Is centre parks worth the money? Any alternatives?

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I have just come into some money and would like to spend it on a holiday, I have 2 teens who are both disabled (both ASD and some physical disabilities), I’m not sure if centre parks would really suit us as the dc’s are not that keen on activities, or eldest isn’t. Is there any alternatives?

Budget around £2000, would love use of a private hot tub and somewhere that’s not too busy, in the forest a bonus.

Burnbake in Dorset is fabulous.

DS has autism and loves center parcs. We spend most of the time in the pool and that's really why we go. He's not sporty or crafty at all so the only activities we've ever done are crazy golf, cycling and quad bikes.
If your kids aren't into swimming and pool slides etc and won't do any activities then it might be poor value for money for you.

I live in Dorset so would like to go a bit further 😉

I have one dd that loves swimming and one that hates it, it’s going to be hard to please them both, neither of them can ride a bike which is why I’m thinking centre parks maybe a waste of money for us?

For Dd1 food will be important, she’s a fussy eater but loves eating out as does dd2 so we need good food on site. Dd2 loves the sea, dd1 prefers forest. We usually camp as we can’t usually afford anything expensive so I have no idea where to look.

What kind of things do they like doing? There are loads of different activities. They are quite pricey, but I suppose it depends how much you enjoy them if they are worth the money or not.
The pool is great for all ages really. I've never stayed in a chalet with a hot tub. They are very expensive so couldn't tell you if they are worth the price. The regular chalets are pretty good if you can get them for a decent price.
When we're you thinking of going?

They do have a decent range of fod places. Usually pizza, Indian, American diner. I wouldn't say its top notch, but it's not bad.
Center parcs is the only pool we can get my ds12 to go swimming. He hates it too but likes it there and actually puts in the effort to try and learn to swim while he's there.
We've never hired bikes never needed them. We just walk everywhere.

Dd1 loves nature, eating out, museums, art but nothing sporty (hates swimming).

Dd2 loves swimming, food, zip wires, craft, horse riding, paddleboarding and bodyboarding, she’s more severely autistic than her sister but willing to try most things.

The money is really for DD2 but obviously I need to entertain both, Dd1 can be left on her own when I do things with dd2 but I want to include her as much as possible. Both DD’s have had a really tough year as have most teenagers. I just want both of them to enjoy a holiday.

If I asked them they would both ask to go to Disney but due to covid it’s probably not possible and not possible within the budget.

I would suggest finding a hotel, years ago I went to the columbridge Hilton in Scotland (changed brand since) and it was great, they have family suites, lots of outdoor activities but also otter attractions. My dd is mildly autistic. We had a half board package, I'm sure other hotels are similar. Otherwise there's a place with lodges and private hot tubs near Ashbourne Derbyshire

But actually I would consider booking a cheap break this year and Disney in the future, mine love Disney, go in feb as it's far quieter (take waterproofs!)

We were considering going to Disney next year as it’s dd1’s 18th, dd2’s 16th and my 40’th. I have never taken them abroad but I know they would probably love Disney.

Disney in Paris might be more affordable for you, and a much shorter journey which I assume with disabled kids would be a bonus. When we went, we stayed in a lodge on a campsite a few miles away. It was far cheaper than the disney accommodation but not actually that much further from the parks than some of the 'official' hotels. We found this much more relaxing in the evenings after a day at the theme parks.

If you do decide to do Center Parcs, they do have a range of bikes for disabled people (including a very cool looking adult trike that can seat several passengers- I was very tempted to get DH to give it a go when I was pregnant!).

I have spoken to the DD’s (mainly Dd1 as dd2 isn’t very verbal), Dd1 wants to go to Brighton, dd2 wants to go to Spain (she doesn’t really understand), I like the idea of a city break, possibly York.

We have ruled out centre park as I don’t want to spend £2000 on a holiday that’s just a few miles up the road, we are not far from Longleat forest but too far from the others.

Dd1 says Disney would be too busy for her, she doesn’t think she would enjoy it unless we go during school time which isn’t really possible.

Have you thought of Bluestone in West Wales? Near beaches, Folly Farm and Oakwood. Never feels that busy and no pressure to take part in activities. People do ride bikes but there are buggies to hire instead.

