Off to Butlins...now dreading it!

[SpringHasSprungGrassIsRiz]

We went a few years ago to review it for Mumsnet and it was great for the kids, but it was a Just for Tots break, and we never got around to going back.

Decided to book a week in Minehead to kick off the summer holidays as the DC are older and thought they would really enjoy it.

Just made the mistake of checking the reviews on TripAdvisor, all of the most recent ones are horrendous!

Dirty, understaffed, overcrowded!

Now I'm stressed out!

I'm going to have to pack my marigolds aren't I?

That's interesting. I've been 4 times with my kids. (Currently 6&4) and have never spent more than £30 extra. And even that was on ice cream and slots rather than activities. I find most stuff is included. All the shows, activities, pool, soft play etc. we even got the circus thrown in free for booking at the resort last year.

Im booked into Butlins for October half term. The kids will love it and if I get 30 mins peace and quiet whilst they watch a show that’s great. I normally book premium dining rather than Dine Around as small kids don’t like to wait for food. I last went in 2020 and I found that I didn’t spend much apart from a little in the arcade, lunch and ice creams

We went to Skegness Jubilee weekend, it was ridiculously cheap for silver accommodation and the basic food package. I spent another £60 on additional activities, however, because the weather was bad we cancelled the drop jump thing and received the money back straight away. All in, including the £60 cash I also took with me, we spent just over £400 for everything for 3 of us. (includes BLC discount and bronze discount for returning guests) We spent most of our time in the pool and did some great shows and the pantomime. To buy tickets for all of those separately would have been a lot. Its not my idea of a great holiday but it keeps my children entertained from the moment they wake til their head hits the pillow. So happy to pay! I always take snacks and drinks so we don't spend loads whilst there. Just set a budget for the arcades and walk away once the kids have spent it!!!

I for one am extremely happy to hear the type of snobbery the middle classes have always reserved for places like butlins with their down to earth approach to fun. It keeps them away and stops butlins from charging centerparcs prices (the most overrated holiday there is - give me butlins over centerparcs any day of the week). I've noticed a worrying trend in recent years, first those middle class snobs came for my camping, and doubled the price, recently they seem to have been discovering caravan holidays ("my colleague went, she said it was remarkably clean") so I'd rather like them to leave Butlins alone!

I haven't noticed a middle class move into caravans! You can keep those

Wild camping, camping, yurts and wooden lodges, yes!

@Plogeggio butlins and CP are the same thing, one is just a bit more expensive than the other - they’re both enclosed camps full of forced fun and commercialism.
You will be more likely to find the middle classes in a villa in the south of France or VDL to be honest!

www.mumsnet.com/talk/uk/2500199-Butlins-or-Center-Parcs

one of my favourite peak-mumsnet comments is on this old thread where someone posted centre parcs is more ‘dress your child in boden or joules’

We've had a couple of breaks at Butlins & the entertainment was absolutely brilliant & pretty high quality.
Done Haven over the years too & seen a massive drop in standards with most shows being similar to karaoke & no visiting acts.
I went with low expectations & was very pleasantly surprised with the whole holiday.
It's great for families, we had so many good laughs. Stayed in a gold apartment & did a bit of easy self catering to keep costs down.
Have a great time!

Went on adult weekend there recently and used to take the kids regularly as day visitors. I never had a problem. Have fun!

Pontins on the other hand is absolutely disgusting

Also took my children to cente parcs s couple of times- they always got bored by the end of the week and actually much preferrred Butlins.

It is in summer holidays

Hope it goes ok

My friend was going with her kids and convinced me to tag along with mine. I was put off by the reviews too but booked a bungalow anyway. Turned out to be a brilliant holiday. Kids loved it and want to go back again

How did you find it OP?

Well still here!

The place is fantastic for the kids, the shows are brilliant, and there's so much to do.

The accommodation is basic (what we were expecting) but very clean. Cleaners constantly clearing up around the resort. Slightly dated in the SplashWorld pool, but just dingy not dirty.

Slightly understaffed, and hard to get a drink during the shows, but that's not the end of the world, as they've been fine with us taking our own soft drinks in for the kids.

Staff are really responsive and helpful. We had an accident were Dd left the tap running on the bath, flooding the chalet. They sent out someone immediately to wet vacuum it up, and then called a few hours later to follow it up to check we were happy or needed to move....even though it was our fault!

Today we've done a slime science session, saw "Braniacs Live", gone go karting, watched an amazing show "Dinosaurs v Animals" (think walking with Dinosaurs live) Played in a huge wooden Fort, been for a walk on the beach as well as spending an hour at the small fair....

I asked the kids which they prefered this or Center Parcs (We were there in May) and this wins hands down....

Glad you are having a great time OP. DC has been too old for Butlins now for several years but when we stayed we always had an amazing time- as you described. All accommodation was as expected (usually stayed in the hotels but gold chalet on one occasion as other family members joined us). Great value for considering all te things included and the staff are so friendly and helpful. In my opinion Butlins is massively superior to Centre parks which is just a council leisure centre set inside trees with over priced, rundown accommodation and high street catering chains/mediocre activities at extra cost. I have no idea why CP is still a thing and seen as 'desirable'- their marketing team are bloody geniuses.

Glad you like it OP- hopefully Minehead refurbs the pool, the Bognor one is new and amazing!!!

Glad your worries were groundless and you're enjoying yourselves!

That's brilliant! Pretty much our experience, minus the flooded bath 🤣 I really don't get the hate!

The animal guyz show is fantastic