Duinrell

chocolatepennyfarthing

Looking to go to durinell last week in Aug. Seems like the best price I can find is with Canvas holidays as they include Ferry and 2 hours in pool per day. Has anyone booked recently and managed to get a good price elsewhere. We cannot go direct with durinell as we want to go on Ideally last Weds in Aug (after GCSE results but this allows us a wek before new term starts) they only have bookings for Fri and Mondays in peak time. Does anyone have any experience of site? is there enough apart from pool to keep 3 children 12 and 2 16 year ols happy? Is Canvas the only company that now includes pool in prices? Would it be best to go to Calais or Hook?

creased-leach

Eurocamp and Keycamp both stopped including the pool this year, so if Canvas are giving you a good price it's better value.

The kids will all love it- you'll be exhausted. Mind you, at that age they'll just be able to wander off at will while you have a cuppa and a kip, anyway. The pools are fab. The theme park got it's first coaster last year, which is a great touch. We were there last in October and despite the coaster being in it's first season it was so empty we could just stay on. Obviously, August will have a different vibe but the light evenings mean you can wander around the forests & sand dunes after dinner.

The best way is usually to have a leisurely brekkie, be at the pool for 10am, do your two hours, go back & have lunch and then back to the theme park.

There is a fab supermarket in town, a ten/20 min (mainly pedestrianised) walk away- depending on which side of the park you are on. It has everything you'll need- oh, and those cup holders in the trolleys? They're for the free tea/coffee machine near the veg Very MSE!

It's an easy drive from Calais, although the last half hour of the trip usually sees it being quite hectic. We live near Dover so driving up to Harwich would be madness for us though.

The park is huge- walkie talkies are a very good idea. Don't know which you're thinking of, but tents in August would be fine. Watch out for Duck invasions though! There's a lot of standing water around, so I'd prepare for mozzies in the summer.

Thomson al-fresco and select camp also have units on site, could be worth checking them.

Any questions, just shout. We usually know the place better than the seasonal reps.

chocolatepennyfarthing

Great info, many thanks. Sounds like you have been a good few times. Are there many extras to pay for on site? would probably need to take a roofbox, does anyone have any ideas on the supplement for this? Walkie talkies sound like a great tip, would save a fortune on mobile phone bills!

creased-leach

Just your food- thats all you need to spend. There are a few odds & sods, such as side-stall type things- and one odd "ride" where you put in 50c, it winches you up and shoots you out across the water.

TBH, we avoid the summer (most peak we've been is June.) The first two times we went for a week, but the last few times we've been for four nights, which we think is perfect.

There shouldn't be a supplement for the roof box- we usually have ours on the booking (atop a people carrier) in case we need it, but leave it behind if we can. Saves any amendments later.

clairandpaul

Hi, we went with canvas in whitsun hols last year, really good service etc, remember being suprised cos usually canvas is more expensive. site great, food at the park outlets is really really good quality and not bad prices (well worth it for some lunches and dinners) also great eat as much as you can pancake house fab. site supermarket a bit overpriced as all with site shops but good if you need it. great train service to both amsterdam and the hague(good beach) - supermarkets easy to find near stations. we went with 4 kids, 2, 8, 11 and 15 - all loved the 2 hrs in wikipool but theme park wore off for 2 eldest after 2nd day - very much for younger kids with only 1 or 2 bigger rides, but really lovely park to walk around. on the plus side for the older kids there is entertainment and the chance to make new friends. Id recommend this site but dutch weather puts us of going in summer hols. hope you have great time

chocolatepennyfarthing

Some really great info, many thanks. Would you be able to let me know what other entertainment there is for 16 year olds. Also how did you get to site, we are thinking of going euro tunnel, was wondering what the car journey is like from there to Durinell? Thanks once again.

clairandpaul

we flew as got really cheap deal with klm, but think the drive looks ok - abroad the roads are always good. have been from calais into belgium and dead esay route. other entertainment for older kids, we went bit out of main season so didnt really get the clubs but think they are good. theres pool and other games and the site is big so plenty of opportunity for them to make friends and just hang out. think older kids enjoy amsterdam for the place it is anyway. definatly find a hema shop as they are the best for sweets, toys, stationary, clothes etc honestly they are great! also think the kids will enjoy the dutch shops especially if they like the goth alternative style. we would definatly go again to duinrell but not for the weather lol. also the food on site is really worth trying its not your usual fast food outlet and kids loved it. theres also go kart rental which they loved and boats etc. hope you have a great time - we're trying to find a warmer caravan deal for july/aug!

chocolatepennyfarthing

You are worrying me now, would we freeze if the weather is not good? Was possibly considering Oct half term, guess that will be a definate no no.

creased-leach

We've done October the last two years- 2008, pretty cold. Decent (waterproof- Holland is VERY showery no matter what time of year) coats & gloves & it was fine. Bit chilly in the caravan overnight, so we resolved to take a small fan heater next time..

2009, took a small fan heater, friend who came with us insisted on upgrading us to one of the new vans (we were with Keycamp) which had heaters in all the rooms. As it happened, we needed neither- it was cool, but there were numerous occasions when we were outside with T-shirts on. Still rained a lot though.

You just have to go for the facilities, not the weather, at any time of year. Just decide which is more important- longer days, warmer, but more expense, queues etc. Or shorter days, having to wrap up, but being able to wander on and off rides almost at will (if it's half term it'll be a bit busier.)

Our first time there was in June I think- and it coincided with a European volleyball championship which is hosted there. It was hell. So bad that we cut the holiday short by a night as we feared for the kids safety (and not much scares me.)

It took a lot to go back after that, but we're now settled on October- the kids just spend four days having their fill of the rides and swimming and have a great time.

aloiseb

I have driven from Calais with the family, and it may take longer than you think ....the roads are good but they do go through some major towns, like Rotterdam, and there are a lot more tunnels than you get here, some very long.
Don't go in rush hour, horrid traffic queues etc. (think the M6 round Birmingham and you'll get the idea which times to avoid!)
I found it a bit hairy trying to read the over-motorway signs in Dutch! On the other hand perhaps it's better not to know....the flashing 60 m per hour one is clear enough......

Think it was about 3 or 4 hours? Petrol I seem to remember is about the same price as here but that was 2 years ago.

LizzyD

hi,
we have booked to go in May half term. Just wondered about how big the park is, will we need to take a pushchair for our 4 year old
Many thanks. Any other tips gratefully recieved:j