The Center Parcs Experience

salmocab · 16-06-2019 1:00pm

suicide_circus wrote: »

theyre ruining the reliability of google reviews!

As with trip advisor etc you really need to wade through quite a few reviews to get a good sense of what’s what.

Jeju · 16-06-2019 1:00pm

InTheShadows wrote:

Fencing? Raft building? This is a holiday resort

It the sport fencing and not the farming activity fencing land

JupiterKid · 16-06-2019 1:45pm

flas wrote: »

OldMrBrennan83 wrote: »

Bypass, whatever.

So the by pass, that is a constant flow of traffic with never any traffic jams, you have a problem with that?

The vast majority of traffic to CenterParcs Longford from Dublin will be going either on the M4/M6 to Athlone then N55 to Ballymahon or M4 to Mullingar and then on the dead straight R392 from Mullingar to Ballymahon. From Cork the quickest route would be M8/M7 to Portlaoise, the N80 to Tullamore, N52/R392 to Ballymahon.

Longford is central and very accessible for the whole of the country.

Not much CenterParcs bound traffic will be using the Longford bypass.

Cyrus · 16-06-2019 2:07pm

Darc19 wrote: »

And likewise, a €500 all inclusive week in Spain would now be my idea of hell, and if offered it free, I'd decline.

To be honest I wouldn't take it if I was paid to go!

salmocab · 16-06-2019 2:25pm

Cyrus wrote: »

To be honest I wouldn't take it if I was paid to go!

To each their own is the thing really, I love a beach holiday but hate eating in the same restaurant every night so wouldn’t go all inclusive except when I went on my honeymoon to Maldives where you really have to, I also enjoy a few days city break and some of the best holidays I’ve had are driving around America. I don’t get the dislike people have for center parks they are a type of holiday that just like other types will suit some and not others. I’d see them as a good idea with the kids for a short break couldn’t see myself doing a full week.

Peatys · 16-06-2019 2:43pm

salmocab wrote: »

To each their own is the thing really.

Not a lot of that around here

fits · 16-06-2019 2:49pm

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Did I read something about them not allowing the cars to move, except for arrival and departure days?

Cars can’t come into your accommodation except on arrival and departure. The rest of the time it’s in a car park away from the chalets. You can still leave site if you want.

salmocab · 16-06-2019 2:51pm

Peatys wrote: »

Not a lot of that around here

Indeed not. I genuinely don’t understand why people are so down on, it is expensive and in high season very expensive but beyond that it seems some just want it to fail for other reasons that I can’t see.
It’s a good news story for an area that could do with a boost.

pwurple · 16-06-2019 10:34pm

meeeeh wrote: »

In other words exactly the same as most resorts in Spain or wherever.

Which, Kellys? Probably? It's not something I look for in a holiday. All inclusive wouldn't be my bag. Cruises do it.

I don't know of too many activity-based parks across Spain. I know of some in Scandinavia... LaLandia.

France has loads of these campsites/holiday villages you can use as a base as well to see the area. Siblu parks etc...

nice_guy80 · 16-06-2019 10:53pm

The local...
Kayak club
Bicycle hire
Horse riding centres
Airstrip - skydiving and helicopter rides
Pubs
Cafes
Restaurants
Taxi companies
Supermarkets
Fishing gear shop

Will all do well from this

bodhrandude · 16-06-2019 11:38pm

Darc19 wrote: »

I don't know how I got pulled into this thread,

But 20 years ago, I'd have taken a sun holiday over center parcs.
Now after been on enough sun/tourist holidays I prefer a little more nature, relaxation and chilling out. (I'm old 50+)

Currently I would despise any Cruise ship holiday. But in 15 years time, it might be something that I could like.

As for the Ep / Cp link. I'm doing both

In ep I have taken a luxury yurt and it's costing €1100 for the four nights (add tickets, food, drinks) - bloody expensive, especially as I have no interest in the main acts, but I reckon it will be worth it.

And likewise, a €500 all inclusive week in Spain would now be my idea of hell, and if offered it free, I'd decline.

