Thinking about European Center Parks for Feb half-term - hints and tips?

[wonderstuff]

Not sure which site to go for, DH is keen to do an Amsterdam day trip, but the pool at the nearest CP looks a bit basic? Also thinking about a day trip to Eftling. Not sure how much the weather will affect things - is it still good to cycle if its very cold - is it too icy? Just fancy a week away, I'd do Longleat but it's so eye-wateringly expensive I can't bare to part with that much cash.

Had a look at the website and I'm a bit overwhelmed - any sites that are particularly good or to avoid?

We like this park . www.landal.com/parks/het-vennenbos

That looks nice too, so much choice!

De kempervven in Holland is great and you can visit efteling from there.

I have heard De Kempervennen in Holland is very good. It has a snow dome where you can have ski lessons. I haven't tried it myself but I loved De Vossemeren which is one of the Belgian parks. It is just outside Holland and has a huge lake. The pool is great - it has the usual rapids and flumes plus a little area where you can look at fish under the water. It also has a big slide called Monkey Splash which is great fun.

If you have young children there is the most amazing indoor play area which is pirate themed. You could easily spend half a day there and it is all included in the cost of the holiday.

Also, you can visit any other local Centre Parcs for the day once you are staying at one of the European CP. De Kempervennen, De Vossemeren and Erperheide are all a short drive from each other so you could try each one if you fancied. You just take your swim passes and you can use all the facilities

Forgot to add that I have been in February half term and it was great. We were quite lucky with the weather as it was a dry sunny week and loads of people were on bikes. There is lots to do inside if the weather is bad though.

We have just returned from centerparcs de kempervennen. The park setting and swimming were good but the accommodation was very tired, outdated and dirty. We stayed in a premium (no towels) which is one better than a comfort (no sheets or towels) and were very disappointed. The park is supposed to be 5 birdies (centerparcs rating) but it wasn't.
The Netherlands itself is a beautiful country, Efteling is fantastic, we also went into Amsterdam which was great. I would go to the Netherlands again but not centerparcs here.

We stayed in a Eden premium at de kempervennen which is one of the newer/ refurbished ones and it was great, clean and modern kitchen and modern bathroom with Jacuzzi tub and rain shower. Bedrooms were a little basic but fine. When you do European center parcs you need to make sure you do best accommodation and always the newer ones. Which at DKV is eden premium or eden VIP.
We went last week in August and paid approx £600 compared to £1400 the same week in UK.
We went on tunnel and used Clubcard vouchers, so really cheap. We loved it.

We stayed in a VIP lodge both times we stayed at the Belgian CPs and the accommodation was fine. Decor a little dated maybe but was all clean and we had all bedding and towels provided. We also had a sauna, jacuzzi bath and a huge rain shower. A nice little extra if you book VIP is that you get fresh bread rolls delivered to your door each morning.

Thanks everyone, we've booked a premium lodge at De Vossemeren for February half term, booked via the Dutch website and it was cheaper than through the UK site and we got an extra 15% off on top for having children. Checked the French and Belgium sites which were both cheaper than the UK but the Dutch site was the cheapest. Cost 535 euro for Mon-Fri. (UK was about £900 for the basic acc. at the same time).

Planning to go to Lille on Sunday night to break up the journey a bit, we'll book Novotel and go out for dinned, and do a day trip to Amsterdam. Thought about Eftling but I think we'll have a great time without going. Could always do a daytrip if we get bored but I'd like to try to relax and take it easy. I do fancy trying the escape room.

I went to Sherwood CP a few times as a kid and loved it, have always wanted to go with my kids but it is just too expensive in the school holidays. I'm hoping that we get dry weather and can spend time just cycling about and maybe let the kids play out without too much worry - I remember it being amazing when I was 10 at CP that I could just go cycling round the park on my own. Super excited.

De Vossemeren is great - you'll love it! The dome area has a lake with turtles, flamingoes and fish. The pool is great - my boys loved the Monkey Splash slide. Adventure Cove is fantastic too.

Remember that you can visit De Kempervennen or Erperheide for the day if you fancy a change. Think De Kempervennen is a 20 min drive away.

I hadn't realised it was cheaper to book through the Dutch website. I will do that in future so thanks for the tip.