Winter Wonderland @ CentreParcs

mrsg26

Hi

I have never been to centreparcs before but I am considering going to whinfell the 1st week of December for their Winter Wonderland. Prob go Mon-Friday as its a lot cheaper than weekends. We would be going with our 4 yr old daughter and possibly bring our dog too. I just wanted to see if anyone had any advice or would recommend it?

thanks

artichoke

hi

i went to whinfell a few years ago for their "lapland experience" as it was called then....

kids were aged 2 and 3 and loved it...we hired a bike trailer and they loved being pulled around in that...

we went on a carriage ride to santa's grotto - very good - not tacky.

and also paid for a pony ride for dd - but she refused to get on the pony! so i would not pay for that in advance but wait and see what you child thinks of the ponies and if they want to have a go...

It was minus 3 degrees the whole time we were their so the ground was white with frost and the lake frozen solid so it really did feel like a winter wonderland - i would buy the special "logs" in advance from wilkinsons and burn a few every night in the lodge to keep you cosy..

swimming pool is great (and free)


We also took a dog - the basic lodges are fine and the dog had great walks in the forest...whilst dh pulled the kids along in the bike trailer..

have a good time

art
art

mrsg26

artichoke wrote: »

hi

i went to whinfell a few years ago for their "lapland experience" as it was called then....

kids were aged 2 and 3 and loved it...we hired a bike trailer and they loved being pulled around in that...

we went on a carriage ride to santa's grotto - very good - not tacky.

and also paid for a pony ride for dd - but she refused to get on the pony! so i would not pay for that in advance but wait and see what you child thinks of the ponies and if they want to have a go...

It was minus 3 degrees the whole time we were their so the ground was white with frost and the lake frozen solid so it really did feel like a winter wonderland - i would buy the special "logs" in advance from wilkinsons and burn a few every night in the lodge to keep you cosy..

swimming pool is great (and free)


We also took a dog - the basic lodges are fine and the dog had great walks in the forest...whilst dh pulled the kids along in the bike trailer..

have a good time

art
art

Thanks for the advice. I think I will go ahead and book it as my daughter is 4 this year and i wont get the opportunity next year when tied to school holidays.

thanks again.

pinkmami

GO GO GO!!!! I've been 3 times with my kids & we all love Center Parcs. Its beautifull. We went last Christmas during the snow & it was THE most magical time. Tonnes of the white stuff, christmassy, icy but they roads were clear,. You will all love it.

They have lodges they allocate to dog owners.

If you do book to go, book your visit to santa once you get the pack. As times get busy your 4 yr old might have a "best time" of the day (like mine its the morning) so I booked the santa visit then. Also, if you intend on visiting the Italian Bella Pasta I recommend booking early as the tea time spaces fill up quickly with families with young ones. You pay a £10 deposit per adult & £5 per child but its taken off your bill .

There is also a large sports hall in the Sports Plaza which is soft play - its brilliant for about £3.50 per child. Mine stay there for a couple of yours.

Have fun! xx

Naf

I used to work at this park, and it really is a wonderful place to stay.
I would recommend:
1. Ask ALL your friends (and people on here if they're willing) if any of them work at a CP; they'll be able to get you a 20% discount.
2. You're on MSE so I would guess you don't tend to buy unnecessary branded groceries. Although CP are only a few pence more expensive on the products they sell, they don't have any 'own brand' products so you'll find your shopping at their Parc Market to be a bit more than usual. Buy your normal grocery shop from your local and just take it with you. Use their shop just for any extras.
3. As soon as you get your brochure look through and decide what things you would like to do then book them on the phone. You're very likely to find that once you're on site, settled and start looking that you'll have missed some, and the rest will be booked up.
4. Visit the Aqva Sana. When I worked there I got free entry and spent most of the time I wasn't working in there. Just drop your daughter off at the kids club (or whatever the call it now) for a couple of hours. granted it's not cheap, but its just really nice and relaxing. (Also visit the Conservatory Bar in the Aqva Sana and say 'Hi' to my friend Alastair - one of the managers)
5. Hire bikes; there really isn't any better way to get around on a CP site, but that's pretty common knowledge.
6. If you really like it, they usually offer pretty decent discounts if you book your next visit while you're still on site; pop and visit Guest Services.

Also, consider it can be cheaper abroad, even including travel. My parents did this the year after I left home; cheeky beggars! lol.

Naf

Oh, and arrive as early as possible on the day you check in. Although they'll not let you into your villa until something like 1 or 2pm, you're allowed to use all the park's facilities from the moment they open that morning. Get in the pool, explore the centre, hire your bikes (beat the queues of people that'll be hiring and returning them later) etc.

artichoke

hi

my other tip would be to hire a bike trailer as well as bikes - even if your 4 year old takes their own bike as well....

ours used their own bikes sometimes in the day time but once it got dark we used the bike trailer to get too and from restaurants etc and they always fell asleep on the way back to the lodge so we could just pop them straight into bed.... and then open a bottle of wine for a cosy child free evening in front of the log fire..

have a great time - centre parcs worked for us when our kids were little but not anymore as we can only go in school hols and the kids want a bit more entertaining in the evenings..

art

bobkeet

I am also looking to go to centre parcs Nov 2011 does anyone now how to get a promo code?

pinkmami

They don't do any promo codes anymore. Only a CBSOON one which you use to book a break within 28 days of return. You get free insurance & vouchers to spend on site which is worth about £50.