Yahoo News 13 Center Parcs tricks that will get you discounts on stays, activities and food
Center Parcs is a popular choice with many families.
But a stay there isn't always on the cheap side - especially if you have to go in the school holidays. Well Money Saving Expert has put together a list of tips that can help you save before and during your stay.
Center Parcs has five venues across the UK: Whinfell in Cumbria, Sherwood in Nottinghamshire, Elveden in Suffolk, Woburn in Bedfordshire and Longleat in Wiltshire. All the parks feature pool complexes, cycling, beaches and a water sports lake, various activities, indoor sport complexes, a spa and restaurants.
READ MORE: Single mum praised for A4 guide to surviving summer holidays on Teesside while 'skint'
But no matter which resort you fancy, these 16 tricks can be used at all.
Center Parcs venues abroad can be less than half the price of the UK
Center Parcs resorts in Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Germany can massively undercut the UK parks - especially for longer breaks in the school holidays or in bigger lodges.
Take a look at Center Parcs Europe.
But remember, if you do decide to book a holiday at a Center Parcs resort abroad, double check the prices on that country’s local site as prices can be steeper on the GB site.
Outside peak times, booking late usually wins
Center Parcs offer deals via its last minute deals page where prices come down within roughly eight weeks of travel.
But if you can't book late, you should book as early as possible. You can start looking as early as 18 months ahead.
Stay term-time and mid-week if you can
Center Parcs prices jump outside term time. So if you have no kids, take full advantage and travel mid-week outside school holidays.
Have children? Find hidden cheap booking dates
School term dates may differ because your council's chosen different dates. This means there could be huge savings to take advantage of.
Use the Gov.uk school holiday dates tool to find out when schools in your area are off, and check directly with your school too, as inset days and term dates can vary.
Larger groups are better
If you can go with friends or family, you can slash the cost of the price per person.
Check in early and leave late
The official check-in time at Center Parcs UK, when you can get into your accommodation, is 4pm. At this point queues will probably be lengthy.
However, you're allowed to use the complex from 10am on your day of arrival. So arrive early, then head down to claim your place once the queues have subsided.
On check-out day, you must hand back the keys to your lodge at 10am, yet you can stay till 12 midnight that night. So do it right, and you can nab a good few hours' extra fun.
Escape the complex
Search nearby for local activities outside the complex, which often beat Center Parcs' prices.
Spend the day at the pool to save cash
The indoor swimming pools, aka Subtropical Swimming Paradises, are the centrepiece of Center Parcs, boasting wave machines and waterfalls. They're also one of the few free activities. Remember to take your own towel and check in advance of your stay for any possible closures on your chosen dates.
Take your own bike to save on hiring
But if you can't, longer periods work out better value per day.
Avoid the Parc Market and click and collect at a supermarket instead
This can save you money on eating out and also means you can avoid the supermarket within the complex, where prices are often higher.
Write a meal plan
Work out what you're going to eat each day and the ingredients you'll need. Taking your own slow cooker is also highly rated.
Fill your car with the right kit
You can easily get stung for lots of added extras at Center Parcs.
So be prepared and pack the car with all the handy things you might otherwise end up paying for such as instant firelogs for the fire, DVDs, towels for the pool etc.
Check out cheaper alternatives
There are plenty of other places you could head to. Just check out these 15 holiday parks in Yorkshire and the North East for the perfect family getaway.
