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?

Another one to recommend Butlins - we went when our children were younger and they loved it. There's indoor activities, shows, rides, lots to do. Really close to the beach. You can go into Skegness, but we didn't bother as the kids enjoyed it there.

You've to look past the Jeremy Kyle types, but the kids don't see that and they think it's amazing.

Never really noticed it to be excessively windy though, no more than other coastal places

I call absolute bullshit.

We stayed at Ribby Hall, did the illuminations tram as it was raining. Visited the attractions and the pleasure beach and had a good time.

We are planning Blackpool for our holiday next year. Lots of friends have been recently and have had a great time, lots to do for the kids and they have not seen any trouble etc. We are planning to stay in one of the nearby Haven sites as I can't face all of us in one hotel room!

we go to great Yarmouth every summer .. it's the south's Blackpool.

it is tacky but it doesn't mean you can't have fun.
Sun, beach, arcades and fresh doughnuts. what's not to like.

there will be crappy hotels but also more nicer ones to.

there'll be other things to do aswell.
sea life centre, crazy golf. shows.

your husband is throwing a strop and needs to get Into the spirit of things.

If it's about the illuminations, take a day trip from home and go somewhere else for your break!

Im in blackpool area... some things are fun (sandcastle/piers) but its not cheap.

Just dont stay at the Norbreck Castle hotel, otherwise have fun.

I wouldn't recommend it. Huge social and drug problems which are evident everywhere. It's not a pleasant place to be. People being sick and having seizures from spice, dealing openly in the streets, violence, dirt and the activities are so expensive, as is parking.

I would recommend staying at Ribby Hall, stuff to do on site and a short drive from all the attractions
www.ribbyhall.co.uk/

I've enjoyed lots of holidays at Blackpool. There are plenty of places to go if it rains. I like riding on the trams, the piers, the beach, the tower, zoo. Pleasure beach used to be free entry to walk around, but I think that you need to pay to enter now, even if you don't go on the rides.

Blackpool has more things to do than Skegness or Great Yarmouth. I've been on holiday to all three, Blackpool is my favorite

I've lost count of the number of times we've been- pleasure beach, tower, illuminations. Gets boring after so many times though.

We just go for the day.

Listen to all of the suggestions to stay in St Anne’s! Much much nicer and you can easily get the bus to Blackpool or park at the end of the tram line and get the tram in.

I've been very lucky to have traveled round the world, however, I think everybody should go to Blackpool at least once.
Yes it is tacky, garish and bright but I also think it is a hugely fun place if you can see past all that and just go for it.
Obviously the wether could be a bit iffy at that time of year, so i would go for self catering so that you have space if you need to stay in for a few hours. Hate being cramped into hotel rooms with DC.
With two small DC in tow , you will be out of the hen/stag do piss-ups anyway.

The beach is beautiful. Gorgeous walks along the coast. Not far from places like Southport or South Lakes. I do avoid all the tacky stuff like the arcades and slot machines but there is loads stuff to do.. Agree that Sandcastle Pool is AWESOME !! Northerners are a friendly lot. My DH works and lives nearby and we go and visit loads !

A few decent, family type places to eat below ... the trick is to get away from the hell holes on the prom:

Number 5 5, Cedar Square
Lindale Cafe 30, Dale Street
Quilligans 95, Church Street
Cookies 24, Church Street
Bispham Kitchen 14, Red Bank Road

We did a few days in Feb half term with a five year old and had a great time. Sandcastle pool is great, you can get loads of 2-4-1 vouchers for things like the sealife centre and the tower, you're close for trips to other places like the lakes, the beach at Lytham is gorgeous and just down the road, Blackpool's own beach will be deserted if you get togged up. There's a premier inn close to the town centre and pleasure beach with parking and it's a) cheap and b) a decent standard and c) has a pub / restaurant with a softplay on site.

Though I've just thought, will it be illuminations time then? It will be carnage if so.

I've been once and didn't like it much. I can see that the Pleasure Beach was probably great years ago, but it needs some investment. It's dilapidated and the whole thing looks like it needs a coat of paint and a good scrub down.

I have to say, though, that a 2 and 6 year old won't see that. They'll love it. It's bright, loud and cheerful - lots of toys to win, junk food to eat and games to play. It's ideal for small children - my niece is 9 and she loves going.

We went to Blackpool last week after last year taking them to Flamingo Land. We were only really going for the pleasure beach, stayed in the big blue and had a brilliant weekend. Yes it was quite tacky in places, but you can do it on a budget if you try.
We booked with my hotel break and park tickets were thrown in, used Sun vouchers for free entry to the tower and the wax works and paid into Dino golf and the circus. An evening on the pier on the Dodgems and bouncy castles and my children can't wait for another weekend there next year.

I really really enjoyed it, much more than I thought I would. I found most of the pubs that had hen and stag parties were much nearer the tower area, but the big blue is well out of the way of those.
Saying that, I think a week would be far too long!

Blackpool is brilliant fun but not in any way cheap.

I'm here as we speak. It's literally one giant funfair. Travellers, candyfloss and garish plastic.
It's better than I thought. Beach is beautiful, lots of families, not seen any hen or stags. It's tacky/chavy/ poor as you like but what you make it.
Importantly not anywhere wanky. Which is a relief after being charged £6.50 per visit to get to the " best" beach in Sussex, which you can only get to after sitting in queue of cars for 2 hrs, just so you can sit with similar families in there identikit crocs and Waitrose picnics ( and get glared at for any minor beach infringement - having a dog/ not having a dog, building a windbreak, not building one etc).

I went to Blackpool last week. Still as shitty as it was 20 yrs ago when i was last here.

Kids wanted to see it. I didnt. Stayed at the Big Blue Hotel which was awesome! Its the onle place I recommend. Shame its in the south, as the north area is much nicer.

But wont come back. Its a dump. Will never change.