to think Butlins is better value than Disneyland for toddlers and its a shame its a social faux pas to go there.

[StripeyBear]

My toddler enjoys fairground rides, splash pools and live shows, and I've been pricing a theme-park-type break for this Spring during term time.

4 nights mid-week at Skegness in Butlins (including 2 bed apartment) shows, fair ground rides and splash pool comes in at around £150 for 2 adults and an under 3. Disneyland Paris, for a 2 bed static van in the Davy Crocket Ranch, ticket to both parks and access to the pool and so forth is £600. OK - I know Disneyland is probably bigger and sparklier - but will a 2 year old really like it 4 times as much? Both journeys are about 4 to 6 hours, and probably cost similar.

However, when I've relayed this to mummy-friends, I keep being told "BUT YOU CAN'T GO TO BUTLINS". Amidst the bluster, they seem to be saying there is something intrinsically wrong (maybe too many poor people (ahem) in going to Butlins that can't quite be voiced. "Skegness of Paris" another mother declared! Yet, I'm thinking it hardly matters where you are if you're in a park - and the choice is more "Barney or Minnie Mouse".

I have to confess I have never been to Butlins before - so please, give it to me straight - AIBU to think Butlins is better value than Disney?

[Sirzy]

Does it matter what others think? Its your holiday not theirs!

When I looked at butlins I didn't like the look of it for us, we love Haven sites though (smaller ones only) because they offer when is right for us from a holiday.

[ILoveTIFFANY]

Get new 'friends'

[colleysmill]

Bless your friend - doesn't she know locally its known as Skegvegas?

Tbh I've never been. I have been to Haven and Park Resorts with my ds and no, he doesn't know the difference. Did we have a good time? Yes

[WitchOfEndor]

Tbh people who go to Disney in America sneer at those who go to Paris too! I don't think a young child would notice the difference at all, and queues etc will probably be a lot shorter so who cares what anyone else thinks?

[Moominsarescary]

We are going to haven this year, dc's range from 18-5 months. Apart from the 5 month old who won't know the difference there is something for all of them.

Arcades for the 18 and 10 year old, swimming little rides for the toddler. Night time entertainment for them all.

My mum took ds1 to Disney land when he was younger and although he enjoyed it he was just as happy when she took him to butlins.

[AngelsWithSilverWings]

I think a toddler will enjoy Butlins more than Disneyland and £150 sounds like a real bargain! Who cares what other people think? Just ignore them.

We went to Disneyland Paris and it was great fun but not at all relaxing. DS was 4.5 and he loved it , DD was just 2 and just got grumpy about the heat and the crowds ( as did I!)

We like cruises because of the kids clubs but people often turn their noses up and say that cruises are just Butlins on a boat! But the kids love it and we get a break.

The most important thing for me on a family holiday is that the kids are happy and occupied. Then I can relax!

[RedHelenB]

save Disneyland till they are a bit older & will remember it & be into the characters.

[ladymariner]

We've went to EuroDisney when ds was 4 and he loved it. We went to Butlins at Skegness when he was 8 and he had an absolute whale of a time. I admit I was a bit when we walked in, and the first chalet was dirty so we got moved, but we were there Monday to Friday and he was doing something all the time, made loads of friends and tbh we enjoyed ourselves too. The shows were really good, and ds got to do so much stuff, it was great.

[Booyhoo]

" "Skegness of Paris" another mother declared! "

what does she mean by this? does she mean skegness or paris or is she trying to be funny but getting it wrong?

[ComposHat]

I couldn't. give a flying fuck where my friends go on holiday unless they suddenly got into sex tourism.

I think the problem is with your choice of friends not your choice of holiday destination.

[CremeEggThief]

Please don't worry about what other people think about your holiday choices for you and your family. Who cares what they think? Go and enjoy yourselves.

[Floralnomad]

We have been to Disney Paris loads of times and its great , personally I can't stand holiday parks ( apart from theme parks) but children seem to love them . Although we did go to one in Torbay once and my son who was about 10 at the time said it looked like a prison camp and we ended up in a very nice hotel in Torquay instead !

