Considering Bluestone with a toddler and infant. Any experience, advice, tips?

[dizzy77]

The above, really. I'm expecting DC2 in June, we're considering going away late Sept/early Oct when DS will be 2.4 and baby will be 3-4 months. We took DS away for a self catering "break" when he was a similar age and he was relatively portable (I know all babies are different ), so I'm really keen to focus on somewhere that will suit him, and give us parents a bit of a chance to chill .

Specific questions are:

• We're considering the food-included option so the cost is sunk and I don't spend the whole holiday standing in the kitchen. Is this wise? My standards re group eating are lower since DS but they were pretty high to start with.
  
• The 0-3 activities on the website sound great, but do they operate out of peak season and how practical are they if you've got two? Are they included?
  
• I've seen the advice you should hire a golf buggy if you've tinies and you stay outside the village. What other extras should I plan £££s for - the brochure is vague!
  
  I'll happily call then to ask the last 2 questions but wanted the wise counsel of MN first! Thanks for your help.

[dizzy77]

Thanks lewi, that's really encouraging. Pleased you had a good break, hope there's not too much washing to catch up on!

[strandednomore]

Been to Bluestone a couple of times, our children re older (5 and 7) but we loved it. Wish the weather was better when we went in the summer, but at least there was some indoor stuff. When we went out of season we knew the weather was likely to be rubbish so it didn't bother us so much.

[splashymcsplash]

Looking with interest as I will be going soon. Is it worth booking things in advance?

[strandednomore]

We didn't bother booking things in advance but it does depend when you go. If you go mid-summer it might be worth booking when you first arrive as some things do sell out (eg the carnival lamp making). But lots of things are on-going, like the Big 4 - so you really don't need to book those.
If you go during the school holidays, make sure you take advantage of the hour in the morning at the pool before they open it to the general public. We found it go unbearable from about 11am onwards so tended to do two hours from 9-11am, which was fine. Only problem is they don't always open all the slides until 10am. This is one of the downsides.