AIBU to think a holiday to Blackpool would be fun?

[Flowersandbirds]

So we have a week in October half term to fill. We don’t want to go abroad as we need a cheapish week.

2DCs aged 2 and 6. I think a few days in Blackpool would be fun - illuminations, funfair etc. DH is being v negative and thinks it will be a bit rubbish - tacky, crappy hotels and sod all to do.

AIBU or would it be a fun holiday in Autumn?

Not my cuppa but some people might enjoy it

Embrace the tack! I love Blackpool- the circus, the zoo, sealife centre, tram to Fleetwood, I can't wait to go back!
If you have little kids, Farmer Parr's farm in Fleetwood is good too. We tend to stay in Fleetwood where it's quieter (not to mention cheaper!) and get the tram in every day.

Hate Blackpool, too many hen and stag parties and people puking in the streets

There is so much to do in Blackpool! Kids will love it.

You can't really get away from the fact it's a bit tacky though (in a good way imo!). So if dh is quite snooty then you probably won't change his mind. Take me instead!

I love the tack too. We are going October half term with 5 yr old and 2 yr old. Plenty to do regardless of weather. 5 year old most enjoys the trams tbh!

My ds is 3 and loves Blackpool, we’re only an hour away so go a couple of times a year, think I would be mindful that given the time of year, you’re not likely to have great weather, which will mean a lot of the cheaper activities such as seaside and paddling might be replaced by amusements and pleasure beach! We roughly coated up a week and reckoned we could get a week all inc cheaper when accounting for spending money.

I think that as long as you are aware of what Blackpool is like, then it should be fine. I can't imagine that drunken hen/stag dos would be a problem as you will probably be back at the hotel/b&b before they even get started. Chips, candy floss, fun fair, walk on the beach … great!

Really wouldn’t do it myself. We did once and it was pretty awful. Dog crap on the streets, loads of stag and hens. Pleasure beach is beyond expensive.
There are so many lovely family friendly places in the UK to consider. What about Northumberland, Edinburgh or York?

We went last april, my first time. Got a great deal at marton mere.

Blackpool itself is a shit hole im afraid, the hotels/b&b's really do look grim. The dc at 2 and 6 won't have much to go on at the pleasure beach.

We spent I think 1300 excluding accomodation/travel. Our week long holidays to spain cost much the same.

I used to love taking the kids to Blackpool. Yes, it's tacky and frayed at the edges. But the tower is brilliant, especially the circus. And the funfair is good fun too. My grown up kids still talk about Monsieur Tussauds as well. I've never been up to see the illuminations though. October would be very cold probably (it always seems to be windy in Blackpool even in the summer!). Check what dates things are open though.

Oh and you can use Tesco clubcard vouchers to buy tickets for various attractions too if you have them.

We went last year and really enjoyed it! Kids spent hours in the amusements etc. It is tacky and expensive, but it’s blackpool. The circus in the tower was amazing. We stayed in a B&B called waves which was amazing. Really friendly, great with the kids, good location.

I'm with your OH.

Blackpool is grim.

I was there a few months ago and I was shocked.

www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/12/when-lights-go-out

We went a few weeks ago I have a 7 and 2 year old and they loved it!! We stayed at a caravan just on the outskirts which was nice and we went to the pleasure beach, tower and Madame Tussaud's.... I got free adult tickets to the tower and madams with the sun but I paid a lot for the pleasure beach tickets but the kids LOVED it especially nickledeon land. Never saw one hen/stag party but a whole crap ton of school trips everywhere but I think that was maybe the time of year. Like someone else said I think if you go knowing what to expect then you can't really be shocked.

I loved our trip to Blackpool, loads to do for couples and kids. I think its reputation is quite unfair and mostly down to snobbery.

I'd stay at one of the nice reasonably priced B&B's rather than a hotel.

The only downside to it is that it's Incredibly windy there so plan accordingly and definitely make sure you all have good eye protection because the wind can stir up the sand as well ofc.

There is lots to do if you can see past:

'cluttered' buildings - all different heights, sizes, shapes, colours, state of repair.... Really 'triggered' my claustrophobia!
Crowds - see above claustrophobia
Drunks/Druggies

If that doesn't bother you then it's cheap with lots of variety.

Hmm. It seems DH and I are representative of MN views on Blackpool . Anyone give me a clue how much stuff like the circus costs?

Don't think it would classifie as a cheap week unless you can find a lot of vouchers. The water park is amazing though

It's really grim OP. Dirty, scruffy full of hen and stag do's. Don't waste your money.

I think at 2 and 5 if the weathers bad you could all be cold and miserable I think a week or more than a day or 2 at most especially in October would be more than enough. How about staying at Ribby Hall and going into B’pool once or twice for the day. Alternatively Butlins would be excellent for kids those ages if you are up for Blackpool type fun. We went stayed gold standard and found the food, accommodation and entertainment were excellent.

My family all live there. This is the order id do stuff in:

The zoo & play barn at the zoo;

Stanley Park (is fab, even in winter, go to the pricey 1930s building cafe for lunch, wander all over but esp the huge play area);

Blackpool tower circus and jungle jims plus dino crazy golf (not been to the rest of the tower id give it a miss based on age of your dc and these are best bits). Circus is a must even for 2yo. Its long. Book ahead for tower stuff. and get discounts if you can;

Sandcastle water park;

Get the number 14 bus to farmer parrs for the halloween activity go dressed in costume OR get the tram if you prefer, get off at Rossall lane walk all the way down rossall lane cross the main road and farmer parrs is at the other end of that lane.

Go to bispham as it gets dark, park blackpool side of the town 'centre' and walk from beginning of tableaux to redbank road. Then go to Bispham kitchen for fish and chips. Or ride from starr gate (or somewhere around pleasure beach i.e start of the lights) to bispham (end of the lights) on one of the lit up trams, or any tram really.

Cant remember the name but there is an excellent Blackpool institution ice cream shop south shore way.

The prom esp outside blackpool tower and down to the beach to pick up stones / dig if its not raining.

Theres a sea life centre (im not a fan, never been)

Think theres kiddie rides up near pleasure beach nicolodeon?

Yep. I agree its a bit tacky but kids love it! I would only do a day trip though. Grim memories of a b&b there.

I’m with your DH. It’s not my idea of fun at all.

Also lower your expectations. Blackpool is a dump but nice on the front. Kids all loved these activities from 2 up. Stanley park or running around near beach shoukd provide respite from the tackiness. I havent done all these things in one go but slowly over many years. It helps to have family around as dc really enjoy themselves.

We go every year for illuminations...tacky or not, the kids love it more than any abroad holiday. I have stayed at the big blue hotel next to pleasureland and it's fab but it's expensive. We tend to stay at haven gala gran but we book a private caravan with decking much nicer than the haven ones and cheaper too! There are usually loads of deals for October for various activities, sometimes on the back of cereal packs, in newspapers and also money off vouchers on the back of car parking tickets in Blackpool.

The cheapest way to do it if you want more for your money is to get the "Blackpool big ticket" or "resort pass" online which you can add attractions to and it saves loads on the door price. Go to visitblackpool.com to find these.

Tesco Clubcard tokens can be exchanged online for entry tickets if you have any of those but this needs to be done in advance.

Been doing this for years so if you have any questions feel free to message me :)