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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go on holiday to butlins?

85 replies

inpixiehollow · 28/06/2021 19:35

Met with a friend for lunch the other day we were chatting about this and that and I mentioned I had booked to take my two under 2's on a just for tots break next summer. My friends reaction was quite clearly one of horror.. I know its not fancy but she pulled a face like I had said we were going to have a week at HMP.
AIBU to want to holiday fairly locally with two very small children, with activities to keep them occupied?

OP posts:
BendingSpoons · 28/06/2021 19:38

We went last summer with a 1yo and 4yo. 4yo had the best time ever! It isn't my first choice personally, but happy kids = happy parents! It was easy and fun. Go for it!

superduster · 28/06/2021 19:38

We go every year to a caravan park about an hour away and the kids love it. Not what we would chose as adults but we've discovered its a lot more like a holiday if the kids are happy.

PatchworkElmer · 28/06/2021 19:39

YANBU, it’s brilliant for small children.

DismantledKing · 28/06/2021 19:40

Butlins has seriously upped its game in recent years.
At least you’ve not booked Pontins!

Waxonwaxoff0 · 28/06/2021 19:40

YANBU. DS age 8 loves it, we've been on many holidays abroad and Butlins is still his favourite!

Thehop · 28/06/2021 19:41

My kids LOVE butlins and so do I.

My husband won’t go again because they were huge supporters of brexit and put a lot of money into it.

Gutted.

Wide · 28/06/2021 19:41

It's great there and I am particular! The premium dining food was seriously amazing, so much choice pre covid!

NamingBabies · 28/06/2021 19:41

We went last year for the first time with an almost 2 year old. I wasn’t thrilled when we booked it (it was booked last minute as we were due to go on a Caribbean holiday which got cancelled, and butlins was all we could book in for) but honestly I couldn’t have been more wrong - we had the best time. Little one absolutely loved it and smiled from morning to eve, I’m pregnant again now and we’ve said we’ll definitely go again when this baby is a year or so. Fair enough it’s not the relaxing beach holiday we might be used to but my daughter loved it and it was worth it for that.

Deathsquito · 28/06/2021 19:41

MIL was horrified that we regularly took ds and ds to Butlins when they were younger. She was particularly mortified that it was in ‘chavvy Skegness’.

We completely ignored her. The staff were friendly, it was clean and the dc LOVED it there. It was hardly the war torn battlefield we were warned about.

We didn’t see the point in going through the expense/travel hassle of our usual holidays when all dc wanted was a swimming pool, playgrounds, small fair rides, amusements, a beach and loud shows involving dressed up characters.

After a few years MIL announced she wanted to come. Told all her friends when she came back how surprisingly marvellous it was for young children Grin

Arbadacarba · 28/06/2021 19:42

Why not? Not my thing as I don't want to be entertained on holiday - I like middle-of-nowhere places - but the world would be boring if we all liked the same things. Your friend sounds like something of a snob.

Frazzled2207 · 28/06/2021 19:44

It def would not be my first choice but when you have kids it makes such a difference if kids are well catered for. Makes for generally happier parents which means better holidays

I haven’t been yet but can totally see why people go and don’t judge at all. I have been to Center parcs which I suppose is the more upmarket version- liked it but all a bit of a rip off.

CupOfTPlease · 28/06/2021 19:45

People act snobby at Butlins but it's good fun and the kids love it!

People think it's a cheap holiday but if you don't get a deal and once you're in there it isn't cheap at all.

We've booked for May as for 4 nights for £120!!! Was meant to be £490z

KeepingItReal11 · 28/06/2021 19:45

I know its not fancy but she pulled a face like I had said we were going to have a week at HMP

Yep, we lasted an hour then left. A HMP is an accurate description of the clientele and accommodation.

CupOfTPlease · 28/06/2021 19:46

@Thehop

My kids LOVE butlins and so do I.

My husband won’t go again because they were huge supporters of brexit and put a lot of money into it.

Gutted.

You can go without him.
ChocolateCakeYum · 28/06/2021 19:46

Holiday parks are great for kids¿ I don’t know why people sneer at them. The entertainment isn’t any worse than what you’d get in a cruise-ship or in Tenerife etc.

TopTabby · 28/06/2021 19:48

Our dds are teens but we've been twice & had a right laugh. Went last September & they were brilliant with Covid restrictions. Reading reviews, I think we were lucky with our Gold apartments but we had no problems. We booked all the shows online & used the Bserve app, again no problems.
I've heard so many negative reactions, usually from people who've never been. You do see all sorts of people but if you go with an open mind you'll have a great time.
We spent 12 years going on little local holidays, dds loved them & if they were happy, so were we. Have fun!

inmyslippers · 28/06/2021 19:49

We went to the just for tots event. It's a holiday purely for the kids. I loved the app. Activities on the hour every hour. Teletubbies headlined 🤣

Comedycook · 28/06/2021 19:50

We went to Butlins...I cannot stand the snobbiness about it. It is fantastic. The swimming pool is incredible...best I've been in with loads of waterslides. Kids loved it. Excellent entertainment, funfair and circus included in the price. Loads of actvities, loads of places to eat. Clean rooms, friendly staff.

FrownedUpon · 28/06/2021 19:51

I’ve worked at one & it was pretty awful. A lot of fights, always poo in the pool & all over the rooms. I wouldn’t choose to have a holiday there personally.

Comedycook · 28/06/2021 19:52

@FrownedUpon

I’ve worked at one & it was pretty awful. A lot of fights, always poo in the pool & all over the rooms. I wouldn’t choose to have a holiday there personally.
I went last summer. The pool was immaculately clean.
DismantledKing · 28/06/2021 19:52

@Thehop

My kids LOVE butlins and so do I.

My husband won’t go again because they were huge supporters of brexit and put a lot of money into it.

Gutted.

I’m as Remain as they come, but that’s just silly. Punishing your own kids must be the very definition of cutting off your own nose to spite your face.
ReadySalt · 28/06/2021 20:01

The swimming pool at Butlins in Skeggy is brilliant. I was going to book a holiday this year but it is actually getting a bit pricey (no doubt due to COVID and more people booking UK breaks).

Deathsquito · 28/06/2021 20:07

Yep, we lasted an hour then left

Hope you didn’t have young dc, the poor buggers! 60 minutes is barely enough time to check in, let alone walk around and actually have a look.

I’ve been on an actual holiday from hell before, knew we couldn’t make the best of it after 24 hours as, despite us trying out best to look on the bright side, dc were miserable.

What exactly happened in that 60 minutes that meant you absolutely couldn’t stand another minute? Except for you exceedingly great taste, of course Wink

Crazycakelady17 · 28/06/2021 20:07

We have had many a great holiday at buttons when ours were younger it’s brilliant for little kids now mine are a lot older it’s not really there thing in non Covid times we would be abroad twice a year
And shock horror me and DH went to a 80s adult themed weekend yes we saw some sights but it was great fun and we even met Chico 😂
Enjoy your break your friend is stuck up

SquashMinusIsShit · 28/06/2021 20:09

Butlins is amazing! DD loves rides, characters & shows so it's her idea of heaven.
There's people from all walks of life, I've chatted to people covered in piercings & tattoos and head to toe Joules or Cath Kidston

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