The Center Parcs Experience

scudzilla · 22-03-2020 06:12PM

We were booked for April 27th, paid 499 for 4 nights for 8 of us, worked out at just over 15euro per per per night which is a no brainer.

Rang them last week to change dates to Sept and they did with no hassle at all, it cost an extra 100euro (that wasnt a change fee, was just 100quid more expensive for the week we wanted) but small hit to take.

We went last Sept and stayed in 1 of the exec lodges with hot tub/sauna/steam room and games room, wouldn't pay the price for that (our friends insisted thats what they wanted so thats what they booked, we just wet along with it:pac:)

Black_Knight · 22-03-2020 08:41PM

scudzilla wrote: »

We were booked for April 27th, paid 499 for 4 nights for 8 of us, worked out at just over 15euro per per per night which is a no brainer.

Rang them last week to change dates to Sept and they did with no hassle at all, it cost an extra 100euro (that wasnt a change fee, was just 100quid more expensive for the week we wanted) but small hit to take.

We went last Sept and stayed in 1 of the exec lodges with hot tub/sauna/steam room and games room, wouldn't pay the price for that (our friends insisted thats what they wanted so thats what they booked, we just wet along with it:pac:)

Yup. April would be our 2nd time going, but alas it's likely to be cancelled. Off season would be our focus (April cost us about 420 or something) but come September we'll have a newborn so... Nope.

timhenn · 22-03-2020 10:02PM

scudzilla wrote: »

We were booked for April 27th, paid 499 for 4 nights for 8 of us, worked out at just over 15euro per per per night which is a no brainer.

Rang them last week to change dates to Sept and they did with no hassle at all, it cost an extra 100euro (that wasnt a change fee, was just 100quid more expensive for the week we wanted) but small hit to take.

We went last Sept and stayed in 1 of the exec lodges with hot tub/sauna/steam room and games room, wouldn't pay the price for that (our friends insisted thats what they wanted so thats what they booked, we just wet along with it:pac:)

15 euro per person?

salmocab · 22-03-2020 10:19PM

timhenn wrote: »

15 euro per person?

Yeah that would work out about right. (Per night)

timhenn · 22-03-2020 10:20PM

salmocab wrote: »

Yeah that would work out about right. (Per night)

Seems very reasonable, I know it's a big group but I heard this place was crazy expensive!

CramCycle · 22-03-2020 10:59PM

timhenn wrote: »

Seems very reasonable, I know it's a big group but I heard this place was crazy expensive!

Only at peak times,and with a group that size it wouldn't be mental.

salmocab · 22-03-2020 11:13PM

timhenn wrote: »

Seems very reasonable, I know it's a big group but I heard this place was crazy expensive!

It’s pricey in high season and generally in groups it would be parents paying for a whole family. Personally I think there’s value in it, not sure I’d do it instead of a normal summer holiday but for a few days break at home it’s fantastic. It’s possible to go and spend very little or spend a fortune, it’s very much a family place.

scudzilla · 23-03-2020 07:44AM

timhenn wrote: »

Seems very reasonable, I know it's a big group but I heard this place was crazy expensive!

Don't go in school holidays and have a decent sized group and it's dirt cheap. Forget the on site restaurant, just do a big tesco shop on way. Each lodge has oven and hob plus microwave. The 4 bedroom lodges for 8 people have 2 fiidges. Also a bbq stand outside and large disposable bbq are available in yer he on site shop for 6 quid I think.

CramCycle · 23-03-2020 07:04PM

The restaurants/Takeaways are not crazy expensive, they aren't as cheap as a chipper, nowhere near as pricey as a restaurant. I just wasn't that pushed on it. Wasn't bad just wasn't amazing. The shop is also reasonably priced so so don't be concerned if you forget stuff. Food in the pool is sh1te though.

salmocab · 23-03-2020 07:16PM

CramCycle wrote: »

The restaurants/Takeaways are not crazy expensive, they aren't as cheap as a chipper, nowhere near as pricey as a restaurant. I just wasn't that pushed on it. Wasn't bad just wasn't amazing. The shop is also reasonably priced so so don't be concerned if you forget stuff. Food in the pool is sh1te though.

