Is Center Parcs worth the hype?

[holidayexplorer]

I am planning a UK summer holiday with my DH, DS and DD (aged 7 and 9). Center Parcs is very expensive, is it worth it? Do you have to pay for a lot once you arrive? There is a lot of criticism online.

What about Parkdean Resorts? Has anyone had a happy time there? There are many more locations to choose from than Center Parcs.

Hoping to book ASAP before it gets booked up for summer. Thanks!

Can't comment on Center Parcs but I would say Patkdean is quite variable in terms if the quality and range of amenities and activities on offer. From personal experience I would say Haven would be a better bet, although I would use a site like
https://www.ukcaravans4hire.com/
to hire direct from owners as it works out cheaper even after paying separately for activity passes.

Everything at CP is extra money apart from the pool. It can really add up. I think there are better options around. My DCs loved Sandyballs in the New Forest when they were younger. Not sure where you are though.

Centerparcs pricing makes me nervous, I’ve been to one in Holland and it was nice but I can’t imagine paying UK CP prices for that experience. But it’s a bit of a cult amongst those who do go.

we’ve had a lot of hoseasons holidays - they are a way of booking lots of different types of parks, but in particular they’re pretty good for a last minute bargain.

I love it - but we go in term time, have one DC and don’t do loads of activities. So for us it’s not expensive and it’s very relaxing. I think if I was paying holiday prices and paying for activities for two children I’d probably feel it wasn’t worth it.

I've never tried Center Parcs. Friends love it, but I like to venture out of the park to explore local area, and was told this didn't happen at Center Parcs. Everyone pays a premium and spends their time in the park. I've been told the pool is amazing.

Had enjoyable holidays at Away Resorts Barmouth Bay and Parkdean White Cross Bay. Not overly geared for children, but they still talk about their holidays at Middlewood Farm Holiday Park and Barend Holiday Lodges.

CP is lovely, but ridiculously overpriced. We just came back and have agreed that we won’t be returning as it’s just not worth the money. We live rurally anyway so the forest setting and wildlife is not a novelty to us. We do love eurocamp though if you’re looking at a longer break and live near one of the ports/ airports.

Yes and no.

If you go during term time its very good value for money. And yes you have to pay for all activities as extras except the swimming pool and play parks. Activities are very high quality and generally the whole CP experience is pleasant and relaxing.

If you go during school holidays it is a complete rip off.

It worked for us. Family of 6.

We tried other options over the years but always had one child grumpy and another not coping.

Center Parc was easy, it just is easy. It's set up for all ages, it's familiar which ever park you choose. They all loved the rapids. The ones who liked pottery got to do this, the others chose another activity. So much choice.

I completely relaxed knowing that every child was catered for. No stroppy children, just smiles and excitement.

We even did Christmas in one of the bigger lodges and spent an evening in the hot tub with fizz watching the fireworks.

I think it's worth every penny for the memories. It's equivalent price to a quality all inclusive abroad. But so much easier.

We have a local supermarket click and collect arranged for the time we can use the car on arrival. That makes catering a breeze and it's not expensive. I'd say the on site supermarket is Waitrose prices.

All in all, yes, to answer your question, it was worth it. Mine are now all adults and I treasure those memories.

I don't think they're worth the money unless your kids absolutely love the pool complex and are keen to spend hours there every day. Ours absolutely loved swimming and water slides etc, so it was worth it for us (although only just).

The one in Holland is more reasonably priced, or else I've heard good things about Bluestone in Wales.

I'm actually quite surprised that Center Parcs is still managing to charge so much in the UK. You could probably fly to a number of all-inclusive resorts with water parks and stay there for a similar overall price or less (including travel).

CP is a bit marmite - some aren't bothered but I really really love it - I'd choose a week there over an AI in Europe. I am aware that's a bit tragic.

I think it's as @protectthesmallones says - the kids are happy, so we're happy.

CP is good but if you want to do a lot of activities it is pricey. I've just been pricing it up against Haven (haven't been before) and CP is probably going to be almost double, once you factor in activities but I'm leaning towards CP as the activities are more varied which is important to us.

UK, no absolutely not
Holland and Belgium CPs are amazing. Go there!

Never been to Parkdean, but recently been to CentreParcs twice after years of Haven. I do think compared to Haven, CentreParcs is the ultimately nicer experience, especially in terms of accommodation, although it is a shame to not be near a beach! The activities at CenterParcs are amazing, and I think you get a much better selection than at Haven, though you do end up spending a fortune on them at CentreParcs! I think I nearly spent as much again on activities and food as I did on accommodation on our last trip, but it did feel worth every penny.

