Center Parcs advice :)

[torsie24]

Hi guys.

We're off to Center Parcs at Elveden with some friends in a couple of weeks.

It's the first time any of us have been (excluding trips when we were under 10) so not sure on some things.

1 - Is it a horrendous queue to get in? What time would you advise is best to get to the gates? We were thinking of meeting at Newmarket Tesco at about midday (we're coming from Surrey adn our frinds from the Midlands), getting our groceries for the week and then heading over to arrive between 1 and 2. Is that a bad time?

2 - Is there plenty of cookware - so I I make a lasagne etc? (We're in a 3 bed executive) Is the cutlery and crockery only as clean as the guests before us?

3 - Is it really necessary to pre-book meals?

Thanks

 

[janiebubble]

I've not been to Elveden

But we've been to Sherwood and Whinfell

My experience has been the queues are bad leading up to the 3pm check-in, but if you get there earlier you don't have to wait too long. The people who've paid to check in early will be there round 2 so it would be quite busy.

Yes, your crockery etc will be as clean as the last people left it ... but there are dishwashers in executive accommodation so you should be ok. I've found there to be enough pans, pots etc to cook for people, but if you want any 'fancy' equipment I'd take it yourself.

My experience was Friday night in January, no problems with walking into Cafe Rouge for a table for 4. When there were more of us and it was April ... no luck. I think you have to think about it like Disney ... the more there are of you and the more popular the time (Saturday night) the more likely you need to book!

 

[Dimplenose]

If it's the same as the European Center Parcs even if you arrive early you cannot get into your villa until 3pm which is something you might need to consider if you have a boot full of fridge or freezer food.

 

[janiebubble]

If it's the same as the European Center Parcs even if you arrive early you cannot get into your villa until 3pm which is something you might need to consider if you have a boot full of fridge or freezer food.

That's a really good point - we took our stuff in freezer bags/coolers as we knew they'd be in the car a few hours

 

[torsie24]

Thanks guys. I am taking a cool box for cold bits.

I think we'll jsut arrive when we do and put up with a queue. Surely it can't be too bad......right?!?!? I hope!!

 

[Tinks1984]

Another point - the freezer's in the accommodation aren't normally that big. In fact, times we've been they've been little 'box' freezers within the fridge and can only fit an average of say, one bag of frozen chips/wedges, so I wouldn't go too crazy with frozen items

 

[torsie24]

Oooh thanks Rachel! Will limit the frozen stuff!

 

[Chilly]

I'm going for the first time this November so this is useful thanks x

 

[aaronandterri]

they que round the carpark making it impossible to move from around 2pm, its nuts, we tend to get there early and go have lunch then come back when the chaos is over!!

you can book online for some of the reasturants,the pancake house there is yummy.