I’d pretty much agree although I had a burger in the pool and thought it was nice. It’s a place that you’ll make of it what you will, it can be expensive whilst there or you could do it on a budget.

pwurple · 24-03-2020 09:29AM

We got a couple of pizzas at the pool the last time and it was fine. Not fancy, but hit the spot with the kids.

We got an email last night saying we don't need to pay the rest of our trip yet, we have a deposit down for June. normally it's 10 weeks in advance the full amount needs to be paid up, they have reduced it to 4 or 5 weeks I think? That's good of them at least.

Monokne · 24-03-2020 01:13PM

Their customer service is good. Have been to 2 Center Parcs a total of 4 times and always happy with how the staff treats us.

JohnnyFlash · 24-03-2020 03:07PM

Monokne · 24-03-2020 05:28PM

Wish I had that big a garden

AndrewJRenko · 25-03-2020 05:15PM

salmocab wrote: »

I’d pretty much agree although I had a burger in the pool and thought it was nice.

Was it not a bit soggy?

salmocab · 25-03-2020 05:32PM

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Was it not a bit soggy?

Touche

pwurple · 31-08-2020 11:33AM

Has anyone been since the covid restrictions were put in place?

We have rebooked our cancelled trip for next year, but will be keeping a close eye on it. I've heard from a couple of people who attended that with the very limited pool access (2 hour sessions, once or twice per visit), that it's not as enjoyable. I'd happily postpone again until the pool is open a bit more if that's the case.

Trigger Happy · 31-08-2020 11:54AM

pwurple wrote: »

Has anyone been since the covid restrictions were put in place?

We have rebooked our cancelled trip for next year, but will be keeping a close eye on it. I've heard from a couple of people who attended that with the very limited pool access (2 hour sessions, once or twice per visit), that it's not as enjoyable. I'd happily postpone again until the pool is open a bit more if that's the case.

You get three two hour sessions in the pool on a four night stay at the moment according to their website.

starbaby2003 · 31-08-2020 12:13PM

pwurple wrote: »

Has anyone been since the covid restrictions were put in place?

We have rebooked our cancelled trip for next year, but will be keeping a close eye on it. I've heard from a couple of people who attended that with the very limited pool access (2 hour sessions, once or twice per visit), that it's not as enjoyable. I'd happily postpone again until the pool is open a bit more if that's the case.

We are just on our way back. I’ve not been pre-covid so I can’t compare it to that. We were there the Fri-Mon. We got two, two hour sessions. I thought it was more than enough. I was talking to people who had been last year and they were saying they way preferred the booking as it is so busy otherwise. Massive queues for all the rides. There was hardly any queues while we were there. One thing I didn’t like was you were stuck with the time. We have a toddler who needed a nap but we couldn’t let her have one as we would have missed half our slot. I’d book the pool as soon as you can to ensure you get the spots you want.

salmocab · 31-08-2020 12:13PM

pwurple wrote: »

Has anyone been since the covid restrictions were put in place?

We have rebooked our cancelled trip for next year, but will be keeping a close eye on it. I've heard from a couple of people who attended that with the very limited pool access (2 hour sessions, once or twice per visit), that it's not as enjoyable. I'd happily postpone again until the pool is open a bit more if that's the case.

I’m booked to go back in December and if those restrictions are in place I’ll almost certainly postpone it. The pool is the main attraction and also currently you can’t turn up early on the arrival day or stay on late after checking out. We did both last time and it’s great you really make the most of the stay that way. Obviously I understand why the restrictions are in place and don’t in any way blame Center park but I don’t see value in the current setup restrictions.

starbaby2003 · 31-08-2020 12:14PM

salmocab wrote: »

I’m booked to go back in December and if those restrictions are in place I’ll almost certainly postpone it. The pool is the main attraction and also currently you can’t turn up early on the arrival day or stay on late after checking out. We did both last time and it’s great you really make the most of the stay that way. Obviously I understand why the restrictions are in place and don’t in any way blame Center park but I don’t see value in the current setup restrictions.

