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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to never want to take my dc to Center Parcs, Disneyland or Camp Bestival?

121 replies

bibbitybobbityhat · 10/02/2010 20:09

Will they think I was a tight fisted old meanie that I never took them to these places when they are older?

I sometimes worry about this.

OP posts:
FiveGoMadInDorset · 10/02/2010 21:03

Cam Bestival is fun, security guards said last year that it was the best festival, no shenanigans, singletons very much appreicated that it was a family festival and so were very quiet.

TiggyR · 10/02/2010 21:03

I never had any yearning to go to Disney at all before children, but we went (on recommendation from friends) when our DC's were 7 and 4, and all of us had the most fabulous magical time. Yes it's tiring, and it needs meticulous planning and a gung-ho spirit to get the best from it, but it really can be much more than a horrid corporate spend-fest if you go with an open mind and a willing heart! You have to rise above your snobbery and preconceptions though, otherwise you'll inevitably focus on the queues and the dismal food rather than all the good things.... We have been several times over the years to Paris and Orlando - am definitely all Disneyed out now but I'm glad I did it. If you pick your time of year carefully and the children can afford to miss a little bit of school then you needn't queue much at all. October half term is a great time - you can tag on a second week as no exams/special events that early in the school year, and it's very quiet after summer hols but before Xmas.

Have been to Centerparcs a few times - love it, but God it's expensive for what it is.

PuppyMonkey · 10/02/2010 21:06

I went to Disneyland before I had kids and it was fun. Wouldn't go now, too much like hard work...

Glastonbury is good with kids as long as you don't expect to do anything but sit with them while they play on the big pirate ship thing. Nice to hear all the bands in the background though...

Never done CP - can't swim, can't ride a bike. Quite fancy Butlins or Pontins though...

Original poster
bibbitybobbityhat · 10/02/2010 21:13

I don't mind camping for a couple of nights as long as there are loos and showers. But at Camp Bestival I am likely to bump into half the families I see on my local High Street every day. The founder lives locally to us in SE London and he has a loyal following of a certain type of middle class London mummy (of which I am very typical I should add) but it all seems a bit "following the herd" iyswim.

Center Parcs and Disneyland Paris are v expensive. We only have a small budget for holidays. We could stretch to going, but it would have to be the main thing we did that year and I am not sure I am big hearted enough to go on a holiday, our one holiday of the year, that I'm don't think I'd enjoy, just because the dc would like it.

I feel a bit ungenerous (if there is such a word).

OP posts:
bruffin · 10/02/2010 21:17

Never heard of Cam Bestival, but went to Center Parcs in europe for 5 holidays. It's so much cheaper in Netherlands even with the strong euro. DCs love it there and ask to go back every year.

notsoteenagemum · 10/02/2010 21:21

Ah I see have heard of Bestival but not Camp Bestival.

CrowandAlice when we were very young I just remember being tired, crushed and fed up of watching bands which meant nothing to me. When I was old enough to appreciate the bands I was always mortified at my Parents being stoned, drunk and once naked!

wonderingwondering · 10/02/2010 21:30

OP, I don't think you are being unreasonable, then. There's no obligation to stretch yourself to do something you're not sure about if you can have a holiday you'll all enjoy and be more financially comfortable.

I just think it is a bit of a shame when parents can afford expensive hotels but won't try anything more family-orientated because it's seen as a bit common/not flash enough.

CrowAndAlice · 10/02/2010 21:31

teenage - we wouldn't be naked - believe me....that is sight NO ONE wants to see .

wonderingwondering · 10/02/2010 21:32

OP, I don't think you are being unreasonable, then. There's no obligation to stretch yourself to do something you're not sure about if you can have a holiday you'll all enjoy and be more financially comfortable.

I just think it is a bit of a shame when parents can afford expensive hotels but won't try anything more family-orientated because it's seen as a bit common/not flash enough.

charley24 · 10/02/2010 21:33

I waited 34 years to meet Mickey Mouse and I did in September ! My parents couldn't afford it when I was growing up (Florida) so I am glad Paris gave me the opportunity !

My DD's aged 5 and 10 loved it and we did go in term time (first time I have done this) and it was quiet and perfect holiday).

They did agree though that I had the best time out of all of us (Hubby said I looked happier meeting Mickey than I did on my wedding day) !!!

We have also done Centerparcs 4 times and those were when the kids were younger so no school issues for going in term time.

We do the walks and activities but the pennies do add up ! However seeing the girls with falcons and baby foxes and all sorts of other animals/bugs (I have tomboys) was brilliant.

We have only visited the Whinfell and also have done it as a couple with friends and we really enjoy it.

I haven't heard of Bestival but I am going to google it !!!

This year we are doing caravan park as the girls love this but it also is quite expensive for a site with lots of facilities.

I don't think your children will think you are tight, I never had a problem with my parents not taking me to the places I would have liked as I have been able to experience them with my children which was great.

