Going To Butlins-Minehead-Anyone Been??

Mental-Saver!!

Hey Everyone!!

Im a newbie..so be gentle!!

Just managed to get a great deal for the 25th April 2005 for 4 nights Half-Board for hubby, myself and 10 year old daughter for £140.00 all inclusive. This is at Butlins at Minehead. It is in the Gold Apartment Accomadation with 2 bedrooms on ground floor as Im in a wheelchair. All luxury modcons and a maid every day to make beds, wash up etc. :beer:

The last time we went to Butlins was about 7 years ago at Bognor and it was good fun, but my health was much better then and I was more mobile :mad:

Im quite pleased with myself as I haggled...alot..lol, (gave me a £219 discount for late booking)which this website gave me inspiration to do :eek: The half-board includes a full english, drinks, toast, fruit etc and a 3 course meal with all soft and hot drinks...is this a good price, it works out roughly to just under £45 each for 4 days half-board??

I was wondering if anyone can give me any advice? We are on a very limited budget £175 max, but this will include petrol costs as we are travelling from london by car which only does about 30 MPG :eek: I will make up a hot flask of coffee and a picnic for travelling-to save expense on extortinate motorway stops. All main food is included in holiday cost, but will take own supplies of groceries and drinks etc for lunch and evening snacks etc-so wont need to spend on food. The questions I have are:

(1)Is there anything I need to pay for once I get there? I understand there is a cinema & bowling...does anyone know how much this is?
(2)Laundry-I may have to do 1-2 loads whilst Im there due to my disability-does anyone know the costs?
(3)Is there any local days outs that are fairly cheap or preferbably free??
(4)What is the gold apartment accomadation like-never done posh before ?
(5)Anything you would reccomend to take?
(6)Does anyone know any info on minehead and surrounding areas?
(7)Will it be easy for me to get around in me wheelchair?
(8)Anybody suggest any money saving tips that I may not have thought of?

Thanks in advance for your help. :rotfl:

Mental-Saver!!

saveapenny

http://www.daysout.co.uk/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Daysout.woa/wa/default
Loads of days out on there for all over and vouchers to print off for money off.
If you have to do washing take your own powder that will be expensive and I would imagine its going to be at least 3-4 per wash may be more if you have to dry it too.
They used to honour Pontins pounds. If you can find out and let me know I have some in the draw you can have.

It was our first holiday when we got married and 9mths later our son was born we had a good holiday

If you like a drink in the clubs take a largish bag so you can slip a few bottles in
we always take a bottle opener too.
Go round the drinking places to see what they sell and then nip off to the local supermarket and buy your favs.
They charge about 2.50 for a bottle of things like Reef ot J20

Have a great time

Funkymum

We always take our own drinks with us as they're really expensive in the clubs. (we hide them in the pushchair!)
We normally stay in Silver accomodation which is pretty basic. The restaurant is all buffet style so you can eat/ drink as much as you like. We dont normally need anything for lunch!!!
Minehead is a lot more spaced out than Bognor & I always find it to be cleaner there.
Theres lots to do on site so you probably wont need to go anywhere else.
Have a nice time
Funkymum
Forgot to say the cinema is about £4/ £5 I think. If you do bowling the children can go free before 12 midday.(one child free for each paying adult).

Mental-Saver!!

Hi There

Thanks for the replies so far.

I have emailed Butlins to ask about the pontin pounds...thats very kind of you..thanks :T
I have also asked about cost of bowling, launderette and cinema and whether they had any offers knocking around.....if you dont ask you dont get I have asked if the cinema will let the carer in free(hubby)as most other cinemas do, but if not there might be a local cinema, but would need to weigh up the cost of petrol etc and see if it would actually be cost effective.

Keep all the ideas coming..I apreciate it so much
Mental-Saver!!
xxx

LemonJeff

Hi Mental,
Thinking of going on a short break next week with the kids, How did you book, online or phone? was it direct with butlins?
That was a good saving you haggled for, well done.