That’s not true, you can arrive from two and stay until 1. What was it before ?

salmocab · 31-08-2020 12:31PM

starbaby2003 wrote: »

That’s not true, you can arrive from two and stay until 1. What was it before ?

Arrive at 11 and stay till midnight

starbaby2003 · 31-08-2020 12:39PM

salmocab wrote: »

Arrive at 11 and stay till midnight

Wow, that is some difference.

salmocab · 31-08-2020 12:50PM

Yeah we arrived at 11 got the bikes cycled around then went swimming for a few hours and had lunch at the pool then went to our house, on check out which was 10 but think it’s 9 for now? After loading up the car we went for a walk then a swim had lunch in the sports bar and left about half 3 or so. We had 4 trips to the pool for the 3 night stay and stayed each time for about 3 hours. We loved the place and booked quite quickly to go back but as it stands I don’t see the value in the trip.

starbaby2003 · 31-08-2020 01:17PM

salmocab wrote: »

Yeah we arrived at 11 got the bikes cycled around then went swimming for a few hours and had lunch at the pool then went to our house, on check out which was 10 but think it’s 9 for now? After loading up the car we went for a walk then a swim had lunch in the sports bar and left about half 3 or so. We had 4 trips to the pool for the 3 night stay and stayed each time for about 3 hours. We loved the place and booked quite quickly to go back but as it stands I don’t see the value in the trip.

That sounds great. Our kids are young so I’m not sure we would stay. However we would have loved to have gone to the pool on the Friday.

Trigger Happy · 01-09-2020 02:08PM

Trigger Happy wrote: »

You get three two hour sessions in the pool on a four night stay at the moment according to their website.

I stand corrected, just reread their website...

You may only pre-book your pool sessions in advance for between 3pm on your arrival day and before 1pm on your departure day, any other times will be automatically cancelled.
Entry is available in 2-hour time slots and on a pre-bookable basis only.
Please pre-book and arrive fifteen minutes before your time slot with your entire party
Pre-bookable sessions are limited per booking.
For 3 and 4 night stays sessions are limited to two per break
For 7 night stays sessions are limited to four per break.
You must ensure your entire party is booked onto the same session if you all wish to visit the pool during your break
There will be a small charge of 10p/c per person per session, which will be donated to Together for Short Lives /Barretstown
There will be temperature checks in place on arrival
Social distancing will be in place throughout the facility, including our changing rooms and rides and slides
Please limit the number of items you bring with you on your visit. Towels and personal items must be kept in your locker while you are enjoying the pool
Please arrive already wearing swimwear under your clothes, showers and hair dryers won’t be available
Food and drink will not be available to purchase
The wave pool will be open, but we will not be operating the wave machine
We only allow guests who are dressed in beachwear style clothing with no shoes on into the poolside areas of our Subtropical Swimming Paradise, even if only spectating
Baby changing facilities are guaranteed during these pool session times 8-10am, 12-2pm & 4-6pm

notAMember · 04-05-2021 10:10AM

Is anyone else with a current centerparcs booking spitting out their coffee at the new pricing? It wasn't low cost holiday to begin with, but now it's just astronomical altogether.

We booked back in 2019 , a week in June 2020 for €1490 (4 bedroom house for a week). Gave them a deposit of ~ 400 euro at the time.
In June 2020 they were closed, so we deferred it to June 2021, price had increased to €1930.

Looking at June 2021 now, the pool is minimal (3 x 2hr visits allowed, with no changing rooms available, Arrive and leave in your togs), chalk is removed from houses, activities limited. can't justify that spend for severely limited amenities, so we were again going to move it another year.
Enquired today about deferring to June 2021, they are now telling me is €2405

So, about instead of having a remaining 1000 to pay, we would go to having 2000 euro to pay on the same holiday.

