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AIBU?

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Original poster

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

99 replies

Abneyandteal19 · 12/03/2019 07:30

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??

OP posts:
Majorcomet · 12/03/2019 08:17

Do Butlins still cancel your holiday if you aren't on the electoral roll?
I'm on anonymously and have never been able to go.
We've done Haven instead for the last 13 years who have no such issue.

Original poster
Abneyandteal19 · 12/03/2019 08:17

Vulpine
Good to know Wink
He's a bit champagne lifestyle on beer money!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Abneyandteal19 · 12/03/2019 08:18

BoswellsBollocks
Ah that's lovely! I'll tell DH maybe we will start a new tradition Wink

OP posts:
cantbearsed1 · 12/03/2019 08:18

Your kids will love it, and having lots of entertainment for them will make it easier for you too.

Original poster
Abneyandteal19 · 12/03/2019 08:19

*Majorcomet
*
What?? Is that legal? We are on it but still...??
What on earth would the reason for that be?

OP posts:
cantbearsed1 · 12/03/2019 08:21

Because they want to check that they have booked with their real home and name details?

Mummyoflittledragon · 12/03/2019 08:22

My parents refused to set foot in butlins when I was a child. Dd is an only and loves it. Perhaps growing out of it a bit now. She’s off to secondary next year. We stayed in silver apartments once. Never again. Electric radiator not working and hanging off the wall - did get fixed, not terribly clean. The new chalets in minehead are lovely. It’s full of pricey cars and people carriers etc. Idk about the hotels. But yes, your children will love it!

Curlyhairedbrummie · 12/03/2019 08:24

We went to Butlins at Bogner just before Christmas with our 2 year old. We went mid week and stayed in a new silver apartment. It was fab! DS loved absolutely loved it. There is so much to do, he was never bored! All the staff where really helpful and welcoming and I didn't have any problems with accommodation or food (We went self catering but had a couple of meals out).

Of course it's all about the kids but that's what these holidays are about.
We're planning on going again this year. Have a great time x

PBo83 · 12/03/2019 08:24

I goto Butlin's twice a year (once with my wife and step daughter and again with mates on an adult weekend).

I have never had a concern about cleanliness and the hotels are brilliant. We don't normally do the dining plan (apartment and get shopping on the family trip and a liquid diet on the adult one).

It's quite tiring as there's loads of free stuff for the kids to do and you'll want to make the most of it. The reward comes in the evening when, providing they are engaged by the entertainment, this buys you a bit of relaxing time to sit down with a much needed drink.

When me and my wife go we take it in turns to be the one to take my step daughter home early, the other can then stay out and enjoy the later shows with a drink for an hour or two.

The kids will love it and, if you manage to get into the right mindset for it, then you won't exactly hate it either.

Have fun!

Tixywixy · 12/03/2019 08:25

We've done Butlins in Bognor for a weekend. It was a bit cheap and cheerful but great fun and the kids loved it. It's a really lovely walk on the seafront and there really is lots to do. And if it gets too much for your husband you can always go for a drive along the coast. Tbh I'd prefer catered holdiays too with the kids the age they are and also I'd prefer activities thrown in. It'll be a much bigger rest for you. And as you say you can have posh holidays later (out the other side, lol!).

Myusernameismud · 12/03/2019 08:27

I took DCs to butlins for a week in August a few years back and only paid 500! There was a really good deal on! We stayed in the shoreline hotel and they loved it. It's a few mins walk to the main centre bit, which is great in the evenings when they're tired. Our room was immaculate and they loved having their own little room within the room.
YADNBU, my DCs are 12 and 10 now, and they still ask to go back every year!

Twins1212 · 12/03/2019 08:31

Hi I'm a Granny to very active twin boys who will be 20 months when I plan to take them on holiday in October. Grampa , Mum, Dad and my two adults step kids will be with us . I don't know where to start looking. Obviously not too long a flight and somewhere where we can keep the twins occupied is essential. Not too fussed about a beach ( all that sand over everything lol ). Close to nightlife or included . All inclusive if possible but not essential. Can any of you lovely mum's recommend anywhere ?

Iwantacampervan · 12/03/2019 08:33

If you want to 'escape' for a while then walk along the sea front to Felpham (lovely ice cream shop/cafe), the other way to Bognor itself or just go down to the beach (not sandy though).

