Center Parcs WTAF!
Discussion
Robertj21a said:
Blinking heck, I never realised it cost so much. How on earth can they justify those prices ? (Yes, I know - supply and demand).
I can't help thinking that very little effort would be needed to have a wonderful time elsewhere at much lower cost.
I think you completely underestimate how much the holiday companies up the prices for holiday season. I can't help thinking that very little effort would be needed to have a wonderful time elsewhere at much lower cost.
I have just paid £1770 for a family of four to a family life TUI resort in Turkey out of season (June 2019) and believe me this was quite reasonable. Most quotes were north of £2000.
Same holiday in holiday season would nearly £3k if not more.
You pay £800 for a week in a Haven resort at the end of July and £1500 for a nice caravan with three bedrooms (yes, a caravan!!)
My boy has just turned 4, so this is the last year that we can get away with out of season holidays without a bit of guilt and taking him out of school. The debate is still out on that one.
I don't know where they get their prices from, they are incredibly expensive in season.
I looked 2 years ago, but found Eurodisney was offering 10 times as much for twice the cost, if that makes sense?!
More recently I got a van and converted it to a sleeper, if you want a cheap holiday don't follow my thinking, it makes CP look like a great value holiday.
I looked 2 years ago, but found Eurodisney was offering 10 times as much for twice the cost, if that makes sense?!
More recently I got a van and converted it to a sleeper, if you want a cheap holiday don't follow my thinking, it makes CP look like a great value holiday.
gazza5 said:
We looked at center parc for end of school holiday - 1100 for 4 nights, ok I admit I am not comparing like with like, but went on eurocamp website can get 5 days (not 4) in the poshest static caravan / lodge thing for £480 with air con.
Admittedly this is in northern france, but just shows how expensive the uk has become and that £480 was for 5 nights not 4.
For us living near london, yes we would have longer travel time to north of france, but least it feels a bit like a holiday.
We do have amazing places in the UK, but the cost of it all makes you look further a field and sometimes the shabbiness of the place its not value for money, we stayed in a awful place once in cornwall that came from the 1960's - and that was £300 for the privilage over bank holiday weekend.
I don't liek the french much myself, but I love the food, and how it never feels crowded (slightly bigger country than us!)
Although now looking at the Bluestone website (pembrokshire), we may end up going there now, but the drive is pretty similar to going to france. Last time to pembrokshire due to a accident it took us 6 hours to get to - admittedly that can happen anywhere.
We went to Bluestone last year, excellent place with great facilities, kids loved it (5 & 3) and the lodges were spot on. Loads of activities both free and paid for with an excellent swimming complex. If you go, reserve a buggy to get around, well worth it!Admittedly this is in northern france, but just shows how expensive the uk has become and that £480 was for 5 nights not 4.
For us living near london, yes we would have longer travel time to north of france, but least it feels a bit like a holiday.
We do have amazing places in the UK, but the cost of it all makes you look further a field and sometimes the shabbiness of the place its not value for money, we stayed in a awful place once in cornwall that came from the 1960's - and that was £300 for the privilage over bank holiday weekend.
I don't liek the french much myself, but I love the food, and how it never feels crowded (slightly bigger country than us!)
Although now looking at the Bluestone website (pembrokshire), we may end up going there now, but the drive is pretty similar to going to france. Last time to pembrokshire due to a accident it took us 6 hours to get to - admittedly that can happen anywhere.
We have been a couple of times to woburn and i think once with friends to elvedon.
Its ok and thats it imo, the cost gets to me, the food is utter s
t, it actually seemed worse this year and i am convinced it comes out of a microwave.
Everything apart from swimming in the overcrowded pool is designed to extract as much as is possible which i suppose as a business is great and if the occupancy is so high then good for them.
I cant explain how i feel but ill try and explain.
A few years ago people used to brag about how much their kitchen was, or their car, or holiday etc, i dont see that much now (possibly because everything is on tick
) but centre parcs sort of feels the same, its as if people go there to make themselves feel middle class and feel like they are having a break away at some luxurious woodland retreat. Maybe thats in my head but i feel like that.