[SantasENormaSnob]

Fuck what everyone else thinks.

Do what's best for you.

I love centre parcs and all inclusive package holidays in the sun. I probably get mocked and looked down on for that. So what.

[shewhowines]

Absolutely fab for small children who like Bob the Builder. Try to upgrade the accommodation if you can. We enjoyed it because the kids did. Yes some of it was tacky but it is what you make of it.

[CruCru]

We used to go to Butlins in Bogner when I was little and it was fab.

[anewyear]

My sister & brother in law are like that, they havent really got a penny to rub together at the moment, but will possibly turn her nose up,
So.. Sod what they think.
My boys and I have only had 4 holidays in 14 years, the last one being 3-4 years ago.
We are going to Butlins - Bognor Regis - staying in the Wave hotel, end of August, I will be having my birthday whilst there.
WE cant wait

[StripeyBear]

To clarify, I could give a monkey's rump what other people think about where we go.

My principle concern is that we pick Skegness, and make the 6 hour trek there, and arrive and (because I have not heeded all the veiled threats about how terrible it will be) will have a f**King awful time.

I've been to Disneyland Paris a few times - and feel it's a good product, with endless stuff to do. And if we did get theme-parked-out, we could always head into Paris for the day - though I know that might be far from fun with a 2 year old.

Skegness sounds cheap as chips - but is it really too good to be true?

My friends are shallow, miserable moos, but it's a village, so what can you do

[CloudsAndTrees]

Butlins is quite chavvy (and I don't care if I get flamed for using the word, you know what I mean and you know it's true) but, it is also a huge amount of fun with small children.

I'd say it was far more enjoyable for small children than Disneyland Paris, and definitely much better value. Maybe not when they get older and you have to pay peak season school holiday prices, but definitely when they are small. The food isn't great, but then you have self catering facilities so it's not like you're stuck with crap food. And in the spring you will be able to use the beach, you can't do that in Paris!

Go, prove your friends wrong, have a great time.

[ewaczarlie]

I couldn't care what other people think either. I'm off on my 1st butlins holiday this yr (term time) with my ds3 and some friends. We're only going as its an affordable trip and I know he'll love it. We just came back from a 5star sun holiday and I can honestly say our DS couldn't have cared where we were (I'm sure hell love butlins more). The only tng that would stop me booking it again in future will be that once he starts school it will no longer be so affordable (or if its shite when we go).
Go where you want and stop worrying about keeping up with the jones

[BitofSparklingPerry]

Having been to both, I would opt for Butlins every time. Even if they were the same price. Less queues, better entertainment, less walking, characters that my kids love. Amazing. The onl problem is that they are really hard to get to on public transport.

[Booyhoo]

does anyone know if there are any butlins/haven type places in Ireland or NI? i'd love to go to somewhere like that but i get really seasick on the ferry and wouldn't be able to manage it and the dcs so i'm stuck with NI or the south if i want to take the car, which i do.

[sue52]

I've never been to Butlins but my chidren (when small) prefered Centre Parcs to Disneyland and they probably would have had a great time at Butlins too.

[StripeyBear]

OK... am sort of being convinced that Butlins might be better fun... especially for a child that still might be napping the afternoon the slower pace might be better...

DH is nervous though. I think he is frightened he will be asked to join in a competition or watch a stand up comedian....

[tittytittyhanghang]

We went to haven last year, ds2 was 1.5. We will not be going again. The upright cost for booking was cheap enough, arounf £150-£200 for 5 days. The running costs of being there was horrendous. We easily spent at least £600 possibly nearer £800 and didn't have that much fun. Weather was shit, pool was fun until someone spewed in it and they just fished it out with a net, onsite food was extorionate. And I cant say i was that impressed with the day time schedule (this was more for my other ds who was 11). I say if you can afford it go to Disneyland Paris.