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Original poster

To be worried about Butlins?!

316 replies

Burlee · 14/01/2024 07:46

I’ve booked a few nights at Butlins in May - I used to go as a kid.

Last night I saw on their website that part of the pool in closed which was the main thing we were going for so I checked the trip advisor reviews to see if anyone mentioned it - OMG the reviews!! They were so bad they were actually funny! One person saying that the people who go there are tough as toast and it’s not unusual for parents to be calling their kids “little cunt” etc - kids running around absolutely feral, people queuing for 6pm entertainment from 2pm - everywhere smells of urine - half the rides don’t work - the accommodation is like a run down council flat - WTF have I done!

Anyone been recently and can tell me it’s not this bad?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Alexavolumedown · 14/01/2024 08:35

I think the Bognor one is mean to be the nicest out of the lot.

ssd · 14/01/2024 08:35

We went years ago so it might not be relevant now but overall it was fine. Accommodation was basic but did us ok. Food was plentiful, however dh got food poisoning but i think he was just unlucky. We were in skegness and the beach is nice. The fairground was great but cost extra. There was snooker and football on for the kids so my dcs enjoyed it. We didn't go near the shows as we dont like them, or the pubs. I imagine they'd get wild.

snowmobileon · 14/01/2024 08:36

OP as long as you manage your expectations you'll be fine. It is full of rough (and slightly drunk) parents but it is a cheap and cheerful holiday.

Zanatdy · 14/01/2024 08:38

I took mine when they were little as I used to go as a kid. To be honest, some of the clientele is definitely as you’ve probably seen online. Sitting there getting pissed with kids running round, swearing, just horrible parenting. We did our own thing and tried to avoid these people and I went back 3 times so it wasn’t as bad as you’re expecting. Last time I stayed at the hotel which was nice

snowmobileon · 14/01/2024 08:40

FWIW I see more feral DC at our expensive local private gym each weekend and the not at all rough or drunk parents are just as useless at controlling their DC.

TeaKitten · 14/01/2024 08:42

You don’t have to queue at 2pm, you book everything in the app anyway but we found it helpful to queue for 30-40mins as we wanted seats. There are plenty of rough families there and plenty of not rough families. If you are looking for ‘rough’ families then you will find them but other than a few crappy kids on the sky park we didn’t notice anything as we were busy having fun ourselves. You no it’s going to be a cheap and cheerful holiday so just enjoy it, my kids had a great time. All the rides worked when I was there.

OpalOrchid · 14/01/2024 08:43

Typical snobby MN thread.

Butlins is great but don't go if you are going to spend all your time sneering at other people.

Vinrouge4 · 14/01/2024 08:50

Burlee · 14/01/2024 08:00

We’re going to Skegness - 2 adults and one 4 year old who is very timid bless her. We won’t be doing the late entertainment but I was hoping to take her to the kids disco at 7pm … she is autistic however and we certainly won’t be able to stand queuing for hours! When I was a kid you just turned up and walked in!

But isn’t that the case in the UK these days? You can’t be spontaneous about anything as so many things needs booking way in advance. Years ago we would go to a shopping centre and drop in and see Father Christmas with the kids. Now I’m hovering on my computer for the moment the tickets are released - three months beforehand- so my grandkids can have the same experience.

snowmobileon · 14/01/2024 08:52

OpalOrchid · 14/01/2024 08:43

Typical snobby MN thread.

Butlins is great but don't go if you are going to spend all your time sneering at other people.

Making observations is not equivalent to sneering. OP may not want to surround herself with people who store cans of Stella in their pushchair (true story) It's okay to choose an environment you're comfortable with and to ask opinions on an environments demographic on an online forum. If pointing out that some people swear at their children is offensive to those people then perhaps they should stop calling their children cunts.

ThreeBeanChilli · 14/01/2024 08:52

Is it because people on mn only live and socialise in rather middle class/posh circles? So don't normally bump into the wider population?

And then are shocked when they do? (I heard a friend refer to centre parcs as "paying the chav tax " as she was blatantly wanting to buy a holiday amongst "her people".

After being at oxbridge I often thought those that go from boarding school to oxbridge to law in London or other "naice" professions really haven't been outside their bubble. Ot sure that's a good thing for MPs but surprised a bit to find a thread here with "there were smokers!?!?!?!!?!?!?" And People Different To Me on holiday...

bobomomo · 14/01/2024 08:54

If you want to see feral kids and parents drunk (and high) at 11am, Camp Bestival is the best place to spot them, and that's as middle class as it comes! I've never seen so much woefully neglectful parenting in my life, I loved it when mine were kids but twice we had to alert a steward who called the Dorset social services over due to the adult responsible being too drunk to take responsibility for their fairly young children (not talking about teens here which mine were). And yes everyone hides booze in the buggies there too!

