If you don’t know what you’re doing, the first day at Center Parcs can feel busy, or even slightly chaotic, with all the packing, prepping, travelling (and not to mention the unpacking!). Here are our top 5 tips to make your arrival day as stress-free as possible, so you can enjoy your holiday!
1: Plan your packing (to make unpacking a breeze!)
Packing for any holiday can feel like effort, but if you put in a bit of thought up front, it can make a huge difference on the other side!
We’ve found the easiest way to pack for Center Parcs, is to grab one bag, box or suitcase for EACH room in your Center Parcs lodge. Think of it like packing for a house move (but with slightly less stuff… hopefully…)
If you’ve got one suitcase for the main bedroom, one suitcase for the second bedroom, a bag for the bathroom, a couple of big shopping bags (and a cool bag) for the kitchen… etc… then once you arrive, you know exactly what needs to go where, and unpacking becomes so easy!
If you want to take it up a notch, you can even make a packing list for each room, mark what can be packed in advance, and get the majority done before the pre-holiday stress even kicks in…!
Read more: The Ultimate Center Parcs Packing List
2: Pack a hand luggage bag (and a car snacks bag)
If you’re arriving on site before you can access your lodge, hand luggage is an absolute must-have. Depending on your plans for the first day, it can be as simple as a few drinks and snacks… or you can pack a big bag with things like swimming stuff, hats, sunglasses, bike locks or even a picnic!
Car snacks are pretty self-explanatory, but they’re the best way to keep any family happy on a long journey – or even on short ones! Keeping these separate and ready to give out makes everything easier… and you can always include some toys or entertainment for your kids in there too. Top tip: pack an empty bag for rubbish, too, which you can pop in the bin when you get there so it doesn’t sit in your car all week…
3: Prep all your important info
Before you go, make sure you have all your important information ready, either on a piece of paper or saved to your phone. You’ll need your booking ref. number when you arrive, and it’s always handy to note down the postcode of the Center Parcs village you’re visiting, and check traffic/road closures (e.g. on Google maps) before you set off.
Top tip: you might not have any phone signal when you arrive, so it could be worth screenshotting any important info or emails for quick access.
4: Make a rough plan for your first day
We’re not talking military precision here (unless that’s your kind of thing!) but a rough outline helps make everything much smoother.
Here are a few things to think about:
- What time will you leave home/arrive on site?
- Will you go swimming, or book any other activities?
- Have you booked bike hire, and if so, when will you collect the bikes?
- Will you eat lunch there, at home, or on the way? Do you need to book a restaurant? (bookings on arrival day can fill up quickly!)
- What time do you have access to your lodge?
- Do you have any kids’ nap times to plan around?
- What are your plans for dinner in the evening? Do you need to book a restaurant or takeaway?
Knowing the answers to these few things will help you know what to pack – and if you need to book anything – and helps make sure everyone’s on the same page before you get there.
5: Finally, go with the flow!
Once you’ve done as much prep as you can (or want to do!) – now it’s time to let go and sink into holiday mode!
Allow for some down time, take the opportunity to explore the village and get settled into your lodge. You’ve got your whole break ahead of you so sit back and enjoy!
Top tip: try not to over-schedule your time or fill your days with activities. Pick a few key “must-dos” but allow time for rest, too!
Read more: How much do Center Parcs activities cost?
Read more: Our Center Parcs planner is now on Amazon!