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?

Social faux pas, chavy, really? Ok.

We've been taking our ds1 at least once a year since he was 9 months and we all love it. It's such good value and everything (fair ground rides, swimming pool, entertainment for kids and grown ups too) Is included so you don't have to keep saying no to things. My dh was very sceptical at first but he was really impressed and we're going in march with new baby as well. Not really sure why your friends are even a consideration in your holiday plans...

I used to love butlins in Skegness as a kid! I havent been there for over 10 years now so not sure how much has changed but I do think it's a great cheap break with kids and you should ignore those being snobby.

I took my 2 year old to Disneyland and you can never match that magical moment when they meet the charactors, it is so so special.

SIL went to Butlins and found it was overpriced and poor quality. They spent a fortune whilst there as very little was included in the price activity wise.

I would never care what others thought about where we went on holiday though, whatever you think you would prefer.

For a 2yo Disneyland is pointless. Most of them will be totally freaked out by the characters, won't have watched many of the films so won't "get" the rides, and you will spend the entire trip queuin for small world, lancelets carousel and the dumbo flying elephant ride as they are the only things that will reliably not freak out a toddler. Butlins is a much better idea at that age!
Anyone who comments negatively on anyone else's holiday on account of the destination is a snob and would be dropping off my friend list at a rate of knots.

We've been going to Butlins Skegness for about 15 years now - A massive group of us, age ranges from teeny tots to my 80 year old Nan, and we've always had a fabulous time. Even with teenagers, we've always found something for everyone to do, even in the pouring rain.

If you sit in your chalet for the week, it will be shit. If you get out and about, it will be brilliant!

I've been to Disneyland Paris and Florida - and loved them both - but Skegvegas still pulls me back every year!

I haven't been to Butlins, but I have been to Pontins and Haven sites a few times...

The general consumerism and the cabaret shows did, I admit, bring out a little bit of snobbery in me but that was entirely my problem... The kids absolutely love the places! If you self-cater, you can escape a bit of the full-on noise and glare if you need to. :)

I have been to EuroDisney a couple of times too, once with a 2 year old. To be honest, he found it a bit overwhelming and frustrating - it was too busy, there was too much queuing, and he couldn't go on half of the rides because of height restrictions.

I reckon you'll have a better time at Butlins, I really do.

However, just check: the Waterworld at Skegness Butlins is due to be renovated, reopening at Easter - so I'd double-check that it isn't closed for refurbishment when you go, because that will definitely spoil your fun. If it is, I'd recommend Primrose Valley at Filey instead, which has the most amazing indoor pool with slides, flumes, squirters and other toys that a two-year-old who enjoys water will really love!

Twatty I think that is fairly generalised, we had two 2 year olds with us and they really weren't freaked out at all. They were fairly into Disney though and had seen lots of the films. They dressed up as Peter Pan and loved the rides, in particular Buzz Lightyear. They also loved the parade and the shows (it was Lion King when we went).

There were loads of very young children queuing for the characters and none were freaked out.

I do agree that comments re other peoples choices are very 'snobish' and not worthy of paying attention too!

I am not sure Disneyland and Butlins are comparable IMO - two totally different holidays and both good in their own very different ways!

We didn't go in school holidays though so that does make a huge difference to how overwhelming/busy it is.

I've been to both and I vote Butlins all the way. Disneyland in Paris is ridiculously overpriced.

I must admit I have always been a bit snobby about butlins and had no desire to go, but got persuaded to go to Skegness last year and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The boys had a ball. We stayed in the gold apartment which were clean and tidy and we went half board and had our meals at the yacht club! (Canvas deck shoes optional!)

The shows were actually quite good and there is so much to do for the little ones.

Although should add I've just booked disney Paris! I love it there too!

I had your reservations too, Pre-Ds our holidays consisted of travelling to far-flung places and posh hotels but I think Butlins is fab. It is what it is -reasonable accomodation, ok food BUT kids love it and ,therefore, adults find it mostly stress-free. Happy children = relaxed me IMo so if you're that kind of family you'll have a good time. Disneyland Paris is overpriced, miserable and unfriendly - slightly false and pretentious. There's stuff to do in Skegvegas itself like a lovely nature sanctuary where you can visit rescue seals and everthing is soo cheap! It does have a stigma attatched to it and I can understand why (parts of ingoldmells are a bit of a shithloe tbh) but your friends sound they are more bothered with the appearance of having a brilliant time than actually HAVING a brilliant time. Upgrade if you can, makes al the difference.

I've never been to Butlins, but I did have a look round once because a friend worked there. I wouldn't go on holiday there even if they paid me. I wouldn't go to Disneyland either. But each to their own.

we went to butlins skegness last september with DS who was 2.4 at the time.

I was abit worried before as i read some shocking reviews but it was one of the best holidays i've ever had!!

We went monday- friday and didn't need to leave butlins the whole time.