Last time we went to woburn they had built some treehouse type buildings which did look pretty cool, wife checked the cost for june iirc and im sure it was £3900 a week (which im sure is just the 4 days). Insane! Id rather go to the maldives thanks.
It also feels like some kind of final civilisation type scenario, you know everyone else is dead and its just you and these others who are held in this locked encampment. Trying to leave to go out for the day is met with questions and surprise.
Its ok and thats it imo, the cost gets to me, the food is utter s
t, it actually seemed worse this year and i am convinced it comes out of a microwave. Everything apart from swimming in the overcrowded pool is designed to extract as much as is possible which i suppose as a business is great and if the occupancy is so high then good for them.
I cant explain how i feel but ill try and explain.
A few years ago people used to brag about how much their kitchen was, or their car, or holiday etc, i dont see that much now (possibly because everything is on tick
) but centre parcs sort of feels the same, its as if people go there to make themselves feel middle class and feel like they are having a break away at some luxurious woodland retreat. Maybe thats in my head but i feel like that. Last time we went to woburn they had built some treehouse type buildings which did look pretty cool, wife checked the cost for june iirc and im sure it was £3900 a week (which im sure is just the 4 days). Insane! Id rather go to the maldives thanks.
It also feels like some kind of final civilisation type scenario, you know everyone else is dead and its just you and these others who are held in this locked encampment. Trying to leave to go out for the day is met with questions and surprise.
m3jappa said:
We have been a couple of times to woburn and i think once with friends to elvedon.
Its ok and thats it imo, the cost gets to me, the food is utter st, it actually seemed worse this year and i am convinced it comes out of a microwave.
Everything apart from swimming in the overcrowded pool is designed to extract as much as is possible which i suppose as a business is great and if the occupancy is so high then good for them.
Sad to say, my wife insists on booking for one week a year at Woburn. Our children like it, it is very easy to get to, and my wife likes it as it doesn't take much planning.Its ok and thats it imo, the cost gets to me, the food is utter s
t, it actually seemed worse this year and i am convinced it comes out of a microwave. Everything apart from swimming in the overcrowded pool is designed to extract as much as is possible which i suppose as a business is great and if the occupancy is so high then good for them.
But the restaurants are consistency awful. And it is always busy, as we have to go in half term.
I've given up trying to reason with my wife about it, as the whole thing doesn't stand up to scrutiny. Fortunately, it is only for one week.
m3jappa said:
We have been a couple of times to woburn and i think once with friends to elvedon.
Its ok and thats it imo, the cost gets to me, the food is utter st, it actually seemed worse this year and i am convinced it comes out of a microwave.
Everything apart from swimming in the overcrowded pool is designed to extract as much as is possible which i suppose as a business is great and if the occupancy is so high then good for them.
I cant explain how i feel but ill try and explain.
A few years ago people used to brag about how much their kitchen was, or their car, or holiday etc, i dont see that much now (possibly because everything is on tick ) but centre parcs sort of feels the same, its as if people go there to make themselves feel middle class and feel like they are having a break away at some luxurious woodland retreat. Maybe thats in my head but i feel like that.
Last time we went to woburn they had built some treehouse type buildings which did look pretty cool, wife checked the cost for june iirc and im sure it was £3900 a week (which im sure is just the 4 days). Insane! Id rather go to the maldives thanks.
It also feels like some kind of final civilisation type scenario, you know everyone else is dead and its just you and these others who are held in this locked encampment. Trying to leave to go out for the day is met with questions and surprise.
Pretty much my view.Its ok and thats it imo, the cost gets to me, the food is utter s
t, it actually seemed worse this year and i am convinced it comes out of a microwave. Everything apart from swimming in the overcrowded pool is designed to extract as much as is possible which i suppose as a business is great and if the occupancy is so high then good for them.
I cant explain how i feel but ill try and explain.