Iooselipssinkships · 12/03/2019 08:35

We've been to the Skegness one three times now, we don't stay onsite though and usually hire a caravan or camp nearby.
It's great. We all love it. The cheesy redcoats, the big magical tent and the food was lovely! Lots of choice and as much as you want.
Our favourite is the waterpark, especially if they have the rapids ride then you're all in for a laugh! We must've rode it 50 times and the kids (and I) mention it weekly.
I wouldn't compare it to Center Parcs as that's on a different level (we love it there too) but it's still good fun and you'll make some fab memories.
Enjoy!

TeenTimesTwo · 12/03/2019 08:35

We haven't done a Butlins but have done various other holiday parks over the years with our DC. The clientele tend to be mixed. Some who sit at the bar most of the day while kids play, some doing stuff with their kids, some out and about in the area in the day time. It has always been fine, and we've never seen any fighting or anything like that. They have always been good family friendly holidays.

Sindragosan · 12/03/2019 08:42

We've been on the tots breaks and had a great time. Loads of activities and the shows are just the right length for fickle attention spans. Story, song and dance activities for joining in - Billie and Bonnie bear were big hits. Not a relaxing break for parents but the pool was nice for a while.

No sign of trouble, generally orderly queues for anything requiring a queue.

brizzlemint · 12/03/2019 08:43

1k for a week at Butlins! That's daylight robbery.

ToffeePennie · 12/03/2019 08:45

We go to haven for a week every year. It’s all we can afford and all our Christmas and birthday money goes on it.
We have decided this year we can do for two weeks, which is a huge treat for us.
Yes it’s rough, but you will never have more fun as a kid or an adult than at haven (specifically hafan y mor) I’ve been going every year since I was 4 and it’s still a magical holiday even as a nearly 30 year old mum I’m excited!

Majorcomet · 12/03/2019 08:45

Abneyandteal19 they quote it's for safety and security. They don't always check but they tend to when it's peak season. I'm presuming for the reasons cantbearsed1 said but I think they have a bit of trouble in the past and want to make sure people are who they say.

There were threads on here a couple of summers ago and in the paper about those with Irish names being cancelled but don't know how true that part was.

CostanzaG · 12/03/2019 08:47

The kids will love it ....and it's actually really nice to see the kids having an absolute ball.
We've done a few caravan holidays with our now 4 year old and we really enjoy them. There's something quintessentially British about them.
However, if you do need to relax and just go with it. If you're DH goes with the attitude 'it will be rough' then he probably won't enjoy it.

TitusAndromedom · 12/03/2019 08:48

I’m at a tots’ weekend right now. It isn’t rough, from what I’ve seen. The children are having a lovely time and I’m not having to do any cooking, which was my one wish. The food is actually pretty good, too. There are a lot of organised activities, but we’re planning on going swimming today and the beach tomorrow, if it’s dry, so I feel like you can dip in and out. Accommodation is a little small, but fine. This is definitely not the sort of thing I would normally do, but it seems okay for a short break.

GetOffTheTableMabel · 12/03/2019 08:55

I can be a bit snobby and I think it sounds really great. Watching your children have fun is always fun. Not cooking on holiday is always fun. As long as your DH will throw himself into it and enjoy the spirit of the trip, it should be fun. Shirt journey also sounds very appealing.

QueenofmyPrinces · 12/03/2019 08:58

I’ve taken my children to Butlins a few times (and my nieces) and we are going again in April!

The kids LOVED it and I loved it because seeing my children so happy and excited made me feel happy too.

My son would rather go to Butlins than have a holiday abroad any day!!

TraLaLaaaaa · 12/03/2019 08:59

My DS is 6 and we've managed to squeeze in 5 Tots Weeks so far. He absolutely loves it and always asks if we can go again. We've always gone term time which makes it amazing value. But now he's too old for Tots Weeks and at school, I'm not sure I'd want to pay £800+ for the summer holidays or similar... DS would still think it worth every penny though. Your kids will love it.

Missingstreetlife · 12/03/2019 09:00

It is downmarket, good for older kids that can be left to roam around and come back at dinner time. Probably ok for a couple of days for little ones but to be honest with that age i would just do a hotel with pool, or holiday flat and eat out, and go to the beach, maybe a day pass to butlins. Animal sanctuary or children's farm.
Had fabulous beach holidays in uk and cheap packages in Portugal with toddlers and preschoolers. I didn't think butlins was that cheap.
Bognor beach is stony, dorset has sandy beaches, but sea may be too cool to swim in June.
If you go, be prepared to throw yourself into kitch activities and enjoy it.

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