To consider Butlins

[Stinkytoe]

Is it really naff/ run down?

We’ve done Center Parcs a few times, how does Butlins compare?

Following, interested in the toddler event at December. Colleague went and had nothing but good things to say.

Also interested!

We were very apprehensive the first time we booked it (it’s horribly snobbish to say out loud but we didn’t consider ourselves ‘butlins people’) We had a great time. And my kids had the time of their lives.

We are going away again for a weekend at easter- mostly because when we told our oldest son (6) we’d booked a week in Italy he said he’d much rather go to butlins, it’s his favourite place in the world!

I've done both; center parcs sherwood and butlins minehead. Pros for centerparcs are that i think the accommodation in general is more comfortable. We had a basic woodland home at CP vs a gold apartment at butlins. There was nothing wrong with the gold apartment, pretty basic and small, but serviceable. If i went back to butlins I'd spend a little more on better accommodation, but then you can because it's more reasonably priced.
Kids loved butlins, everything was free, the fairground was a bit hit, especially the under 5s rides. Also the entertainment was great. We didn't do the dining package, prefering to eat out at the restaurants and self cater.
On balance centre parcs is great if not in school holidays whereas butlins is a bargain!

Great for kids!

Same as @platypus i was snobby about butlins and didn't think it was me, but the kids loved it and by default we did too.

Butlins is ace and bognor has just had a make over. Centre Parcs is cool too mind.

We went for a long weekend and had a great time. Most things, were included in the cost and we had a dining plan which made the whole trip straight forward. The dc had a blast.

Our accommodation was fine but pretty loud at night. There was no sound proofing at all. We stayed in the silver apartments which had a metal gangway running past the windows which added to the reverberations from running/shouting people. Possibly the hotel would have been better!

You need to go in the hotels in my experience. The rooms are literally out of hi-de-hi. Once we came home a day early as I already had a bad back and the beds were uncomfortable. Even the kids agreed.

I think there’s actually more to do at butlins than centre larva
For children depending upon age. We went cp with a 7 year old and he had hardly any activities he could do. The entertainment at night is pretty good and the premise of it. The kids can run round, it’s perfectly safe and the adults can have. Few drinks.

Take it for what it is. We did the just for tots Justin Fletcher last May, in Bognor. I wasn't expecting too much so wasn't disappointed. The resort was OK, plenty to occupy the toddler. Just need to be organised in getting from place to place in time for events as they don't run for a long time (could be 15 minutes). The only issue I had is that the resort was packed out for the tots, so the Justin Fletcher shows were packed out, which meant being squeezed in and standing behind columns with restricted views and fidgety two year old. All the kids loved the show though.

On the plus side we didn't have the food option and booked 4 nights including all the entertainment for £350 (50% off) for the three of us.

I’m not a huge fan however went with friends when my daughter was younger, tips are to go self catering or upgrading the dining experience and buy sky bar if they still do them or vip passes, it can get a bit feisty for shows with people queuing for hours in advance. The sports extra were good.

We go 4-5 times a year my children love it. My advice would be to book the more expensive accommodation, we always stay in the chalets, hotel or 8 berth gold (it has 3 bathrooms).

FYI We were in the hotel and DD(2) loved it. I think Butlins started her love of hotels.

Agree to upgrade the accommodation. Skegness have new fairground apartments which we stayed in on our last trip and they were Decent enough. Bright, light, newly redecorated etc.

If your not restricted by school holidays then look at a term time mid week break instead of the just for tots one. It’s much much quieter, cheaper, and almost exactly the same activities/shows (it’s just marketed differently)

Have done butlins and Center parcs both many times and prefer butlins. More to do, many things included in the cost, no fuss to go off site and come back, by the beach and cater better for allergies if you want to dine out.
Centre parcs has more comfortable beds.

We've had someone go down with sickness every time we've been, despite being scrupulous over hand washing and hand sanitiser. It has never happened anywhere else and I won't go back now. (Minehead).

Like Entertainer we went to Bognor for Justin Fletcher / tots break last May. Had a silver apartment for £340 ish. Apart from the bedlam at check in trying to find a trolley to get to our room with our luggage, we were really impressed. Apartment was clean and in decent condition.

We booked it just as a base to explore the area with a bonus pool but it exceeded our expectations. Enjoyed shows, silent cinema and drinking a Pina colada whilst playing 2p shove machines in the evening! Pool was cold and in need of improvement but they are building a new one so addressing it. Would deffo go again.

Have been to Butlins several times as well as all sorts of other expensive holidays. The kids love it at Butlins. I would recommend getting an apartment rather than room, preferably silver or gold. I found the soundproofing better as they are more spaced out so you get a better nights sleep. Also I recommend getting a b-line fast pass or sky bar pass so you don't have to queue for 2 hours before shows. Up to you what you do about food. Sometimes we have paid for the food court dining, other times used the self catering in our room with the odd meal out. Worked well both days. Overall I think it's decent value for money.

it doesn't compare to center parcs. the accommodation is nowhere near as nice and everything is just a bit more... brash (think hundreds of arcade machines, balloon sellers, face painters...) BUT its my. 4 year olds favourite place in the world. so I'm also happy. the venues themselves are clean and modern. don't stay in a room though, I thought it was a bit grim. the fairground apartments were much better. my little one loves the skyline gang and the fairground. swimming is goof too. weve been to Skegness 3 times & returning this year.

We have been 3 times. It depends on your expectations, we just want a little family break with plenty of activities for DS and we love it. On the just for tots weeks all the rides etc are free and it's ideal.

Skegness one abit run down. Minehead nd bognor great. Its a kids paradise and the evwning entertainement is good. Like previous posters have said the fairground rides all free. Onsite spars well stocked if going self catering. Never a dull moment lots to see and do. We generally use the sun £9.50 and up grade. Never pay more than £150 for a Monday to Friday stay. Go for it x

Kids love the place.

Kids will get on with a.windswept beach and crabbing type holiday but let's face it. It's boring. And is just home with crabs and a drizzly beach.

Butlins is tacky as hell, full on with entertainment which they can do as much or as little as they want of and it's fun. There's a little fair and a pool, cinema and bowling alley.

I can honestly say I've never seen any fights or drama that some on here will no.doubt barrel in with claiming it's like fight club. (( worse place I've visited for that sort of behaviour is Bowness in Cumbria of all places ))

My dcs loved the place when they were Kids, definitely their favourite place. We took them because we'd had.fond memories of going as children for a relatively safe, but busy week each year..........I remember sulking when my mum.decided we were too old.when I was 10 or so and started dragging us abroad each year to places like Italy and Malta.

I will say though don't expect a.cheap holiday, it can be very expensive. If you go work out a budget and stick to it.

We didn’t go and expect a great time as adults, but the kids loved it. My eldest said it was more fun than Disneyland Florida

Gold accommodation was very clean, housekeeping excellent. Wouldn’t go for more than 3/4 days but it was good, never stuck for something to do.

We really enjoy going to Butlins. Loads of entertainment for the kids. We stay in whatever accommodation we have the budget for at the time. Gold is obviously much nicer but standard is fab for what you pay and everything you need.

If you do self catering at minehead, there is a Morrisons, Tesco and Lidl over the road. We either do one big shop in car or walk up to grab bits as we need them.