A few years ago people used to brag about how much their kitchen was, or their car, or holiday etc, i dont see that much now (possibly because everything is on tick
) but centre parcs sort of feels the same, its as if people go there to make themselves feel middle class and feel like they are having a break away at some luxurious woodland retreat. Maybe thats in my head but i feel like that. Last time we went to woburn they had built some treehouse type buildings which did look pretty cool, wife checked the cost for june iirc and im sure it was £3900 a week (which im sure is just the 4 days). Insane! Id rather go to the maldives thanks.
It also feels like some kind of final civilisation type scenario, you know everyone else is dead and its just you and these others who are held in this locked encampment. Trying to leave to go out for the day is met with questions and surprise.
CP is a bit marmite, you either love it or hate it. We hated it after just a weekend trip.
I truly believe prison food would taste better than the on-site restaurants in CP Eleveden.
We’re off to De Kempervenne in Holland at Easter. We’ve got the largest chalet they do (for 10!) and it was £1100 if memory serves. All in the holiday will be about 1500 for us (inc ferry), which I think is tremendous value!
We go to Holland and Belgium every year, and love it. If you have small kids I’d particularly recommend Erpeheide in Belgium, which is brilliant for them. There is the ubiquitous pool, but they have also converted the old sports centre into a massive soft play, which is included in the price. There is also an indoor snow ski slope in nearby Peer, which is 400m long but obviously costs extra as it’s outside the park!
Regarding the mouthbreathing attendees, I cannot comment on whether the other residents are the European equivalent of Wayne and Waynetta Slob, as I don’t speak Dutch or Flemish! Suits me fine!
We go to Holland and Belgium every year, and love it. If you have small kids I’d particularly recommend Erpeheide in Belgium, which is brilliant for them. There is the ubiquitous pool, but they have also converted the old sports centre into a massive soft play, which is included in the price. There is also an indoor snow ski slope in nearby Peer, which is 400m long but obviously costs extra as it’s outside the park!
Regarding the mouthbreathing attendees, I cannot comment on whether the other residents are the European equivalent of Wayne and Waynetta Slob, as I don’t speak Dutch or Flemish! Suits me fine!
Muncher said:
croyde said:
Add in the cost of the Parc Market at CP and the Spanish option is a bloody bargain.
If you are driving to CP why don't you take a week's worth of food in the car, we always do. I also suspect given where the exchange rate is, food shopping in Spain will be just as expensive. I know it's different when you have kids, but why anyone would choose to holiday at CP is beyond me.
I used to think Center Parcs was a complete rip off.
I suppose I still do. But our twins have hit two, so while being a nightmare to take on a flight they cost as much as taking an adult.
I think we're paying about £1k for a 3 bed lodge at Longleat this year, flights to Cyprus (where we'd normally look to go for a relaxing time) without accommodation and car hire, etc. we couldn't get for much under £2k for the 5 of us.
I suppose I still do. But our twins have hit two, so while being a nightmare to take on a flight they cost as much as taking an adult.
I think we're paying about £1k for a 3 bed lodge at Longleat this year, flights to Cyprus (where we'd normally look to go for a relaxing time) without accommodation and car hire, etc. we couldn't get for much under £2k for the 5 of us.
Bill said:
MarkJS said:
I know it's different when you have kids, but why anyone would choose to holiday at CP is beyond me.
I have kids and I'm with you. But then I don't get theme parks either.Spent a weekend at CP once - never again !
Have been to CPs in Elvedon & De Eemhof, facilities are similar, extras are reassuringly expensive and the people, well let’s just say you find good & bad wherever you go.
De Eemhof was full of stinky lakes but was great for cycling outside the camp, & Amsterdam is just up the road. Plus you get a North Sea cruise, but that offsets the savings you get when booking in the UK.
De Eemhof was full of stinky lakes but was great for cycling outside the camp, & Amsterdam is just up the road. Plus you get a North Sea cruise, but that offsets the savings you get when booking in the UK.
Center Parcs can be done on the cheap. Paid £349 for a 3 bed lodge Mon-Friday. Cooked/bbq at home 2 nights and ate out the other 2. Did a shop before for drinks/snacks and also took these into the pool in a cool bag. Took own bikes aswell. If you go in the school holidays or eat out 3 times a day there etc. then you will spend an absolute fortune.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff