Anyone complain to Center Parcs?

[maznorm]

We complained this time last year. Our autistic daughter had a massive meltdown, her worst one to date. We contacted Guest Services so that we could get our car out when she had finally calmed down. They refused to allow us to leave which caused another huge meltdown. We called relatives to come and take my sons home and they refused to allow them to come in. They eventually allowed them in after charging them £80 (not sure if that was total or each). Finally, security came because of other guests contacting them out of concern for the noise. Luckily, a member of security had an autistic relative and arranged for us to be able to leave the site.

I contacted Centerparcs after the fact all they said was that they would feedback my comments to the member of staff at Guest Services I spoke to. I asked if they were willing to provide autism awareness training to their staff. I never received a reply. I wasn't hoping for or expecting a refund, but a genuine apology and a willingness to not allow the same thing to happen to anyone again would have been reasonable. Our relatives did not get a refund on their entry. We did not get any financial refund or goodwill gesture. As I said, I wasn't concerned about that (except I feel a refund of the relatives entry fee would have been fair). They just didn't even seem to care.

It was the 3rd time that year that we had been to Centerparcs and we had been many many times before. We have not returned since. I just don't feel comfortable with the way they do things anymore.

[sully301]

Originally Posted by maznorm

We complained this time last year. Our autistic daughter had a massive meltdown, her worst one to date. We contacted Guest Services so that we could get our car out when she had finally calmed down. They refused to allow us to leave which caused another huge meltdown.

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they don't let you leave if you wish? Nobody can stop you leaving somewhere surely

[YorkshireT]

I went to Centreparcs once, massively overpriced.

I’m off to the one in Holland soon (football tournament) which is cheaper than the U.K. one, including travel.

Much better things to spend that kind of money on to be honest. Very surprised it’s so popular but it is.

[MichelleS]

Originally Posted by sully301

they don't let you leave if you wish? Nobody can stop you leaving somewhere surely

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Of course they let you leave ,we visited Elveden in September and went in and out visiting the surrounding area
We had a fabulous holiday and couldn’t fault Center Parcs.

[fluffychicken]

Originally Posted by sully301

they don't let you leave if you wish? Nobody can stop you leaving somewhere surely

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I think they mean yhey wouldn't let them take there car into the park ( centre parks is car free between arrival and departure days) so they would have to walk to the car park, which I assume would not have been possible with their daughter.

[maznorm]

Originally Posted by sully301

they don't let you leave if you wish? Nobody can stop you leaving somewhere surely

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We couldn’t drive the car out of the car park. There was a barrier down. DH went to get the car so we could leave but we couldn’t take it. We called them to explain and they were really unhelpful and just quoted the car free rule to us. I understand the rule but this was an emergency situation made worse by poor customer service.

We have since been to Forest Holidays in Thetford. Over a year after the last trip to Centerparcs. We had a wonderful time and could drive on and off site whenever it suited. Plus we got a lovely hot tub with our lodge for a fraction of the price of a hot tub lodge at CP.

[MichelleS]

The barriers at cp work using sensors .

[bighal]

We have seen people take their cars to their villas when leaving early. We used to stay at the expensive ones where we could park the car outside the villa and we just came and went when we pleased. You just have to be more carefull when driving out with arrivals and departure times.

Now we book a cottage or cabin with a hot tub near a Centre Parcs and get a day pass to use the spa. Its a lot cheaper.