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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be scared that I've just booked a holiday to Butlins!!!!

53 replies

OlderMummy1 · 16/07/2014 14:34

OK, I'm scared! I've just paid £500!! for a 5 day break to Butlins. I always said that when I had children I would also take them on the lovely, cultural holidays I have always been on..yadda, yadda, yadda...but as you lot know, things change a lot when you have kiddies.

Our family have had a very hard year with my grandma passing away, my grandfather becoming very dependant on us and me having a baby with the most awful reflux.

Things have finally settled down a bit and we are all frazzled but recovering. My 4 month old baby is now much much better and sleeping from 8am until 5am (rather than not at all with the reflux!) and I feel as if I can cope with a bit of a trip away.

We need somewhere easy, casual and not too far away so we could get back if needed. My sister has agreed to look after my grandfather as my mom just desperately needs a break away from him and all the cooking, housework etc.

We know we are not going to get a relaxing break with a 2 year old DD and a 4 month old DS. My husband is working so cannot come. Therefore it's just my mom, myself and the 2 children.

MY 2 year old DD absolutely loves Angelina Ballerina so, although I did initially consider CenterParks, I have been pushed towards Butlins because I believe that the children can do some ballet with her every morning. Also, my DD has been so good with her baby brother despite him taking up so much of my time (and neglecting her) that I feel she deserves the break she will enjoy, so lots of kiddy activities. We have decided to do CenterParks as a family holiday next year.

Now, I have never been to a Butlins type place before and I have visions of Hi-De-Hi, although I'm sure things have changed since then and I am being snobbish.

Can anyone reassure me? (or tell me my fears are founded). Any tips we need to know before we go? We are going to Skegness in September for the Just For Tots breaks, gold 3 bed apartment with the Premium dining plan. The bloke on the phone talked me into B-line passes to beat the queues. Are they worthwhile?

Thanks x

OP posts:
Heels99 · 16/07/2014 14:37

Do the tits to tots break!

whatsbehindthegreendoor · 16/07/2014 14:39

Butlins is nothing like Hi de Hi anymore. We go to the Bognor and Minehead camps several times a year and our son has grown up with holidays there. If you make the most of the free entertainment, you'll really get your moneys worth.
The Premium dining was definitely worth paying for - the restaurant never seems as busy or stuffy as the regular dining and the food, on the whole, is lovely.
There is plenty for young children to do and plenty of places for you and your mum to sit down and take a breather.
Make sure you make full use of the fair as well - it's all included in the price.
Don't be put off by people who say that they went there 20 years ago and would never go back - it's changed immensely since then..... Enjoy your holiday!

MrMacadoo · 16/07/2014 14:41

no advice or anything helpful to add but just wanted to let you know you are not alone!

my 2 are the same ages as yours and we have booked the just for tots weekend in Bognor in Sept. i am really excited!

hope you all enjoy it!

fledermaus · 16/07/2014 14:41

I wouldn't bother with the passes because you probably won't be taking children that age to see the big shows at the venues - just stick with the Thomas, Fireman Sam etc shows in the pavilion where they can wander around. I haven't been to Skegness but we spent our days doing soft play, fairground, swimming, football class in the morning, various playgrounds, bouncy pillow and watching some shows. Kids weirdly love the absolute dross that is the "Skyline Gang".

SarcyMare · 16/07/2014 14:44

i loved butlins as a kid, not having your parents say "no we can't afford it" all week, it was fantastic.

Staryyeyedsurprise · 16/07/2014 14:46

No, I've been many times and it's great. I know there is a post on here at the moment about a dirty apartment and poor customer service and I feel really sorry for that poster as that has never been my experience.

I've been to all of the Butlins camps although have been to Minehead most often. I went to Skegness last year.

The pool at Skegness has been done up and is just lovely - actually quite relaxing with lots of mood-lighting even though it is obviously designed for kids. There's an outdoor rapids bit which is great. You can spend hours in there. The fairground and the smaller pre-schooler fairground are both really good fun - if your kids ar elike mine they will spend hours in there. Ok they're not Alton Towers, but they're included in the entry price so a massive saving!

In the last few years we have seen Steven Mulhean (brilliant), loads of X Factor/BGT finalists, Brainiacs, Pantomimes, Looney Tunes Animation shows, magic shows - really good value for meney when you think of the cost of taking a family of 4 to a show! The only thing I'd say about Skegness is that in summer holidays, the queues for shows can be loooong! Worth it like, but I'd probably pick a couple of things I REALLY wanted to see and then take my chances on the rest. Although with the age of your children, this may not be an issue for you.

If you're including a food package you can't go wrong- even in the "standard" dining hall. Plenty of choice, and an Annabel Karmel stand for kids.

the beach at skegness was a little tatty last year but whenwe went the time before that it was lovely and clean.

Accomodation is usually fine - we booked standard last year as it was intended to be a cheap and cheerful break and it was the sme level as silver was a fcouple of years back. My mum and dad booked deluxe and this was very nice (although if you're planning on being out and about loads, I wouldn't bother). My tips would always be to get an apartment if there isone available as these come with a kitchen/diner/living room giving you so much more space. They're not usually much more expensive.

We come home absolutely exhausted and still find there are things we haven't done. We're going abroad for the first time in years and honestly, our kids have made us promise that the next holiday will be Butlins again.

SoonToBeSix · 16/07/2014 14:52

Butlins is great my dc love it, can't understand the snobbery.

ICanSeeTheSun · 16/07/2014 16:14

Been twice and both time have been fantastic, only had 1 problem with the key cards which got sorted ASAP.

