I think something that has really become apparent over your summer vacations, is that you need to definitely look into trips extensively, especially on the disability side; even down to the fact that you went somewhere in the UK and didn’t think to take waterproof coats. Being physically disabled with a child with special needs, I research everything to the hilt and I have to say, it pays off and it’s rare that I run into problems. This isn’t a criticism rather constructive criticism really. Most places in the uk are disability and special needs aware and the places that aren’t, if you do your homework, you can plan around those places and bring what you need to, in order to have a smooth trip. It has been great to watch Andy’s growth this summer and what’s been great, is that you’ve been transparent in the times where you’ve underestimated him and that’s great to show; because we as parents are very overprotective towards our special kids, as life can be challenging enough without having extra needs. He’s doing great and seems to be maturing at a fast rate.
@EmilyWalters4 жыл бұрын
The map app sounds like a good idea. I get lost a lot, especially if the signage on site doesn't tell you where you are.
@emmashistoryspace4 жыл бұрын
I really hope you guys get to go again! I loved the videos (not that I dont normally) and it look like an awesome time!!
@Amy-pd7kr4 жыл бұрын
Kevin, this is brilliant feedback! I work at a research agency who is helping Center Parcs with their experiences both on the website and at the villages, so your comments will help massively (and I’m hoping this is why they contacted you to do a review!)
@kevinchapmanvlog4 жыл бұрын
Excellent. I’ve sent them quite a long email detailing all of this too. We had a great time, and hopefully our feedback helps make it even better next time!
@arthurmorgan59394 жыл бұрын
Who here hopes Andy has a really successfull life of a KZfaqr and the others
@zaramolineaux90834 жыл бұрын
I’ve been going to Center parcs Eleveden since I was born (now 17) we absolutely love Center parcs as a family, the staff always friendly and we always have a good time. If I remember rightly I think they used to have an app but I don’t think it was very popular so they got rid of it, we always hire bikes as it makes getting places so much quicker (wouldn’t take our own bikes as we have seen some get stolen) we often stay in the woodland lodges as where we stayed recently was only a 5 minute bike ride, we have stayed in the exclusive lodges but they are often further away so they’re supposed to be quieter and are lot more expensive. We mostly spend our time in the pool and going down the rapids as we love it and it’s all free (always funny watching newbies being swept away with the current) sorry it’s long but definitely recommend Center parcs to anyone 😊
@harryw3r5874 жыл бұрын
My favourite holiday you have gone on keep up the good work
@NotchieBoy4 жыл бұрын
U ARE THE BEST i wish i could meet you
@martinbrealey11504 жыл бұрын
Kevin don’t know if it’s improved but when I was there a few years back due to all the trees the mobile signal was rubbish so unless you could get/use WiFi the map/location services didn’t work.
@kevinchapmanvlog4 жыл бұрын
There were a few spots where I dropped down to 3G, but mostly 4G all weekend, and pretty much everywhere we went had Wi-Fi (including just walking down the roads)
@martinbrealey11504 жыл бұрын
Kevin - Thanks for the update and speedy reply much appreciate and glad you guys had such a good time. Living in Carlton I always enjoy watching your Nottingham videos.
@oliviapitt35794 жыл бұрын
Great review
@sueterry53604 жыл бұрын
I am glad Andy have good time Kevin
@lesleymansfield574 жыл бұрын
Great to see you all had a good time at center Parcs, this is one of my favourite place’s to relax ... There is a land train at Longleat, this takes you near to the events and nearly back to the lodge, there is a little walk to the lodges when off the train!!
@philbeale89474 жыл бұрын
Longleat has the land train as it is so big and hilly
@philbeale89474 жыл бұрын
wouldn't worry about complaining about the party. Reason for going to centreparcs is for peace and quiet. People should respect that they need to keep the noise down as there are more than likely kids staying in other lodges. As for app surely it's good to leave the technology behind and just go out and explore, isn't it good not to know exactly where you are, you never know what you might find or see on the way
@charlotteh714 жыл бұрын
Always take coats it rains a lot in the uk. Also research more before you go maybe Andy would like to remember the routes to places.
@kevinchapmanvlog4 жыл бұрын
Me and Andy didn’t have an issue with getting around - we had the maps in advance and are both good with directions. Everyone else struggled though.
@equineashleigh30614 жыл бұрын
Love this channel! Kind of relate as I have asd xxx
@courtneyreeve5343 Жыл бұрын
I work with Center parc now and they help many people with disabilities even at employment people with disabilities so don’t worry it was not because it pay but central parc is amazing for people with disabilities
@ASDbytheSea4 жыл бұрын
Great review. We didn’t get bikes either - error!!! 😂❤️⚓️💙
@josephneale102154 жыл бұрын
Great video as always 👍🏻❤️
@Isobel2014 жыл бұрын
I stayed in center parcs on a college trip and the bikes were needed. I was only 17 or 18 so still fit enough to ride a bike and the roads were so easy to ride on, it was easy getting about without feeling tired. Not sure I'll be able to do it now, probably need a mobility scooter lol.
