As a family of four (kids 4 and 6yo) we holiday at Butlins two or three times a year. We were offered a half-board package at a reduced rate; off peak during the first week in April 2003.
DIARY.
Monday: arrived and housed with no problems. Fox kids Fort was closed at 5pm instead of dusk (7pm). Dragon coaster and other rides not operating. This so-called "U" break was in fact a 60's break with no entertainment for kids after 8pm all week. Restaurant was totally brill in every respect and continued to be so all week.
Tuesday: Rain closed the funfair. Fox kids fort also closed. Redcoats do their usual excellent job in the Arts and Crafts and Stage School workshops.
Wednesday: High winds closed many funfair rides. Redcoats continue to impress in Fun and Games and Arts and Craft sessions despite poor turnout. I decide to take 6yo son Jack on the dodgems and have to queue for a long time because the three staff in charge are languishing in their control kiosk and are allowing guests to stay in the cars when their turn is finished, we watch a man and his daughter with their hands up trying to attract the attention of the attendants because their car won't move. An attendant finally notices and at first tries booting the control panel, when this doesn't work he goes to the car and gets it going; he then returns to the kiosk declaring to to his colleagues "that's enough work for me today" (one is a girl of course); we finally get a car, and, to add injury to insult one of these remaining guests proceeds to ram our car (not allowed) and hurts Jack's tummy. I have had enough: so I park the car and Jack and I proceed to leave along the edge. "What's up?" ask the staff - I explain and they suggest we go on the next time when it is quieter. We wait, watching cars bumping and smashing into empty cars that are strewn around the middle and finally something snaps - so off we go to guest services....
At 5pm we go to the Fort only to find it locked.... Back to guest services - where Emma phones the management and then informs me that workmen are fitting some Britvic promotion accessories there - I decide to investigate and jump over the fence of the Fort only to find it completely empty... Back to guest services where I make a complaint aimed directly at the management regarding their honesty. I am not too happy.
Thursday: We decide to go into Skegness because there is little to do on site - we have a good time at the excellent Natureland Seal Sanctuary and then go to Panda's Palace, a good indoor play area. We return to Butlins and pass the Dodgems where the staff have clearly had their butts well kicked - they are out of their kiosk now and are placed to police the ride. The Fox Fort is now open until dusk too - only problem is some kid has done a Poo in there, so, yes, you've guessed - guest services again - then I guard the Poo while the No 2 squad fails to arrive; luckily I spot a road cleaner Brian who did a great disposal job.
Friday: Time to go home - we visit the funfair where I win a staring contest with one of the Dodgem staff (I look like a debt collector) and the Dragon coaster is open for the first time.
My advice: COMPLAIN OR LOSE OUT
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I have never been to Butlins and doubt I ever would.
Groovee 08.04.2003 16:49
OH GOD!!! We've booked to go with a 3 year old and a 7 months old in July! Is it worth going?!!!!!
Coxecal 05.04.2003 16:44
hmmmmmm still haven't heard anything good about this place to make me even want to go let alone force myself into something that looks ridiculous on tv... hehe... great op though... welcome to ciao and take care... 'peaches n beans'
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Advantages: Great fun, lots to do, well themed, brilliant location, very atmospheric Disadvantages: Expensive on site, get fat from all the drinking and junk food.
Trixie_Firecracker 12.05.2005 (12.05.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Butlins
Advantages: Lots to do, great fun family entertainment, good standard of accommodation Disadvantages: Limited choice of food outlets for self-catering guests
Apr 5th, 2003
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