Went to a holiday park today that I used to go to with my grandparents. I haven't been there for over thirty years and the facilities had obviously improved beyond belief. However, the guests there were the sort that I would have expected but some of the other guests were obviously gobsmacked (the park web site isn't 'representative' of the typical guest). I felt quite sorry for them, they were like fish out of water and some even looked a bit wary. So I guess what I am getting at is when have your expectations either been missed by a mile or greatly exceeded?
Used to go to Pontins when I was a kid back in 1974 for three years running.
We gave it a go in 2007 and boy what a shock. Maybe we have changed and expect more or things ain't what they used to be.
We went to Warners a few years back , the week after New Year and it was above what we expected. We stayed in a room in the Turret tower of what was an old Castle ...well not so old maybe. The room was very good and the Free bar for 4 nights also helped. Yes we did not about the free bar until we arrived and got given a voucher. We never had to pay for drinks for the whole four nights , not sure how they made a profit.
I've never been to a holiday camp but after some childhood trips to Rhyl going back just wasn't the same at all, I was very disappointed.
A good few years back some friends of mine from uni came up to Leeds where I lived at the time for the Leeds festival. I was meant to join them one evening at the campsite but they cracked down after trouble so I wouldn't have been able to get it. It was suggested I came and joined them for a day at the festival itself. So not my kind of thing and not cheap even for a day but wanted to see my friends so, rather grudgingly, off I went. I had such a fantastic day, completely exceeded my expectations and I have some lovely memories from it.
Jenna, was raised about 20 miles from Rhyl, went there often as a child, not the same place now though!.......went to visit last year, after about 30 years, not the same at all!.......hated it!.....wish I hadn't gone!.........
(Hi Welsh - it was in your neck of the woods. Just felt sorry for the people who obviously thought that the bar area would look like it did on the net, they looked shell shocked. Brought back some nice memories though.)