EP: Electric Picnic?? You'll love it if your a music fan and a tripped out paradise.

flas · 16-06-2019 11:48pm

JupiterKid wrote: »

The vast majority of traffic to CenterParcs Longford from Dublin will be going either on the M4/M6 to Athlone then N55 to Ballymahon or M4 to Mullingar and then on the dead straight R392 from Mullingar to Ballymahon. From Cork the quickest route would be M8/M7 to Portlaoise, the N80 to Tullamore, N52/R392 to Ballymahon.

Longford is central and very accessible for the whole of the country.

Not much CenterParcs bound traffic will be using the Longford bypass.

Exactly

meeeeh · 17-06-2019 12:05am

pwurple wrote: »

Which, Kellys? Probably? It's not something I look for in a holiday. All inclusive wouldn't be my bag. Cruises do it.

I don't know of too many activity-based parks across Spain. I know of some in Scandinavia... LaLandia.

France has loads of these campsites/holiday villages you can use as a base as well to see the area. Siblu parks etc...

You are shifting the goalposts now. You were talking about food and exploring Ireland and that's what I was responding to. My point was that Italian restaurant with onion rings isn't far removed from the English breakfast in Santa Ponsa.

As I said resorts in general (or cruises) are not my thing so maybe there is a difference I can't see but I very much doubt it's food or cultural authenticity.

Btw I very much get what the attraction of these type of holidays is, they are just not for me. Closest thing I would want to do is probably Legoland or Disneyland.

SafeSurfer · 17-06-2019 12:37am

Muahahaha wrote: »

The spin off is already happening, there was an article a couple of months back that said the average 3 bed house in Ballymahon was €100k last year and now investors have purchased loads of houses and its gone up to €140k-€150k.

Would imagine the towns pubs/restaurants will do well out of it too, some residents are bound to take the five minute drive down the road and check it out. Plus at €20 a Thai curry in Centre Parks I'm sure some people will go looking for better value.

I don’t see how investors seeing their property increase in value by 40% is going to result in a spin off for local residents. More likely to price locals out of the market in favor of outside investors.

Graham · 17-06-2019 1:01am

For years now, houses in Longford have generally been priced below build cost. That pretty much guarantees no new housing will be built.

That's not a good thing.

SafeSurfer · 17-06-2019 1:04am

Graham wrote: »

For years now, houses in the Longford have generally been priced below build cost. That pretty much guarantees no new housing will be built.

That's not a good thing.

It’s a good thing for people who want to buy a house.

Graham · 17-06-2019 1:12am

You are assuming they'll be able to find a house in the complete absence of new builds.

It's not good for a county or its population to have a decade where it's uneconomic to build any new housing other than local authority housing.

SafeSurfer · 17-06-2019 1:14am

Graham wrote: »

You are assuming they'll be able to find a house in the complete absence of new builds.

It's not good for a county or its population to have a decade where it's uneconomic to build any new housing other than local authority housing.

There is no “complete absence of new builds”. That’s hyperbole. Check the county council planning register online.

Graham · 17-06-2019 1:30am

Check the completions for the county, then check how many of those are local authority housing. Then have a look at what's actually available.

41 total completions in Longford Country for the first quarter. That's a good sign, it's doubled in 12 months.

Balanadan · 17-06-2019 10:07am

salmocab wrote: »

Just had a look at that if you read the reviews it’s a lot of looking forward to this or else it’s too expensive. The 4 stars are averaged. There are a few lovely place really enjoyed it but they could be just people commenting on the wrong one.

Yeah, it's easy to mix it up with the 0 other locations for Centre Parcs in Ireland.

salmocab · 17-06-2019 10:20am

Balanadan wrote: »

Yeah, it's easy to mix it up with the 0 other locations for Centre Parcs in Ireland.

But they do have other sites.

Balanadan · 17-06-2019 12:17pm

salmocab wrote: »

But they do have other sites.

In a different country.

salmocab · 17-06-2019 1:22pm

Balanadan wrote: »

In a different country.

