The Center Parcs Experience

xzanti · 06-01-2019 1:49pm

LirW wrote: »

Ireland is hugely popular with Europeans, Asians and Americans, so I believe that one will do well enough. People are willing to pay money for the peace of mind and ease of a resort holiday.

Yeah we went to Trabolgan a few years ago for the craic. The place was full to the gills of very, very well travelled folk*.

Plumbthedepths · 06-01-2019 1:51pm

Yaretzi Thousands Sandbox wrote:

How so? People go there and don't leave...

All the minimum wage job workers in the Parc will spend some of their income locally, there's the economic boost. They certainly won't be able to afford to stay in the Parc.

demanufactured · 06-01-2019 1:51pm

xzanti wrote: »

Yeah we went to Trabolgan a few years ago for the craic. The place was full to the gills of very, very well travelled folk*.

Would they have been fairly good at travelling?

Odyssey 2005 · 06-01-2019 1:51pm

Yaretzi Thousands Sandbox wrote: »

How so? People go there and don't leave...

Local Tesco will do well, end of.

xzanti · 06-01-2019 1:52pm

demanufactured wrote: »

Would they have been fairly good at travelling?

The best.

nim1bdeh38l2cw · 06-01-2019 1:53pm

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

All the minimum wage job workers in the Parc will spend some of their income locally, there's the economic boost. They certainly won't be able to afford to stay in the Parc.

Is there that much unemployment in Longford already?

Get Real · 06-01-2019 1:53pm

fits wrote: »

^ I don’t get that. Wouldn’t you just go to the closest one as I’d imagine they are essentially the same.

I don't think so. I mean there's center parcs in France that are huge with the UK market and yet the UK have center parcs of their own.

People still might want to go on a family holiday abroad but like the "all in" bit, particularly with young children.

I could understand why Longford will be bigger with families from abroad than with Irish families themselves (although you'll get a good few Irish families too)

Families from France, Germany etc with young children who may not have entertained travelling to Ireland until they're retired etc but understand the Center Parc model and can use Longford as a base. Or can leave the kids there with the grandparents while mam and dad do x.

There were a few press releases in French media two years ago about the project
https://lepetitjournal.com/dublin/tourisme-feu-vert-pour-la-construction-du-premier-center-parcs-irlandais-102585

Graham · 06-01-2019 1:53pm

Yaretzi Thousands Sandbox wrote: »

How so? People go there and don't leave...

1,000 local jobs is going to have a fairly significant impact.

To put that into context, the combined population of the closest towns Longford, Ballymahon and Edgeworthstown is around 15,000. This is in an area that has some of the highest unemployment in the state (approaching 20% iirc).

Plumbthedepths · 06-01-2019 1:54pm

Yaretzi Thousands Sandbox wrote:

Is there that much unemployment in Longford already?

No idea but new employment opportunities usually give an area an economic boost, even if the jobs are minimum wage.

alchemist33 · 06-01-2019 1:55pm

I've been to 2 Center Parcs in Ebgland and enjoyed them both. They do make it hard for you to get out though. Your cabin is probably a long way from the car park and the car park is massive. I heard of one family that made it to the local tourist office and said they'd "escaped" from Center Parcs, which would be quite accurate

Atlantic Dawn · 06-01-2019 1:57pm

With the compensation culture in this country I see the place shutting down within 3 years as a result of personal injury claims.

awec · 06-01-2019 2:03pm

I think I'd struggle to get over the fact you're paying through the arse for a "holiday" in Longford.

Likely to come out of the place needing another holiday to get over the experience.

touts · 06-01-2019 2:11pm

Just checked what it would cost for us next August. 2 adults and 1 child for a week. €1809!!! And that is the cheapest basic option. It gets cheaper once the kids go back to school but we can't go then because our child will be back in school.

The idea is good and I'd give it a go but at that price it's just not good value. My bet is next summer (2020) the prices will have dropped considerably once the novelty factor has worn off and they can't fill the cabins.

ZzubZzub · 06-01-2019 2:17pm

I love Center Parcs! You don’t go for the location because you don’t leave the park.

We went for 4 nights, all adults. It can be expensive especially during school holidays. We booked far enough in advance though that we paid £85 each and got the lodge with a hot tub and pool table.

Did a bit of shopping before getting there so we were well stocked. The on-site shop is expensive but not as bad as I thought it would be considering it’s the only shop around.
Got pizza delivered too by the on site restaurant!

Love the spa too, though that’s extra again. The same with any activities, you book and pay in advance but it’s a bit of craic.

