Frequently Asked Questions
about Center Parcs

Why haven't I heard about Center Parcs Resorts before? Do I have to check in on Mondays and Fridays only? Are the cottages air-conditioned? Do I need to bring my own towels and bedding? Are your prices the same as offered by Center Parcs directly? Why would I book with "Let's Take the Kids Travel" rather than directly with Center Parcs? Why can you only sell to North Americans?  Do Center Parcs offer day-trips or sightseeing trips? Will I need a car rental? What about public transportation? I note the emphasis on bikes at Center Parcs. Will I need a bike to get around? What is included in the cost? Why aren't more activities included in the rates? Are meal plans available? Are the meal plans worth buying? Are activity plans available? What about pre-booking individual activities?

Q. Why haven't I heard about Center Parcs Resorts before?
A. The company and its resorts are very well known in Europe, having been around for close to 30 years. So far they have not done much advertising and marketing in North America. "Let's Take the Kids Travel" is presently the only North American company that represents Center Parcs.

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Q. Do I have to check in on Mondays and Fridays only?
A. Yes. Normally! There are a very few dates through the year that differ from the "standard" change-over days. Then you may be offered a short-midweek Tue-Fri or a long weekend - Fri-Tue etc. Normally, the change-over days are fixed - Mondays and Fridays.
NEW FOR 2006 - XXL WEEKENDS
Subject to availability, you may be able to add one day to the beginning or end of a standard weekend package. Ask at the time of your booking request.

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Q. Are the cottages air-conditioned?
A. No. None of the cottages are air-conditioned. The villages are located in Northern continental Europe where summer temperatures are not typically high enough to warrant the use of air conditioners. All Center Parcs villages are wooded and the cottages are located in deep shade, making them relatively cool in the summer. Of course, in a heat wave, they have been known to get a bit sticky! Air conditioning is not common in that part of Europe in most hotels.

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Q. Do I need to bring my own towels and bedding? 
A. We recommend the "De Luxe" or VIP category cottages for our North American clients. In these categories, bedding and towels are included. 

Because most people visiting Center Parcs resorts are locals, and it is easy enough for people to bring their own, the least expensive "economy" villas do not include towels and bedding. In the past, our North American clients were given complimentary towel and bedding packs, even for the old "comfort" cottages NEW FOR 2007... However, recently the "Comfort" villa type has been amalgamated with the "Standard" villa, to make the new "Economy" villa type, at a lower price. Accordingly, bedding and towels are no longer complimentary, even for North Americans for economy villas. You will need to rent these items at the park, if you choose to take these cottage types. 

Remember, De Luxe and VIP cottages do still include complimentary towels and bedding.

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Q. Are your prices the same as offered by Center Parcs directly?
A. Yes they are. Contractually, we are not allowed in inflate, (or discount) the international prices, as offered directly by Center Parcs.

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Q. Why would I book with "Let's Take the Kids Travel" rather than directly with Center Parcs?
A. There are many advantages. 

	We are located in North America.  We speak North American!
	We offer a toll-free phone number.  Available throughout North America. Please ask us for this number as you enquire...
	We have a dedicated "Center Parcs" agent. Has seen most of the parks and can advise you from first-hand experience.
	We are a "full-service" travel agency. We may be able to help you with other aspects of your trip too; airfare from Canada, travel insurance, car rentals, train passes, hotels etc.
	Advantageous payment schedule.  We require payment 45 days prior to departure - Center Parcs requires this much earlier.
	Prompt document delivery.  We send out information booklets immediately after deposit is received. Center Parcs send this only a couple of weeks prior to your stay. It is useful to be able to plan and budget for certain activities and book them in advance.
	Advice on cottage location and type. We can advise you of the locations of the various cottages within the villages and recommend whether it is worth paying "preference" costs or not...
	We are a small, responsive company. You are dealing with a small family company, not a large corporation. Every Center Parcs booking is important to us. We will look out for you and work on your behalf to get the everything that you need.

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Q. Why can you only sell to North Americans?
A. Our contract with Center Parcs does not allow us to sell to Europeans residents. Our official territory is the USA, Canada and Mexico (i.e. North America) though we are allowed to sell to certain other - non-European, non-Middle-East countries too.

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Q. Do Center Parcs offer day-trips or sightseeing trips?
A. No. The vast majority of Center Parcs clients are Europeans getting out of the cities, usually traveling with their own cars. Many of them will not leave the park once they arrive, making the most of the activities offered on-site. Those that do want to sight-see will generally have a vehicle already. There is really not enough interest in organised trips to make it a viable option for Center Parcs. 

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Q. Will I need a car rental? What about public transportation?
A. Public transportation is not, typically, very convenient for getting to the parks, and is not at all good for sightseeing. There are some very infrequent shuttles to and from the closest train stations. We recommend that you take a rental car at least for the time that you are Center Parcs, unless you are simply looking to stay on-site and make use of the many wonderful facilities and activities. (See also answer above about sightseeing...)

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Q. I note the emphasis on bikes at Center Parcs. Will I need a bike to get around?
A. Bikes are a very popular way of getting around while actually on the park. Most people will not need to take them, but they will make it much quicker to get around what can be quite large parks. Alternatively you can walk. If you book bicycles in advance at all continental parks (except those in France) you will save 20% on the cost, which is a worthwhile saving.

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Q. What is included in the cost?
A. The price that you pay is for your accommodation - per cottage, not per person - plus unlimited admission to the Subtropical Swimming Paradise for the duration of your stay. 

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Q. Why aren't more activities included in the rates?
A. There are many reasons for this. People go to Center Parcs resorts for different reasons. Some go mainly to take advantage of the many activities that are offered. They will possibly spend more on activities during their stay than they paid for their accommodation! Others just want to enjoy the cottage, and the quiet of the surroundings and do not need to spend a cent more on activities. North Americans typically will be sightseeing for at least some of the time that they spend at Center Parcs. For all of these reasons, it is best to offer the "basic" package and let people choose the extras that they want.

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Q. Are meal plans available?
A. Yes. All parks offer meal plans for additional costs.

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Q. Are the meal plans worth buying?
A. If you will take every meal that you have paid for, then you will pay somewhat less by pre-paying. If you are not sure that you will be around to take each meal, then you should probably just pay-as-you-go. Meal prices are in line with what you would pay at similar restaurants off-site, and cannot be described as cheap. You can certainly save money by doing some of your own cooking in your cottage's own kitchen. Remember, the supermarket on-site does not artificially inflate prices above those that would be found in an off-site store.

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Q. Are activity plans available?
A. Yes. You can buy an "Action Company Pass" at each park. You can buy an age-specific pass, or an "all-ages" pass, which allows all family members to play together if you wish. The pass gives you 3 exciting, safe, activities during your stay, for a price that is lower than buying them separately.

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Q. What about pre-booking individual activities?
A. At all parks it is possible to pre-book certain activities. At certain times of the year activities can book up solidly, so it is best to pre-book any activities that you really want to do to avoid disappointment. At most parks you can only pre-reserve 2 weeks before you arrive, but some cottage categories and some parks will let you book further in advance. Please enquire about this if interested. 

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All Center Parcs are suitable for families.    Some we highly recommend based on: their location close to cities of particular interest to North American families unique extra facilities on site.

   

Find out more about the
Center Parcs concept 
CLICK HERE>>>

For an independent review of Center Parcs by Family Travel journalist Teresa Plowright, follow this link to her article at About.com