Center Parcs break - whinfell

sweetheartlmg

Hi there, I have booked a 4 bedroom lodge and Whinfell Center Parcs for this April 19th (I know naughty of me taking kids out of school) it’s our first visit and I was wondered which activities are worth trying, I’ve been online and horrified at some prices, but really want to let the children try a few activities out, is it advisable to wait until we arrive (been term time might be quieter) and show the kids what is available or will places get booked up straight away, my worry is paying in advance for activities and the child not wanting to do on the day, would we get a refund?

I’ve booked to take my parents and 5 children; my two daughters ages 7 & 9 and my 3 nephews ages 5, 8 and 10 years. My 10 year old nephew is a down syndrome, he is a handful at times constantly walking off and doing his own thing. They will have a fab time bike riding and swimming, but totally confused which activities to book for them.

Any advice would be appreciated

ckerrd

Dpens what hey like

The swimming pool can keep them occupied for ages, with the flumes and slides.

The badminton, table tennis and squash can get booked up quite quickly, but there are terminals all over the place now where you can quickly check availability and book.

The roller blading looked popular and fun the last time I was there.

You can get a refund but unlikely if the reason is "we don't fancy it any more"
Usually it is medical reasons.

You could organise a treasure hunt for them which could keep them cycling for hours.

sweetheartlmg

Thank you ckerrd, I did think of the treasure hunt and will probably book it for 4 kids I'm sure they will love it. My Down Syndrome nephew can't ride a bike and struggles walking far, but I'm sure we could do something special with him.

ckerrd

I didn't mean book a treasure hunt - I was being very MSE and suggesting you make one up yourself.

pinkmami

I love Whinfell!!! I'm going next month & naughty me - taking the kids out of school. TBH I've never been during the school hols (have ester booked next yr though). They will love the swimming pool - mine could happily stay there all day (they have a bar/snack bar there too). Bikes are great, so is roller skating. i find that reasonable at about £4 for an hour. Mine are 8 & 6 & so far they're happy to walk, ride & swim & use the play areas. But as they go older they need more. There's a great wooded play area about 200 feet from the exit at the top (near customer services) with a zip wire & slides. Mine love that. On the plus side if your nephew does wander off the roads are very safe.

Which area are you staying in?

moneypooh

ckerrd wrote: »

You can get a refund but unlikely if the reason is "we don't fancy it any more"
Usually it is medical reasons.

You can cancel without medical reasons. IIFC it's 24hrs but if medical reasons much less. My DD was ill one year and we cancelled a couple of hours ahead and it wasn't a problem.

So don't worry about booking ahead. depending on your accommodation you'll be able to book from your villa if you have a phone and wifi. If not then there are internet access points all over the place so you don't need to queue to book. You will need to go to the booking point if you want to cancel for a refund.

I only ever go during school holidays and book in advance because of limited availability, but during term time you should be fine.

ckerrd

Can I cancel my activity or event and is there a cancellation fee?
Plans change, it's a fact of life. So if your itinerary has changed and you want to cancel an activity or event, there is a 5% cancellation fee if you cancel 24 hours or more before your activity is due to take place. If you cancel within 24 hours of your activity, there will be a 75% cancellation charge applicable.

The above from the Center Parcs website

sweetheartlmg

Thank you for your advice, I phone up to allocate a lodge, needing somewhere pretty close with my nephew, central area was booked up, but we managed to get middle area in a cul-de-sac at Foresters Lane (right on the border to outer area) it should have been £30 but luckily they were kind enough to give it free because we have a blue badge too (not sure if it is normally free to get middle or central if you have a blue badge)

Would anyone know if you can bring a dog last minute, can dogs stay at any lodge? My sister will be dog sitting, but I'm debating if to bring her; not sure how she would behave only having her a few weeks, I don't mind the extra charge just wondered if the dog could be added at short notice?

pinkmami

Oh Foresters Lane is a great location! I've stayed at numbers 18, 20 & 8!! You're about 2 mins walk from the wooded play area from there.

I'm not sure about the dog thing though.

ckerrd

Charges for dogs:
We have a small number of Villas/Lodges which can accommodate up to two dogs provided this is agreed by us at the time of booking, you comply with the requirements set out in paragraph F18 and you pay the appropriate additional charge (please contact the Reservations Team or see our website for prices)

F18. Dogs/Pets
You must ensure that:

• as a minimum, each dog has a current annual vaccination for distemper, canine hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvo virus;
• each dog is properly supervised, is not dangerous and does not cause a nuisance or threat to anyone;
• when our staff need to visit your villa (eg. if you have booked maid service or requested a maintenance engineer) you take your dog(s) out of the villa or keep them in a different room while these visits take place and comply with any specific instructions provided to you.

Dogs (except assistance dogs) are not permitted in any building except the specific villa you have booked. They must be kept on a lead at all times when outside your villa, and you must ensure they use the designated dog toilets.
If we, in our sole and reasonable discretion, consider your dog to be dangerous or to be causing a nuisance, harm or threat to anyone, or to be likely to do so, we may ask you to remove it from the Village (without refund or compensation) or have it removed to kennels at your expense. No other pets are permitted.

sweetheartlmg

pinkmami wrote: »

Oh Foresters Lane is a great location! I've stayed at numbers 18, 20 & 8!! You're about 2 mins walk from the wooded play area from there.

I'm not sure about the dog thing though.

I'm so glad we are near the wooden play area, kids will love this! I had printed off a map but couldn't find the wooden play area; we are staying at No 61 right on the border of Middle area.

I will give the dog a miss and spend some quality time with the kids, my girls are so excited after showing them the activities online, and are really keen on the horse riding, only problem is that my girls are 7 & 9 years and the horse riding is 9+ or there is pony ride for ages 2 - 8 years, they are both keen riders but are very annoyed that they can't go riding together.

Thanks for advice given, I think we will book during our stay so that they can check the activities out themselves.