Any last minute tips for Center Parcs?

[nixieh]

Hi everyone, :wavey:

We are off for a short break to Center Parcs Elveden on Tuesday and now that Christmas is well and truly over I am panicking a bit about it all. We have had our pre planning information through but apart from booking a couple of things I haven't thought much else about it.

I was talking to someone yesterday who told me that riding a bike is virtually essential at Centerparcs which has panicked me a bit! We are taking the kids bikes (ages 4,7 and 9) and my DH wants to hire one but I haven't been on a bike since I was about 11 and I am a bit scared! Also can you hire bike locks there, we don't own any and I was wondering whether I should get some before we go. Finally does anyone have any tips for how to approach the day we arrive, I know we can't get access to the villa until 3pm so should we arrive early and then spend time having lunch, going to the pool etc and then drive to the villa later (say about 5ish)??

When we go to Disney I have everything planned and I feel in complete control but this is our first time at Center Parcs so I am a bit unsure about what to expect!

Thanks for any advice

Nicola

[susan1]

hi
you don't need bikes at elveden. nowhere is really far from anywhere! they are nice to have if you want to ride round the wooded area but dh and walked the trails. we arrived about 12md, had a quick lunch and then went to the water park area by the time you have done that it will be 3pm. you do need to book things early in the morning or even the day before if you want sports activities or spa treats though:) have a great time:wavey:

[grottyrotty]

Kids enjoy the freedom of bikes in centreparcs. I'm sure you'll be fine if you get one too. A bit saddle sore, maybe, but you'll have a laugh. Saying that, bikes are not essential. There are loads of lovely trails to walk along, and if it is raining, the bike hire may be a waste of money. The 1st time we went, DH & I took our bikes & hired bikes for the kids. Last time, none of us took bikes - the kids missed them, but we didn't!

Advice? The bikes we hired didn't have rear mudguards - so wear old clothes that you don't mind getting covered in mud (splattered up your back). I'm sure the bikes had a chain & lock with them, if not they will hire them. Get to the bike place early - they may run out if you leave it too late.

We've only been to the centreparcs in Cumbria - Whinfell Forest, but we love it. Mind you, it is a bit on the costly side if you want to "do" the activities.

We've never managed to get there early on the day of arrival. But if you can, I would. There is plenty to do before you get to check into your lodge/villa. And you wont have to join a big car queue to get in for 3pm.

Have a wonderful time.

Deb :wave:

[susieb]

weve only been to cumbria but you dont need a bike - its not that big! Check in tends to be a bit chaotic as everyone arrives at the same time. Take some food to cook with you - pasta etc - we found supermarket v expensive. I wouldnt bother with a lot of the kids formal activities as they are expensive and if ur only going for a weekend the kids will be very busy with just bikes and pool.

Dont rely on booking things till you get there - the villa phone rarely gets anwered when you try to ring anywhre on the complex. If tehre are things you definately want to do book them before.

Also you can check in by phone before you get there, or online, which saves you laods of time when you gete there.

Bear in mind that cars are only allowed near your villa to drop off luggage then they have to be diven straight back to the main carpark, so one of you will have to stay with kids while the other sorts out the luggage and car.

Have a good time!

[paulac]

We were at Sherwood Forest Center parcs the week before Christmas, we have gone at this time of year for a while now. We don't hire bikes anymore, although we did when the kids were younger. We find walking everywhere much more relaxing. Our three are teenagers now so they just go off and do their own thing while we wander around :)

We don't normally book anything until we get there, but you would need to book the day before the activity you want. If there is anything you definitely want to do I would book it before you go.

I wouldn't worry about anything though, we like centerparcs for the relaxation and we just go with the flow. Remember though to take wild nuts and seeds for the birds and wildlife, it is so expensive to buy there. I enjoy watching the squirrels and ducks coming to the patio in the morning for their breakfast. This year we had two swans who after their breakfast walked around to the front of our villa and stopped on the path. They were still there later in the day when we returned so they stayed for tea too. :)

When we were there last year, we had a family of swans visit us mum, dad and five young ones, we opened our door and they all came in :eek: :)



Have a lovely relaxing time.