Yes but I’m pretty sure google is in those other countries too. I suggested people probably made a mistake giving their rating to the wrong center park, is that not possible? Do people think center parks are giving themselves good ratings based on a site that’s not yet open?

Balanadan · 17-06-2019 2:14pm

salmocab wrote: »

Yes but I’m pretty sure google is in those other countries too. I suggested people probably made a mistake giving their rating to the wrong center park, is that not possible? Do people think center parks are giving themselves good ratings based on a site that’s not yet open?

59 people who stayed in Centre Parcs in England didn't realise that they were reviewing a Centre Parcs in a different country?

my3cents · 17-06-2019 2:16pm

Balanadan wrote: »

59 people who stayed in Centre Parcs in England didn't realise that they were reviewing a Centre Parcs in a different country?

Goes to show you the sort of people that stay (or say they stay) at Center Parcs

meeeeh · 17-06-2019 2:18pm

Dies it matter? Internet reviews for anything are dopey at the best of times anyway.

Graham · 17-06-2019 2:32pm

Balanadan wrote: »

59 people who stayed in Centre Parcs in England didn't realise that they were reviewing a Centre Parcs in a different country?

Did you read any of the reviews?

There's a good chunk of them saying they can't wait for it to open, another chunk saying it's too expensive, a few more with photos from people who worked on the construction and another from a fella whose review begins "We were in centre Parcs Woburn...."

Neyite · 17-06-2019 2:38pm

It wouldn't be my idea of a summer family holiday as we all like the heat and sea in our house but if it gives locals some much needed employment then I'm all for it. I could see the appeal of a few nights away though.

salmocab · 17-06-2019 3:22pm

Balanadan wrote: »

59 people who stayed in Centre Parcs in England didn't realise that they were reviewing a Centre Parcs in a different country?

You obviously did some great research there and in fact didn’t even manage to read my initial post were I said some were giving out about the price and some were saying they couldn’t wait for it to open. A few were saying they enjoyed it and I suggested that they may have reviewed the wrong park.

Scarlet42 · 17-06-2019 5:20pm

I don't know .. I've seen Jurassic Park and Westwood ... these sort of places don't have good reputations....

thebostoncrab · 17-06-2019 5:50pm

Balanadan wrote: »

59 people who stayed in Centre Parcs in England didn't realise that they were reviewing a Centre Parcs in a different country?

I used to work in PR and marketing in tourism, you’d be amazed how often that actually happens for attractions with very different names in different continents, never mind two attractions with the same name in two different countries...

salmocab · 17-06-2019 7:23pm

Scarlet42 wrote: »

I don't know .. I've seen Jurassic Park and Westwood ... these sort of places don't have good reputations....

Those are just movies, this is more like the land of the giants.

Sofiztikated · 18-06-2019 12:38pm

thebostoncrab wrote: »

I used to work in PR and marketing in tourism, you’d be amazed how often that actually happens for attractions with very different names in different continents, never mind two attractions with the same name in two different countries...

I use to work in a hotel, and got on first name basis with someone in reservations in a hotel in a different group, in a different country, that had a similar property name, because people turned up with a reservation for them, when they meant to book us. Happened at least once a month.

harr · 19-06-2019 8:42am

I see centre parcs are now in the tesco club card so every €10 tesco voucher you have is worth €40 euro off a center parc holiday.
I have €50 worth of vouchers which means I currently can get €200 off a holiday in CP.

PhoenixParker · 19-06-2019 8:47am

harr wrote: »

I see centre parcs are now in the tesco club card so every €10 tesco voucher you have is worth €40 euro off a center parc holiday.
I have €50 worth of vouchers which means I currently can get €200 off a holiday in CP.

Seems to top out at €40 of vouchers/€160 off but still a nice discount.

harr · 19-06-2019 8:50am

PhoenixParker wrote: »

Seems to top out at €40 of vouchers/€160 off but still a nice discount.

Not a bad discount for a weekend in low season, would make it kind of affordable.