My husband hates it for the above reasons, so I doubt we’ll be going back any time soon.

iguana · 06-01-2019 2:22pm

€500 for a weekend is too expensive for me. I go away with a friend and our kids a few times a year and even splitting the costs I think it's poor value for money. I have been to Trabolgan a good few times and it is very tacky but I've always gone off-season when the place is quite empty, the pool is genuinely lovely when there is no more than 20 people in it. I've paid as little as €150 for a week in one of the bigger houses with the conservatory and dishwasher, brought my own groceries and spent maybe €20-30 when I'm there. I don't love the place, but my son really enjoys it and it's totally stress free. I don't doubt Centerparcs is much nicer but it's not nice enough to justify being 3-4 times more expensive for a much smaller house.

An ever better stress free holiday option is camping. I bought a small motorhome last year and it's one of the best things I've ever done. We went spent a lot of the summer in it, every second autumn weekend up to Halloween, a weekend in December, we'll be off again in February and away at least every second weekend of spring and then back to semi-permanent trips through the summer. We have really super camp sites in Ireland from the very chilled and relaxed to kids holiday park sites. Kids have amazing freedom to play about and it's a really relaxed lifestyle. We get to see a lot of the country, explore other towns, visit interesting sites and festivals. It's not free, between tax, insurance, fuel and campsite stays it comes to a bit under €2000 a year but that's for about 80 nights of holidays. I also plan on taking it abroad and exploring the UK and the continent as my son gets older.

xzanti · 06-01-2019 2:23pm

touts wrote: »

Just checked what it would cost for us next August. 2 adults and 1 child for a week. €1809!!! And that is the cheapest basic option. It gets cheaper once the kids go back to school but we can't go then because our child will be back in school.
.

That's extortionate.

You would get a week in the canaries for that price for a family of 3.

Thespoofer · 06-01-2019 2:24pm

Slightly related, stayed in Trabolgan in Cork a good few years back.
Similar set up, cabins in a wooded area, extra activities available and so on.

One day playing crazy golf with the Wife and kids a few 'residents' came up the path towards our direction probably going back to their accomodation absolutely langerated from drink. Staggering all over the place, both men and women. This was at about 3 in the afternoon.

It's stuff like this that would make me very cautious about staying in places like that.

demanufactured · 06-01-2019 2:28pm

awec wrote: »

I think I'd struggle to get over the fact you're paying through the arse for a "holiday" in Longford.

Likely to come out of the place needing another holiday to get over the experience.

Your not going to "longford".
Your going to Center Parcs.

Graham · 06-01-2019 2:42pm

Center Parcs have never really been a destination for cheap breaks, that's not their selling point and they don't appear to suffer for it.

It is essentially a self-contained resort/activity park centred around a sub-tropical aqua-park with reasonably upscale accommodation within an hour or two drive for most of the population.

Mosney/Butlins/Trabolgan/Costa-Del-Random it is not. The prices and consequentially the clientele reflect this.

JupiterKid · 06-01-2019 3:30pm

Thespoofer wrote: »

Slightly related, stayed in Trabolgan in Cork a good few years back.
Similar set up, cabins in a wooded area, extra activities available and so on.

One day playing crazy golf with the Wife and kids a few 'residents' came up the path towards our direction probably going back to their accomodation absolutely langerated from drink. Staggering all over the place, both men and women. This was at about 3 in the afternoon.

It's stuff like this that would make me very cautious about staying in places like that.

I have a feeling Center Parcs wouldn’t tolerate that sort of carry on. I can see people being politely “asked” to leave if that happens.

Water John · 06-01-2019 6:27pm

It's another option, esp for families with young kids, not dragging them through airports. Not sure why some here need to p**s on it.

nice_guy80 · 06-01-2019 6:40pm

Plenty to do around the place too if ye get sick of the Centre Parcs

Canal path cycles
Sky diving in Abbeyshrule
Kayaking on the Inny and Shannon
Horse riding
Boating and fishing on Shannon

WoollyRedHat · 06-01-2019 11:17pm

StupidLikeAFox wrote: »

Tbf if you wanted to do a proper analysis you would have to look at the wages, taxes, cost of living etc if you want to compare like with like. It all boils down to whether people are willing to pay the price or not, and centerparcs will probably have done their research and if they got it wrong they will find that out fairly quickly.

I can see the attraction. Have no kids myself but for families this is a good proposition. Kids don't care where they are on holidays as long as they are occupied, they have no concept of Longford

I can see the attraction too, but UK companies are notorious for overcharging Irish consumers, retail being the best example.

salmocab · 06-01-2019 11:25pm

WoollyRedHat wrote: »

I can see the attraction too, but UK companies are notorious for overcharging Irish consumers, retail being the best example.

