Centre parts winter wonderland

[leobeebs]

Has anyone been? I've booked longest for dec 14 to 17th. There's me, oh and 6 yr old son. Can you recommend any activities as there's lots of different ones to when we usually go.
Does the parc look beautiful and magical? I'm soooo excited its untrue. I love cp know lots of people on here don't like it though.

We went to Sherwood last year for Christmas week. It looked fantastic! All the public areas were covered in white fairy lights and illuminated animal statues.

We saw Santa on Christmas Eve and then went out for a meal. Stayed in our villa on Christmas Day and cooked turkey and all the trimmings (brought it all with us). I recommend the pantomime if they have one. I was a bit at first (not a big panto fan) but it was very good and we all enjoyed it.

Other than that we did normal CP things - walking and swimming.

We did have a lovely pine wreath on the front door of the villa and they also provided an undecorated Christmas tree. We took a box of decorations and tinsel and decorated it as soon as we got there. Other people had brought tree lights and even lights for round the windows etc. it looked fab. I don't know if the trees etc are only provided for Christmas week breaks though.

Very have a great time.

We (Me, DH, DD1 (3to), dd2 (6mths), 3dsd (teenagers) went to Sherwood for 5 days on run up to Christmas last year, and left on 23rd I think. WE LOVED IT! but we're big CP fans anyway. No, we didn't have a tree, but there was a wreath on the door and lots of other villas had brought their fairy lights with them for around windows - I'd do this next time.

We visited Santa (for 3yo) and experience and present value was worth the £10(?) but the 5min pony ride (additional cost) to santa was the highlight for my then 3yo.

Park was lovely and twinkly. All the staff were in good festive cheer and friendly as always. There's a daily opening of the advent calendar in the village centre.

We loved visiting the real reindeer (free) near the grotto, but equally loved singing along with the animated reindeer too (3 of them were just by the path side)! We did a few toddler activities at around £5 each with christmassy themes. Book online early for the FREE storytelling in the Pancake House.

My dsd teenagers were justifiably disappointed with what we though was outdoor ice skating. It was more like rollerblading; on closer inspection of the description is said something along the lines of 'outdoor skating' (and I think we then assumed it would be one of those temporary icerinks you get in town centres - not so).

The rest of the time was walking/toddler-biking interspersed with hot choc stops! And of course swimming paradise. Great time in all.

I'd take christmassy stuff to do in the villa next time - christmas colouring books, christmas/cartoon DVDs from home, crafty card making, perhaps take some paint to paint collected pine cones, incase you don't fancy heading back out after an evening meal in the villa.

You'll have a great time. I too am Enjoy!

Thanks for your replies, it sounds so beautiful. We love centre parcs and cant wait to go again. Its only a long weekend but cheaper than lapland.

Ive booked a visit to the big man himself, horse and carriage ride and jet skis for my 6 year old. Not sure whether to make a bauble.

Do they tell you when they are doing the advent opening thing school and have been to the magic show at the pancake house before and loved it but dont really want to eat there again. How do you fid out about story time?

I think the advent calendar daily opening was advertised on one of the flyers we received when we arrived, stating time and place. It's in the morning, perhaps 10am, in the village square.

The storytime was available to book (even although free) in the activities section online (where you book all your activities). I think there was a separate list of christmas activities.

Which CP are you going to?

We are off to Sherwood this year, the same weekend as you OP. Its an early Christmas present for the children (and us!)

I havent booked any of the extra stuff, but am thinking of doing the pony ride and Santa visit, especially if you say the present value is worth the cost everydayaschoolday.

We will also do the other usual stuff, swimming etc. I cant wait.

The story time was called Winter's Tale Storytelling on the activities list.

And also highly recommend the FREE fireworks by the lakeside. They had entertainers doing lit-up hulahooping etc on raised platforms decked in neon paint. Great fun! Again the fireworks location and timings will be on the advertising leaflets you get when you arrive. Might be advertised online nearer the time too. No need to book to stand on the lakeside/beach area but arrive early and wrap up well.

At Sherwood, Hucks is right by the lakeside and they had limited indoor seating available for the fireworks - this sold out really quickly. Don't know if you'd get the same atmosphere sitting inside and watching, but if you had little babies or sensitive kids, it might be a good idea to keep them warm and protect little ears.

We also did a family portrait at pret-a-portrait, as last year was likely to be the last time we'd get all the step kids coming along (getting older and eldest off to uni etc). £35 half hour sitting and inc one large photo. Loved our photo sitting, and we bought much more online after we got home (no pressure to buy at the time, but you do have opportunity to view all photos at the photo session). Lovely photographer - not a sales push.

Sorry vagaceratops didn't realise we cross posted.

IMO the present value + grotto experience + santa photo with dd was commensurate with cost charged (which I think was about £10). I remember saying to DH as we left that that was good value, as I was a bit when I booked it as I though it was a little steep.

She got to tell santa what she wanted for christmas and got her digital photo taken with santa by the 'elf'.

The santa gifts were all arranged unwrapped in a large basket and dd got to choose from a selection of about 5 or 6 different items. She chose a good quality snowman soft toy, perhaps 20cm tall and the 'elf' popped it in a brown paper santa bag for her to carry out.

We then collected large photo in a christmas paper frame from the cutsie toy shop in the grotto area as we departed. Well set up and nicely executed.

Ooh I love center parcs off to check out availability

Love it. Went to Elveden a couple of years back just before Christmas. Was beautiful.

Planning on taking mine to CP for the wknd just before Xmas, but I can't see anywhere where I can book Santa trip/ panto etc? Do I have to book these separately? Any help gratefully received!