Fann Linn · 19-06-2019 9:32pm

Longford with Armed Support Units in battle dress welcoming all those foreign tourists into Centre Parcs Longford.

Probably safer in East Belfast on the 12th than in that place.

beggars_bush · 19-06-2019 9:36pm

Fann Linn wrote: »

Longford with Armed Support Units in battle dress welcoming all those foreign tourists into Centre Parcs Longford.

Probably safer in East Belfast on the 12th than in that place.

It's like saying having armed Gardai in Finglas will affect visitors to Dundrum

Fann Linn · 19-06-2019 9:37pm

beggars_bush wrote: »

It's like saying having armed Gardai in Finglas will affect visitors to Dundrum

Nothing like it.

beggars_bush · 19-06-2019 9:41pm

Fann Linn wrote: »

Nothing like it.

Centre Parcs is nowhere near longford town. In fact 23 mins away by car

Finglas is the same time driving from Dundrum

Fann Linn · 19-06-2019 9:47pm

beggars_bush wrote: »

Centre Parcs is nowhere near longford town. In fact 23 mins away by car

Finglas is the same time driving from Dundrum

Well aware of where Ballymahon is. Just that foreign tourists coming to a new multi million tourist attraction in a small rural Irish county are hardly expecting to run into Armed Support Units on the approaches into said county town.

beggars_bush · 19-06-2019 9:58pm

Fann Linn wrote: »

Well aware of where Ballymahon is. Just that foreign tourists coming to a new multi million tourist attraction in a small rural Irish county are hardly expecting to run into Armed Support Units on the approaches into said county town.

Longford and Granard units

They won't be anywhere near Ballymahon

Graham · 19-06-2019 10:00pm

Fann Linn wrote: »

Longford with Armed Support Units in battle dress welcoming all those foreign tourists into Centre Parcs Longford.

Probably safer in East Belfast on the 12th than in that place.

With the greatest of respect...

what are you on about???

Fann Linn · 19-06-2019 10:11pm

beggars_bush wrote: »

Longford and Granard units

They won't be anywhere near Ballymahon[/quote

Its hardly got the land mass of Texas. And unless those tourists are going to be choppered in I reckon they'll quite easily come across them.
Btw, I welcome this heavy handed approach and I hope AGS nail them.

Purple Mountain · 20-06-2019 2:08am

Could be worse..
The tourists might stop off in the local pub for a trad session and pints of Guinness and be faced with scantily clad young wans comparing their fánny flutters and pestering them for the shift.

meeeeh · 20-06-2019 10:22am

Graham wrote: »

With the greatest of respect...

what are you on about???

Traveler families fighting In Longford. They had to bring in gardai armed units.
https://www.rte.ie/news/leinster/2019/0619/1056239-longford-armed-patrols/

I don't know Longford well so I don't know which roads are they on but I suspect this nonsense isn't great news.

rossie1977 · 20-06-2019 10:46am

Fann Linn wrote: »

Its hardly got the land mass of Texas. And unless those tourists are going to be choppered in I reckon they'll quite easily come across them.
Btw, I welcome this heavy handed approach and I hope AGS nail them.

Athlone is closest big town to Ballymahon, also more tourist centre than Longford with some big hotels which Longford doesn't really have.

Del.Monte · 20-06-2019 11:32am

Can't the feuding in Longford be marketed as a package for people interested in Warzone holidays? There seems to be a growing interest in it and perhaps this crowd http://www.hinterlandtravel.com/ could be added to the Center Parcs package?

Darc19 · 22-06-2019 11:23am

Bad news for those who are hoping this will fail.

Center parcs have reported that they have taken over 5,000 bookings and now expect that year round occupancy rate in longford will be over 90%

willowthewisp · 22-06-2019 11:38am

rossie1977 wrote: »

Athlone is closest big town to Ballymahon, also more tourist centre than Longford with some big hotels which Longford doesn't really have.

Actually it’s equidistant!
In the middle, in the midlands!

The Center Parcs Experience

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