Pontins - Blackpool some advice needed

LJ1911

We have just booked a family trip to pontins Blackpool. This is a 7 night break the first week of the scottish school holidays and we thought the price was excellent value for money.

However, I have been reading the reviews and am getting a bit worried about whether we have made the right choice. I have very fond memories of this camp from when I holidayed here as a kid and I was hoping for the same for my kids (we have a 3 and 4 year old).

I used to love the crocodile club and doing all the dances and songs (sad I know). If you holidayed there in the 80s 90s you will never forget the goodnight children song (I still remember the words) and hokey cokey pontins style, star trekking and the crocodile march:rotfl:

Anyway as I say I was hoping for this experience for my kids but I am a bit worried about the reviews. I don't care if chalet is basic but I do expect it to be clean but from what people say this seems unlikely.

Please can someone let me know their recent experiences and what we can expect? Many Thanks

LJ1911

Has anyone visited Pontins recently? - I would really like to hear your experiences (good or bad).
I am still a bit worried but I don't suppose we can do much about it now. We will make the most of our holiday either way:)

Tarry

The entertainment seemed good for children last night, they are still big on the characters, ie, Captain Croc? This is not Blackpool though.

new2u

Hi we go to Pontins Blackpool each year we will be there when you go, honestly the accomadation is fine but dated, The whole camp is tired looking,if you are used to 5* its not the place for you, But the blue coats are fantastic and the children are kept well entertained the evening entertainment is good and the we cant fault the food, there is a bus stop outside takes you into blackpool or fleetwood, So its a great base, your 3 and 4 year old will love it.My kids love it. hope this helps abit.

LJ1911

Hi Thanks for your replies. This has helped and I am now looking forward to going. I am always happy if the kids are enjoying themselves so to know they still have all the characters is good. We went to cala gran last year and they loved all the haven characters and entertainment.

Unfortunately we can't afford 5* luxury and haven't done for a long time:). As I say I am really not bothered about basic and dated but I do like things to be clean. I always thought the food was really good at Pontins in Blackpool and from the sounds of it it hasn't really changed much.

ljaybrad

Never been to the blackpool one but been to a few of the others. In our experience the accommodation is basic... but is usually clean and working... and if not the accommodation office would always come round and help if you just went and had a polite word.
As for pontins... it doesn't matter if the room is basic, you won't be spending much time there... get out and enjoy it whatever the weather.

Enjoy your holiday

miamoo

I have been to quite a few pontins, and most of them where an experience I would not repeat.
The first pontins I went was prestatyn, when I was 14 when ICI used to give single parent familys a free holiday there. So a long time ago. It was good from my perspective, but bad from the other familys on holiday there I woukd think. (a couple of hundred teenagers practically unaccompanied).
When I had my 2, we went to Blackpool pontins, and had a great time, it was nothing like Prestatyn, more familys and more under control kids/teens. The rooms where clean, the entertainment room was large and clean, we had a brilliant time.
We decided to give Prestatyn another go the year after, OMG nothing had changed at all. Even though the free holidays had stopped long ago, the amount of kids/teens running riot, drinking etc while there parents got drunk in the bar was awful. i would never go back there if you paid me, but Blackpool I would go back there it was nice.

LJ1911

Thanks again for all your replies they are really appreciated. We only have 3 weeks now until we go and the kids are really excited. They love Blackpool and as you say LJ we are unlikely to spend any time in the room.

Now all we need to get is some discount tickets for sandcastle, tower, zoo and Pleasure beach.

I noticed that Pontins is giving a free family pass to the tower on some weekend breaks. Does anyone think it would be worth asking them if we can get this with our holiday? or is it too late now we have booked?

roguetrooper74

Best place to look for vouchers is in the geust houses, just be cheecky and walk into the reception area of them and they usually have a huge stand full of day out leaflets with vouchers in them. The zoo is a good day out and they have recently had several babies including three lion cubs and a giraffe. Sandcastle is alright, but gets very busy. Pleasure Beach seems to get more expensive every year. But have to say Blackpool is really trying to improve and the new seafront is starting to look really good now. As for Pontins, I have never been inside but when I go past it most days the outside lloks like an old prisoner of war camp. But it is the quality of entertainment that matters most.

sooty&sweep

Hi

In the tower there is the circus, aquarium and jungle jims plus the opportunity to go to the top of the tower.

I'd say worth getting a free family pass if you can.

Jen

Zoetoes

I am going on the 3rd July for the weekend, I haven't had my papers through yet as I only booked the other day, will I get the free pass for the tower?

I'm suspecting there isn't a hell of a lot to do within Pontins (based on going to the Prestatyn one previously) so might order Pleasure Beach wristbands online before we go and go there on the Monday because we have to check out at 10am, may aswell use the last day.

Any tips? It's just me & my 8 yr old son going, my first single parent break ha ha, I'm a little bit nervous.