I’d say undoubtedly they do, companies in general want to make as much as they can so will charge the highest they can without losing business. Center Parcs will surely be the same, they will charge as much as they can at a level that will keep occupancy high. Just like pretty much every hotel in the country does. If people think it’s too expensive then in a short enough time frame prices will drop a bit but I suspect they’ve done their homework on this and will be close enough with the price.

CramCycle · 06-01-2019 11:42pm

demanufactured wrote: »

The thing is, I don't think Center Parcs Langford is actually aimed at The Irish market.
I have a friend working there, who has told me the majority of the bookings for next year are from European countries.

Same here, sort of, know a few people from nearby and the talk was actually mainly Asian tourists as opposed to Europeans, but basically, not trying to appeal to much to the Irish market bar a small %

Yaretzi Thousands Sandbox wrote: »

Is there that much unemployment in Longford already?

Pretty bad, always has been, even in the boom, Longford, Leitrim, Roscommon etc. were always closer to the highest level of unemplyment than the lower..

This all said, bar our club football, it is about the best thing Longford has had or will have going for it for awhile.

salmocab · 06-01-2019 11:51pm

CramCycle wrote: »

Pretty bad, always has been, even in the boom, Longford, Leitrim, Roscommon etc. were always closer to the highest level of unemplyment than the lower..

This all said, bar our club football, it is about the best thing Longford has had or will have going for it for awhile.

I think it’s great for Longford, plenty of jobs albeit lower paid and there will be some small over spill of tourism from the place which could certainly be increased if the right work is done. It will be bringing thousands of tourists into the area who in general will be well healed, enjoy the outdoors and families. So businesses will already know what market they should be aiming at if they want to piggy back off it.

CramCycle · 06-01-2019 11:55pm

100% and if Ballymahon play their cards right, you'll have alot of footfall on the way there and the way back. Tourists stopping for their taste of real Ireland before CP, having a pint and a toasties with friendly service. This and all the local jobs will mean it will great things locally for the foreseeable future.

It's a win win for Longford if they don't **** it up somehow..

meeeeh · 07-01-2019 12:18am

Water John wrote: »

It's another option, esp for families with young kids, not dragging them through airports. Not sure why some here need to p**s on it.

I think that's it. I'm hoping for holidays in Ireland this year because I'm actually exhausted from airport travel we did last year. Not all was with kids but once you are juggling connecting flights and four hour flights, six hour flights, baggage handling delays, airport hotels, car hires and so on holiday in Ireland isn't that bad. It's unlikely we'll end in family friendly resort in Spain so the one in Ireland 45 minutes from home isn't something that appeals to me (when the little feckers start paying for the holidays we can do child themed ones) but it's an easy option with something to do even when it rains. Also foreign holidays tend to be fairly expensive for us, we don't go for Michelin star food but we tend to end up in decent restaurants. Once you factor in that, luggage allowance, car hire cost of getting through the airport and so on the 800 Euro week in Malaga including flights is long gone.

BuboBubo · 07-01-2019 12:49am

Center Parcs is another option for family holidays, I think it'll do very well. I will never visit it as I don't have children (I believe it's a kid-centric type of place, correct me if I'm wrong), my brother is likely to bring his brood up for a week. They're an active bunch so they'd love the pool, climbing and forest-stuff.

The prices charged for a stay in Longford are higher than it's UK counterparts, I reckon insurance might be a factor there.

I hope it does well, it'll create a few jobs anyway. There will be a knock-on effect for local businesses too. I know if it was there when I was a kid I'd have loved it anyway - it looks great! Best of luck to them.

Marz66 · 07-01-2019 2:18am

What are the restaurants like in these places?

Hurrache · 07-01-2019 1:34pm

People seem to be missing the whole point of a Centre Parcs if they have a problem with what county it's situated in.

JupiterKid · 27-01-2019 12:46am

Quite a lot of adverts on the TV for the new Longford Center Parcs resort over the past few days. Perhaps early bookings aren’t as stellar as they’d anticipated?

Mind you, given how packed out restaurants are in Dublin every night of the week lately, it seems the good times are well and truly back and the name of the game is to spend, spend, spend...

Graham · 27-01-2019 12:58am

JupiterKid wrote: »

Quite a lot of adverts on the TV for the new Longford Center Parcs resort over the past few days. Perhaps early bookings aren’t as stellar as they’d anticipated?

Virgin media, Flash spray and Bord Gais must be struggling too. They're advertising all the time. :pac:

I have a suspicion that advertising was always part of the Center Parcs launch plan, I certainly wouldn't be reading too much into it.

