Has anyone ever been to center parcs at xmas?is it worth it? Whats whinfell like - have been to the other three parcs,how does it compare?

bumped this thread,any comments on whinfell at xmas?

I haven't been at Christmas, but I went at New Year to Whinfell. It was very busy, and all the activities were more or less booked up well in advance, but we still managed to do a few things.

Though, it wasn't really about going there and making it action packed for us - it was about the atmosphere, and it was wonderful. All the twinkly lights were up, and fireworks over the lake at midnight were lovely.

Hi guys,

I am taking my dog to Center Parcs on holiday at Easter. I have been told that there are toilet bays where the dogs must go to the toilet. Do people not find it hard to stop their dog from pooing on their walks or even on the way to the toilet bay. I am a responsible owner, and always pick up my dogs poo, but will I still get told off if a Center Parcs ranger see's her pooing?

Thanks x

Hi Snow Queen

As long as you pick the poo up if it's on a public footway you'll be fine. Dogs aren't allowed off lead at all anyway so it's not as if you won't notice your doggy doing it.

Have fun, Center Parcs is great!!!

Activities

How do we actually book activities at Centre Parcs?
I know that the brochure will get sent out 2 weeks before (origanlly 4 weeks but CP have cancelled our VIP package).
Obviously we then send in our requests??!! Or do we phone?
When do we find out if our choices are available?
When do we pay for the activities?

Sorry for being a bit thick

In the past I have booked over the phone (when timetable of activities received a couple of weeks before) and paid at the time of booking using a card

Some activities you can pre-book on the telephone & I believe you can also book online now, but that may be just for Sherwood. You can also book when you arrive at the information center but there is less choice of times etc...

Other activities you can book when you arrive. If you want to book the spa or treatments you definately need to book in advance as they get fully booked rather quickly.

If you want a particular restaurant at a particular time for dinner I would also try & book in advance as they do get very busy.You have to pay a deposit of about £10 per person but this is taken off of your bill. Just make sure you take the reservation ticket with you to the restaurant to show the deposit has been paid.

I've always booked over the phone as that way you'll know immediately if any of the times/activities are unavailable and choose alternatives.

You can then pick up the confirmation/receipts when you check in and pick up your keys.

Many thanks for your replies.
Can I book Spa treatments and restaurants before the activities brochure come out?
If yes, who would I phone?

Im so sorry for asking silly questions, but Im trying to organise our trip which is a surprise gift for my Dads 60th Birthday, but my 5 weeks old son is playing havoc with my brain!!!

Unless you're a VIP guest you can't book until your pack arrives. They say about 2 weeks before you're due to arrive but sometimes they arrive a few days early.

HAHAHA thats a tricky one. We were on the VIP package, but got a letter at beginning of December saying that they have cancelled the VIP now, and no longer offer this service, and have refunded the supplement.
So can I just clarify this - that on the VIP, I could prebook restaurants and spa treatments, whenever I like and not have to wait for the activities brochure?

I don't think you could book anything 'whenever you liked' it was just that VIP guests received their pack 2 weeks earlier than the rest of us so you got first pick.

To be honest though, if you don't hang around once you receive the info, you should be ok but I've always found Centerparcs customer services to be very good so ring them up explain your problem, tell them that's why you booked VIP in the first place and see what they say - it can't hurt can it?

Challdell - all info on how to book is in the pack you receive. I have never prebooked a restaurant and have not had a problem getting a table when I wanted. If you were part of large party I guess there could be more of a problem. On my visits I have prebooked activities such as SPA treatments and sports actvities. When in CP I have heard people who hadn't prebooked complaining that they can't get to do the activities they want as they are full. Also when I have rung up to book I have always got the bookings at time convenient to me.

Hey everyone

Does anyone know how much bike hire is for the day? We're visiting Sherwood in March

Hi Toxic .. welcome to the forums. There is a dedicated topic for Center Parcs Sherwood Forest where you may find some useful info and also attract a better response to any specific questions .... please click here.

David

Hi

I've just booked a weekend here in June staying at Whinfell in one one the refurbished "woodland lodges"(tara whatsernane) Has anyone stayed in one of these yet??

Hi Quirkygirl, yes we stayed in one of the new woodland lodges in Dec at Whinfell, it was lovely, very comfy and modern, lots of cushions on the sofas and beds....and the new beds....so comfortable. We were very impressed, only thing about Whinfell is they never seem to keep up with the standard of cleanliness that Sherwood has managed, so hopefully they will maintain these new refurbished lodges and keep them decent. Mind you even though our lodge appeared to look clean (maybe this was just because it was all new stuff) as I did find a nightdress from the previous occupants left under one of the beds and two pairs of socks in two different bedrooms under the stool by the dresser so it was obvious the cleaner hadn't vacuumed under there! I did actually mention this at customer services as I just know from past visits to Whinfell that they never seem to clean the lodges very well, so hopefuly when you go in June all will be well as they are really nice and we would definitely prefer to stay in one of those lodges if we went back, hope you have a great hol, we love Center Parcs

Thanks for taking the time to reply Twinkletoes...sounds great.

I've only visited as a day guest before so looking forwrd to spending longer there, just me the two little quirkies and my friend and her little ones