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 went once in my 20’s for a hen weekend. I was shocked at how awful it was. Damp cabin, shitty restaurants etc. I was also hugely disappointed in wasn’t under a massive glass dome with tropical temperatures. I think there was an ad years back that gave me that impression.

I’ve always been baffled at how popular it is. But then again, I think there are 2 different types of families.

One type that plans and books holidays with the kids being happy and having fun as their main focus. So they will go to places like CP, Butlins, AI’s with kids clubs etc etc.

Then there’s the other type where the adults plan and book the holiday they want and drag the kids along.

I definitely fall into the second type. My kids have never been to CP, Butlins or any large AI hotel with a kids club or Disney etc. which they have moaned about over the years despite being taken to many many beautiful countries.

As everyone else has said, it's massively overpriced for what is essentially a lodge in the woods with a noisy, shared pool.

Had a friend who used to take her nephew every year, but I have never been. Expensive, full of people and other people's children. My idea of hell. Went to Butlins as a teenager for a day, friends birthday. Hated that - presumed CP was similar.

To be honest, having been on a all in package holiday in Dominican Rep, I'd not do that again either. I prefer to be far away from fellow brits and other holidaymakers, they ruin it for me.

You don't need to fly to go abroad, though?

@Franpie

I think we are in the middle actually and it's part of why CP works for us. We don't do AI holidays - I have been thinking about it but what people enjoy about it doesn't seem like it's really for us - we do more cultural holidays with a bit of beach time here and there, I.e. more adult focused. But we do a weekend or two a year at CP to keep the kids happy!

I am surprised by the people who have had bad experiences with cleanliness etc - we have never had any issues with damp or dirt at CP, it always feels very clean. Maybe we have low standards!

You can fly to New York every week to match the environmental impact of having a child!

Well, generally you do if you don't live in the SE and don't want to drive 12 hours to get to the channel tunnel.

And?

Agreed.

Based on this post and the replies I think CP should update and refresh their properties (is that the right word?). Why don’t more people complain in this useless country? Yes, I’m British. I won’t be rushing back there or recommending to friends. Pity because my DB’s in-laws have the money, time, extended family with grandchildren and like nice places to stay (as his FIL is paraplegic).

The rat in the rapids. I mean I know they’re in countryside locations so you may expect wildlife and they closed the rapids but that’s put me off even more. What if a guest came across it. Very unhygienic. That’s not what I’d expect of any holiday destination let alone center parcs.

Because it’s full of scruffs trying to be “Content Creators”.

They can't even spell the name of the company correctly to start with - why is is 'Center Parcs' instead of 'Centre Parks'??

Full of kids, poor accommodation for the price, awful food and fenced in like a prisoner of war camp! Awful.

I have only been to two, but that's not what I have seen at all.

You don't need to drive for 12 hours to cross at the channel tunnel - there are plenty of other options including the ferry to Ireland, a cruise from Liverpool or a train from pretty much anywhere to London and then onto Europe.

Well obviously some have had bad experiences. Like I said I went years ago a few times when it first opened in UK and it was very nice, clean and so on.

I am not doubting them, just honestly surprised as we have gone 1-2 times a year for the last 10 years and never had any issues.

I totally understand it not being someone's thing or finding it expensive, but the cleanliness comments have surprised me

The cabin felt no different to a static caravan - just bigger. The pool was overcrowded. The extra activities made an already expensive break even more poor value for money. Went once - never again. Would rather book a caravan in a beautiful park with kids activities included. A fraction of the cost of CP and actually nicer. I’m no snob - spent my youth at Pontins - but CP thinks it’s something it’s not. When it first appeared here it looked amazing on the adverts and I was so happy when I finally booked to go but was very disappointed.

And.. I always find it amusing when people with children use the environment as a lording it over thing on their choices when having children is by default a huge impact on the environment.

Flying children on holiday once a year is a drop in the ocean in comparison.

I do think some of them have gone a little downhill. I went to elveden last year and a lot of the pool is exactly the same as 25 odd years ago. Needs a bit of a revamp.

Love Centreparcs, but we've been priced out of it for quite a while. Especially when you can get Eurocamp in an EU location with some actual sunshine for less. Love that the pools are included at Centreparcs, at Eurocamp they can be a pain with extra charges and times.

I get the appeal somewhat. We stayed at Lalandia in Denmark, which is broadly similar and was fab but the key differences for me were that

• the Lalandia park had a amazing facilities beyond the pool and they were all included if you paid a small fee for wristbands for the week
• it cost less for our flights plus accommodation than a week at Center parcs
• lalandia was opposite Legoland and a short walk from centre of Billund with a zoo and other attractions very close by

Having tried that and having been to Center parcs once when the kids were pre school age I’m firmly in the camp that it’s not worth the cost for us.

We used to go quite a bit when the kids were little as the activities are great fun for children. I'd never go now.

It's hideously over priced, the supermarket is expensive, the food is frankly shit as they're all chain restaurants and the cabins are getting rundown. The tropical swimming and activities are/were very good though.

We would sink £4k over a weekend on the cabin, activities and eating out. You could have a luxury villa in Corfu for a week at that price.

We’ve done the Belgian and Dutch CPs a few times and going again with our young adult children. Really enjoy it. It’s cheaper than the UK CPs by a mile and although there is a bit of travel we don’t mind. It’s nice hearing lots of different languages too. Never tried the UK ones as the sky high prices put us off.

The pools are clean and we do one or two activities. All self catering and buy our food from a local supermarket. There’s things you can do outside the park as well.

It’s supposed to be a “posh” haven. It’s not, it’s the more boring version that’s really expensive.
My family have been going to Haven since I was 4, every year, sometimes 2/3 times a year, and we love it! We love the evening entertainment (none of that at CP), we love the activities (the only ones CP do are woodland walks as far as I can tell), we love the swimming pool with flumes and slides and stuff, CP pools are spa pools/swimming pools not playing pools.
Theres no arcade. That’s a huge pull for my family.
Weve been to CP a few times with my parents. They’re boring AF and even my kids (play rugby, swim, scouts and cubs so very outdoorsy) were sick of riding their bikes through the same lame trails after day two and were incredibly bored with the pool after about 2 trips.
I can get a 2 week holiday to Haven, with all the passes in the summer hols for about £2K. For CP that’s a week in a dingy, cold, woodland lodge.