To be worried about Butlins?!

@x2boys it is cheap. Factually it’s cheap.

Cheap places often attract cheap people who are unfortunately more likely to be rough.

Ours was really cheap, to be honest. It is term time though (I am currently on maternity leave) so maybe it’s more expensive in school holidays?

I’m amazed you’re only realising this now, OP.

I’m not from/don't live in the UK and have heard so much about Butlins and the type of people it attracts.

We’ve been to Minehead a few times and dh took dd to Bognor without me twice all at weekends or during holidays, mainly in the October break. Never had any issues with the people. The accommodation is basic unless you go for the new style chalets / apartments.

The only incident was when dd was about 7 and got a stomach bug but the rest of us were fine including my friend’s ds.

Personally I would go op.

Friends went to an expensive place once it was filthy. She cleaned it up herself. It's hard to get cleaners in school holidays I'd think they're under a lot of pressure.

Butllins really doesn't have a dire reputation
Its certainly not everybody, s Cup of tea I really think some people commenting have never actually been or assume its like Hi de Hi.

First of all.its not cheap.and neither is it rough ,have you ever actually been ?🙄

That’s just not true. I took my kids just before Christmas. The changing rooms were tatty but there was always someone cleaning. The pool was fine, no rings of dirt to be seen.

We've been to the Skegness one a few times. We've never had any problems with accommodation in the seaside appartments. It is quite loud in the main areas but lots of children there have additional needs and some wear ear defenders. The food is not great (like wetherspoons I guess) but the play park is excellent. Definitely get VIP pass if you can afford it, and book in your activities 4 weeks before.

Ive never been to Butlins but have been to a similar sort of place on the Isle of Wight with my Dcs. DS1 is autistic (14 now) and he really loved the entertainment. I needed his ear defenders though and the first time we did not quite get all the way through it. But he still talks about those times now with alot of joy. So i hope so so much you all have the most lovely time.

We have a pontins at one end of our coastline, we've seen awful events in the local press. It's closed thankfully. At the other end Haven Leisure (used to be Butlins) is fine. Clean, food ok a bit boring. But beaches great. Pool awesome.

Sometimes our grandchildren go for the odd long weekend with mum and dad. It's only 30 miles away, the kids love it. They do deals which my daughter keeps her eyes out for though.

Its my kids favourite holiday choice (and we love it) and they’ve been all over Europe in nice hotels. I dont think you can compare Butlins and Center Parcs in anyway (but fair enough if its just not your thing).

I’ve never been as we always went camping when we were kids so we missed out on Butlins type holidays but friends went to Minehead Butlins a few years ago and left the following morning due to parents being pissed, loud swearing and noise at night & the state of their accommodation. Her words were ‘you wouldn’t put a dog in that room!!!’
God speed OP!

Eh you must have known Butlins is for rough people though right? It’s not a secret

cheap places often attract chavs

We went to Butlins in Feb last year. Was fine. I felt perfectly safe there alone with DS.
The entertainment is busy, but it's fine.

Looking at going back for a few days later this year just as a cheap place to stay, and swim with the kids and go to the beach.

Im afraid that is exactly what my impression of Butlins would be, which is why I would avoid at all cost. I didn’t think anyone would need to read the reviews to know this about Butlins though as its got a pretty dire reputation.

Go to Center Parcs if you want a much nicer choice of weekend away (been many times and never heard the language mentioned above). The most ive heard is a few parents getting stressed in the swimming pool changing rooms (anyone who has been with young kids will understand)😀

We had a really cheap deal to the tots event at bognor - like you we had our reservations and decided up front if it was dire we'd just go for the day and head home as we had paid roughly what we would have spent on a day out. However DC loved it and we were happy that they were happy. We were in the absolute basic accommodation that looked hideous from the outside but was warm and clean. Overall we had a great time and would defo go again if we found a bargain deal.

Not useful for this time but we’ve always had really lovely holidays at the Parkdean sites in Dorset. None of the above in sight when we went. Might be an alternative option for the future.

I've been to Butlins (bognor) and to Centre parcs and the clientele seemed pretty much identical to me.

(I wouldn't go back to either - sticking to hiring cottages or camping on little campsites from now on. I just don't like holiday park type things)

Fucking hilarious and so true 😂

I've been to a middle class family festival with plenty of white linen dressed Sebastians and Henriettas, and honestly give me some working class Milos and Chardonnays any day. The aforementioned are feral- I find working class parents in general, are more likely to actually parent and keep their children from acting out, than the well-off parents too anxious about their extension being put up, to pay any attention to their miniature Spartacus wannabees. I put my then baby dd into a soft play designed specifically for under 2s at a festival and she was overrun by some Boden dressed arsehole older kids, turning it into a wrestling arena, whilst the parents just looked on, sipping sparkling wine in their smocks. I later came across them on the festival's Instagram page, with thousands of followers, showing off their perfect beige parenting life. Much preferred our week at butlins, everyone in tracksuits, but keeping their kids close by and paying attention to them.

I’d save your money. Wait & book somewhere nicer for next year. It sounds awful.

I’ve only been to the adults onlj weekends but my friend took her little boy recently and said it was horrendous, they only stayed one night it was that bad, the apparentment was filthy and huge queues for the children’s entertainment. If you’re set on going I would prebook as much as you can and take some detol wipes!

We’re going in February for the Justin fletcher experience … worried now

skegness butlins a year ago was great for me and dd. we stayed in the silver hotel rooms. the people we met were all nice, just ordinary other parents having a nice few days with their children. room was basic but comfortable enough and clean. staff were very helpful. for the kids disco, there's no queues as those shows are on a stage in the middle of what I can only describe as a shopping centre, so you just find a table (if you can), or stand to the sides and kids dance on the dance floor in front of the stage. there's kids shows on that stage as well- peppa pig, etc. the only thing that was long to queue for was the meet and greet with the peppa pig characters. the queuing shows, we got into every night. we paid VIP to guarantee getting into the shows, as it was masked singer, but honestly didn't need to. i don't know why people queue from 2pm, but maybe they're just worried about missing a specific show. there's plenty of other shows on at the same time, in the red coat bar, which doesn't need queuing for, and they repeat the main shows through the week, if you miss anything. there's also a puppet show you don't need to queue for. i did go in term time though- not sure what the holidays are like. mid week was very quiet, the weekend busier, as expected. pool was amazing, me and dd both loved it- great slides, plenty of changing room cubicles. only hard bit is finding a locker near where you get changed. which part do they say is closed? it's a massive pool with lots of parts, so if it's just one part, it may be okay. i loved butlins as a parent to a three year old- small enough to get around and enough going on for dd to never be bored, and for me to have to head space whilst she danced, watched shows, went to soft play etc. it's not somewhere i'd go as an adult without DC, but just right for the kids. it's right on the beach as well. if you're worried about shows and getting into soft play, make sure you download the app and a few weeks before going, you can book onto everything you want to do, in advance. would recommend booking the soft play and crafts, as they fill up fast. but people also don't show up to things a lot so you can get in.