To consider Butlins

[Stinkytoe]

Is it really naff/ run down?

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

it doesn't compare to center parcs. the accommodation is nowhere near as nice
Couldn't disagree more strongly. The hotels and naice apartments, chalets etc (NOT the basic ones) are really lovely. The accommodation I paid a small fortune for at Centre Parks was tired, worn and dirty.
Would also recommend the Premier Dining. The basic dining plan is just that, very basic, but we find the Premier is well worth the extra money.

The completely new pool area being built at Bognor looks fantastic - I think it opens later this year?

We've had someone go down with sickness every time we've been, despite being scrupulous over hand washing and hand sanitiser.

Interesting, we went a few years ago (Skegness) and I got a bug on my birthday usually not prone to vomiting bugs at all. I had been hoping to spend all day on the rides!

It was fun though. Just me and DH so we were mainly swimming and playing arcade games so we spent more money than we should have. We intend to go back when we have young DCs as lots for them.

I hate butlins!
It's so boring! Nothing is fun enough to make me want to do it again. Food is horrible and basic, same puddings every night, not worth the money at all.
It's even worse if the weather is horrible. Out of the 7 days we were there only 1 day it didn't rain and we spent £1500 trying to keep the dc entertained as only the free stuff is outside. The day time shows are free but aimed at younger children and there is a building with a couple of rides in but yet again aimed for 2-3year olds. The night entertainment is either aimed at 2-3 year olds or late teens/adults. Nothing in between so you spend even more money trying to keep them happy. Centre stage and reds get unbelievably hot as they let loads of people in-way more than they can accommodate! The accommodation is you get what you pay for basically. I couldn't imagine anything worse than going back to butlins, even if it were free and all the spending money in the world I would not go back.

DS age 5 has been on multiple holidays abroad to some lovely 5 star hotels. Butlins is still his favourite holiday and we go every year in the summer. If you're expecting the Ritz then you'll be disappointed but if you take it for what it is then you'll have a great time.

Butlins just for tots is bloody amazing! My 2 year old absolutely loved it! Absolutely recommend

We did a 'just for tots' 4 night break last year at Butlins in Bognor. We got it on a sale so was in gold accommodation for £260.

Honestly the kids loved it, and there was loads included in the price for the kids to do (shows, funfair, soft play, swimming etc).

I think for the price we paid it was a good break and worth the money, if you take it for what it is and don't expect 5 star luxury or Caribbean style weather. I'd definitely buy it on sale though as the same break out of sale prices was nearly £600 and I'm not sure it was worth that.

I suppose as well because it was a 'just for tots' break it was pretty much all families with small children so not a 'rowdy' crowd. I'm told some of their 'adults only' music breaks can get a bit '18-30'.

I took my kids to Bognor a few times. Twice when they were toddlers and once when they were teens. Had a great time. So much entertainment for all ages. Great fun

Again like prev posters would never consider myself a Butlins person. However, we have been 3 times now as my little boy absolutely loves it.
The first time we stayed in gold chalets which were a bit naff. This year we stayed in one of the hotels at the Bognor site and the rooms/hotel were lovely. We had the meal deal and we’d hapoy with the food.
All told I think it was great value.

We did the ‘just for tots’ session by the way

We absolutely loved it as kids and didn't want to go anywhere else on holiday. If you have young kids butlins. Age 13/14+ maybe centre parcs

I’m a holiday snob, I like quaint Portuguese towns or rolling sand dunes in Cornwall but the kids (including a young teen) love for their annual stint at Butlins with the grandparents. Yes some of it is naff but there is lots for the children to do and most of it is included in the price. The swimming pools are pretty good and mine live the funfair and the shows.

We go to butlins skegness every year, and have since DD9 was a toddler. The children absolutely love it, and i find it an easy break to do with them on my own. They are entertained from morning until night. I sign them up for everything as soon as we arrive: magic workshop, circus skills, climbing wall, high ropes. We do the gocarts too. They love the fairground, the swimming pool and the shows in Reds and centre stage. Last summer i booked the circus before we went to ensure i got tickets that didnt clash with the skyline gang.

We used to stay in gold apartments with my parents, but last year i booked just a room, which was near the fairground, with half-board catering. It was fine. I take bleach wipes just in case things need another wipe.

We planned to go to the beach one day but our days filled up so fast we didnt manage it! The skegness resort is next to the beach and there is a guard on the gate way betwen the beach and reaort ensuring only residents can come in.

i have started booking last minute, like the friday before, to get the best deal.

We ve never been to centre parcs as it seems very expensive for what it is but we love Butlins! We have been every year for New Year since 2012 and also for a week at February half term. We love it and so do the kids, so much to do included in the price but with arcades and eating out you do spend a lot. We ve never done the dining plan as we don't think it's worth it, we take breakfast stuff, have a snack for lunch and eat out at night. We do Skegness and prefer the seaside apartments or fairground apartments.

We're going in the Easter hols having done center parcs twice last year when I was on maternity leave. Will have a 3 and 1 year old. I can't wait

The adults only weekend breaks are grear fun too!

It's really not very nice in my experiences (Minehead) and so expensive for what you get. Food was awful.

I'd rather stay at home in comfort and do day trips.

Butlins is best for younger kids and Center Parcs for older ones.

Agree that it's best to upgrade the accommodation at Butlins to the best you can afford.

If you go to Bognor and get the wave hotel apartments they are amazing! We really rated that accommodation, it was massive and very clean. Premium meal plan was also good - we were pretty happy with the restaurant. I’d say 3 nights is long enough to do most of what you’d want, not sure I’d want a full week but we did a long weekend with a toddler and older siblings and they all had a brilliant time

We did it when the kids were little and it was fab. We went gold. Admittedly the first couple of hours I thought we had made a bad decision but as soon as we saw how happy the kids were with the free fun fair rides, Bob the Builder, Angelia Ballerina, Power Rangers Acrobabtic display etc it was fab we went two or three times and it was quite a drive for us. Also spent a lot of time on the beach away from all the commercialism in the big top.

Loads for kids, everything is free and adults can relax and have a few drinks.

It is not Middle Class.

I found it incredibly grim but we went when there was some sort of dance thing on and there were literally people everywhere. People were queuing 2 hours plus for shows. There was a mile long queue for Burger King at one point. There was a boy spitting food all over the restaurant without his parents saying a word. A girl puked everywhere in front of us at the entertainment. To be fair, the worst thing was drunk adults taking up places for the show, chatting all the way through.

Thanks for the many and varied replies! Still not any more decided.

Only been once to stay and for a few daytrips ( skegness one). There were some scary people there, impossible to compare to Centre parcs really.

Scary people?! 😂

Scary people throwing punches in the kids play area and being intimidating to passers by. I don't really know a polite way of saying it without sounding snobby but they were rough !!

We go to Butlins Skegness every year with brother in law who has a learning disability and grandchildren. It's tiring but they absolutely love it, always something to do. Food yummy and a good variety and they love the shows, circus and Redcoats.
Would definitely recommend but would say stay in gold if you can x