Paula

[nixieh]

Thanks everyone for all the great advice and tips, it is good to know that bikes aren't essential and that we should try and get there early. I would never have thought about bringing bird seed, what a great idea. I am really looking forward to it now as we told the kids last night (they didn't know before) and it is great to have something to look forward to before they go back to school. I think it will be raining the whole time according to the forecast but as we will be spending most of our time at the pool area that won't worry us.

Thanks again everyone

Nicola

[sunshineheaven]

we like susie have only been to cumbria and to be honest was not impressed we found the whole thing very exspensive the pool was very nice with good rides and slides but not a lot going for it really kids wanted a horse and carrige ride 20 mins round the park £18 each and supermarket very dear we ended up spending best part of £ 400 mon to fri .we found when we arived it was easy drive in checkinn then parked car into pool till 4 pm then into villa which was nice and wildlife came right up to villa doors it was just the cost of every thing once your their

[susieb]

I agree with Neil - its very expensive. Take as much food and drink as you can.

[Eeyore118]

We love Elveden Forest - we have been there once a year for the last five years. I generally take the bulk of our food with us and also some drink - this includes snacks and soft drinks for the kids to take into the pool area. We also eat out a couple of nights. The supermarket is more expensive than Tesco but not much different from other holiday park on-sites shops. We find the sweet shop more expensive!

Badminton and mini tennis are good value (£6.50 for 45 minutes per court) and the kids (11 and 8) enjoy this. Also ten pin bowling works out much the same price as at home. Our kids also enjoyed the indoor wall-climbing.

We have never hired a bike yet - we always book a villa close to the main complex and walk.

One last thing everyone dresses casual (unless you plan to eat in the fine dinning restaurant).

Have a great time.

[disney owl]

We visited Sherwood Forest last Jan. We took our teenagers bikes & hired the rest including my 75yr old mum who hired a 3 wheel trike!

We took our own bike locks but they are available at bike hire to hire I think.

We also took quite a bit of our own food we have an estate car so luggage space wasn't a problem.

We arrived early & went straight to the pool. It does say that you're not allowed in till after a certain time but we've never been stopped. We stayed in the pool till after check in & bought food & ate in there.

Whilst I didn't take a picnic into the pool area on subsequent days, i did take in drinks and snacks. With 3 teenagers it would have cost us a fortune if we'd had to buy them a drink/snack every time they were thirsty/hungry.

Can also recommend going in the pool late at night. It's much quieter & lovely swimming outside in the dark.

[Rachie]

Elveden is also our favourite. We are off again in Feb HT for a week and this will be our 10th visit. It is nice and flat so bikes or no bikes is fine. I like the fact that you can do as much or as little as you like, it always feels like a home from home to me. Enjoy!!!

[cdjnssb]

we went to elvden twice last yr. i tried to ride a bike but i got a very saw backside, so i walked no problem, nothing is miles away, oh except golf and 1 restarant cant remember which one.
food costs alot , we found hiring a tennis court everynight bout 7 ish kept us busy in evening and tired kids out, about £6 for 45 mins, we played winner stays on so everyone got a game.
most entertainment you have to pay more for, even evening stuff which we found dissapointing as its not that cheap to stay there in the first place.
but we did enjoy it, and went back again this time more prepared and took our own food/drinks

have a great time

chell:wavey:

[Wrxppp]

Never been there myself but friends have been there and said it was excellent. They mentioned that the canoeing was the best but they went about a year or so ago now.

Andrew

[paulac]

Hi everyone, :wavey:

We are off for a short break to Center Parcs Elveden on Tuesday and now that Christmas is well and truly over I am panicking a bit about it all. We have had our pre planning information through but apart from booking a couple of things I haven't thought much else about it.

I was talking to someone yesterday who told me that riding a bike is virtually essential at Centerparcs which has panicked me a bit! We are taking the kids bikes (ages 4,7 and 9) and my DH wants to hire one but I haven't been on a bike since I was about 11 and I am a bit scared! Also can you hire bike locks there, we don't own any and I was wondering whether I should get some before we go. Finally does anyone have any tips for how to approach the day we arrive, I know we can't get access to the villa until 3pm so should we arrive early and then spend time having lunch, going to the pool etc and then drive to the villa later (say about 5ish)??

When we go to Disney I have everything planned and I feel in complete control but this is our first time at Center Parcs so I am a bit unsure about what to expect!

Thanks for any advice

Nicola


Did you have a relaxing time? :)


Paula