E:06/02/09 - The Sun £9.50 holidays are back.

lab-dab

Thats useful to know thanks susie.. we're unsure what to do this year as we'll be going again anyway (my DD anxious mad, lol) but might chance it and take an electric heater.

Last time they gave us a very posh van with raised dining area, and real radiators right through but dunno if that was an upgrade or their level of prestige as when we went to haggerston it was a fixed sofa in the lounge and not as modern van..

I might give them another go thanks.

BargainhunterII

susieb wrote: »

You dont have to purchase them, but check each sites details as I know of one site where you do have to pay for the adult passes.

We have never even had to show our passes at Haven or Butlins, think only Pontins Hemsby asked to see them.

We always pay for them obviously, just incase as dont want the kids to be disappointed!

squidykins

I noticed that people say about codes, where do you get these from the newspaper or the website.

Plushchris

I've been on a lot of Sun holidays over the years, I NEVER pay for entertainment passes and have only ever had a problem once, the other times I've never been asked for them.

I would say dont buy them, then if you try to get in to the clubhouse and they ask for the passes THEN go and buy them.

The last few times we havent paid for linen etc either and its always been in the caravan when we've got there (although we have taken our own)

It is worth looking online at some of the parks own websites though as most of them have good offers on that can work out about the same as the sun breaks once you add service charges and entertainment (as these are always included in the price when you book direct)

TITEASCRAMP

Can you take dogs to any of the places on offer?

Craftyman1

Parkdean are offering:

• Book online up to the 4th January and you'll get a £20 online discount
• Book any holiday of seven nights or more and save £40 per week

Are they trying to get the full price before the Sun offers kick in or am I being cynical

or it could just work out cheaper when everything is included, heating, Linen, entertainment?

Raksha

I've taken dogs before - I search the Haven or whatever site for sites which do allow dogs, and then add the dogs when booking. Most sites take a max of 2 dogs per van, and you'll only get the basic bronze accomodation. Some breeds are excluded though We've found when taking dogs that you tend to get put a long way from the entertainments too, which we like. I now have three dogs, so I'm hoping to persaude #1 son and gf to come and stay in another van with one of the mutts so we can all go together.

jellyhead

The havens we've been to ALWAYS ask for passes, especially for the swimming pool.

Of course if you are just using the caravan as a place to sleep and you don't want to go to the club at night, or the swimming pool etc. then you wouldn't need to buy them.

When they send you a booking confirmation you have the option to remove some or all of the passes (children under 4 usually don't need one).

You have to pay for them at butlins, even for babies and toddlers (I called last year to check). They don't give you a pass, you just pay before you go and once you're in through the gate you can do everything without showing a pass.

jellyhead

mumof2cuties! wrote: »

can i ask what are the chances of getting a mid summer break as my hubby is a teacher? and do you pay for babies ? thanks

If you have an online booking reference you are more likely to get a school holiday date. It won't be mid-summer - probably the day after school breaks up.

bubblegumcola

I booked one of these Sun holidays last Easter and we had a really nice caravan, more modern than I had thought we'd get. My only gripe was the gas fire was very difficult to light and there was no heating in the bedrooms. It was the coldest Easter in years so we all had to sleep with about 40 layers on! The kids really enjoyed the novelty of being in a caravan.

I was annoyed when I got my booking form back as they had charged me for bed linen even though I told them I didn't want it, took a while to get the refund but I got it eventually. I paid for the entertainment passes but we didn't use them much, I'd probably pay for them again depending on what what facilites there were. If I had planned to be out of the caravan park most of the time I wouldn't buy them, they are handy if its a rainy day and thats about it. My kids didn't like the entertainment and we only used the passes for going in and playing in the Amusement Arcade. The entertainment area where we went to was fairly run down and in need of a upgrade. We never used the pool so no idea what it was like.

I'd do it again, its cheap if you don't upgrade and pay for all the silly extras like the linen and a bigger caravan. I think for a family on a budget its a good offer if you can get the dates you want - book quick as soon as you get enough vouchers.