Is Butlins all bad?

Annieuk75

We have just booked a break at Butlins with our 2 1/2 year old son. I was diagnosed with arthritis this year and am recovering from PND so this is a much needed holiday. Unfortunatly all I have read is negative reports and comments about Butlins and I'm now wondering if it is really that bad. Surely someone must like it?!

dmg24

Have you read the threads on this board? They are certainly not all negative!

Which centre are you going to? What type of accom are you in?

KeithP

If no-one liked Butlins, they would've gone out of business long ago.

Must be doing something right. :beer:

The first Butlins, at Skegness, opened it's doors on 11th April 1936. Thats some life for something that nobody likes.

dmg24

KeithP wrote: »

If no-one liked Butlins, they would've gone out of business long ago.

Must be doing something right. :beer:

The first Butlins, at Skegness, opened it's doors on 11th April 1936. Thats some life for something that nobody likes.

The history of the Skeg site is fascinating. There is a nice little display by the original chalet giving some info, and the Butlins Memories site is a great read ... Although I am guessing you know this anyway?

Eagle_1

We have been to Butlins Skegness about 5/6 times now and we love it. We have been in a private caravan which was nice, we have also been in Butlins Apartments (always stayed silver apartment). It does get very busy and the one thing I dont like is the fact the entertainment venue gets so busy that it can be hard to find seats.
Yeah its expensive to eat and drink there but arent ALL holiday camps like that ? The swimming at Butlins is fab, this is one of the activities that make the holiday for us. We have stayed in apartments and upgraded to the superior dining plan during Feb half term and thought it was well worth the money, the staff were fantastic and nothing was too much work for them. The food choice was brilliant, it catered for all tastes.

You dont have to spend a fortune while you are there, we tend to just use the free activities.

Dont let a few people put you off, you'll have a great time

dmg24

Eagle_1 wrote: »

We have been to Butlins Skegness about 5/6 times now and we love it. We have been in a private caravan which was nice, we have also been in Butlins Apartments (always stayed silver apartment). It does get very busy and the one thing I dont like is the fact the entertainment venue gets so busy that it can be hard to find seats.
Yeah its expensive to eat and drink there but arent ALL holiday camps like that ? The swimming at Butlins is fab, this is one of the activities that make the holiday for us. We have stayed in apartments and upgraded to the superior dining plan during Feb half term and thought it was well worth the money, the staff were fantastic and nothing was too much work for them. The food choice was brilliant, it catered for all tastes.

You dont have to spend a fortune while you are there, we tend to just use the free activities.

Dont let a few people put you off, you'll have a great time

Did you eat in the Yacht Club? I like it in there, a lot calmer than the other restaurants!

Eagle_1

Yeah, we stayed in Yacht club, was a lot nicer than the standard dining hall. Dont think id go back to the cheaper option because as you said its a lot calmer lol.

susancs

We went to Butlins at Bognor a few times when our children were younger and we all really enjoyed it. We went half board in a silver apartment (which was very clean). There was a good choice of meals and even my fussy eaters found food they liked. We hired a small fridge onsite to put milk in for the children. The entertainment was fun, especially for little ones. There were Noddy shows (eldest daughter has always loved Noddy since) when we went and then Bob the Builder another time, a pantomine, kids disco's at night, magic shows, puppet shows, great swimming pool, circus acts, fairground rides.

smspencer

I love Butlins, and so do my kids. To be honest I think a lot of people say they don't like it to to try and sound fashionable - it's got that chavvy rundown holiday park status in some people's eyes. I absolutely don't think it's like that at all though, and would go loads if I could - unfortunately we can hardly ever afford it but if I had the money it would be our first choice every time.

The entertainment is first class, the food is very nice, the accommodation is far better than many other places I have stayed, and the atmosphere is buzzing

sickparrot

The entertainment is first class, the food is very nice, the accommodation is far better than many other places I have stayed, and the atmosphere is buzzing

ditto for Minehead, can't vouch for the food we always self cater but really enjoyed it. knock yourself out as it were.

rolleypolleypud

We've been to Butlins Skegness about 4 times and we have all really enjoyed it everytime. We have stayed in silver room and silver apartments and they were clean and tidy everytime. I prefer having an apartment but thats just my own personal preferance I like to have a little more space but the rooms are just as good if your only using them for sleeping.
We have always gone half board and have always found the food really nice. I agree it does get very busy in the dinning rooms but it has never put me off.

My kids love all the entertainment. My son loves the big walking, talking robot they do in the sky line and my daughter loves the Angelina ballerina dancing aswell as the fun fair, swimming, evening disco, etc etc.

I'm sure you'll have a great time:)