Center Parcs Early Arrival – Is The Upgrade Worth It?

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All guests are welcome to arrive at the Center Parcs village from 10am on their arrival day for free. However, early arrival lets you access your Woodland Lodge, Forest Lodge, Hotels or Apartments earlier than the standard check-in time for an additional fee. Treehouses and Exclusive Lodges already benefit from earlier check-in times as standard.

Following the introduction of staggered entry times in September 2025, check-in times now vary by accommodation type:

• Treehouses: check-in from 1pm (included as standard)
• Exclusive Lodges: check-in from 2pm (included as standard)
• Forest Lodges: check-in from 3pm, or 1pm with early arrival
• Hotels & Apartments: check-in from 3pm, or 1pm with early arrival
• Woodland Lodges: check-in from 4pm, or 2pm with early arrival

Booking Center Parcs Early Arrival

The cost of early arrival varies depending on your lodge type and the time of year.

You can book and pay for early arrival on the Center Parcs website or app the same way you would book activities – except it’s under shopping & extras. This add-on can be booked up to 24 hours before your arrival day, subject to availability.

Is Center Parcs Early Arrival Worth It?

I’ve been to Center Parcs more than ten times, and I’ve only used early arrival once. Although it would have been twice if it hadn’t been sold out the second time.

I don’t think Center Parcs early arrival is worth it in most cases as it doesn’t make much of a difference. I’d rather put that money towards activities.

All guests can access the village and its facilities from 10am regardless of whether they have early arrival. The swimming pool, restaurants, and activities are all available from this point. Early arrival simply means you can access your lodge sooner.

The standard check-in window can get busy, particularly during peak season, and early arrival does help you avoid this. But for most people, saving a couple of hours and avoiding a slightly busier car park isn’t worth the additional cost.

That said, early arrival may be worth considering if you’re travelling with young children who need a nap, if you have a lot of luggage to unload, or if you’re visiting during peak season when the check-in rush is at its worst.