Spanish Eyes · 27-01-2019 12:59am

Over time it will work. They may have to pitch the price initially for volume and publicity.

People with younger kids will go there. It has to be so much more convenient than going abroad for a slightly smaller price with all the same things that kids need, like a huge pool and other activities.

Let's face it, kids don't care where they go as long as they have a ball.

road_high · 27-01-2019 1:04am

buried wrote: »

Summer in Longford? May as well have the Winter Olympics in Miami.

I can see why logistically they chose the midlands but the weather is invariably terrible. Compared to say somewhere in the east/south east which would be sunnier, drier and more suited to outdoor activities.

Spanish Eyes · 27-01-2019 1:09am

If the weather is good, there will be lots of activities. If bad, there is the HUGE pool and associated things.

Was made to be all weather anyway.

If I had young kids that's where I would go now, instead of all the hassle of going abroad for a similar experience really. Well for the kids anyway, they don't care as long as they are having a ball.

Be interesting to see how it works out.

road_high · 27-01-2019 1:14am

Thespoofer wrote: »

Slightly related, stayed in Trabolgan in Cork a good few years back.
Similar set up, cabins in a wooded area, extra activities available and so on.

One day playing crazy golf with the Wife and kids a few 'residents' came up the path towards our direction probably going back to their accomodation absolutely langerated from drink. Staggering all over the place, both men and women. This was at about 3 in the afternoon.

It's stuff like this that would make me very cautious about staying in places like that.

Trabolgen is/was a bit of a knacker hole. As an ex boss of mine going to a Centre Parc one weekend with his family, said to me it’s like “Butlins for the middle classes...”. The above carry on is unlikely given the pitch

JupiterKid · 14-05-2019 11:54pm

So it’s only a matter of a few weeks now until the Longford Center Parks resort opens...

...anyone here booked a few days away with the family? Looking forward to the experience?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5BZ5Nk9e74

Plumbthedepths · 15-05-2019 12:05am

No too expensive off to Italy instead.

Hoboo · 15-05-2019 12:12am

If the experience is anything like the ad I'll give Longford on the holliers a wide birth.

buried · 15-05-2019 12:21am

Will be interesting to see what sort of number take up will be for this craic. From that ad they seem to be marketing this as a sort of outdoor mediocre grey cloud camping holiday with added chocolate profiterole's for breakfast. All of which you can do up any of the 20 Slieve mountains here already for much cheaper and way better craic. Plus if you go to our actual mountains/outdoors you can swing it it for the few weeks we get the good weather because you can go anytime you like

whisky_galore · 15-05-2019 3:19am

No dice. Clearly aimed at people who own children and all the high pitched screaming that entails.

Would be hell on earth for me.

liam7831 · 15-05-2019 4:39am

If only they had experience in this market to ensure they had a good product

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater · 15-05-2019 4:50am

I think it'll be very positive for everyone. Yep, it's expensive. Don't go then. Yeah, it's in County Longford - so? It'll be the same on the inside as any of the others. Providing loads of jobs in an area that traditionally doesn't do well economically. Plus, we don't really have anything like it in the country at present, so it's a new amenity for whoever chooses to use it.

That advert sucks, though.

15-05-2019 6:03am

Why's it called Centre *Parc*?

Leave us back the K you knuts

Necro · 15-05-2019 6:33am

Haven't booked yet but will likely for next year I'm thinking. Waiting to see how the reviews are for the first year before giving it a whirl.

Went to Italy for 2 weeks last year, enjoyed it but the travelling with kids was a total nightmare. Also wild expensive.

pwurple · 15-05-2019 7:04am

We went to a similar set up in Denmark and it was just savage fun. The pool alone is enough of an attraction for me. Lazy rivers, loads of water slides, great temperature, ice cream by the poolside cafe, no stupid pointless swimming hats.

Tesco are doing a boost with their vouchers, up to 160 euro discount with 40 euro Tesco vouchers. Might try that next year.

Vita nova · 15-05-2019 9:04am

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Why's it called Centre *Parc*?

Leave us back the K you knuts

It's worse than that, it's actually Center Parcs, so US spelling of centre and French spelling of parks.

Addle · 15-05-2019 10:16am

I’d guess staff costs here are a lot higher than in UK and on the continent. 1 reasonable reason why costs are higher.

Cienciano · 15-05-2019 10:33am

A few people have mentioned the problem with Trabolgan is the skangers there. Well, think of the Centre Parcs price as a skanger tax. You won't get them there.

I was in one UK, I'd definitely consider it again. Airport and transfers with kids are a pain in the hole. Although, I definitely wouldn't bother with it without kids

The Center Parcs Experience

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