Center parcs - guest passes.

obi604

hi. I have friends staying in centre parcs Longford until Monday. they offered me guest passes for Sunday and I believe this will cost me about 200 euro for a family of four. I don’t know much about it but seems this 200 euro gets me access to the parc and essentially the pool. Any other activities I will have to pay extra I believe. And then pay for grub on site will be extra if I choose so.

This is my thing………am I paying 200 Euro for essentially a swim in a fancy pool? other activities will be extra. Or Am I taking this up wrong?

Any comments welcome.

kippy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058427619/center-parcs-guest-passes

Nope, you're not taking it up wrong. The pool and facilities surrounding it are pretty good though (Slides, outdoor area/rapids/wave pool) and you can literally spend the whole day in there. There's some nice enough walks etc and generally a chilled out vibe in the place. I dunno, it's a cheaper way to see what the place has to offer rather than staying a minimum of three nights (where you essentially are having to pay for everything else as well anyway)

We've a day pass the past couple of years and round Xmas it's a lovely setup and the kids have really enjoyed the 6 or so hours we've spent in the pool area and with their friends afterwards. Is it worth the money, I would say yeah when compared with other things you could spend 200 or so bucks on.

obi604

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123952551#Comment_123952551

Thank you for the honest reply.
yeah, I’m unsure, like if a bit of grub was included would not be too bad. But 200 euro gets me the swim. Will prob spend at least 100 on grub. And then maybe another 50 on potentially one other activity. Fuel costs etc.

Could be looking at 400 euro. Saucy day out.

kippy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123952584#Comment_123952584

You could be looking at a lot more if you wanted or a bit less as well. We did Santa there last year, which was good. They had the place done up very well but you didn't need to see Santa to see that. We didn't do any other activities bar the pool and yep, probably spent 60 bucks on food( we brought our own lunch).

It's not everyones cup of tea. We were onsite for 9, didn't leave till after 10 that evening last time we were there, but we have kids who loved the pool and knocked a fair day out of it.

I wouldnt consider doing an overnight there but find the day pass just enough to keep the kids happy and the budget down.

obi604

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123952597#Comment_123952597

Thanks again

Are there decent slides and stuff at the pool? Please don’t tell me the slides are extra money. It seems a nice place but lord god it’s a money racket.

kippy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123952615#Comment_123952615

The whole place is, for sure, a money racket.

Yes, according to my kids they have the best slides in the country. As well as the novelty of an outdoor pool and 'rapids', as well as the indoor pools/wave pool etc etc. all part of you entrance fee so no additional fees (just as well)

Roughly what age are your kids, do they like pools/slides etc? If they are very young you deffo won't get the most outta it and if they ain't into water etc it would be a complete waste.

obi604

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123952623#Comment_123952623

thanks yet again. The kids are 10 and 11

kippy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123952631#Comment_123952631

Ah yeah, a good age for that side of things. There are height restrictions on some of the bigger slides which off the top of my head I can't remember but generally those ages would normally be above those heights.

Tis deffo a fair whack of money. We would keep our on site spending down and maximise time onsite where possible as well as having kids who have no issues spending multiple hours in and around the pool area. It's a lovely place around Xmas.

So I can justify it.

obi604

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123952649#Comment_123952649

I just had a quick gander at the activities, fair whack of them but again you could have 100 euro spent in less than an hour. But I guess it’s all up to oneself really.

obi604

I guess the on site food down there is pricey too for basic stuff.

I slept on it and I’m in 2 minds here still 🤣🙄🤪

Celtic tiger and all that

Electric Nitwit

Quick question, is it their first time there? If not, they might have booked with the "come back soon" offer which saves you €50 but also comes with two free guest passes, just in case they didn't know!

Otherwise I agree with kippy, you'll have a good day but it's hard to say it's value for money. The pool is very cool, we were there last weekend and easily spent 3hrs there (kids 7 and 5)

For activities that aren't too pricey, look at the crazy golf and maybe the family ball wall (projector touch screen on a squash court, play space invaders etc by chucking footballs at the wall)

Food isn't too expensive compared to, say, Dublin. The quality is ok, but again it's hard to argue value. The pancake house is cool though, and not too expensive

If you live close enough I'd lean towards saying you should do it

obi604

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123952916#Comment_123952916

thanks for reply. I’m not sure if it’s their first time there. I don’t really want to go asking…….if you know what I mean.

I live 1 hour away so not too bad.

Electric Nitwit

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123952924#Comment_123952924

Yeah, fair enough 😋

We're about an hour away too and go far more often than we should 🤣

At this distance I'd be a bit on the fence about recommending it though, sorry! Probably still just about say yes, but you're right to consider the money. It isn't worth that, but it is a cool place to go

kippy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123952924#Comment_123952924

I was involved in a thread here on ticket prices for concerts. I wouldn't pay a few hundred euro (or more) for a 90 minute concert just for myself and I suppose this is how I somehow justify spending the same amount on a full days experience for the full family. I know there's very little logic to it, but if you want to pay celtic tiger prices for something (and in fairness Centre Parcs has alwasy been pricy) I don't think it's ridiculously bad value compared to some of the other ways you can spend the same money.

obi604

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123953159#Comment_123953159

Yeah, I get ya. Some good points. I guess it’s a way to experience without having to fork out for 3 nights. And ticks a box. Everyone I know seems to have been at some stage.