@tobeytransport28024 жыл бұрын
They should hire out golf carts for poeple to ride as well as the bikes
@kevinchapmanvlog4 жыл бұрын
They’d be handy, but would spoil the quiet car free atmosphere a bit.
@tobeytransport28024 жыл бұрын
@@kevinchapmanvlog that's true
@tobeytransport28024 жыл бұрын
@@kevinchapmanvlog I just counted the squares on the map from your lodge to the entrance their are 19 squares
@hippychicken824 жыл бұрын
They do have a free accessible mini bus which will drop u off at anywhere, there has to he a reason which im sure andy would be eligible
@hippychicken824 жыл бұрын
Sorry obviously a bit late to the party
@KatieB-ub8dx4 жыл бұрын
I got lost in Center Parcs once. I was on my own going to get sweets and treats and I went back down the main road instead of the footpath, so yeah! And also I’m only 12 so I was extremely worried!
@johaanah4 жыл бұрын
Question- Did Center Paris pay for everything including meals, bike hire, activities, spa etc? How much would the whole trip have cost and do you think it’s worth it? My guess is it would probably cost just as much as your Disney trip and is way out of the price range of the average Joe. What’s your thoughts?
@kevinchapmanvlog4 жыл бұрын
They covered all the activities and the meal in Huck’s. We paid for all the other meals. I’m not sure exactly how much it would cost, just had a quick look on their website, and you’re looking at just over £1000 for the lodge (that’s for 3 nights, we came home early because of school) then I’d guess at maybe £80 for the meal, £50-60 for the golf, maybe another £100 for the archery. So for the full experience we had, around £1250, plus we spent another £150-200 of our own money. So all in, it’s probably around £1400 for the whole trip, which is around 75% of what we paid for the same number of nights at Disney. I wouldn’t say that’s out of the price range for most people for a holiday? And we had a great time. Especially if you’re getting four days there (all day Friday and Monday too), I think that’s pretty good value. And of course they have cheaper lodges that aren’t big 4 bedroom houses with games rooms and saunas! I think we’ll be going again at some point.
@johaanah4 жыл бұрын
Not really a holiday though, more of a short break, gucks is roughly the same price as TGI Fridays so probably nearer £30 pp so £150 for a meal for 5 adults, bike hire would be around £35 each and the spa and massage is probably another £100. I’m happy that you had a good time and Andy enjoyed himself but I do think the prices should be shown on here for transparency. Is it good value? And would you repeat the trip but at your own expense? I wonder how many families where one parent has given up work to look after a child/ young adult with SEN would find that kind of money in the budget - I know I couldn’t.
@johaanah4 жыл бұрын
Actually just a thought could you ask Center Paris for a full breakdown of prices so it’s clear how much this break would actually cost, I think that would help people get a good idea.
@somedude1724 жыл бұрын
i noticed how chill the staff seemed about his autism in the vlogs tbh. the lady that helped yall with archery seemed completely unphased by it, like she didnt even notice. she was just patient and treated him like she would any other kid. i think they probably do give some sort of disability training or something, i dont feel like theyd have invited yall if they werent sure their employees were equipped to deal with andy and his quirks, and i also think itd be kinda insane, and likely ineffective, to alert every single employee about "the family with the camera and the autistic kid" lol
@MrLimeGrass4 жыл бұрын
700 views 70 likes come on people just press that light button lol
@DPBGaming4 жыл бұрын
Hey Kev, they did have an app however it was discontinued.. Heres what I found on their site: "Center Parcs App - 17th September 2018 Following feedback from our guests we have made the decision to close down our app. We recognise our app is not currently providing the quality service our guests expect and this will be withdrawn immediately. Flexibility and digital connectivity is important to us all and we fully intend to develop a new app in the future. In the meantime our website is responsive and can be viewed on all mobile devices. Accommodation, activities and restaurants can all be booked via this channel. We would like to thank guests for feedback and apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment caused."
One year our bike seats got nicked and we were in the same lodge as you and the ride back was brutal
@hannahrose70854 жыл бұрын
We went to the same centre parcs a few years ago and had a big group next door that played loud music and smoked weed every night we were there it absolutely stank.. unfortunately it has put me off completely
@kevinchapmanvlog4 жыл бұрын
Did you let security know? I’m sure they’d have broken up the party and probably thrown them off the park for using drugs
@tbicks28224 жыл бұрын
They used to have an app but they got rid of it after feedback from guests
@amyclingo42864 жыл бұрын
I went to centre park for the day and met up with my auntie and cousins. Jeez that was a long walk to their lodge😂😂😂. I went from wearing a coat and hoodie to just s t shirt I was so hot by time we got there
@BigFatSmellyCheese4 жыл бұрын
Amy Clingo you walked to their lodge?
@amyclingo42863 жыл бұрын
@@BigFatSmellyCheese yep, it took forever
@mariaconnolly51034 жыл бұрын
You might want to suggest maybe a golf cart.
@panchh92284 жыл бұрын
Can you just use a paper map?
@kevinchapmanvlog4 жыл бұрын
That doesn’t tell you where you are...
