The Center Parcs Experience

Plumbthedepths · 15-05-2019 10:40am

Addle wrote:

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

They're not.

johnjacob · 15-05-2019 10:53am

not enough rain in that ad

Who said Asian tourists? From Asia? Or from Ireland? Because who in their right mind is going to come from Asia, to center parcs Ireland?

Are ya mad

and 8 hours plus trip, not even direct mostly

The center parcs in the UK are full of English people, not blow ins, there are plenty of things to do on the continent already rather than go for an expensive rain soaked week in Ireland or the UK

People be dreaming

The price is mad, be better staying in Blanc and going the NAC over a long weekend

Trabolgans a dream by the way, been there manys the time

Dated? This not far from dated most of us were brought up, so get off your high horses

Cyrus · 15-05-2019 10:56am

Cienciano wrote: »

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

id pay the extra to keep skangers out

and echo others, travelling with kids isnt easy, lot to be said to drive somewhere and have everything in one complex.

salmocab · 15-05-2019 11:07am

Cyrus wrote: »

id pay the extra to keep skangers out

and echo others, travelling with kids isnt easy, lot to be said to drive somewhere and have everything in one complex.

That’s the big draw for a lot of people, traveling with kids can be stressful and many will pay a premium to avoid it.
I won’t be rushing to it but I’m sure maybe in a year or so I’ll give it a bash. I really struggle to see why some people are so negative about the place. It’s a good thing for Longford.

awec · 15-05-2019 11:39am

Is that an outdoor swimming pool in the ad? In Ireland?

Graham · 15-05-2019 11:41am

Indoor and outdoor by the look of it:

https://www.centerparcs.ie/discover-center-parcs/activities/subtropical-swimming-paradise.html

alpahaeagle · 15-05-2019 11:47am

My Wife booked centre parc in Longford for us and the kids, we took two cabins and for a week in September it worked out @ 2400 euros....and you could not book any actives as they were not up yet (booked in January)...

We have spent another 1000 euros on the actives....Jesus in a blanket...it is dear....

Any way a word of warning......we booked in January for September, we paid 730 deposit and another 200 of the holiday. In March we were considering cancelling the booking, and rang up the customer service enquiring about cancelling the booking.

They informed us that we would lose the 730 euros deposit...we were giving 6 months’ notice for god sake yet they would not return the deposit. I mean if they kept 200 euros fine but 730....anyway we did not cancel, but just letting you know.....book only if you are going.

awec · 15-05-2019 11:49am

alpahaeagle wrote: »

My Wife booked centre parc in Longford for us and the kids, we took two cabins and for a week in September it worked out @ 2400 euros....and you could not book any actives as they were not up yet (booked in January)...

We have spent another 1000 euros on the actives....Jesus in a blanket...it is dear....

Any way a word of warning......we booked in January for September, we paid 730 deposit and another 200 of the holiday. In March we were considering cancelling the booking, and rang up the customer service enquiring about cancelling the booking.

They informed us that we would lose the 730 euros deposit...we were giving 6 months’ notice for god sake yet they would not return the deposit. I mean if they kept 200 euros fine but 730....anyway we did not cancel, but just letting you know.....book only if you are going.

You've to pay separately for the activities??

Addle · 15-05-2019 11:50am

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

They're not.

They are. You think minimum wage here is matched on the continent?

kowloon · 15-05-2019 11:54am

JupiterKid wrote: »

Family lodges nearing completion. This will be a huge economic boost for Longford.

Someone losing their wallet would be a huge economic boost for Longford.

Graham · 15-05-2019 11:56am

awec wrote: »

You've to pay separately for the activities??

It's definitely not all inclusive:

https://www.centerparcs.ie/content/dam/centerparcs/activity-pricing/Longford-Forest.pdf

alpahaeagle · 15-05-2019 11:56am

awec wrote: »

You've to pay separately for the activities??

Yes, you have to book them....things like the Zip line, tree trek, treasure hunt, bowling...the only thing free is the pool

Phileas Frog · 15-05-2019 11:57am

kowloon wrote: »

Someone losing their wallet would be a huge economic boost for Longford.

