Going to the seaside but dreading it - anyone been to pontins?

[kirstybumx3]

I think I've done a really stupid thing. I was talking with sil about British holidays as they are going to butlins in 2 weeks time and it suddenly occurred to me that we could take Rio somewhere in that same week as his dad is off work. So I went online, did no research whatsoever.. Compared prices to butlins and pontins, then booked pontins!
All paid for, confirmation is through, we are off to brean sands for 4 nights in 2 weeks time. Have tickets booked to go to Dismaland in Weston on the Tuesday, was really looking forward to it.

Then it dawned on me, I didn't even check a single review on this place. Off I went to trip advisor and boy am I regretting it! The reviews are absolutely awful and now I am dreading this break no wonder it was cheap.

Has anyone been to pontins and actually had a good time or is it really as bad as the reviews say?

We won't really spend time on site much, we have plans for all of the days we are there and will eat out on the evening but the reviews on the accommodation are really bad and now i just want to cancel and cry

Why why why don't I think before I do things!? Feeling so disheartened.

 

[MindUtopia]

I have to say these holiday park type places just aren't my cup of tea (they seem sort of depressing honestly and I don't like being packed in with someone else like 4 feet away), but like you said, you're only going to be there at night and as it's past summer holidays now it shouldn't be too busy anywhere, so make the most of your days and go see things you want and just be there for the overnight. If you really don't want to do it and you can cancel without losing your money, then do it and look elsewhere. We always use AirBnb to find a place to stay when we go away for a short break. The accommodation is always really nice and it's usually significantly cheaper than these kinds of holiday parks (went away at the start of summer and paid 60 quid a night for a two bedroom cottage with fireplace and nice kitchen and garden with wooden play area, which is less than what you'd pay for a room at Travelodge).

 

[Blu10]

Ill be honest we booked a pontins break on groupon, the accomodation was horrific! We asked for an upgrade which cost a bit more and at best then gave us accomodation that was basic but clean for the weekend. I couldnt have stayed in the 1st room, kitchen doors were hanging off, curtain rails were hanging down, bathroom was mouldy, fridge was swimming in dirty water. If it has been modernised you could call it a slum! Personally i wouldnt book again but we managed to have a good week.....defo upgrade if you can!x

 

[shellideaks]

I went to Pontins in Prestatyn last Summer and it was abysmal. It was overcrowded, to the point that it was impossible to do anything cos it was so busy. Our room was disgusting, I couldn't believe how filthy it was!

We also booked there as Butlins is so much more expensive but after going, I was happy to pay extra for Butlins this year as Pontins felt like I may as well of just thrown the money away.

 

[kirstybumx3]

Oh no
I can't get a refund, we are in the club accommodation which I think is the best anyway so can't upgrade any further than that.

I guess we will just have to go and see what it's like, if on arrival it's terrible well I guess I'll just have to find a travelodge or similar. Or just not go at all, i don't even know what to do now

 

[icklemonster]

Not been to pontins but we went to butlins with quite high expectations as it was so expensive (we paid for gold apartment) and I found the whole thing overcrowded, too crazy, all queues and waiting, and the apartment certainly wasn't 'gold' standard. This is coming from someone who much prefers Park Resorts, which is significantly cheaper - we went for £10 per person the other May with some friends. Was gutted to have paid so much for Butlins. I think if you are going with low expectations you at least know what to expect. If you're already in the best accommodation it can't be that bad can it?! I'd try and make the best of it!

 

[Wannabe Mommy]

I say go for it. You do t have to do any of the camp activities you can go offsite all day and do loads of fun things and just treat the cabin like a tent holiday. It's a place to sleep and store your stuff nothing more. Take your own sheets and pillows, a couple of packs of wipes for the surfaces, sink and tub and you'll be fine. If the worse comes to the worse then go home and look at it as a failed experiment and a few days at home but if it's non-refundable then you've got to at least give it a try.

 

[iiTTCii]

We went to haven in July and although it wasn't our cup of tea, Penny absolutely loved it! These type of holidays are really for the kids and everything is geared for them. There was something constantly on for LO's to do and she loved the evening disco. We upgraded to the top accommodation and still didn't rate it, but if you look past that and just keep in mind that it's for Rio to have a good time, then you'll be fine. It will be the best holiday he'll have.. Haha!

 

[Ziggy2]

I have been to Pontins the Prestatyn one. Sorry to say but it was awful, we were in an apartment and the noise was horrific banging and shouting all night long, someone tried to break into our flat in the middle of the night. The place was filthy and full of undesirable people, drinking, shouting and making mess everywhere! We almost went home early, will never do Pontins again, butlins or haven are in a different league, if you can get you're money back I would and book somewhere else, there is a reason its so cheap!

 

[chickenlegs]

Years ago, I used to foster. I took the boys to Disneyworld, Universal studios and Canada for three weeks. It cost a fortune. 3 months later we went to Pontins at Brean Sands and my boys claimed that it was the best holiday they had ever been on! The cheek! Anyway, just proves that kids love holiday parks like that. Holidays are what you make them and as long as it is clean, who cares about the luxury of an apartment. And if it's not clean? Complain and they will upgrade you. Either way, if you go with the aim to have a blast, I believe you will.

 

[kirstybumx3]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I'm really not looking forward to this at all now but there's lots for Rio to do around the area. Arcades, fairgrounds, farms, play areas, we're going to spend a day in Weston super mare and we are off to dismaland (I'm sure he won't care much for that though) plus we will eat out at breakfast, lunch and on an evening so the only time we will be in the room is to sleep and get ready to go out.

