Is it worth paying for an early check-in at Center Parcs?

[eleflump]

We have never been before, but through reading threads on Center Parcs it sounds like it could be a bit of a bunfight at check-in time on the first day?

From the advice given on the threads, I was planning to get there early, look round the site and have lunch and then go and check in and unload the car at about four after the initial rush.

However, I have also read that it might be difficult to get parked up again in the car park if we were to do this, would this be right?

Have had an email from CP to say we can pay £30 to check in at 2 rather than 3.30, so wondering whether people think it is worth it or not?

I wouldn't bother paying the extra. You could arrive at 10 (for example) spend the day swimming and having lunch then check in when its all quietened down. There are also activities that you can do if that doesn't fill the time (ten pin bowling, cycling around the lakes etc).
Envious

We dont usually go to the lodge until well after 5 - spend the first day at the pool, bowling etc.

We take a picnic lunch, food in a freezer bag for dinner on day 1 and I cook it while oh unloads the car, takes it back to the car park etc.
It's never busy then and you can park right outside your lodge.

We try to get there by about 10 and don't leave until after dinner on the last day - its so expensive on a per day basis want to get the most out of it.

It only lets you into your lodge earlier I think and you still cant take your car to the lodge until a certain time when they open the carpark, we usually arrive at 1-2pm and just leave the car in the car park and go have lunch, take the kids to the park then at 3 or whenever the lodges get unlocked and the carpark opens the woman and children head to the lodge and the men go get the cars!