Don't be a gimp

Plumbthedepths · 15-05-2019 11:58am

alpahaeagle wrote:

My Wife booked centre parc in Longford for us and the kids, we took two cabins and for a week in September it worked out @ 2400 euros....and you could not book any actives as they were not up yet (booked in January)...

3400 for a week in September, fair play if you are willing to spend that amount but it's not worth it for a week in Ireland basically captive on a Campsite.

Plumbthedepths · 15-05-2019 11:59am

Addle wrote:

They are. You think minimum wage here is matched on the continent?

Again they are not, have a look at pay rates in the UK and convert sterling to Euro.

awec · 15-05-2019 11:59am

Graham wrote: »

It's definitely not all inclusive:

https://www.centerparcs.ie/content/dam/centerparcs/activity-pricing/Longford-Forest.pdf

That's pretty pricey.

You'd have to be doing stuff to avoid being bored, it would soon add up to really significant money for a family of four at those prices.

mariaalice · 15-05-2019 12:02pm

The prices sound nuts, but they have 90% present occupancy year-round in their other properties so they must be doing something right.

Graham · 15-05-2019 12:02pm

It's definitely not priced to appeal to those on a tight budget.

mikekerry · 15-05-2019 12:02pm

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

3400 for a week in September, fair play if you are willing to spend that amount but it's not worth it for a week in Ireland basically captive on a Campsite.

and throw in another grand or so on misc items such as food that is one very expensive week.
bad form they won't return the deposit.

Plumbthedepths · 15-05-2019 12:04pm

mikekerry wrote:

and throw in another grand or so on misc items such as food that is one very expensive week. bad form they won't return the deposit.

To be honest I would take the hit on the deposit and head to Sunny climes.

harr · 15-05-2019 12:06pm

Graham wrote: »

It's definitely not all inclusive:

https://www.centerparcs.ie/content/dam/centerparcs/activity-pricing/Longford-Forest.pdf

All those would add up for a family of four ... kids would have you broke staying for a week. Realistically You are probably looking at 4-5 grand for a weeks stay in high season.

Graham · 15-05-2019 12:08pm

I'd guess you could spend that much if you really wanted to.

I can't imagine that's anything like the norm for most families though.

mikekerry · 15-05-2019 12:11pm

Graham wrote: »

I'd guess you could spend that much if you really wanted to.

I can't imagine that's anything like the norm for most families though.

Well if you are paying 2400 for a week before any activities and food for most people there wouldn't be much left after that ( I would have thought).
Absolutely crazy prices.
Anyway if people are willing to pay that's their choice.

Injuryprone · 15-05-2019 12:14pm

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

3400 for a week in September, fair play if you are willing to spend that amount but it's not worth it for a week in Ireland basically captive on a Campsite.

I just looked on the website and a lodge for 2 adults and 4 kids is 850 for a week in mid September.

Graham · 15-05-2019 12:16pm

Ahhh stop that Injuryprone, it's after hours. You're not going to generate anything like enough outrage unless you pick the absolute most expensive weeks of the year.

Plumbthedepths · 15-05-2019 12:17pm

That's great but my comment was in response to the figures quoted by another poster.
The 850 covers accommodation and pool access only. Although aren't the kids supposed to be in school in September unless you have preschoolers.

awec · 15-05-2019 12:25pm

~850 for accommodation, you're likely to spend that again in activities, plus the cost of food etc, easily a 2k+ holiday for a week in Longford in September.

While it seems like it'd be fun for the kids, it also seems very expensive to me.

I thought the activities would be free, with maybe a few of them having a very small supplementary cost.

Graham · 15-05-2019 12:25pm

Not disagreeing with you Plumbthedepths.

I can only guess that Center Parcs have a notion how to price things at this stage. You'd certainly hope that's the case when a €233million investment is at stake.

my3cents · 15-05-2019 12:26pm

awec wrote: »

~850 for accommodation, you're likely to spend that again in activities, plus the cost of food etc, easily a 2k+ holiday for a week in Longford in September.