SpongeBob2022 · 14/01/2024 08:54

I'm not very comfortable with the narrative around people being 'better' or 'worse' than others, however in the spirit of this thread I'm a non-drinking, educated professional and wouldn't be considered 'rough'.

Have only been to Bognor but it was great. We were in the hotel, which was perfectly fine (I have anecdotally heard that apartments aren't great). The pool was better than Centre parcs for me (OK not tropical but slides just as good, closer together and the changing rooms were cleaner). Entertainment was good. Bookable so no need to queue unless you want to sit at the front. We go to bed early so no issues with drunk adults. Food (buffet) was fine too and straightforward.

We went for DS (now 9), not for us. He loved it (which is what matters) but we enjoyed it too.

judgedreadful · 14/01/2024 08:54

You will have a brilliant time. I've taken my kids and done a couple of adult weekends always have a fab time. Have you paid for the food package onsite? Definitely worth it if not.

OpalOrchid · 14/01/2024 08:54

Perhaps go to Centre Parcs you get a better class of drinker there. Prosecco instead of Stella.

raspberrycheesecakes · 14/01/2024 08:56

snowmobileon · 14/01/2024 08:52

Making observations is not equivalent to sneering. OP may not want to surround herself with people who store cans of Stella in their pushchair (true story) It's okay to choose an environment you're comfortable with and to ask opinions on an environments demographic on an online forum. If pointing out that some people swear at their children is offensive to those people then perhaps they should stop calling their children cunts.

Show quote history

The upper middle class mums from my London NCT group would store bottles of wine in cool bags in the pushchair and take the babies to cocktail bars at 1pm...

mouseychick · 14/01/2024 08:56

You're going so I'd assume people like you will also be going. Don't look down on other people just becuase their culture is different to yours. Some people pay a fortune to experience different cultures

mouseychick · 14/01/2024 08:57

raspberrycheesecakes · 14/01/2024 08:56

The upper middle class mums from my London NCT group would store bottles of wine in cool bags in the pushchair and take the babies to cocktail bars at 1pm...

Show quote history

There we go then OP. Wherever you go there will be alcoholics.

x2boys · 14/01/2024 08:58

spanieleyes · 14/01/2024 08:03

Well, you might certainly hear some choice language in Skegness! But most of the families there just want a good, cheap holiday just as you do.

Butlins is not exactly cheap
Mums net is very snobby about Butllins
It is what it is I have Been to skegness Butllins twice when the kids were little its not everybody, s idea of a great holiday but children seen to love it .

snowmobileon · 14/01/2024 09:00

OpalOrchid · 14/01/2024 08:54

Perhaps go to Centre Parcs you get a better class of drinker there. Prosecco instead of Stella.

Couldn't agree more. CP is another place I wouldn't recommend to anyone. Also as a previous poster mentioned, the middle class festivals are no better. Coked up parents with Bombay Sapphire stored in the buggies. ~All just observations though (with a side serving of judgement but hey I'm human)

jackstini · 14/01/2024 09:00

Yes there are a few people there rough as a badgers arse but plenty of standard people too

But if swearing but I never heard the c word

Entertainment was great - I went with a friend and our 4 DC were 8 & 10ish

Which part of the pool is shut as that is important - they loved the slides, lazy river bit and waves

We took cleaning wipes but our silver apartment was clean, if a bit tired

It is what you make of it and a good laugh

Ours said it was a great holiday - and they've previously done Disney, Universal Studios, Dubai, villas with pools, hot tub lodges, port Aventura etc. so plenty to compare it to

x2boys · 14/01/2024 09:02

snowmobileon · 14/01/2024 08:36

OP as long as you manage your expectations you'll be fine. It is full of rough (and slightly drunk) parents but it is a cheap and cheerful holiday.

Again its not exactly cheap.

TheLogicalSong · 14/01/2024 09:02

I love reading bad reviews on Tripadvisor even for places I have no thought of going to. I would take them with a pinch of salt. Exaggeration is the name of the game. The review writer takes their genuine complaint, and bolsters it with subsidiary observations, e.g. the caravan wasn't very clean and people were swearing everywhere and everyone was drinking Stella for breakfast ...

HeyDiggity · 14/01/2024 09:04

It’s healthy for children to mix with a range of people and realise that everybody is just living their lives the best they can. Mixing with poor people won’t damage your child. You never know, they might even be human beings, just like you.

Namechangenamechange321 · 14/01/2024 09:05

I’m confused - out of curiosity I just googled butlins Skegness reviews and it has 4.3 stars on Google and 4 on tripadvisor. Where are the terrible reviews?

ChangeAgain2 · 14/01/2024 09:06

We go to Butlins Bognor and have been several times. My kids LOVE it. We don't swear. We don't drink. I haven't noticed swearing but there does seem to be a fair bit of alcohol consumed. The accommodation is okay. Its a bit cheap and cheerful but clean enough. Honestly, I think it's 4 days and is good or as bad as you make it.