Is the Entertainment Book Worth It?

In 2017 we bought our first Entertainment Book and with the next edition now available I find myself asking is the Entertainment Book worth it.

The Entertainment Book costs $70 and comes with hundreds of specials for your selected area. If you’re not sure what it is then carry on through to the post and I will start with an explanation.

From a charity perspective, yes of course, any charity is worthy of a contribution. But, you are already supporting charity or charity starts at home and you don’t have much to spare – is the Entertainment Book worth it?

What I am going to do in this post is work through what we saved from the using the Entertainment Book last year.

If you do buy the book – make sure you are buying the right one for your area!! This review and assessment is based upon the Sydney and Surrounds Book!

Is the Entertainment Book Worth It?

I know a lot of people use the Entertainment Book as a reason to try new things. We didn’t. We didn’t look in the book and decide to do something. For us, it was about using it when we needed to, when we would have paid for something in any event.

Even if you find that you come close to the mark of the cost of the book, you may find that you share it with other people and together get more value.

What is the Entertainment Book

The Entertainment Book is a book of vouchers with discounted offers for a particular area.

Some of the deals are two for one whereas others are 25% off.

The vouchers include:

Activities (like Taronga Zoo, SeaLife Aquarium, AMF, TimeZone and various museums)
Accommodation deals (hotel chains included)
Restaurant specials
Shop discounts ($10 off Chemist Warehouse)

You can preview the book before you buy it which is what I did in 2017. If you do, just check the fine print.

You can buy the book in hard copy or you can get it as an app on your phone. I prefer having it on me because it helps you find what is around you and you don’t have to have planned to use it. The hard copy lets you share it though I suppose.

Is the Entertainment Book worth it – what we used in 2017

Random Places (but where you get the most value)

If you were just to visit Luna Park and the National Maritime Museum you would have made a saving by having the Entertainment Book.

1. Luna Park

25% off the regular price of unlimited rides passes for up to 4 people.

If you’re visiting with a 3 year old and a 5 year old, like we did, this would result in a $45 saving. We went to Luna Park for Chinese New Year this year, you can check out our review here if you’re interested in visiting Luna Park.

2. Lawrence Dry Cleaning

20% off the regular price of any dry cleaning order.

The 2018 has a two for one Hunter Valley Gardens Entry for which is worthwhile!

3. National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour

One complimentary Big Ticket when another Big Ticket of equal or greater value is purchased. This is a $32 saving.

This is such a great place to visit, if you haven’t you really really should. We always tell our overseas visitors to visit the Maritime Museum! You can check out our ANNM review here.

4. Star Car Wash

This is now my regular car wash after having only visited it from the Entertainment Book. They throw in a free coffee or baby chino 🙂

5. Ice Cream at Gelatissimo

One complimentary 1 flavour scoop when another 1 flavour is purchased of greater or equal value.

This comes in handy when you have two kids because you only have to pay for the one.

6. Warratahs Rugby

(Can you tell we’re originally from South Africa J)

Valid for one complimentary Gold or Silver reserved seat when another Gold or Silver reserved seat of equal value is purchased.

7. Featherdale Wildlife Park

One complimentary admission when another admission of equal or greater value is purchased.

I do love Featherdale and think it is always well worth a visit. You can check out our Featherdale Wildlife review here. You can however sometimes get specials on Groupon.

There are so many other specials.

I know someone that would buy Woolies vouchers which are discounted in the book and the use it to buy groceries. I haven’t quite worked that one out yet.

Restaurants

This makes up the most part of the book. You’ll probably be able to identify at least 10 restaurants you’ve wanted to try and just haven’t. We just didn’t get a chance last year to try the things we wanted to. Nevertheless, we still used it.

We only used the voucher at 6 restaurants. I can’t believe it, I thought we used it far more than that!

But having said that, if we saved $10 on each bill, which is probably the very least, then we almost justified having the book.

1. Stella Blu in Dee Why

Discount of 25% off of the bill, up to $40.

We had breakfast in Dee Why during the summer. It’s okay but not really a breakfast with kids type of place.

2. On Shore Brasserie

Discount of 25% off of the bill, up to $35.

This is a great spot to eat in Dee Why. It has a comprehensive menu and a seated area at the back for families. The kids love going to the back and choosing books out the bookcase to read.

3. Aqua Bar & Dining

Discount of 25% off of the bill, up to $30.

This spot is in the Dee Why RSL. I wouldn’t use this one again!

4. Ironbark Pizzeria Café in Manly

This is our favourite family restaurant!! You can check out our review here.

Discount of 25% off of the bill, up to $30.

5. De Vita, Manly

Discount of 25% off of the bill, up to $30.

This is one of the best pizza places in Manly. It’s Pizza oven was shipped from Italy, got to love it! I’ve just realised that I never reviewed it and it is well worth a review. The food is delicious.

6. Sugar Lounge, Manly

Discount of 25% off of the bill, up to $50.

This was one of the accidental uses, we were in Manly and needed to eat. This is when the Entertainment Book really comes in handy.

Is the Entertainment Book Worth it – the caveat

There is a caveat though. Some of the places offer better deals of their own accord. For example, if you go to AMF Bowling, it is actually cheaper to get the family deal than to use the discount voucher.

Is the Entertainment Book Worth it – what I will use in 2018

Having done this calculation, we will be getting the Entertainment Book this year.

I have my eye on the following:

Pony at the Rocks and Q Dining at Q Station for a nice dinner with my husband.
Secure Parking (2017 had a 30% off the regular price of parking). I will combine this with one of our trips into the City.
Pancakes at the Rocks. I have heard about it and never taken the kids!
Quattro Formaggio Deli in Brookvale (25% off the bill up to $20) I love this little Italian Delicatessen.
Clearskin Clinics …. 50% off any full priced laser treatment. I will have to first check to see if this can be used for a whole course or not.
We love the Blue Mountains and I’ve been wanting to do the Jenolan Caves, the 2018 Entertainment Book has a two for one offer.
Pittwater game of Mini Golf!
Haydem Orpheum which has two for one. Seeing as they screen a Frozen Sing-a-long monthly, we will be there.
One Sky Zone entry. We love Sky Zone!!
Sea life one admission when another is bought.
High Tea at Vaucluse House Tearooms.
A special brunch. 25% off Burnt Orange when my mom comes to visit or maybe even Gunners Barracks.
Lunch or coffee at Stanley Street Cafe in St Ives.