To be suprised at Butlins and their lack of neurodiverse awareness?

I haven’t read these comments but I took my autistic son in term time last week and it was so loud , we have been twice before he regressed and he was fine, not so much this time.
we have an 18 month old who loved it but towards the end of the week we just took eldest tablet out with us.
hes not interested in any of the shows but it was too loud for him.
i know of many ND families who children thrive at butlins and love the hustle and bustle. I wouldn’t slam them for trying to be family orientated.
we are going back in November for youngest birthday and hoping it is generally quieter then.

Butlins would be the worst place to take a child who struggles with noise and loud, in~ yer~ face forced jollity.

Butlins is meant to be like that.

This. Go during term time. Going in the holidays is batshit.

By offering slots during the day or week that are otherwise quiet though.

That just can’t be the case in a holiday destination as there is equal demand all day all week as everyone is available.

This might sound detogatory but I would never in a million years have thought of Butlins being ND or anything else friendly/aware. It's loud, brash, in your face entertainment. It's infamous for it and always has been! It would be like taking someone who hated fish to a fish restaurant and being surprised they didn't eat anything.

@GreenPhlem - I don’t see anything wrong with a calm, factual review - that, at busy times it will be very loud, lots of queues, and that, for these reasons, it may not be suitable for children with autism. And follow it up with feedback and suggestions to Butlins management.

I second Bluestone, although my son isn't autistic he was definitely hyper-sensitive to lots of noise and crowds as a small child; scared of hand dryers in public toilets, loud traffic, babies crying, busy play areas, the cinema etc. He absolutely loved Bluestone, especially the bat watching sessions with night-vision binoculars. Anything quiet & outdoorsy and/or castle-related was his thing.

OP I think your grandchild is very lucky to have you in her life, wanting to spend time on holiday with her and wanting to make her time away enjoyable.
This time may not have gone as you hoped but it’s obvious you genuinely care and next time will be better.
so many aren’t as lucky x x

Not all nd kids can’t cope with loud noise etc. What you’re looking for is an experience catered to an individual , and it’s optimistic to expect that from butlins.

You'd be better off going to Skegness haven site and doing caravan only.You still get access to restaurants/takeaways but all the noisy stuff isn't included.

Obviously YABVU. Why did you think Butlins of all places would be suitable to take someone that struggles with the things you’ve mentioned? At the very least any other person would have rang ahead to ask if they had the things you expected before booking.
Most other people would book somewhere more suitable like a self catering lodge somewhere and plan ahead with things to do.

Just wanted to say that you sound like a wonderful grandmother (though somewhat optimistic if you thought Butlins at half term would be suitable for anyone but the most noise- and chaos-tolerant child/adult).

Butlins is my kids idea of hell for reasons you mentioned (they are nd) we are going to try centreparcs for a weekend in a woodland lodge

We did get on well at flamingoland in an onsite caravan but didn't do any of evening entertainment just lots if walking around the zoo area

Yes - the autistic adults in my life tend to opt for self catering holiday accommodation where they can let themselves in, then come and go as they please. I can’t imagine them ever going to Center Parcs or Butlins.

I actually think this will improve a lot over the next 10 years as now the children who see reasonable adjustments as normal become the adults in charge.

I’m sorry it didn’t work out. A nice lodge in a forest with appropriate trips out if she settles ok sounds like an idea going forward. She may enjoy having some familiar things and people around her to begin with, so prepare to hole up with some nice provisions and games for everyone.

Which Butlins did you go to? I’ve been to Bognor and found it to be much more accessible than most places. You can get a fast pass type wristband if you show proof of disability (I used DLA, although I appreciate that you DGD might not have this yet aged 3). They also have a quiet arcade (behind the centre stage entrance) with sounds on the machines turned off. I’ve never been to the other ones so not sure if they are the same.

Centerparcs pool is not quiet and relaxing. It is noisy with children as you would expect.
A lodge near a petting farm or a traditional seaside holiday would work better.

The same way that Soft play centres (loud, boisterous) manage to cater for children with ASD?

This. Also like others have said they have to have height restrictions on toddler areas it would be chaotic otherwise. Think you need to choose a different location for holidays.

YABU. Butlins is not the type of place I would take an autistic 3 yr old to. It’s going to be loud, raucous and suit kids who don’t mind boisterous activities, loads of other people & have super high energy levels. I’m not autistic, and I would fucking hate it. There are more suitable half-term options where things could go at a more peaceful and considered pace. You tailor your choices to the needs of the child surely.

Op has accepted she's been a bit unreasonable. I don't think she was acting entitled.

No, sorry, you're being entirely unreasonable. Why take an autistic child to a loud, boisterous holiday resort and expect them to tailor everything for her needs solely? She's your child, it's up to you to do better research instead of getting the hump because every other child was enjoying themselves but yours couldn't.