Any Tips on Eating Out (More) Cheaply at CenterParcs?

moneypooh

2520years wrote: »

I don't know much about The Pancake House or Strada. Are they good value for money?

Also, are the takeaways similar price to what you'd expect at home?

The pancake house is different, we love the savoury pancakes. Don't order a large one as a smaller one is better value - unless you really are starving.
Strada is italian and priced like Bella Italia. They do half portions and the childrens portion is good value.

If you have older children (not tots where you can share a meal) they do meal deals and offers which work out very good value. Our 12yr old DS sometimes has a childs meal with a side order and it's perfect. Strada does some lovely pasta dishes.

The take away service is similar to home, but the parc market sells meal deal takeaways which work out better value. They are in the chiller cabinets.

Keep an eye out for deals when you arrive. When you check in they give you a leaflet which shows the offers on at that time. Children eat free before 5.30pm - that sort of thing.

hamsterholly

2520years wrote: »

We're going next week! We have booked one meal at Bella Italia, so it's good to hear the meals aren't any more overpriced than any where else.

I thought the swimming was free, but I didn't know about the adventure playground being free.

We plan to visit a supermarket in Penrith on the way. According to yell.com there's a Morrison's and a Somerfield.

We are off to Whinfell next week too !!!!! Cant wait. Its my 7th visit there in the last 3 years. So excited.

We plan to have a meal in Bella Italia as we have not visited there yet. Good idea about the kids sharing an adults meal. Lets hope they can agree on what to have !!!

mum26

We usually go to Bella Italia at centre parcs, We order a few large pizzas and sides and everyone digs in, then pudding, yum!

This works well for us as we are a family of two adults, one teen and 5 younger children, so there is no waste with the picky ones choosing a child meal then turning their nose up.

2520years

Can anyone remember what time you can get into your accommodation? I know it's officially 3:30pm, but do they ever let you in earlier?

moneypooh

3pm except Whinfell which is 3.30pm. You can get access @ 1pm if you pre-book a VIP pass (food, bikes etc..) or staying in an exclusive villa.
I have been let straight onsite at 1pm before when it was a very busy day @ Longleat. They wanted to stagger the traffic onsite. (only happened once though in 15 years - hope it happens on 23rd that would be a bonus )

pinkmami

The earliest I have gone into the lodge is 3pm In whinfell. I peeked through the window incase a cleaner was in & the coast was clear so I went in!

jonedan

Hey,
Chinese restaurant is called yangs, a worked on the construction of it. nice place, very pricey.

Thanks.

moneypooh

Yangs does do a 'taster' type evening meal, where you get set dishes to try. This is great to share and doesn't work out too bad. Brilliant way to test.

artichoke

hi

when we used to go to center parcs (when they still did discount codes) i used to treat myself and buy 'ready meals" eg lasagne, ready made pasta sauce and fresh pasta etc and then it felt like i was not cooking as all i had to do was bung them in the oven / pan.

It felt easy compared to cooking from scratch and was not too expensive as i used to buy ready meals when on offer in the weeks before and put in freezer at home ....

i found it less stressfull to eat in the lodge than battle with a 2 and 3 year old in a restauraunt...

art