who been butlins vs haven holiday???

spaceman5

Have to say after working at minehead for 8 years i did wonder what was all the fuss about butlins, but since having kids, and holidaying at butlins bognor, and various havens/pontins, the differnce between butlins & haven is night and day, and is another world compared to pontins, although i holiday at havens every year and enjoy them, if i had the money there would be no contest i am afraid

artichoke

spaceman5 wrote: »

Have to say after working at minehead for 8 years i did wonder what was all the fuss about butlins, but since having kids, and holidaying at butlins bognor, and various havens/pontins, the differnce between butlins & haven is night and day, and is another world compared to pontins, although i holiday at havens every year and enjoy them, if i had the money there would be no contest i am afraid

Having never been to butlins can someone please spell out what it is about butlins that is better? I know a lot of people are saying this - and i really want to know what it is ?? is it a free fayre, or more free acitivites or better acts in the showbars?

I want to know so i can judge it it would be better for our family (once dog had gone to dog heaven).... people want different things so i am just trying to find out why you all think butlins is better to see if those things would appeal to us?

i suppose it depends on how old your kids are??

please can people explain a bit more??

thanks

art

j.sprago

The fair is free and various clubs, sports and activitys, from my experience the gold accom is great, the site is very tidy.

Red coats are brilliant for getting the children involved - and you've got X-Factor/BGT night time acts 2 times a week

narabanekeater

do you have to pay for entertainment passes at Butlins Minehead/ do you get given them like you do at Haven?

Zoetoes

narabanekeater wrote: »

do you have to pay for entertainment passes at Butlins Minehead/ do you get given them like you do at Haven?

There weren't any passes the times we went, it's just everything included once you're there.

crvhonda

artichoke wrote: »

Having never been to butlins can someone please spell out what it is about butlins that is better? I know a lot of people are saying this - and i really want to know what it is ?? is it a free fayre, or more free acitivites or better acts in the showbars?

I want to know so i can judge it it would be better for our family (once dog had gone to dog heaven).... people want different things so i am just trying to find out why you all think butlins is better to see if those things would appeal to us?

i suppose it depends on how old your kids are??

please can people explain a bit more??

thanks

art

butlins sound a bit more fun for older kidz, as mine only 2 and 4 yrs, haven may abit suitable for toddler kinda like hang around with no hassle and time catching

FiFi_Mad_Mum

Butlins for me everytime, but it's more hectic than Haven.

Butlins has an outside funfair and a smaller indoor funfair for the little ones, it says under 5's but as it is actually based on height I would say under 8. At Butlins this is included, at Haven it costs extra.

Butlins has a free soft play area, I don't think all Haven's have this.

Butlins have lots of football activites and soccer tots for 0 - 5 yrs, there is also cricket and rounders (were not a football family but I'm sure Haven has similar). Butlins has Archery and Fencing and these are included in the price, they cost more at Haven, this year they introduced tots archery but I can't find a guide so I don't know the age range. They also have shooting but that costs £5.

Activities with parents in the 0 - 5 nursery - messy time, arts and crafts, music and movement session, and there is a parent and tots room.

In the Skyline (Big Tent) - Bob the Builder & Angelina Ballerina (2010 guide), Puppet Castle, Thomas the Tank Engine show, The Skyline Gang shows, Barney sing-a-long, Billy Bear shows, , Lazytown, Storytime with Billy, Titan the Robot, I think there was also Fireman Sam and there are various shows with Red Coats and outside performers.

5 - 8 yr old - Circus Workshop and Arts and Craft sessions.

There are also clubs for the 9+ and Teenagers.

There is also entertainment every night in the Skyline until 9.00 p.m. top class entertainment in Reds (this year lots of tribute acts and comedians and illusionists) and the Centre Stage.

The niggle with Butlins is that sometimes you can be running around like a looney, booking activities, going swimming, finding time to eat, do activities and see shows (which are on all day), it can sometimes be far from relaxing.

HTH FiFi

mummyyummy_2

been to both in the past 12 weeks so ask away and ill try to help!! :j

snookey

Hi I found it really expensive at Butlins but we had really bad weather and had to pay extra for some activities to keep the kids amused. I think if you get the weather the fact that the fair is free ,beach ect Butlins is a good option.

deedee1966

ever thought of Parkdean their cheaper than the both of them