Some of the best days we have had out have been picnics to the park, frisbee etc, or setting off in the car to larger parks with swings etc.

Kids will enjoy anything really, and although we do have holidays, I know they would be just as happy with time at the beach. The most important thing really is being together as a family x

notsoteenagemum · 10/02/2010 21:39

CrowAndAlice.
I think it's much more the 'done thing' now (not being naked taking children to Festivals!) When I was little it only seemed to be hardcore hippies.
My friends used to think my parents were ace though.

MrsJohnDeere · 10/02/2010 21:47

Dh and I wemt to Disneyland Paris before we had the dcs. To this day I cannot think why we did so (were living in Paris at the time so wasn't a huge trip, I guess). We queued for hours to get in and then found it to be hell on earth and left again. Would rather poke myself in the eyes with sharp sticks than return.

Feel likewise about Centerparcs.

Not cool enough for Bestival, but if I had to do one of the three I'd pick that one.

Hulababy · 11/02/2010 10:26

DLP is far busier and more tiring, IMO and IME, than Disney Florida. DLP also seems much more expensive.

cumbria81 · 11/02/2010 10:41

My parents used to trawl me round Glasto when I was a kid too and I hated it.

Bizarrely, I love camping and being outdoors and fresh air but I have always hated festivals.

TiggyR · 11/02/2010 10:58

I agree that DW Florida is better than Paris, but only if you are lucky enought o be able to do the comparison! If you're never likely to stretch to Florida then you'd be quite happy with Paris. When it first opened it was very french, which didn't really gel with the whole Disney thing. These days it's much more English/American in atmosphere. If you like a cheapish outdoors holiday you can go the the Picarday and Normandy Eurocamp sites and just stop off at the one just outside Paris (Berny-something or other I think it's called) for a couple of days at DLP. It's a lovely peaceful place to spend a few days cycling and dishing, tent, or caravan, and a fairly easy drive in under an hour to DLP.

Having been to DLP and DWF in peak times as well as quiet times I'd say picking your time carefully, and planning your day is everything. Have been wedged into a gridlocked non-moving crowd in the Magic Kingdom in the 100 degree Florida sun with a buggy and a three tired fractious children and it really is akin to burning in hell.

TiggyR · 11/02/2010 10:59

OK, that would be fishing. Not aware of any family holiday activity called dishing....

minxofmancunia · 11/02/2010 11:06

yanbu, have no intention of ever going to either disney.

going to center parc (whinfell) for first time in 6 weeks! got a cheap deal and am looking forward to it. totally understand if it's not your thing tho, it might not be mine we'll have to wait and see!

re camp bestival went to the first ever one and didn't like it, poncey and unfriendly and while i like a glass of wine or 3 it upset me to see so many parents absolutely trolleyed on more than just booze in charge of their dc. won't be going again. Trying wychwood this year though, friends band on main stage, has anyone been?

AngryPixie · 11/02/2010 11:24

I've just bought my tickets for Camp Bestival and am taking all 3 children this year, then 80s rewind just for me and my dd(7yrs)

I LOVE it and so do they BUT YANBU if you hate the very idea, do other stuff instead.

Blackduck · 11/02/2010 11:43

Did CP years ago pre ds and quite enjoyed it and would think about taking ds...
Did Disney last summer and it was torture - I HATED it (wasn't my choice, I didn't pay...)
Camp Bestival - know nothing about this, but did The Big Chill and was fab (but wouldn't take ds again...)
Think its down to what does it for you - I wouldn't have gone to disney out of choice, and ds didn't notice that I was gritting my teeth for three days because he was having such a brill time with his cousins....

I prefer taking him to Bilbao!

JaneS · 11/02/2010 13:52

They might be pleased with you later on! My parents were a bit tight on money when I was little and consequently we had holidays in exotic places like Wales and Northumbria. But, now it's brilliant because I look like I had a 'cultured' childhood .

I'm kind of inviting trolls here, but I've never heard anyone say, 'Ooh, we were that deprived, we never went to Center Parks and it scarred me for life'!

Lighteningbugs · 11/02/2010 14:00

Aww you meanies Disney is fun. There is nothing like watching your dds beat the crap out of Darth Vader it brought a tear to my geeky eye.

BetsyBoop · 11/02/2010 14:23

YANBU - all those place are full of far too many of other people's brats kids

We take them camping though & they love it (only to small quiet-ish sites mind )

Pikelit · 11/02/2010 14:28

I happily avoided DP (yes it was open back in those days!), Centre Parcs and would have given Camp Bollockval the bum's rush too. Still managed to get 2 dcs to adulthood without major Unresolved Ishoos blighting their lives.

Rubyrubyruby · 11/02/2010 14:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Blackduck · 11/02/2010 14:32

No Disney IS NOT fun, it is like ingesting your body weight in sugar.....I can think of a zillion things I'd rather do...and now I have a child who says 'next time we go to disney' to which I mutter 'there won't be a next time'...