It just seems so expensive to me.

But just think of the saving in sun tan lotion

Graham · 15-05-2019 12:29pm

awec wrote: »

~850 for accommodation, you're likely to spend that again in activities, plus the cost of food etc, easily a 2k+ holiday for a week in Longford in September.

While it seems like it'd be fun for the kids, it also seems very expensive to me.

I thought the activities would be free, with maybe a few of them having a very small supplementary cost.

Or you take your own provisions and spend a week watching the small ones knacker themselves out in the pool while you lounge around in the 29.5 degree heat.

I can't pretend to know what people spend when they're there and I've no doubt you could go over the top if you wanted to.

However much it is, Center Parcs don't appear to have problems filling the existing resorts so they must have got something right.

Plumbthedepths · 15-05-2019 12:31pm

Graham wrote:

I can only guess that Center Parcs have a notion how to price things at this stage. You'd certainly hope that's the case when a â‚¬233million investment is at stake.

It's a premium price for what I think is a rather small market. Very few foreign visitors will want to come and spend a week on a Campsite in Ireland when there is so much to see and do country wide. I'm sure the prices at at what CP think the market will bare, personally I think they got it wrong but it's easy to reduce prices from a high point rather than to increase from a low base. Time will tell.....

Graham · 15-05-2019 12:36pm

It is a premium price. Whether that's temporary while there is novelty/newness value or it's a permanent feature, I don't know.

It's certainly not what I'd describe as a campsite, those would usually involve an element of camping. I think the description generally used is 'resort'. One half of me thinks that's marketing speak, the other half of me is aware that most guests don't leave during their stay so perhaps the resort label is justified.

Cyrus · 15-05-2019 12:42pm

awec wrote: »

~850 for accommodation, you're likely to spend that again in activities, plus the cost of food etc, easily a 2k+ holiday for a week in Longford in September.

While it seems like it'd be fun for the kids, it also seems very expensive to me.

I thought the activities would be free, with maybe a few of them having a very small supplementary cost.

a holiday with kids is expensive however you slice it if you are flying they need their own seat, all of a sudden even cheap flights become expensive.

cgcsb · 15-05-2019 12:44pm

will someone who's booked this relate their experience on here when they go? I'm really fascinated by it. Who chooses this over more reasonably priced trips to more exotic locations.

Cyrus · 15-05-2019 12:45pm

cgcsb wrote: »

will someone who's booked this relate their experience on here when they go? I'm really fascinated by it. Who chooses this over more reasonably priced trips to more exotic locations.

what are you comparing it to when you say more reasonably price trips to more exotic locations? not being smart im interested as to what the comparison is.

we may well book a week for near the end of august, we bringing our 5 year old and 6 month old to vancouver in the summer to see my brother and his family and we might take another week, but if we do i have no interest in doing another flight, being in 30+ degree heat, worrying about sun cream for the kids etc etc.

salmocab · 15-05-2019 12:48pm

It is a pricy trip and I’m sure the prices will find their level. The activities will be certainly where people pay a lot. A night in a decent hotel for a family of four in a room costs over 100 a night generally and more in summer/weekends. I think as an alternative to a few days down the country staying in a hotel it’s actually not bad value. I’d think staying there for 3/4 days will be quite popular.
From Dublin you would be there in less time than it would take to drive to the airport, park, check in and board your flight. That’s a big draw for people.

ziedth · 15-05-2019 12:51pm

The 4 night midweek option in October is actually not bad at €399 and with two younger kids we were giving it some fairly serious thought but it's the added activities that Graham posted is where the money shoots up along with obviously money for food etc (although you'd be eating at home anyway). Ended up getting an all-inclusive in Portaventura with park tickets and that for same length of stay for probably not much more than we would have paid door to door. I personally think you would be absolutely mental to pay the peak prices but I can see appeal.