What i liked is that although it was bit more expensive than Haven there is alot more included in the price. There is a little kids fair with four rides(bob the builders yard) which was free so that meant DS didn't hassle us over going on the rides in the arcades which are about 50p or £1 a time and could get pricy.

The swimming pool was being upgraded last year so alot of it was shut but when the new bit opens should be great, i think it opens half term 2013.

DS isn't really into the shows yet so we didn't really watch them except one mike the knight show when he was tired after swimming and tied into the pushchair!

There is a pub called the sun and moon which we liked as it has two climbing frames in the garden.

I wasn't overly keen on the softplay, although we only went there once for about 15 mins as we got there just before it closed for lunch. It is in an arcade and justs seems abit more chavy than other things.

The section of beach that runs along side Butlins is really nice, also where you go up to the beach there is a giant beach which is for photos- giant deckchair, umbrealla etc and at the bottom of this is a big sandpit, DS liked playing in this.

We had the food option, we only had the standard but i thought the food was lovely. It was quite busy but you didn't really have to queue for food.

We have booked to go minehead in May and are also prob going to book another break at Skegness in Sept.

The only thing i am bit wary of though is that we had a fantastic week weather wise, in fact i think it was the only good week of the summer. If weather wasn't so good then not sure what it would be like, there is plenty to do indoors but it would mean everyone would be doing indoor stuff so more cramped.

DS now 2.8 still talks about Butlins and sometimes says 'can we go to butlins today' so it def left a good impression on him

We booked basic accomdation but got umgraded to silver (we were room only due to booking half board). Chalet had a small hall way then a bathroom with shower, two bedrooms one with double and one with twin, both rooms were a decent size and both had TVs.

YANBU and you need new friends.

The inlaws live abroad in sunny Greece, and we visit them every year. This year we took our 4 year old DS on one of those budget £9.50 Sun holidays as well, and he enjoyed them exactly the same. He said the best bit about the holiday was flying on an aeroplane. And the best bit about the caravan holiday was he got to sleep in a caravan. He didn't care at all about the fancy foreign holiday, just that he got to see Grandad and go on a plane.

So I know that if we were to take him to Disneyland and Legoland he would love them the same, but Disneyland would be better because we'd catch the Eurostar to get there and go under the sea!

I'm sure this will change as he gets older though! We will be taking him at some point.

We're vaguelly wondering about the haven place in Exmouth. Seems cheap as chips outside of term time... As in 120 quid mon-fri. How bad is it? Our only critera is a pool and there are also some lovely cottages nearby for rather more money. Never done that type of holiday before but suspect my children might enjoy it more!!

Thanks for all the replies... read them, and am now more confused than ever

Was going oh yeah - it's Butlins.... then oh no... just as I suspected.....it would be awful!

Been to butlins many times... Kids love it, I love the pool we always stay gold self catering though.

Just up the road is fantasy island witch has a huge market, kids theme park rides, a couple of roller coasters, some very cheap pubs for adults.. Lots of lovely pub/restaurants close by that do some lovely food for good prices. We have never had a problem with dirty accommodation nor have family members. I have some family members who go every year sometimes 2/3 times a year.

I reckon a 2 year old would have more fun at Butlins but I'd have difficulty comparing Skegness with Paris and coming up with a favourable conclusion.

Oh, there's no doubt in my mind that Paris is a fantastic city and Skegness is, well, Skegness. But the OP didn't ask us to help her choose between these two places, but between Butlins and Eurodisney... And most people are saying that they think Butlins will be more fun and better value with a 2 year old.

A city break with a small child is hard work - and more-or-less like a visit to London or any other city, since you still have to organise your day around the food your child will eat and the things they'll like to do! Art galleries and other bits of French 'culture' are possible but challenging... And ultimately, you're more likely to find yourself in McD's than the romantic bistro of your imagination!

Butlins, on the other hand, does what it says on the tin. Your child will be entertained and happy. And for most parents, that is what makes for a relaxing holiday... :)

I recommend haven hopton gt. yarmouth near amusements etc...

I love the butlins hotel in Bognor!

Are you going on holiday to have fun with the DC or to impress others?

If they are that sneery to your face,t hen bet your life they are ten times worse behind your back.

I live in a village, what can I do?

Live your life according to your own doctrines, not the hymn sheet of the village bitches who clearly have nothing better to do than discuss others lives.

I haven't been to Butlins itself but had yearly holidays in Skegvegas as a child (my brother lives there now :))
The beach is the sliced white of beaches. It's miles of sand then some more sand. No wildlife, no rockpools, no interesting coves and whatnot. Just sand then sea- the tide doesn't come in very far and the sea is usually miles away. However there's amusements, chip shops, penny arcades, donkey rides, a seal sanctuary, a fairground, a boating lake, a miniature village, a children's indoor playground, crazy golf, just off the top of my head. Skeggy in summer is made for little kids :)

Let's get down to the nitty gritty, your friends are terribly middle class and see butlin's as too common and and working class.