Center Parcs.. are their prices completely extortionate, or am I completely out of touch???!

[ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands]

I just priced up a Center Parcs break for my family.. (DH, me and 3 kids) in fact I did lots of options, peak, nonpeak, wheelchair adpapted/non wheelchair adpated etc (DS age 6 has cp) and I can't BELIEVE the prices!!

Even non peak, in April, there was nothing cheaper than £800-odd!

I know these things are relative to your income, but isn't that really really dear?? Or am I really really out of touch?

I couldn't do non-peak anyway as I don't plan on taking the kids out of school.. it's not even legal these days !

What the hell do you get that causes these breaks to cost that much???! Lower income families may as well go jump really!!

[southeastastra]

it's mad isnt it, i'm taking my 13 year old out of school i don't care!

[Pixel]

I think they're expensive too which is why we've never been able to go. I was talking to my friend about this the other day as she is thinking of taking her ds and has been looking into it. She seems to think that you still have to pay for loads of activities (apart from swimming complex apparently) on top of that but I don't know if that's correct.

[babster]

You're right, it's expensive - we spend as much time as poss in the pool and the disco (the main attractions for the dds), and take most of our own food, as the restaurants are expensive and pretty crappy. Have you tried the discount code VL11? It gives up to 25% off certain dates.

[Earthymama]

If you've seen the other thread I started, I guess it's not too bad for us as there are 6 adults, each paying their own way.

i hope you find something nice to do

[ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands]

Glad it's not just me. It's a bit pants really isn't it. Our kids (and indeed ourselves!) deserve a fun holiday in nice surroundings too. We went to Butlins a few years ago and said never again, that was expensive considering the poor quality of accomodation and the fact that these days you have to pay again for most things on the site.

[JustIvor]

Yes, it is pretty expensive. When you can go out of peak season then it is more affordable. Yes, you do have to pay for things other than the swimming pool i.e. the crazy golf, the bike hire, the football tournaments, the play schemes etc etc. I do like it there though, I have to say. I'd recommend taking as much of your own food as you can as eating out isn't cheap.

[ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands]

EarthyM, your thread was what reminded me that I had been intending to look them up.. it's not a dig in anyway.. I hope you have a fab time. And yes, I imagine that's one way to make it a bit more affordable if possible.

[ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands]

Crikey.. remember the golden age of holiday camps there everything was "free" once you'd saved up and paid to go!??!

I think it's bad that these places charge again for all the activities that adverstise as if they are all in, which they should be surely!! They would still be making a HUGE profit! Especially Centre Parcs...!

Bah humbug!

[bettythebuilder]

Have to agree with you, shinyhappy. We've just been to Centre Parcs for the last time (or at least, for the next 11 years )

Our midweek break cost less than £400 for a 4 bed villa, we went with another family, so it was under £200/family - a bargain!

Dd starts school in September, and there is no way we would pay school hol. prices - the same villa is over £1000 for a 4 night break. It's not even a full week! Gasp!

[southeastastra]

we used to go on warner holidays when we were little, now they're all adults only!

[Sheraz]

It works out cheaper if you go in a larger group. It is expensive, but we really love the fact that you are cut off from the world fro a few days. No cars and can just chill. We don't eat out - share out the cooking and sort out who brings what before hand. A few good board games. Have a great time. We went for bonfire night and it was magic!