Addle · 15-05-2019 12:52pm

cgcsb wrote: »

will someone who's booked this relate their experience on here when they go? I'm really fascinated by it. Who chooses this over more reasonably priced trips to more exotic locations.

No passport, no airport, no flight has a value to a lot of people.

I’ve booked a lodge for a disabled adult, geriatric relative, some adult siblings, a dog and some toddlers.
I’m really looking forward to it.
I will report back after our stay.

Plumbthedepths · 15-05-2019 12:53pm

Cyrus wrote:

what are you comparing it to when you say more reasonably price trips to more exotic locations? not being smart im interested as to what the comparison is.

Just for fun , I priced a week stay on a Campsite in Venice from the 3rd to the 10th of August. Family of 4 , flights and accommodation less than 1500. Booking with Ryanair and the campsite directly.

ziedth · 15-05-2019 12:55pm

I will say we got an offer (Maybe like €189) for Monday-Friday in April staying in Trabolgan a few years ago. young fella was nearly 5 and we had a great time. Pool, kids entertainment, nice walks etc.

Graham · 15-05-2019 12:57pm

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

Just for fun , I priced a week stay on a Campsite in Venice from the 3rd to the 10th of August. Family of 4 , flights and accommodation less than 1500. Booking with Ryanair and the campsite directly.

I do get the impression Center Parcs don't see a tent and a Ryanair flights as their immediate competition.

Plumbthedepths · 15-05-2019 1:00pm

Graham wrote:

I do get the impression Center Parcs don't see a tent and a Ryanair flights as their immediate competition.

Have been on multiple camp sites on the continent, have yet to stay in a tent. It was a response to a query posed, your snarky response was unnecessary tbh.

Graham · 15-05-2019 1:15pm

Not being snarky at all. I assumed that campsite involves camping

I'm certainly not trying to convince you to switch your holiday plans to Center Parcs.

I don't think there's ever been any suggestion by anyone that Center Parcs is a cheap option. If your thing is a budget break in the Costas, or an all inclusive in the Canaries, or a campsite in Venice, then that's great. I wouldn't knock those choices any more than I would someone who holidays on a private island in the Caribbean.

There will always be cheaper options, there will always be more expensive options. For others (it appears), Center Parcs has an appeal.

cgcsb · 15-05-2019 1:20pm

Cyrus wrote: »

we bringing our 5 year old and 6 month old to vancouver in the summer

I would prefer death, but each to their own.

cgcsb · 15-05-2019 1:23pm

Addle wrote: »

I’ve booked a lodge for a disabled adult, geriatric relative, some adult siblings, a dog and some toddlers.
I’m really looking forward to it.
I will report back after our stay.

I see how such family circumstances might make it attractive.

Cyrus · 15-05-2019 3:26pm

cgcsb wrote: »

I would prefer death, but each to their own.

indeed, in my defence my niece was very ill last year so we want to spend time with them now she is better, but i cant say im looking forward to the flight :rolleyes:

Cyrus · 15-05-2019 3:27pm

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

Have been on multiple camp sites on the continent, have yet to stay in a tent. It was a response to a query posed, your snarky response was unnecessary tbh.

so what do people stay in on campsites?

fits · 15-05-2019 3:28pm

We booked it because it seems really hassle free. Our toddlers love the pool. And we love the idea of no car for a weekend. We will be bringing our own food in and will book one or two activities in total. We have friends going the same weekend but we’re not staying together.

Bringing our two year old twins on a flight to stay in a campsite in a hot country does not appeal at all to us at our stage of life. Each to their own though. I love travelling and camping etc but I’ve done plenty of it and the lads wouldn’t get the value out of it at their age.

I will definitely report back.

CramCycle · 15-05-2019 3:34pm

Cyrus wrote: »

so what do people stay in on campsites?

Typically Mobile homes or chalets.

Plumbthedepths · 15-05-2019 3:40pm

Cyrus wrote:

so what do people stay in on campsites?

Lots of options. Lodges, mobile homes, bungalows, stands and tents.

The Center Parcs Experience

Comments