It’s possible to do Center Parcs without paying anything extra if you were on a short break. There’s enough to do that’s free - tropical swimming complex, walks, biking (if you take your own bikes), the lakeside beach, play areas. However, eating out and additional activities are expensive.
Darwin Forest is a good alternative. The indoor pool isn’t as exciting but there’s an hour long free splash session for children with inflatables etc… The soft play area is better than at CP, and there’s are additional free activities like mini golf.

Have a look at potters resort in Norfolk.

It's not cheap but all activities are included in the price and no need to book months in advance just turn up on the day.

Archery, laser clays, rally carts, Babminton, tennis, climbing wall, giant swing, lots of quizzes that off the top of my head but loads more included as they have a full day itinerary.

All food and drink included as it's all inclusive.

It's adults only during term time but open for families as well during school holidays

CP is great we went every year when ours were primary school age. It wasn’t our only holiday each year but one we all enjoyed and one where we truly relaxed.
Reasons we liked it

An Easy 2 hour drive up the motorway.
Park the car and don’t touch it till the last day.
Arrive early on first day and leave late on last day so 5 days using pool.
Free pool use to tire the dc out, at least 2 hours spent in there each day.
We took bikes so free walking and biking in a traffic free environment.
Lots of wildlife visiting our lodge. Over the years I’ve seen badgers, deer, red squirrels, hares, rabbits and birds of all shapes and sizes.
We don’t take devices and leave the tv alone to really switch off. As it’s only 4 nights our dc are ok with this. We play games and read.
I normally buy lots of easy to cook meals from M&S to take with us. That way we have food that is different/a treat but it isn’t as expensive as eating out.

You can eat out everyday and book tonnes of activities, in which case it costs extra but with dc the age of yours who haven’t been before there is no need.

We love center parcs. However, we don't have school age children yet. Whilst we have toddlers we are planning to make the most of going on the cheaper months - September (and January but September is milder so we prefer then!). I'm not sure we'll go once the children start school, as it is so expensive during school hols and half terms.
The highlights for us are the swimming, the food (pancake house is 😋) and the wildlife that comes up to your lodge! We always see squirrels, ducks, muntjac deer. They love to eat monkey nuts so we bring them to feed them!

The reason we pick CP over flying somewhere all inclusive with a pool, is at CP we get a comfortable lodge with a bed per person. We also get a kitchen so can cater safely for our food allergies. The idea of flying with young dc is also not my idea of a relaxing break!

Ah well it looks like I will be the demographic that slates Centre Parcs (or Centre Pukes, as we call it). Flipping expensive; mediocre accommodation lacking basics; feels like you're locked in and not allowed off site; pool rammed and mucky and if you try the slide/whirlpool thing your foot will end up in the nether regions of a complete stranger; every single activity costs a bomb; norovirus.

To be fair we went when kids were younger so a good 10 years ago. Never returned and we can afford the pricing. That, in my opinion, says it all.

It is cheapest 18 months in advance so it is worth looking out for the rare occasions your school has unusual weeks off. We had a few cheaper Easter holidays as our LA takes the first two weeks in April which doesn’t always match up with the Easter weekend.

IMO, it's not worth it for summer holidays, no.
It's expensive whenever you go and overpriced in school holidays.
It's nice enough for a long weekend or midweek break in autumn/winter/spring.
But for a summer holiday I like to be near the sea and I don't want to be paying a fortune only for the most exciting thing we do to be spending time in an indoor pool complex. If the weather is good I like to go to the beach and spend time outside.

If you can be bothered to go abroad, eg by ferry, I think the holiday parks in Holland and Belgium are better. Eg https://little-clogs-holidays.co.uk/where-to-stay/?_category=beaches

I agree. Before DD1 started school we went a couple of times during term time. With just one (and then two) small children the activities were cheaper than the stuff teenagers or adults might do. We cooked in the lodge and used the pool, playgrounds, and car free roads for practicing cycling, and did a few activities and it was nice and not too expensive.

Older teenagers who want to do lots of the more expensive activities, and where you have to go during school holidays, it would be a lot more.

I wasn't impressed

Controversial opinion as I know a lot of people love centre parks but when I went I found it really run down and overpriced. We went to Whinfell, Food wasn't great, pool area was a bit shabby and found the soft play area pretty grim!

I enjoyed my visits to CP but it has become too expensive for what it is...