AIBU to think going on holiday to Butlins will be just fine???

[Abneyandteal19]

Have two boys DS1 is 3.5 will start school in Sept, DS1 is almost 18months.

Can't afford an abroad holiday but DH and I have a week off work in June. It's the last time we could do a 'term time' holiday before DS1 starts school.

Looked up Butlins and looks amazing for kids- Bognor one, band new pool opening in April, free fairground rides, Teletubbjes and Paddinton bear shows which they are both into, loads of pre schooler activities for reasonable money,

Plan to stay in one of the hotels (Shoreline?) and get the meal package as we have previously done center Parcs and I just ended up cooking the exact same meals we eat at home!!

I think it will be ok and kids will love it.

DH had a much more middle class upbringing to me- I went camping/caravanning and he went to villas in Portugal etc!! He is not keen thinks it will be rough??

Anyone think that's its ideal for preschoolers? Term time and mid week avoid majority of teenagers/older kids being around?? Food looks fine- I'm ok with kids having chicken nuggets/fish fingers/pasta for 4 nights- not the end of the world??

AIBU to think they'll love it, it's within our budget, means no one has to cook and we'll be fine?? Anyone been recently? Any tips??

The kids probably will love it.

However when we as a family are booking a holiday we book something we will all enjoy and which has something for everyone. I would never base the decision purely on what would make pre-schoolers happy. Butlins/Haven/Pontins is my idea of hell so we would never go.

He is not keen thinks it will be rough??

He's right it will be very rough... for you as parents. Endless happy redcoats, over excited children, and daft songs which get stuck in your heads.

However, the children will bloody love it.

I'm with your dh, I personally wouldn't go, especially to the hotel (where it is more difficult to escape noise than a static caravan).

It's not a cheaper version of center parcs. Your kids will probably love it but your dh will hate it.

My friend's just been to Bognor, apparently it was a bit dirty in the accommodation.
If it's all you can afford.... Better than nothing? We're in a similar situation and book a 4 night caravan stay every year through Sun holidays. It's not my dream but the 3 year old loves it. We try and go somewhere near the sea so we can go beach as much as possible.

YANBU! I did a just for tots short break with my DS a couple of years ago when he was almost 4. This was at Minehead. DS absolutely loved it and still asks to go back. We went to see Justin Fletcher. There is so much to do and it's mostly all included in the price. Never a moment to get bored. I was dubious about it too. I booked the most basic accomodation and it was fine. We went for the more expensive of the meal plans. The food was lovely. I waited until they had an offer on and also saved up my Clubcard vouchers to put towards it. For the price it was great and we will definetely go back!

Some Haven sites used to do half-board and were a lot cheaper than Butlins. Food was nicer too. I completely understand you not wanting to cook. Can't you take it in turns?

We love the tots Breaks at minehead, stayed in the standard and silver accommodation. It's fine for a few days, we were only in the room to sleep (to be honest the beds in cheapo accomm are rubbish) and cook a couple of meals. My son absolutely loves butlins, I'm gutted now hes at school as we vent afford school holiday prices. There's so much to do for little ones on the tots breaks too.

Did Minehead 9 times when the boys were young. Had fabulous times whuch they still talk about. DH and I dud a Bognor music weekend and didn't like the site at all.
Could you do Minehead? Outside of the site is a massive beach and quite a nice little town. We did have a couple of holidays where the boys never left yhe site as there was so much to do!

I've been to a couple of butlins sites and my kids loved it. You'll only be sleeping and bathing most likely in your room so it'll be fine don't worry.

Hi,
Thanks everyone,

To answer a few things:

This holiday is all about the kids and DH is fine with that just a bit cautious I guess/out of his comfort zone!! We've had our fancy holiday pre kids and will do again in a few years (I hope!)

Glad a lot of you had a good time and kids loved it which is main thing.

Need to go to Bognor as it's only an hour away from us keeping the cost/travel down. We regularly drive to Scotland to visit family and it's hard work so did not want a long drive!

Yes have booked the most expensive meal plan as there was an offer on.

DH actually very good at cooking but the point is I don't want to do a tesco shop, pick it up, unload, I feel like life with the two boys revolves around eating and just want a break from that!! (First world problem I know!)

Not great to hear about dirty accommodation- did you complain?

Based on that would you recommend bringing our own travel cot rather than hiring one?? DS2 will be 20 months so might be fine in bottom bunk but hard to tell at this point?

Also anyone know how far the walk from the hotels to the actual main attractions?

We went when our kids were younger, so about 6 years ago now. We have stayed in the Wave hotel and Coast hotel. Both of these are much better than the Shoreline. I would recommend staying in the Coast Hotel.

I would take your own travel cot and I always took my own pillow too.

Kids will love it , husband will hate it but hopefully enjoy seeing the kiddies happy .

Go butlins while they are young , the kids will
Get more enjoyment out of Portugal villa holidays when they are older ( as will you as it will be easier with older children )

The Shoreline was nice when we stayed there, it's just the chalets you should avoid. Your children will love it, you will be exhausted as it's not relaxing woodland retreat like Centerparcs. I have very happy memories of my children at Bognor Butlins.

We love it! Even My DH does because the kids never complain they are bored and we get food included so we don't have to cook and can eat loads!

We have been to butlins a number of times and always really enjoyed it .
We stayed in the shoreline hotel and never had any problems with cleanliness and the food has always been nice (opt for hotel dinning). The shoreline is literally a couple of minutes walk from the main attractions.
If you opt for a term time break then it will be fine and not rough at all.the school holidays however are much busier.
We have been on all sorts of exotic holidays as well as caravan type holidays and would not rule out returning to Butlins and our children would be over the moon.

My sister has been twice and loves it, she is not rough in the slightest and never mentioned that being an issue just how fantastic the entertainment is for her children. They have been abroad many times and children love butlins the most.

I think if the children are happy there is half a chance you can relax so it's a win for the parents too. Enjoy!

We love it.

It's not cheap though, the shoreline holiday for a week will probably cost 1k

Actually probably not for you because you wouldn't need to go during half terms and summer holidays.

I had to convince my snob of a dh too. He ended up having a great time. Pure snobbery

Dontknowwasmadetoknow
Thank you! That's exactly what we are going for Shoreline with hotel dining. Glad you enjoyed it and good to know it's so close.

You're right that your kids will have a great time, and that's the main thing.
We went to a holiday park a few years ago (not Butlins) and i absolutely hated it. It was in August, though, so packed. Really noisy, awful entertainment, and actually not Beth nice older kids - there were a few fights when we were there, luckily that have good security .
I hated our caravan holiday too as it felt too much like I was at home, and even though activities were included, lots that the kids wanted to do ended up costing extra so it worked out to be a fairly expensive week.
I don't think your husband will love it, but your kids will so there you go!

Ds had such a fab time there last year, so much for him to do and stay entertained.
I'd go back again for the tots break if ds wasn't in school

Boobiestotherescue
You are right it's midweek term time and costs less than half that! It's the only time we will be able to do it before son starts school

We went to Butlins on a cheap term time break before DS1 started school back in 2005. We didn’t know what to expect but at less than £100 we thought it was worth the risk.

We all had such a good time we were back in the October and every year thereafter until 2016!

The DC are 17 & 13 now and still ask to go back.