To choose Butlins over Centerparc??

[Butlinsorbust]

Am I? I have fond childhood memories of Butlins ( had very young WC class parents, not much money but we had a few long weekends at local Butlins, the only time we stayed anywhere over night when we were kids ).
looking at a half term break at CP versus Butlins the prices are MAD at Centerparcs, plus so many activities seem to cost £!£ extra.
DP - bit of a holiday snob- is nixing Centerparcs in price but won’t go to Butlins!

I don’t think our kids will
care, pool? Check! Buffet food? Check! Room to run around, check!

Am I BU to go ahead and take the kids to Butlins on my own?

Bloody love Butlins! Great pool, great fair, great shows. You will have a brilliant time. Don't take the husband if he is not Ready to Butlins!

Kids will enjoy Butlins more than CP.

that’s what I hope! Mentioned it at work-in a professional setting and there was disbelief/ laughter followed by a discussion about how half term at CP cost them £3k then another grand in extras… which is what’s putting me off! We could go away away for that kind of money.

The age of the kids is important imo. I wouldn't take my 2 under 5 year olds to CP. Butlins ticks every box for their age group and we always have a great time.

When they are teens, CP would be preferable in terms of age approximate activities. I personally will be sad as a I love Butlins and would take sea and slots over the woods anyway of the week 🤣

We went to butlins and even my husband who is admittedly quite a snob 🙈had a great time!

Would certainly go back

DP will just stay and work. I also
work FT but DPs job is more ‘important’ somehow ( earns more) so on school breaks I am usually the one juggling work with kids which is why I want to go away.
never been to Skegness, what’s it like??

Neither… we always prefer Haven. Cheaper than both. Although I suspect many of the sites shut at certain times of the year. Some of the sites like Wild Duck are basically CP without the lodge but a caravan instead - and some of the caravans are really nice if you go for a better grade.

We are currently at butlins.
can do two school holiday Monday-Fridays catered for the same cost as one weekend at centreparcs. My two love it. So much more included than centerparcs. I just can’t justify the difference and it feels a bit more like a break without the cooking.

Kids are 10 and 12, get on well, sporty and outdoorsy so generally low
maintenance on hols. They love a pool and a fairground.
Plus they’re good at finding other kids to play with, so I’m hopeful of a bit of time to chill myself.

Just got back from Butlins! DP and I were a bit apprehensive about going and also thought about CP. However, we had a brilliant weekend. Would definitely recommend it. Kids had a blast! Go for it.

Not heard of Haven, will check it out!

We've been to Butlins once last December and we are going back in a couple of weeks.

The room we stayed in was dirt cheap and really disgusting, have got an apartment this time so fingers crossed it's better.

The food was good, the entertainment was for the kids but you know seeing DD happy makes me happy.

We did Skegness

Butlins for toddlers in the fanciest accommodation is roughly the same as CP in the cheapest. It worked for us and we’ve done both. And I’m a snob!

With older kids though I’d do CP.

The pool there is really good too

I like Butlins! The kids are busy all day and therefore I get the pleasure of sitting down with a drink while someone else entertains them. The cheapest rooms are a bit naff, but if you can afford to go for one of the apartments it’s much better. It’s also nice to stay somewhere who don’t really question that my children like eating things like plain pasta with grated cheese on top

We also went to Haven in Fleetwood in June and the caravan was very modern and very nice. It was quite a small park though but I can imagine a bigger park would be brilliant

Would deffo go ‘posh’ at butlins and get one of their new apartments.

We’re going in February to meet Justin Fletcher. DS will be 3 and DD 7 months. We’re also doing Centre Parcs January so be interesting to compare!

We went Butlins in Bognor for a few years when DD was little.

We have brilliant memories of the times we stayed there. Always stayed in the hotel and it was fantastic every time.

Drive out a bit and there are some lovely beaches too.

DD is too old now, but it was great when she was younger.

Also been CP a few times and found it totally boring and way more expensive than Butlins.

Also done Haven a few times, but the shows and the arcades too just can't compete with Butlins.

We've done both and prefer butlins!

A few caveats...I wouldn't stay in less than the gold accommodation- this is probably similar to the basic center parcs lodges.
If you are going to have a dining package then the premium dining or dine around is worth the upgrade.

We've stayed at minehead & Skegness.
The minehead site is lovely & minehead is a nice town if you venture out. Probably more to do with preteens at Skegness though.
Have a great time!

CP all the way!!!

Well, I reckon we should give it at go. Just shown the kids a pic of the pool and they’re in! Will break the news tomorrow to DP…
probably best if we 3 go ahead, save any worry about someone being a moany sod!

Done both over the years, really like CP but the price!! Can almost go abroad for the price of a 4 night stay-in peak season and as the OP states doing anything other than swimming costs more, do think butlins is more of an adult only, during its adult breaks or for younger kids but it’s a good holiday in those circumstances

I’ve been to haven, Butlins and centre parks. With kids definitely Butlins or Haven. CP is quite dull comparatively and if you live in the countryside nothing special.

‘CP is quite dull comparatively and if you live in the countryside nothing special.’

Good point, we are close to countryside at home…