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AIBU?

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Original poster

Butlins

71 replies

Idiotintraining · 21/04/2022 23:44

Has anyone ever been

We are currently in Skegness one and leaving tomorrow 😢

Anyone else been?

AiBu for thinking its amazing for kids and not to holiday anywhere else

OP posts:
unlimiteddilutingjuice · 22/04/2022 11:34

What I will say is we did Pontins a couple of years ago thinking it would be similar. Don't!

There was a Pontins thread on here a while back. Replies fell in to one of three catagories:

  1. "Jesus just horrific. Never again. What a nightmare"
  2. "Its what you make of it. Its all I can afford, I just bring bleach, grit my teeth and get on with it."
  3. "I went as a kid. Loved it. Happy memories. Oh hang on.....I do remember my Mum running out to the shop on the first day, coming back with a load of cleaning stuff and scrubbing the chalet down while crying..........apart from that it was great!"
Louise0701 · 22/04/2022 11:47

I’ve never been and never would but I’m glad you enjoyed it.

Thisisthelifewevebeengiven · 22/04/2022 11:48

Doorlion I think you have misunderstood my post. I didn't say it was comparable in price with centre parcs or abroad, I said it was much, much cheaper....and worth every penny!

Hesma · 22/04/2022 12:42

Been twice, ended up with sickness bug after going in pool twice… never again!

DoorLion · 22/04/2022 13:21

Thisisthelifewevebeengiven · 22/04/2022 11:48

Doorlion I think you have misunderstood my post. I didn't say it was comparable in price with centre parcs or abroad, I said it was much, much cheaper....and worth every penny!

I didn't misunderstand - I am saying I know it is cheaper than abroad or Centre Parks, but for for me, it is still not a cheap holiday. I don't look at the price and think gosh what a cheap holiday. Fun yes. Cheap no. Yes cheaper than other things, but for me, on the top end of affordable

Crikeyalmighty · 22/04/2022 13:29

It's a brilliant and fun holiday if you have young children provided you don't have a partner who is allergic to other people's hyperactive kids, or a very mixed bag of holidaymakers. Me and son loved it- husband totally loathed it and he went home early. Then again I'm a middle class girl who really enjoyed Benidorm too(took my 18 year old) !

Waxonwaxoff0 · 22/04/2022 14:15

I'd draw the line at going to Pontins. It looks beyond filthy. I'd rather stay at home.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 22/04/2022 14:17

Duracellbunnywannabe · 22/04/2022 09:15

Is there enough to do if it’s raining?

can anyone give room tips? What are they like with allergies?

Show quote history

Plenty! There is indoor entertainment on all day. Arcade, cinema, bowling, restaurants, bar area, swimming pool, indoor sports and crafts.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 22/04/2022 14:19

TabithaTittlemouse · 22/04/2022 10:51

I can think of nothing worse!
we went when dc were small and it was dirty, full of shouting parents and hyperactive children. After that we camped abroad each year which cost a whole lot less.

See, I can think of nothing worse than camping. Grim. Horses for courses and all that.

StScholastica · 22/04/2022 17:48

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 22/04/2022 11:25

Absolutely adore Butlins.
I went on a cheap and cheerfull "girls holiday" in Skegness in the mid 2000's and it was very run down (but still fun). People that slag it off may be remembering how it used to be.
I went again in the 2010's with small children and I was amazed by how much had changed. Loads more options for eating, more activities, just generally tarted up. More expensive too :( but still well worth it.
We go almost every year. The kids love the free fairground rides, the playgrounds and the entertainment.
As PP have said, it can get very expensive. They certainly don't miss and oportunity to upsell!
Id recommend the meal package. Keep a close eye on the incidental expences. And make the most of the free option like the beach and the fairground.
Don't forget to make the most of the surrounding area as well.
The best holiday we ever had was at Butlins Minehead with a very grumpy DH who doesn't like resorts and "feels like he's in prison". I did all the cool Butlins things with the kids in the mornings and DH took us over to Exmoor to look at the neolithic tombs in the afternoons.
If you can remember "Holiday Showdown" it was like that, but in real life.

😅Are you married to Doc Martin?