I think CP would probably suit your DD2 more than DD1 as most of the activities, even the indoor ones, are sports based.
Could you split your time between 2 bases.....I'm thinking something like a couple of nights in Edinburgh for museums and nice places to eat out, then some nights at Crieff Hydro or Peebles Hydro for hot tub and outdoor activities? www.crieffhydro.com/ Although that's quite a long way for you from Dorset but there must be similar hotels further south?
The Forest Holidays lodges are nice and most have hot tubs but there's not much in the way of onsite organised activities.

oh we cross-posted. York and one of the nearby Forest Holidays lodges might work? You could do a day trip to Whitby for the beach from there too.

I have considered splitting the break between 2 places, it’s a possibility. Dd1 likes the idea of a forest/tree house/lodge type of holiday, she’s happy to just relax, use a hot tub and eat out, dd2 would get bored pretty quickly as she wants to be doing things. I like the look of York, have always wanted to go so maybe staying on the outskirts would work?

Dd1 wants Brighton but I can’t find many hotels that have parking and Dd1 can’t walk far, she has a blue badge but many of the hotels don’t offer disabled parking and the ones that do charge £25+ to park overnight. Maybe Whitby would tick Dd1’s boxes.

oh Brighton is a nightmare for parking, it costs almost as much for the car to stay overnight! You're best going there on the train.
You could stay at Forest Holidays Cropton or Dalby and do day trips to both York and Whitby / the coast. Or there's loads of Hoseasons type sites that now have lodges with hot tubs and you'd probably get a pool on site.

Thank you, I will look at York and Whitby 😁. It’s so hard getting everyone to agree on something and finding something that’s acceptable (with parking).

Also, if she wants beach Brighton isn't a nice beach, it's great big stones not sand!

I’m struggling to find any availability on anything 😬, I guess everyone’s holidaying in the uk this year. Forest holidays are booked up as are hoseasons.

I'm getting loads of availability on Hoseasons - did all parks in Yorkshire, picked a Saturday in July or August and did +/- 7 days, and filtered for hot tubs.

Hi OP. We have hired a lodge in Selby at Mackinder Farms. Selby is not particularly a place to visit but these Eco lodges are in the middle of nowhere with beautiful hot tubs. You can do a part week here. It's close to York but also to Xcape which has all sorts of activities including ski slope. Lovely walk from the lodge to a village pub with good food.

Other suggestion for Yorkshire is Ingrid Flute. We book with them every year for Whitby.

What dates are you looking for?

We absolutely love Mackinder Farm lodges, Whitby and York. I feel you are on the right track!

www.mackinderfarmsholidayaccommodation.co.uk/

^ for Mackinder Farm lodges.

www.yorkshireholidaycottages.co.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAjw1uiEBhBzEiwAO9B_HSsBzcLjLPX5CahLAUzMrk3XaD2q50r_QpqfJeyTqXNvP1kGUfluHBoC7WsQAvD_BwE

^ for Ingrid Flute holiday homes in Whitby but also across Yorkshire.

Just an idea OP, have you thought of a family room in a youth hostel? To make the budget go further plus self catering kitchens (not open at the moment) for any food issues or pack lunches/snack type suppers then eat out during a day trip. They have accessible rooms and may be more accommodating than a regular hotel if you go for a city break type of stay. The hostel at Whitby looks great. Www.yha.org.uk, enjoy yourselves wherever you go x

Is it just you and the two girls or will you be able to split up to do different things?

If you can cope with hills (or think you could all travel about in a golf buggy) I think Bluestone would be worth a look. It has a small lake for paddleboarding (and is isn't especially deep) and zipwires and highropes.

We use Youth Hostels quite a bit (historically because we could put DD to bed and then sit in the lounge until a sensible adult bedtime), but I think most of the family rooms contain bunkbeds - would that be okay? We've stayed at the one in York which is set about 1/2 mile away from the centre of town near the river. I could see a few days in York working well with a couple of days somewhere like Kielder Forest.

Where are you setting out from (Brighton, Pembrokeshire and York might be quite a drive)?