What don't you like about Centre Parcs??

[slipperandpjsmum]

Just got back fro our first weekend there. Enjoyed it but can imagine its not everyones cup of tea. What don't people like about it?

We've had some great breaks there although we do now stay in the "exclusive" accomodation after a pretty damp stay in the comfort plus.

I think for what it is it's great and despite travelling round the world features as boths DC's best ever holiday

The worst thing though is the food - dreadful restuarants with really poor service, although I understand some of the chains are now present so maybe things have changed?

We went there this year because it worked out cheaper than butlins! Enjoyed it, but then the kids love the pool and exploring the woodlands so it wasn't overly pricey, I guess it certainly adds up if you book loads of activities. We stayed in standard lodge this time and actually preferred it to the exclusive one we stayed in last year. Agree it's rubbish if you don't drive though.

"£12 for their cheapest bottle of wine to recover from stressed-out yummy mummies at the swings saying pointed passive-aggressive things like "Come on now darling, let's wait until a swing is free, it's important to take turns isn't it darling, because WE believe in good manners, don't we?"

LOLOLOLOL

I understand if you don't drive that it's a pain but just take food and alcohol with you, then you don't have to pay teh on-site supermarket prices.

We'd probably be more likely to go to one in Europe. Sorry but the thought of paying £££ to be in such a confined area with so many British families makes dh and I shudder ! Neither dc ride bikes so that would be a pain too.

I wonder if you can get Ocado to deliver to your cabin??

We've been to Centerparcs three times (once in the Netherlands and twice in France). We had four days at Les Francs Bois tagged onto our beach holiday.

I thought the parc we were at was very tired, not like the other two we had been to. If it were our first visit, I don't think I would be in a hurry to go back.

Tangibly, I would say that I was not happy with the choice of restaurants. It was either fast food, or 20 Euros each. There was no middle ground.

Overall, it is a very comfortable place to go and good for families with young kids.

Aaah, tennis, golf, ten-pin bowling, badminton, short-tennis, archery, rifle shooting and laser-clay, 5-a-side football, aerobics, pilates and salsa - all free!

Glass engraving, enamelling, pottery making, porcelain painting, jewellery making, candle making and T-shirt printing - very small cost (usually a few (£2-£3) per item)

Creche, childrens clubs, indoor and outdoor play areas and a teen chill zone - all available.

Plus fab food, and a warm welcome

SO can I get Ocado to deliver?

Hated it! So expensive, trapped, had to pay to hire football pitch as nowhere to knock ball about. Most expensive holiday ever and all for tat. And full of people who clearly never see their children becoming excited and taking photos of their little darlings indulging in rarely witnessed activities...such as playing on a swing!! Oh, and pool manky, and HATE the unisex changing rooms, tho appreciate they becoming the norm everywhere. Just awful, tho I do know lots of people who love it (tho some people apprently like Disneyland Paris too

That's a good idea, Belle.

Riven, Butlins is a bit tatty and naff, but includes all entertainment in the price so if you DD enjoys visual stuff it would suit her very well; circuses, pantos, acrobats etc. They're also in the middle of seaside towns, so you can get off site and have a pootle and a paddle. The redcoats really are very good at finding things for DC to do.

We went to one show at CP and it was a buffet meal at which people ever so politely and insistently hogged all the good stuff with impeccable vowels, while a DJ played Pet Shop Boys and Enya. Yes Enya. Then a really frightening magician came on and cracked jokes for the parents in a pink spandex jacket. It only cost us £35 each.

That was one of the nights I cried.

It's ok for a winter break. we went in January. The accommodation had been refurbished and was comfortable. It cost £240 for 4 days.

It was quite quiet on site and we used it as a base and went out for days (went to the Lake district one)

My DCs are older and the pool was very quiet from 6pm. Before that it is rammed.

I thought the shop was ok price wise.

JustGettingByMum, did I mention that I have quite a lot of booze left over from a party here?

I looked at it for 7 days over christmas, 3.7K!!

Ok then, in return for a large glass of wine - link here

OK. Maybe I'm easily pleased, but the only thing we didn't like about CP was the cost. My dgs (5) thinks it is paradise on earth. Have been to Longleat (twice) and Sherwood Forest (once). Have to say I always take lots of our food (frozen homemade casseroles, large cake, etc) so we are not reliant on the expensive restaurants. But the sight of dh, ds and dgs1 whizzing about on bikes on the treasure hunt whilst I fed the ducks and drank coffee with dgs2 and dil was brilliant. It would be hopeless without car transport I would imagine, because eating out would be v. expensive.

I have been trying to book a weekend in November this year, but the cost is prohibitive. Also, it seems v. booked up, so obviously still very popular.

Ooh thank you!

WillYouDoTheDamnFanjo - haha, those Passive Aggressive Mummies were out in force the week we were there too... saying the same thing!

Scummy pool, indoors, full of grime and smelling to high heaven of chlorine masking urine.

Not-particularly-nice places to eat

Not-particularly-nice places to stay

Other people's children - large quanitities of other people's children

Hell on earth

UnquietDad, it just makes you want to misbehave, doesn't it?

We are in Elveden at the moment. It's ok. DH and the DC love it.

Our Villa (Exec) is ok but smells a bit damp.

This is our second visit.

We haven't ordered any take-aways this time as they were truly vile on our last visit.

We had Ocado deliver to our home just before we left for CP and took most of our food with us + pre-cooked some meals.

Generally eating out is expensive and the food not that nice. On the plus side, the staff are very friendly and there are play areas/ crayons in the restaurants.

I also love being surrounded by badly dressed, overweight Brits. It makes me feel confortable and at home. Lots of Boden and Joules.

Some people think they are the Playground Police... :)