some drinks at the airport. We chose it because 5 nights at CP was £1400, plus activitirs, fuel and food. Abroad was definitely better value.

We went once when we had one 4yo DC and enjoyed it, but wouldn't go now and I really wouldn't be keen, because:

• the cost. We've done two weeks in a Eurocamp with perfect weather and stunning beaches and loads nearby to visit for less than the cost of a week at CP in the summer holidays
• as a PP said it's for people who are outsidey rather than outdoorsy. We are outdoorsy. I would much rather book an AirB&B and do hiking, beach, National Trust places, museums etc.
• Feeling 'contained' and there being loads of other people everywhere
• the cost of all the activities plus I just wouldn't want to spend a holiday standing around doing minigolf, archery, pottery painting etc. I'd go mad.
• I do see why it's popular with parents of little ones who can go outside school holidays though
• Can't comment on the clientele as we only went once and people seemed fine but this was a decade ago. We have done a Haven once as well and again although it was fine for us with little ones I wouldn't go now

Weird locations, I would sooner go to somewhere with actual mountains to climb and proper hikes.

Too many people and too many children!

It doesn’t feel like a holiday to me. Still have to do breakfast, accommodation is cramped, whole place feels sanitised and prescriptive, have to plan activities in advance, expensive, no guarantee of good weather, overly busy during school holiday and the eating out options are poor.

Those complaining that there are no "actual mountains" are somewhat missing the point.

Center Parcs is great for families because it just takes away everything that makes holidays (and indeed, just day to day life) with young kids a pain in the arse.

You don't have to fly. You don't have to bundle everyone into the car with a fucktonne of stuff just to go to get a coffee. You don't have to deal with public transport or wondering what time things shut.

Everywhere is pushchair friendly, and within 5 minutes of the lodge is a massive swimming pool, shops, food places, a beach and nice walks/cycles without having to dodge traffic. You just turn up, forget about driving for the week and go into a little bubble where if WW3 were to start you'd probably not find out until you drove back out again.

Those complaining that there are no "actual mountains" are somewhat missing the point.
Precisely. People wanting outdoor adventure are not the target audience. I live in Cumbria and nobody who wants to do serious hiking/sailing/cycling etc would go to Whinfell. There are loads of facilities and opportunities for that kind of thing in tbe actual Lake District. Center Parcs is aimed at people wanting a different experience. It's not for me, but it's a perfectly reasonable kind of holiday if you like that kind of thing. Some of the complaints on here are a bit like moaning you went to New York and it was really busy or that the outdoor pool was too cold in a resort in the Med in January. You do have to do a bit of research and pick a holiday that meets your needs. Nowhere is going to suit everyone.