ProfYaffle · 16/07/2014 16:23

We went to Butlins Skegness last year. The pool is amazing, we'd go back for that alone. We had a basic apartment but bil had a gold and I was jealous, it was much nicer than ours. B line passes are worth it if you go to the shows in the evening (we didn't) because the queue for the good seats at the front can be phenomenal.

The only thing I would have changed was the dining plan, we went for premium too but then you're tied to the main self service dining area. It was fine, nothing wrong with it, but it means you're eating in the same place twice a day. We would have like to try the other options, pizza restaurant, pubs etc.

ihatethecold · 16/07/2014 17:19

After reading the other thread, hell would have to freeze over before I would venture to Butlins.

Tingatingatale · 16/07/2014 17:32

We have been and loved it. Wall to wall entertainment for the kids. We had standard dining which was Minging but from what we could see of the premium dining it looked nice. Accommodation was of a good standard and any issues we had were dealt with quickly.

We've done bluestone and center parcs and even though butlins is not as scenic you don't need to spend money when you're there

Nottinghill1 · 16/07/2014 17:34

I love butlins,my best one in Minehead because the surrounding area is lovely. Skegness is just as good. Not been to Bognor

NanFlanders · 16/07/2014 17:36

Butlins is lovely for kids! Loads of free activities. Very clean. Pool is fabulous, and lots of tots-friendly shows in the Skyline. My two rated it far more highly than Disneyland Paris! It's definitely worth having the premium dining if you can afford it, as standard dining is a bit school-dinnersy. We have stayed in gold and silver accommodation which were both very good. I've never gone for the B-Line pass, but the queues can be long for a front seat, and I think it would probably be worth it to avoid waiting for two such small kids.

I'm not sure whether it's still offered, but when ours were little, we did put them in evening nursery a couple of nights, so we could go to a show and have a bit of adult time. I know they have daytime nursery, so you might want to spend a couple of hours at the spa at Skegness, which is lovely.

DevonCiderPunk · 16/07/2014 17:38

I booked us a holiday in Butlins in 2006 after a really shitty few months, having seen a special offer. I had good friends living near the one we went to, so thought if it was rubbish we could just treat it as a base for days out etc.

Well the room was a bit shabby, but the park was brilliant. Redcoats were so helpful, and things were well laid out so that kids could play/watch a show while we relaxed. Pleasantly surprised!

DevonCiderPunk · 16/07/2014 17:41

Also the dining hall is worth paying for. Not having to cook or wash up a single thing (apart from your cuppa and wine glass in your room!) is soooo fantastic!

GiveTwoSheets · 16/07/2014 17:55

No don't be scared otherwise I will be as I've booked for end of August at same place for my 3yr old DS and teen (who I might add is secretly excited just to get away).

Have a fab time!

itiswhatitiswhatitis · 16/07/2014 18:02

I was really snobby about going to Butlins (I love centre parcs!) but we went to Skegness and I was pleasantly surprised. Accommodation was good, food in premium dining was nice and there was just tons for the kids to do. The dc's would pick Butlins over just about any holiday. Embrace it for what it is. A a very child orientated holiday.

You will hear bad stories but that could be said about any and every resort.

wheresthelight · 16/07/2014 18:07

I have been to bognor and Skegness and they are both lovely! The beach at Skegness is usually really clean and there is loads to do and the apartments are usually really nice.

Enjoy it!!

inlectorecumbit · 16/07/2014 18:32

After reading beargrills ongoing experience with Butlins l would not be touching Butlins with a barge pole unless l was willing to completely clean and disinfect my accommodation first.
Poor show to the Butlins organisation

PrincessSofia · 16/07/2014 18:33

I just don't get the reaction to Butlins on here!
We have been many times,only to Bognor,but have had the most amazing family holidays ever.
The hotels are great,food quality and selection also great everytime we have been,you can swap your dining to other venues if you choose premium dining so you don't have to eat twice a day in the same place if you dont want to.
Entertainment always fabulous for kids,redcoats can't do enough for you and just about everything is included in the price.
We cannot fault it because our experiences have always been fantastic,friends also say the same.
You will always get people on mn saying they would never go but then there is so much snobbery on mn it doesn't surprise me!
You will love it!

annielouisa · 16/07/2014 18:40

Go and have a nice time you sound like you need it. I been with DC and DGC and had a lovely time. I am sure your DD will love the day time shows in the Skyline pavillion and as your mum is with you it will give some quality time with your DD.

LemonSquares · 16/07/2014 18:43

I don't get the attitude on here.

Actually we had it in RL before our first time as well.

Been going to skegness Butlins - five years now - DC love it. We do self catering though so can't comment on the food - and since first visit where we had basic we've always done silver accomodation since.

Pool at Skeg is fantastic, the fountain new bit last year was also a hit with our DC - and shows great.

Haven't bothered with the b-line passes - as usually we get a place without though last year was really busy and it was a lot harder.

You'll have fun Smile.

x2boys · 16/07/2014 18:45

We have been to skegness butlins a couple of times its good for kids ,I,m not all that keen on the entertainment at night plus you have to que for hours to get a seat I send dh out about an hour and half before me and the kids that said I would recommend it for any one with small children we go se!f catering as long as/you go shopping at either Morrison's or tesco in skegness it keeps the cost down .

Balaboosta · 16/07/2014 20:26

I went as a student on one of those coupon deals out of The Sun. It was brilliant. Wished we'd gone there when I was a kid! And I'm dead posh middle clarss and arty...

dozily · 16/07/2014 20:34

We went about 3 or 4 years ago and were really impressed. Would definitely go back again (not sure why we haven't!)

I don't actually know anyone who's been and not liked it, although I do know a few who would never consider it because of its (old) image.

Enjoy :-)