CENTER Parcs, with its beautiful forest settings and subtropical swimming paradise, has for years been the premium UK holiday destination for countless thousands.
But one visitor has now gone viral after sharing his hilarious thoughts on what he calls the ‘absolutely sh**’ cost of a trip there.
NHS worker Alex Dodman has racked up over 121,000 likes for his light-hearted take on what he has hashtagged the #extortionracket.
Dodman begins his Instagram onslaught by tearing into the price-hikes during school holidays.
“As most people know they offer this free fantastic date selector tool where you can figure out the kids’ school holidays when it jumps up by a grand. So you know it’s time to book that magical family trip away. So once you’ve checked in your ridiculously overpriced shed for the week, it’s time for activities.
“Now stupidly we booked a lot to do, so here’s how the week went downhill. Starting off with some pedal go-karting. Now this was around a small concrete track using your own energy, and for four of us for 20 minutes, it was only £41. Next up, football pool. Yeah, just don’t bother with kids. £14.50 for half an hour.
“Kids cupcake decorating. £27 for two kids for 45 minutes, sh**.
“Kids mini jet skis. £25 for two for a whole nine minutes. At 9. 30 in the morning, sh**.
“Interactive squash. £18 for 45 minutes. Actually decent, and it knackers the kids out.
“Badminton, £18 for 45 minutes, yeah not bad, just get a good partner.
“Winter Quest £49 for 20 minutes, I repeat £49, absolutely sh**.
“Two mini jeeps, again £49 for 20 minutes, I don’t even know where to start there.”
When it came to pottery painting he didn’t pull his punches either.
“Now this one tops the lot, this has to be the biggest extortion racket in British history. £18 to book for three, you think yeah not bad, but that’s just to get in. Now they’ve got you. You’re inside, kids are buzzing. Time to buy a bit of mass manufactured sh** to paint. One mug, one train, one pot later and I’m £76 quid down.
“This isn’t even half of it. The food and drink prices are a piss take, and there’s a pandemic of Dry Robes here. So unless you can get your kids to swim and cycle around aimlessly for the entire week, you’re f*****. See you next time…”
Commenters have joined in the fun, with many coming to the defence of the Center Parcs, which has been welcoming guests in the UK since 1987.
“We’ve been four or five times and we share a larger lodge with other family members so not as expensive. Son has his own bike so we borrowed a car rack for his and I hired one. We did some activities, but not all. We also only ate out one night when we were there and did a big shop offsite at the local supermarkets,” said Samantha Siddall on Instagram.
“That said, I agree that some of the activities are a rip off. It IS expensive, but I’ve never had a bad holiday there. It’s well run and even in the school holidays when it’s busy, I’ve never felt like it’s overcrowded as it’s so spread out.”
“It’s not for everyone, but we love it.”
Center Parcs has been contacted for comment.
You can watch the full video below and make up your own mind… or just to head to one of these destinations for some guaranteed bargains.