@imaginaryenemy25654 жыл бұрын
Also for blind vistors a paper map isn't adequate I'm sure center parcs want to be as accessible as possible they need an app for multiple reasons
@philbeale89474 жыл бұрын
@@kevinchapmanvlog Just look at the number on a near by lodge to find where you are. Also isn't that part of the fun getting lost in a good way
@tee_jay18024 жыл бұрын
andy wood off like the bowling their
@kevinchapmanvlog4 жыл бұрын
We considered doing bowling but decided not to because we can go bowling anytime
@chaytonarthur99844 жыл бұрын
Why didn't you take Dave with you,are dogs not allowed anymore
@kevinchapmanvlog4 жыл бұрын
They’re allowed, but we knew we had a weekend packed full of activities and it didn’t seem fair to lock him up in a strange house for the weekend. Plus, he wasn’t allowed in the hire car.
@TheEmmeey4 жыл бұрын
They are allowed but I wouldn’t ever take one! You’d not allowed in anywhere you also cannot leave them alone on the lodges so someone has to be with the dog all the time! The dog ‘exercise’ areas are TINY filthy penned areas, it’s not at all dog friendly
@jenlfpotter38704 жыл бұрын
Chayton Arthur I didn't take my assistance dog to this outdoor persuits weekend I went on with my mum on Exmoor in Devon 3 years ago. They only had one of those dirty areas for assistance dogs there. I could only stay the two nights there without Urwin as a result of having to leave him 3 hours drive away back home in Surrey and we drove home on the Sunday evening and collected him en route home to my mum's. I have as yet undiagnosed Autism, possibly Aspergers and being in a strange place, sleeping in a hospital bed no less in these horrible hospital type bedrooms with wet rooms, that didn't sit very well with me and I had at least one big meltdown anxiety attack on my first night there. I would go there again, but we'd stay at a friend's house quite close to the centre.
@davidreynolds41044 жыл бұрын
How did the last day go with Andy staying to late
@kevinchapmanvlog4 жыл бұрын
Check out yesterday’s vlog!
@craigmason4 жыл бұрын
Hi kev and anna will you be going back to centre parks maybe staying for a week to try more activities???
@kevinchapmanvlog4 жыл бұрын
I’m sure we’ll go back at some point. Not sure about staying for a week - that’s a long trip for Andy. The 5 nights we were away for Disney earlier in the year was a day or two too long for him, but I think we’ll go back for another weekend at some point. We had a great time.
@TheEmmeey4 жыл бұрын
Is there no land train?? Longest have a land train which takes you all arround the park
@kevinchapmanvlog4 жыл бұрын
Not at Sherwood
@danhaines76884 жыл бұрын
Yo
@Mart_Smith4 жыл бұрын
Have you/did you work out how much it would've cost you for the same package if you had paid? Comparison vs Disney Paris, is it value for money? Thanks
@joe-yj1bw4 жыл бұрын
Alot more center parcs is a fortune
@kevinchapmanvlog4 жыл бұрын
Someone asked this in an earlier comment and I think I got to around £1400 for what should have been a 3 night stay (Friday-Monday) but we came home a day early because of school. That included all the activities and the meal at Hucks. We paid around £2000 for a 3 night stay at Disney in May, which included meals on 2 of the days and park entry. So it’s about 75% of the price, the staff friendliness and accessibility is roughly the same (both leagues ahead of anywhere else we’ve stayed) and I preferred the activities at Center Parcs, but I think the rest of the family probably preferred Disney. It just comes down to whether you prefer rollercoasters and character meets or outdoors stuff and peace and quiet. They’re both great, and I think when you compete it to Disney, which I think is the category it’s competing in, it’s hard not to see it as value for money because it’s considerably cheaper. It’s obviously a lot more than most UK holidays, but then I think you’re getting a lot more for your money.
@Mart_Smith4 жыл бұрын
@@kevinchapmanvlog Thanks for the detailed reply Kevin. Trying to work out which places to save up for is a real task in itself. As you say it depends on what the family wants, which I'd probably say at the moment is either. The ease of traveling to Centre Parcs is definitely easier than France. I'm looking at other theme parks in Europe too. Europa Park in Germany, just over the boarder to Strasbourg has a massive new water park about to open. I'll check out those prices first. Thanks!
@eringreen32004 жыл бұрын
How come you didn’t take Dave too it’s dog friendly as well. I think I would love to go there now when I get my assistant dog and enjoy a holiday where it will be accessible for me and my dog and family. 😁
@kevinchapmanvlog4 жыл бұрын
We didn’t want him to wreck the place! And he wasn’t allowed in the hire car.
@eringreen32004 жыл бұрын
Fair point.
@Isobel2014 жыл бұрын
they charge £65 just for one dog. Your assistance dog would probably be free but not a pet dog.
@aislinncanning38194 жыл бұрын
1st
@newleif97394 жыл бұрын
Don't blame you for calling guest services on noisy neighbours. It's guest services job anyway and you go there expecting not to be kept awake by loud parties💕