to be annoyed over butlins prices

[appealtakingovermylife]

Hi, I have applied to the family fund for the first time for butlins vouchers.
Sent application off in May, had a home visit early July. Am waiting for decision letter.
In the meantime, I've been checking the butlins website daily for price and availability to give me an idea of what we will need to put towards it if we get awarded.
I am horrified by the prices for a Monday-Friday break in August, over £1000 for a family of 4, gold accommodation, food court dining, that's what we've always done.
That's with substantial savings according to the website.
So even if we get the family fund voucher it looks like the summer holidays is out.
Ds starts secondary school in September so can't really take him then.
I just think it's so expensive when families spend so much anyway on resort:(
We've only ever been before in term time so I'm a bit naive maybe over school holiday prices.

[lbsjob87]

I'm in two minds about this.
On the one hand, I can understand why holiday companies pluck figures out of the air in August, because they know they can and people will still come.
On the other, it is so unfair to assume that everyone with school age children can afford it.
I honestly believe that if they charged less, more people would spend more money, as you say.
I don't think you are BU to be annoyed at it but it doesn't seem to be a situation likely to change.
Could you maybe do a long weekend instead, near half term, so DS only misses a day or two? Not ideal but might be a solution?

[littlemissbossyshoes]

try October holidays as will be much cheaper

[dozily]

What's the family fund??

Silver accommodation is fine - how much would that save you?

[appealtakingovermylife]

Hi, the family fund is a charity that awards holidays/items like washing machines/garden equipment for families with a disabled child.
Although ds was diagnosed with autism/severe anxiety 3 years ago, we've never applied before.
Silver accommodation is not much cheaper, we did that 2 years ago as gold was full.
2 weeks ago the same break was £724, we can't afford it without the family fund so was advised by butlins to wait until we get the letter( assuming it's awarded)
May have to look into October or around half term like pp's advised.
I've taken ds in term time before( dd is 3.5 ) but he's going to be struggling with so many changes come September with his new school.
Thanks to you all for replying:)

[appealtakingovermylife]

Just to clarify, it's a voucher worth £550 off a butlins break.

[VinoTime]

I did Butlins with dd last year for a week in July for around £350, that included accommodation, food and pleasure passes. But we booked well in advance and went for the really cheap standard accommodation (which I always find very clean and comfortable - I wouldn't splurge on anything fancier as we only use the room to sleep and shower).

I've always liked booking with the likes of Butlins and haven because it's a cheap week away and you can pay it up. I've booked a caravan in one of the Scottish Haven sites for next April and it only cost £320. The price would have been the same for 2 or 6 of us and I'm paying less than £50 every month to pay it off. But again, I think the trick is to book as early as you can to get the better deal.

Could you put your voucher towards a weeks break in October or next April and pay the rest off? Obviously the later/longer you leave to book, the more expensive it will be for you.

[backbystealth]

I'm sorry, you must feel gutted. I hope you take up some of the posters ideas/links here and find yourselves a cheaper break and have a lovely summer!

However, on the general topic of companies charging more in school summer holidays... If they didn't 'overcharge' (it's not really overcharging it's supply and demand) then many of them could not sustain their businesses as they simply don't get the bookings throughout the rest of the year. So I don't see it as an evil ploy to rake in the dosh, but a sensible and necessary business decision.

[kilmuir]

Supply and demand surely? They are a business not a charity

[Softlysoftlycatchymonkey]

op have you ever concidered camping?

My friend has six children so holidays like that are out if the question. They do camping holidays and have a ball.

They do have all the kit now but just started of with a tent and and a BBQ!

[appealtakingovermylife]

Thanks coconutty:) yes it's either a butlins or haven voucher, ds loves butlins.
I've just checked the exact same holiday 22/09 and its £353.
I suppose I'm best just waiting for the ff to confirm if we've been approved first.
I think it's a case of "the early bird catches the worm" and we've left it too late though I'm sure if we're willing to compromise then we will find something.
Butlins prices vary wildly from day to day so will keep checking.
Really just want to take ds before September, he's going to a school miles away with none of his friends and is really upset and anxious, this would give him something to cheer up about.
Thanks everyone.

[ExitPursuedByAKoalaBear]

Good luck. Hope you get sorted.

[IsabellaofFrance]

To get a really good deal you have to book well in advance, when they are having one of their sales. Last time we went I booked over a year in advance when they were having a 30% off sale. Closer to the time the prices skyrocket.

:(