If it is really dirty like people have said I know Rio's dad will make sure someone sorts that side of things out - and if that's not possible (if it's really THAT bad) he's the ideal person to have around to resolve things. He deals with complaints day in day out at work and as a manager knows all the right things to say to get his way lol. I have however read really bad things about the management too - but we'll see!

I suppose I have to look at it like a warmer version of camping in a sense that we have somewhere dry to sleep, even if it's uncomfortable, and we have somewhere to wash. We don't need much else I guess. This is a lesson learnt to research in future before I jump in at the deep end thinking I'm doing something great.

I'll have to update you all with the horrible photos when I get there lol.

 

[cjb]

We have just been for bank holiday. To be fair we were out all day anyway. Its very basic. But r chalet was clean apparently it was a refurbished one. Didnt look that refurished. But i took r own bed linen etc. They do have a lot of parks on site which my daughter loved. Also a good amusent bit. Never actually saw the night entertainment so cant comment. We did watch a kids dance thing in the day which was good.
The 4pm check in is just ridiculously busy .
They also have a good indoor play area my daughter also enjoyed.
Short walk to the beach. Or you can go down a little bit and park on the beach all day for £3.

 

[cjb]

Also the animal farm adventure park had a £5 entry offer on Their facebook page might be worth checking if they have anymore come up

 

[catty]

I havent been but personally id go! youve paid for it and worst comes to worse you head home early (I wouldnt go home early personally)
Rio will most likely love it and im sure there will be a bar haha! If your going out in the day and just using it as a hotel I cant see how it can be that bad

 

[supertabby]

I'd definitely go as you've lost the money if you don't.

We did pontins/butlins when I was a kid, my parents got the £9.50 Sun vouchers for it. We never did any of the club stuff, we just used it as a base for days out. The accommodation is fairly basic but so long as it's clean that's all you need - take your own sheets, towels and antu-bac wipes if you're nervous about that. I know we used to have to get tokens from reception for electricity so check in case that's still how it works (it was a long time ago).

Hope it all goes well and you have a great holiday - enjoy dismaland!

 

[fieryphoenix]

I googled dismaland, that's not something I'd take a two year old to, a dead princess hanging out of a carriage, purposely rude people, a punch and judy about domestic violence, sounds very odd...

 

[kirstybumx3]

Our tickets are booked for around the time Rio is likely to nap and we intend on spending just a small amount of time there, with the rest of the day in Weston at arcades etc for him to enjoy. However, I didn't ask for opinions on what we have chosen to do on our trip.
Yesterday we happened to witness a crash outside of Rio's nursery when picking him up, perhaps I should never leave the house again, that's not something a two year old should see.
We are interested in the art side of the exhibition, and let's face it the concept is of the real world that is around us anyway.
Thank goodness for peppa pig that he will probably watch on the iPad whilst we browse if he's awake. But I suppose i shouldn't be allowing a 2 year old screen time either, should I?

 

[kirstybumx3]

We have just been for bank holiday. To be fair we were out all day anyway. Its very basic. But r chalet was clean apparently it was a refurbished one. Didnt look that refurished. But i took r own bed linen etc. They do have a lot of parks on site which my daughter loved. Also a good amusent bit. Never actually saw the night entertainment so cant comment. We did watch a kids dance thing in the day which was good.
The 4pm check in is just ridiculously busy .
They also have a good indoor play area my daughter also enjoyed.
Short walk to the beach. Or you can go down a little bit and park on the beach all day for £3.

Great, thanks for this!
I think we have early check in, I'm sure it's 2pm but I'll be prepared for a wait then.
I'll have a look for the farm offer too, we plan on going there.

 

[SpringerS]

I took DS to a holiday camp in April and he loved it so much. Personally I was totally underwhelmed as it was so small with very little going on compared to the one we went to a few times when I was a child but we're going again at the end of this month as DS loved it so much. Going off peak makes a big difference. Almost all the people there had preschool aged children and it wasn't at all busy or crowded but still had enough people there for there to be a nice atmosphere. The food was awful and overpriced so we'd stocked up in M&S in advance, and there was absolutely nothing for adults if drinking while watching amateur performers sing and dance doesn't float your boat. But DS loved the pool, the indoor and outdoor play areas, the beach, the kids shows and organised games. But most of all he liked the near total freedom he got to experience. We got up in the morning and apart from having to hold our hand until we crossed over to the footpath, he could run ahead of us everywhere and all around him where other little kids doing the same. He was in absolute heaven. And it cost less than €40 a night.

The holiday will be what you make of it. If you go into it with the intention of watching your toddler have a ball you will love it. If you go into it expecting luxury and adult entertainment you will hate it. When I went earlier this year my husband couldn't come so my mum came along instead and it was a really good thing. My mum just wanted to see DS have fun but my husband would have moaned and groaned about everything. I'm going with a friend and her little boys in a few weeks, so we'll spend our days having fun with the boys and have girly nights in with silly movies and wine once they are in bed. And we're splitting the cost, so we'll each only be paying €20pn.

 

[Joybell]

Our tickets are booked for around the time Rio is likely to nap and we intend on spending just a small amount of time there, with the rest of the day in Weston at arcades etc for him to enjoy. However, I didn't ask for opinions on what we have chosen to do on our trip.
Yesterday we happened to witness a crash outside of Rio's nursery when picking him up, perhaps I should never leave the house again, that's not something a two year old should see.
We are interested in the art side of the exhibition, and let's face it the concept is of the real world that is around us anyway.
Thank goodness for peppa pig that he will probably watch on the iPad whilst we browse if he's awake. But I suppose i shouldn't be allowing a 2 year old screen time either, should I?

Good over reaction there kirsty! I'm sure she was just mentioning it incase you weren't aware of what it was like.
No need to be so touchy.