The Center Parcs Experience

ziedth wrote: »

I fully agree with 6 months. I would only bring a child that young as I wouldn't feel right spawning them off on someone else.

5 years is nonsense. We went to Disneyland Paris maybe 10 years ago while we enjoyed the rides and that but quickly saw it as a well marketed way of taking money off you.

Went again with the kids (3 & 6) in November and seeing it through there eyes where it was "real" and meeting the characters,even just walking around was probably my favourite holiday.

Less extreme example, holiday in Portugal sitting by the pool with your other half is perfectly great but you bring your kids of that age and you have a completely (for better or worse) different holiday.

Did you tell the kids that the "character" were only men in suits?

ziedth wrote: »

Good god no. Older child was playing along I reckon but my youngest thought it was 100% real.

Only joking. Check You tube for Carol Beer travel agent

Samuel T. Cogley wrote: »

I went to one an we found out there was a swingers meeting going on. Never did find out where.

It's in the hot tub. Always in the hot tub. Remember that as you slip into the bubbles.


But back on topic, how would Centreparcs work for teenagers? I'd guess they'd enjoy the activities, but how about evenings?

veryangryman wrote: »

Nearly done https://www.rte.ie/news/leinster/2019/0611/1054672-longford-forest-resort-opens/

They do bus routes there. Im wondering if they bring the staff in for free on said buses. Would make sense as Longford and especially Mully are far enough away for minimum wage staff to be driving

There are already special buses to bring in workers from the locality and yes they are free for the workers. The buses have been in place almost since the building work started.

I have spoken to a few people who said they would consider it. They mentioned they don’t like the possible hassle of flying with kids and I have seen people mention the same here.
I have two children and we fly twice a year from Dublin airport and have done since they were babies and to be honest I have never encounterd the hassle people keep telling me about.
Once your are prepared it really is hassle free, we booked an all-inclusive holiday in a 4 star hotel in Portugal for 7 nights a lot cheaper than a week in Center Parcs

It's opening July 29th!

vargoo wrote: »

They've gone to the moon with pricing alright, testing to see if theirs enough people out there that will pay...I think their is.

Over 100 activities in there though and they're not your regular fair (lol at all the numpties that have booked and don't know these are all extras, and they are still doing it despite it being said over and over) around €35 per person for a bike, €36 for 90mins for laser combat.

But Kayaking, fencing, raft building, wall climbing, archery.....different bit of crack.

Who the hell would pay for all of that when you can get out of this kip into the Mediterranean sun for half the price? Fools

LouD2016 wrote: »

We had an awful holiday last year in Spain with my little lad, he was 16 months at the times. Screamed the plane down over and back. Didn't sleep at night, didn't eat anything, didn't want to do anything - ended up with a viral infection. You name it it happened. Has turned us off going abroad again for a good few years.

We are highly considering Centreparcs for Sept. We normally go to Electric Picnic but are giving it a miss this year. It would actually cost us more to go to that.

Wont he just scream his head off and all over Centreparcs if you go there too though?

pwurple wrote: »

People who don't want to haul toddlers through airports.
People who want to support their local economy and local jobs.
People who love Ireland and like getting the break to enjoy it.
People who aren't into a full English in santa ponza as a holiday.

Forst two are completely valid reasons, the second two less so. I bet the menu will be the same generic stuff as in any other resort that caters for Irish turists. Similarly I doubt a gated resort with subtropical swimming pool screams Ireland.

It's a welcome addition but it coud be in any country in any location and ot wouldn't be much different. Btw I'm not sure a heated swimming pool under a dome is the most eco friendly way to holiday.

The fact that's in the middle of the country and easily accessible for everyone hopefully means it'll be a success.
We'll go at some point.

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

But the fact is it's in Longford and thus is just a car journey away from anyone on the island.

That makes it different.

And that's a huge difference if you travel with kids.

That's not my point. My point is that sniggering about english breakfast in Sata Ponsa is a bit misplaced if you choose to holiday in an identikit holiday village. I have no objection to it but let's not pretend it's more worthy, explores Ireland and irish culture and similar nonsense.

Sofiztikated wrote: »

There's 8 restaurants, Italian, Indian, bar &grill, a takeaway, Irish, and 3 others that I can't think off.

I'm sure there is plenty on offer to eat in. But like airport food for me you eat in a resert because you can't escape to anything better.

I'll admit I don't like resort food and avoid it as much as possible. In fact I don't believe at all kids have only fun on holidays when there is some sort of organised fun included in the package. They can also eat in decent restaurants that aren't aimed at families (another name for bland boring food). Just because something calls itself Italian restaurant it doesn't mean food there will be any good.

Edit: I just checked menu of Italian Restaurant. Onion rings and cesar salad tells me all I need to know.

I wonder if any of those who are running this place down (a very Irish trait) have ever stayed at a center parcs resort?


I've booked for 1st week of October, 4 nights for two of us and a dog for €320.

Yes we'll add in extras, she'll no doubt go to the spa as she does in other places we go.

We might dine out in the resort just like we'd dine out in a hotel.

We'll check places outside the resort (they don't lock you in) just as we'd check places outside other places we stay in.

It will take us about 90 min max from door to door.

If we compared prices to the similar parcs in UK and France, it's cheaper here by about 20% even in peak times. (a 4 bed lodge in France is over €5k for a week in August)

The UK resorts are not in salubrious tourism areas, yet have 90%+ occupancy year round. A lot of off peak business is corporate get togethers and team building.

But seems many here would love to see this fail. Why such a dislike? Is it because they are extremely successful and people just can't fathom that?