Considering cancelling altogether, it's a HUGE hike in prices. Surely next year we would get a fairly good foreign holiday for that money.

Monokne · 04-05-2021 10:29AM

notAMember wrote: »

Is anyone else with a current centerparcs booking spitting out their coffee at the new pricing? It wasn't low cost holiday to begin with, but now it's just astronomical altogether.

We booked back in 2019 , a week in June 2020 for €1490 (4 bedroom house for a week). Gave them a deposit of ~ 400 euro at the time.
In June 2020 they were closed, so we deferred it to June 2021, price had increased to €1930.

Looking at June 2021 now, the pool is minimal (3 x 2hr visits allowed, with no changing rooms available, Arrive and leave in your togs), chalk is removed from houses, activities limited. can't justify that spend for severely limited amenities, so we were again going to move it another year.
Enquired today about deferring to June 2021, they are now telling me is €2405

So, about instead of having a remaining 1000 to pay, we would go to having 2000 euro to pay on the same holiday.

Considering cancelling altogether, it's a HUGE hike in prices. Surely next year we would get a fairly good foreign holiday for that money.

I was looking at this recently.

My best guess is that there are 4 possible reasons:
1) Trying to recoup lost COVID revenue
2) Trying to make up for the discounts they gave for deferring bookings (€100 off your next trip - at least it was for me)
3) They may be running at a limited capacity so charging more for what is actually open
4) It may just be that people are so desperate for a holiday they are booking in higher volume than normal further out than usual? I assume there is some sort of algorithm that drives prices up when this happens given their whole model is that it's way more expensive to go there at peak times.

But yeah, it's going to be a proper hit in the pocket whenever we finally get round to going this year!

Black_Knight · 04-05-2021 10:32AM

notAMember wrote: »

Is anyone else with a current centerparcs booking spitting out their coffee at the new pricing? It wasn't low cost holiday to begin with, but now it's just astronomical altogether.

We booked back in 2019 , a week in June 2020 for €1490 (4 bedroom house for a week). Gave them a deposit of ~ 400 euro at the time.
In June 2020 they were closed, so we deferred it to June 2021, price had increased to €1930.

Looking at June 2021 now, the pool is minimal (3 x 2hr visits allowed, with no changing rooms available, Arrive and leave in your togs), chalk is removed from houses, activities limited. can't justify that spend for severely limited amenities, so we were again going to move it another year.
Enquired today about deferring to June 2021, they are now telling me is €2405

So, about instead of having a remaining 1000 to pay, we would go to having 2000 euro to pay on the same holiday.

Considering cancelling altogether, it's a HUGE hike in prices. Surely next year we would get a fairly good foreign holiday for that money.

Supply and demand I guess. Everyone, like yourself, wants to rearrange their 2020 holiday for 2021. Everyone in for May 2021 or mid term bookings will be pushing into June/July/August. No one going on foreign holidays, so they're looking for a staycation. There's so much demand for center parcs they can ask what they want really. You're only considering cancelling as it is, so there's a part of you that still might pay up for that family break.

I hate center parcs monopoly on these family parks (is there any alternative in Ireland?), but if people are willing to pay it, of course they'll ask for it. When foreign travel opens up, and the peak season vacation time isn't squashed (ie. mid term holidays exist, summer is end of May->Aug) center parcs should have less demand.

We're lucky enough that our 2 are not in school yet, so we've rescheduled our April 2020 to April 2012 Sept 2021, and it was only maybe €200 extra (about 40% more). We'll get there eventually.

salmocab · 04-05-2021 10:48AM

The reality is they are really busy booking wise and if people will pay those prices then they will charge them. This year especially people aren’t going abroad so that makes somewhere like CP even more premium than before. Hotels I’ve looked at for the summer for weekends away or whatever are all charging top dollar especially places with pools I find.
It’s a great place but I wouldn’t be paying those prices especially with pool restrictions.
Btw 2k for 8 people for 7 nights isn’t as crazy as it sounds it’s 250 per person for a week.

The Center Parcs Experience

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