The Center Parcs Experience

Still have sports cafe and lots of people get in takeaway from ballymahon. For me anyway I think I’ll cook more next time we go. Don’t like spending money on mediocre restaurant food.

It's a family holiday destination, a restaurant selling properly authentic Indian food is not what is required. Kids want bland, predictable food and parents want whatever keeps their kids quiet for as long as possible.

I agree completely... we went again the end of March and hired the bikes from centre Parks this time... it was so much handier... staff were extremely helpful.. and for the price i thought it was money well spent...

I’ve read that 1-4 are the busiest. I think if you aim to arrive before 1 you’ll be parked and all in 5 minutes

Not picking on the op but fcuk me this hasn't aged well!

Oh wow. Getting called out for a post from three years ago!! Sorry for not being able to predict a pandemic no one saw coming and travel chaos. I'll do better next time 🙄

Off to search through HBC08's post history as I'm sure there must be Nostradamus levels of wisdom in there.

For perspective a decent camp style holiday in France can set you back 5-6K

Im sure you can but not if you fly drive. Im sure someone going to Center Parks in Ireland appreciate the fact that they arrive in a matter of hours.

I fly into Nice (€480 for 2a1c). Hire a car (€390) and stay in a campsite in a mobile (€900 for 3 people) we stay in a hotel on our first night (€120) and that's pretty much it. That's for 30th June this year until 12th July. This year's prices are a bit higher than normal after COVID. Guaranteed sun, lots of beaches, water parks and the best scenery in the world on tap.

You definitely need to shop around a bit if you're spending that much on a rental car. I've added the screenshot of my reservation just in case I'm accused of telling porkies.

We usually get flights for about €100-110 but this yeah they were a bit more expensive with the usual Ryanair so we're flying with Lufthansa via Zurich for €160 a person including a 23kg bag.

The comparison was made for a week in France (in my case 12 days) being the same price as a week in CP.

By the way that's where the comparison Enda, because every single detail of the France week away is better in comparison

This has been happening since they announced they were coming, I don’t understand it, yes it’s expensive but it is a well ran place with lots to do. It’s convenient travel wise. Hotels in Ireland in high season are very expensive in general yes it can be cheaper to go elsewhere but occupancy rates in all their parks are very high all year round so they must be doing something right as they seem to get a lot of repeat custom. I suspect most of the people that go, go for short breaks and for that wouldn’t want the hassle of planes or ferries.

you are taking a 2 legged flight to get to nice 😥

I dont believe there is much difference between the smaller woodland and executive lodges. The woodland lodges are lovely. No reason for us to upgrade at least.

I've stayed in both & the only differences is a little bit extra space in the Exec & all the bedrooms are ensuite. We went for the Exec the first time we stayed because we had my other half's mother with us so having all the rooms ensuite was just a little handier for us. Honestly though the woodland were pretty good.

We tried to check in early the 2nd time but got stuck in a queue for checking in. It didn't make a huge difference for us to check in at 3pm as we hadn't planned anything for the first day either time so was grand. Loads of time at that point to dump out everything, grab bikes from the rental part & get ourselves settled.

My little boy was 2 last year when we went & there wasn't a huge amount he could do as a lot was from 3 & up. That said he loved the messy play slot and the owl experience (he's still talking about it). He also did the mini captains thing with his dad & had a great time. Lots of cycles around & visits to the playground. And the pool was a massive hit obviously. Love every second in there. We did manage to swing an extra slot for it by just asking at the office which was well worth it.

All the comforts, activities etc in the world won't fix the weather in Ireland. Yes it suits some not to travel abroad but when the prices are comparable with a week or tens days in guaranteed sunshine I know which one I'm picking.

Ha. Ok.

no I wouldn’t be going to centerparcs if I didn’t have a young family. But parents are happy when their kids are and that makes a holiday.

Of course we are going for our kids. Why else would we be going there?

Second comment is the most bizarre statement I have ever read. What we just knock around at home for 2 weeks while not taking a holiday that we would all enjoy and can afford? Most of the country takes some sort of a holiday so they are not a privilege.

Centerparcs is not comparable to a 2 week holiday in south of France or Spain. A 2 leg flight to the heat of Nice with 2 young kids sounds like torture to me.

Young kids don't need holidays? What a ridiculous statement. The very reason I go to Spain or Portugal every summer is for the kids. No work so I just give them my full attention. Best memories as a child are going on summer holidays with my family.

Course it won't but sometimes it's not all about the weather. That's great you go pick that one, but I thought this thread was for people looking at going to Centre Parcs. And it depends on the time of year for the prices.

We went the first time during 2020 as we couldn't go abroad & we had a small child. It makes a lot of sense as a place as you have all the freedom of self-catering with all the facilities (pool etc) of a hotel.

Kids don't need holidays? No of course - no one needs a holiday but it doesn't mean it's nice to go on them & enjoy yourself & get out of the norm for a little. I went on a holiday every year as a kid & I don't see them as an entitlement but as something great to look forward to each year. We didn't go on mad ones abroad or anything but we always went away for 2 weeks at least in the summer for a break.

So just because you've saved up & gone on holiday means you can't complain about other prices? That makes perfect sense. Most people don't just book Centre Parcs last minute but rather save up & you can pay off bits at a time once you book which suits a lot of people who can't pay all in one go.

And they are kids, spoil them and cherish the time together. They hit teens and want nothing to do with ya (except money) in a flash.

Thanks for the completely clueless hot take. Yes children do need holidays ffs...