GLADIATORS, ready! Kids, ready! Three, two, one, go!
It may be an unconventional cry to rally the children into the car, but for our recent break it was entirely appropriate.
Henry, Nicholas and Estella loved their visit to Butlins[/caption]
Many hours were also spent in the Butlin’s Splash! swimming complex complete with waterslide, rapid ride and wave pool[/caption]
With my husband and three children, I was off to Butlin’s Bognor Regis for half-term — the highlight of which was the new Meet The Stars Of The Gladiators live show.
My three kids are huge fans of the BBC hit, successfully rebooted last year from the Nineties version.
So when we heard there was a chance to see the Glads in person, it was a no-brainer. And judging by the huge queues, we were not alone.
When the throbbing beats of We Will Rock You blasted out across the resort’s hangar-like Studio 36 venue, Henry, 11, Nicholas, seven, and Estella, four, were beside themselves.
Gladiator Nitro bounded on to the stage looking even more muscly than he does on the telly and the crowd went wild, while pantomime boos rang out for “baddie” Viper.
I won’t give too much away but the show is a blast and features lots of knock-about games that get the audience involved. For many, it is all about the meet-and-greet at the end.
A Butlin’s break is a school holiday staple for my family. It never gets boring, thanks to the entertainment roster being constantly refreshed.
Don’t miss 2025 debutant Electric Wonderland, which fuses lasers, LED costumes, street dance and circus acts to brilliant effect.
Then there is the new 90-minute Iconic variety showcase featuring fabulous vocalists and dancers bringing to life the music of artists from U2 to Taylor Swift.
And my three kids loved panto Snow White And Her Magnificent Friends.
It’s just as good as anything you would pay hefty ticket prices for at Christmas — and there’s even a surprise turn from celebrity dance legend Louie Spence.
With so much to do on a Butlin’s break, we certainly needed Gladiator levels of endurance — but came home feeling like champions.
We were also delighted at the return of the Animal Guyz, with new show Animals vs Mythical Beasts.
We have seen their large-scale, puppetry spectacles before at Butlins and they are awesome. The kids were entranced.
All shows are included in the price of your break, and you can pre-book show times on the app.
We were also keen to try out the £15million indoor Playexperience, which opened last autumn.
The state-of-the-art activity centre offers fun whatever the weather, with everything from VR games and a virtual batting cage to digi-darts.
The activities come at an extra cost, paid for by digital tokens in the Butlin’s app.
My gang spent a fast and furious hour battling it out on glow-in-the-dark ping pong. We also took on Tech-Putt indoor mini golf.
Henry loved the Laser Tag, an adrenaline-fuelled experience in a neon maze.
But great for the whole family was the hour we spent in a Neo Games room — where the kids bounced balls or touched the interactive walls to play games such as Angry Birds or Smash It Soccer.
We also took on an escape room. Butlin’s has differing levels of difficulty, starting with the pirate-themed room suitable for kids as young as five.
All three children were able to solve clues and get involved. And we made it out in 38 minutes — not the full hour — no thanks to me though!
As always, many hours were also spent in the Butlin’s Splash! swimming complex complete with waterslide, rapid ride and wave pool.
Henry and Estella meet TV Gladiator Nitro[/caption]
A new softplay and puppet theatre opens at Easter. I got a sneak peak and it looks great.
With such a packed itinerary we needed to be well fuelled so chose the premium dining package, which includes buffet breakfast and dinner.
We also tried out the new all-inclusive drinks package. For £30.95pp for adults and £10.50 per child, our wristbands allowed us free drinks all day, including wine, beers, spirits and cocktails. But I made most use of the Costa coffees.
At the end of our fun-packed days we rested our heads at the smart Wave Hotel, where my kids loved their submarine-style bunk bed room with TVs at the end of their beds.
With so much to do on a Butlin’s break, we certainly needed Gladiator levels of endurance — but came home feeling like champions.
GO: BUTLIN’S EASTER BREAK
STAYING THERE: A three-night Easter break in a two-bedroom Shoreline Hotel room in Bognor Regis is from £625, based on a family of four sharing. Price includes all live shows and activities with free-flow access to the pool, unlimited fairground rides and playgrounds, plus the chance to meet the stars of Gladiators.
Dining packages start at £24.95 per adult, per day, £14.95 per child (6-14), per day and £6.80 per child (2-5). The all-inclusive drinks packages on school holiday breaks start at £30.95 per adult, per day, £10.50 per child per day (6-14) and free for infants (5 and under). See butlins.com.