StScholastica · 22/04/2022 17:50

Waxonwaxoff0 · 22/04/2022 14:15

I'd draw the line at going to Pontins. It looks beyond filthy. I'd rather stay at home.

During Covid they stationed the Army at Pontins Southport whilst they helped out in Liverpool.
Rumour has it, it was worse than camp Bastion.

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 22/04/2022 18:23

😅Are you married to Doc Martin?

Very similar

SingleHandSue · 22/04/2022 18:37

We took the kids to Minehead every year from 2005 to 2015. We all absolutely loved it!
It was a cheap and cheerful break for us as we always went in term time (naughty) and in the later years we discovered the privately owned caravans onsite which was better value for money.

We haven’t been on holiday anywhere since the last time we went, hoping we’d get abroad but Covid and other reasons mean we still haven’t had a holiday.

Sooooo we’ve booked to go to Butlins again in June! We’re staying in a caravan which is only costing us £265 Mon - Fri.

The ‘kids’ are 20 and 16 but are excited to go back. There’s so much to do on site as well as in Minehead itself so I know we’ll all have a brilliant time. We can’t wait!

I8toys · 22/04/2022 18:41

Loved it when the kids were little but outgrew it quickly and hated the music/shows they put on in the evenings. Not sure if they still do a Skybar but we used to pay to go upstairs away from the masses.

We then changed to Centreparcs Abroad and found that so much better, more variety and great value for money. Holland and Belgium sites especially.

JulyDreams · 22/04/2022 18:41

We are going to Bognor in September

Grapewrath · 22/04/2022 18:51

We live quite locally so used to go on loads of day visits as you could buy a pass
The kids absolutely loved it and it knackered them out. The food is awful to be fair but as we didn’t stay long it wasn’t an issue. The self catering apartments are grotty so that would be a possible issue in terms of shopping for your own food and cooking.

Theres a papa Johns with a salad bar and a pub with meals inc veg but the food is generally overpriced and poor quality
Most of them are near local towns so you could probably head out for decent food once or twice or just have a few days of rubbish.

Countdownis35 · 22/04/2022 18:55

BrylcreamBeret · 22/04/2022 08:16

Also, who said it was cheap? I don't think £1500 is particularly cheap!

I agree. I'm glad someone has mentioned the price. If you add everything you spend I didn't find it cheap either. I went last year. I won't be going again. The room was clean and comfortable we paid for the fairground room.

Maybebabyno2 · 22/04/2022 18:56

femfemlicious · 22/04/2022 08:27

How do you afford it. Its really expensive. Is thete a way to get cheaper tickets. Ive been once and i loved it i stayed in thr hotel. Which of the cheaper accomodation would you reccomend. To avoid shouting and drunk people?

Show quote history

We always go in the silver accommodation in the tots weeks. 4 adults and 2 children, never spent more than £100 an adult. We get one with a kitchen and mostly cook our own food, eat out once or twice and do beach fish and chips on last day

Grapewrath · 22/04/2022 19:03

Also to add we went to centre parts a few times and the kids always preferred Butlins as there was more to do.
We also picked up a horrific stomach bug from centre parcs (probably the pool) so that didn’t help

ElephantandGrasshopper · 22/04/2022 19:15

We've been to Bognor a few times with young kids. They absolutely love it. I wouldn't recommend for adults especially, although it does make for a relaxing holiday for parents, not having to worry about food or entertainment. We stay in the cheapest chalets which I think are basic but fine. We have always chosen the basic meal plan which isn't great tbh (unless you love oven chips, which luckily my DC do 🙄). we may try something different if and when we next go.

butlins Bognor is worth it for the pool alone imo. we spend a lot of time swimming there, plus the funfair, soft play and a couple of shows. we usually get a good deal by paying with Tesco vouchers and/or booking a long weekend including an inset day.

Hallyup89 · 22/04/2022 19:31

Went to Skegness in August 2020 and it was brilliant for the kids. No crowding due to covid, plenty of space in the restaurants, swimming pool and activities. We had premium dining and a gold apartment and it was great, food was good and far too plentiful, kids were happy.

Looked at going again this year but our kids are now too old for them to let us have one apartment between us, so the cost is prohibitive for us.

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