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AIBU?

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:
jonicomelately · 16/07/2014 20:37

The pool at Skegness is really good. Just as good as Centreparcs.

ProfYaffle · 16/07/2014 20:42

PrincessSofai that's useful to know about the food passes, we hadn't realised. Bil wanted to swap from the dining hall we'd been given to the other one and we wanted to try the other venues but thought we couldn't.

woodlands01 · 16/07/2014 20:43

Butlins will be fine - I know many a friend who has been with children and loved it. I will confess to taking my family to Pontins about 4 years ago. It was one of my bargain deals, can't remember how much, probably about £19.99 for 3 nights! OMG it was awful. We turned up at our 'chalet' and there was a massive dent in the door - obviously a foot! It was dirty, noisy, some not very nice people etc etc. The one positive thing was a swimming pool with a 3m deep end which the children loved diving into and touching the bottom. But, not so much of a positive to encourage me again. It has made me generally more cautious about bargains and I tend to research them more.

GobbolinoCat · 16/07/2014 21:40

op have you seen the other thread?

honeslty why would anyone go there they don't even care about the poor op? her room was filthy?

for 500 you could get stunning b and b somewhere? or lovely self catering, sorry I just think after the treatment of other poster there is no way I would risk going to a room filled with filth and shit and fag butts? for 500 Shock

Coconutty · 16/07/2014 21:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GobbolinoCat · 16/07/2014 22:01

I just wouldnt risk it, as poster on other thread said - its how places deal with complaints...as mistake do happen but they have not dealt with it at all.....op has had to do cleaning herself...they really do not care

Original poster
OlderMummy1 · 16/07/2014 22:10

Well thank you to those who have been reassuring and offered me some tips. I'm feeling a bit better about it and I'm sure my DD will love it which is the main thing...

Although reading that other thread has made me worry !!

OP posts:
NorwegianBirdhouse · 16/07/2014 22:29

I was really hoping you were going to say it was a Just for Tots week. We went in June with our 2yo DS and it made our lives so much easier than our trip to Portugal the previous year. It was great because it really worked for toddlers. There is loads for them to do and see and when you just want to sit down, you go to the little tykes village - cars and houses fenced in- and sit and watch DC play.

Our accommodation was room only for the extra weekend we booked which had a good mattress, then for the tots week, standard appt which was ok but the mattress was not good. You will surely have good mattresses in the Gold.

Angelina Ballerina is on a different times through the week, as is Fireman Sam etc, but you get a schedule. Mr Maker was great. People queued for 2 whole hours with their children. We thought this was unfair on DS so went in at last minutes and while the tables were occupied near the stage, they had cleared a big space for tots to sit on the floor in front of the stage and we sat there with a great view. Try the AM show and if you feel you have not seen it well enough, simply go to the afternoon show. Cancel your B-line because the other shows are dance acts and a magic act, not for 2YO and not oversubscribed.

The best thing is that if your DC need to be in bed early, as ours did, you and your mum can take it in turns to go sit somewhere in the Skyline Pavilion with a good book and a drink or a coffee. There are lots of families about and it’s a nice place to sit, where as you might not go sit in a bar by yourself in a holiday resort.

The premium dining was great but be aware they stop serving at 7pm (4.30-7pm I think). You get to go between 2 nice restaurants with a great selection of food for breakfast and evening meal and can go up as often as you like. The Deck serves slightly more food, e.g. fresh made pancakes and omelettes at breakfast, but the Yacht club felt more stylish for evening dining to me.

There is a kiddies fun fair and while our son was nervous on rides that went up, he just loved driving the cars they have on a track. The pool is just great for 2 year olds. Little tube slides etc. You’ll have a great time. Sounds like you deserve it.

NanFlanders · 17/07/2014 10:56

Not disputing other poster's thread - it does sound unacceptable. However, I would say that in the approx 6 times we have been, we have had two minor complaints (one was TV remote not working). Both times these were dealt with very promptly and efficiently.

SoonToBeSix · 17/07/2014 11:49

Yacht makes omelettes and pancakes they bring them to your table that's why you couldn't find them in standard Norwegian.
Op and anyone else I think you would be very silly to bar your options on Butlins based on one person experience in the other thread. When I have had minor issue at Butluns they have been rectified immediately. I do wonder if that poster has mistaken gold for five star.

fledermaus · 17/07/2014 12:05

I would expect not to find fag butts and dead insects in standard, let alone gold!

Sallystyle · 17/07/2014 13:10

I love Butlins! We used to go every year but we can't afford it now.

itiswhatitiswhatitis · 17/07/2014 14:22

The other thread is one persons bad experience go on trip advisor and read reviews for 5 star hotels there will always be someone with a bad story to tell.

I have stayed in a five star, immaculate hotel in London before and found a used tampon down the side of the bed sometimes places fuck things up.

We've just had a new sofa delivered by scs, if you google them online there are some awful stories about them but our sofa turned up on time, was in mint condition and we are very happy but I must admit the 6 week wait whilst I read all the awful reviews made worry that we'd be having the same experience.

SHarvey98 · 03/11/2021 07:53

I’m wanting to go on holiday in the UK my daughter will be 4 months old. Can anyone suggest places to go was thinking butlins/centre parcs but feel like she maybe to young.

dottymac · 03/11/2021 07:57

We did Skegness just for tots a few years and it was bloody great! Go and relax - the kids will love all the fun and be tired out - enjoy!

YellowandGreenToBeSeen · 03/11/2021 07:59

ZOMBIE THREAD

Guacamole001 · 03/11/2021 08:09

Crap food in my exp. Except for the English breakfast.

Morgantowers · 03/11/2021 08:15

I know so many people who have done Butlins and they always rave about how great a time their children had. These are the same families who think nothing of traipsing their broods around shops in Dubai or ruins in Greece! In fact we’re considering their Christmas weekends for next year.

Frazzled2207 · 03/11/2021 08:19

I don’t think I could bear it but fairly sure my kids would love it
My very middle class friend goes with his kids. Again it’s not really his scene but his kids adore it and it’s a pretty easy and hassle free break for them all.

Lalliella · 03/11/2021 08:34

@SHarvey98

I’m wanting to go on holiday in the UK my daughter will be 4 months old. Can anyone suggest places to go was thinking butlins/centre parcs but feel like she maybe to young.
@SHarvey98 you need to start your own thread - you’ve commented on a very old one!
Europilgrim · 03/11/2021 08:39

I would love @oldermummy1 to come back and tell us how it went!

Liverbird77 · 03/11/2021 09:06

It is absolutely brilliant! It's not a seven star resort, so as long as you accept that you'll have fun!

FelicityPike · 03/11/2021 09:10

ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD
ZOMBIE THREAD!!

FelicityPike · 03/11/2021 09:11

@Europilgrim

I would love *@oldermummy1* to come back and tell us how it went!
From her trip in 2014? SEVEN years ago.
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