Aulani visitors - Entertainment Book question

[drmrchk]

Have any of you tried the online entertainment book? There's a 14-day free trial, and only $4.95/mo after that. I'm wondering if it is the same as the actual book that you buy? I was thinking we might be able to get away with the free trial, or a month or two depending on how it works...if we print our coupons no problem. If we have to show our phones there...then a couple months. Anyone have any experience?

Specifically I'm looking at booking the PC luau....we are not exploring the island and doing the resort only for the most part, so a book seems a bit excessive, especially since we'll need more than one.

 

[Dugette]

Wow, I don't have an answer, but have the same question. I only want to use the BOGO PCC admission. I think that is included, but not 100% sure how things work. We leave in 1 month, so I'm planning to get the app shortly before that and give it a try during the free period (I bought PCC tickets already, as their method of giving you a BOGO is by refunding one when you get there and show your coupon). Curious if anyone else has tried already to use the free period and cancel afterwards?

 

[drmrchk]

Dugette -- so they let you book your reservations, but they won't give you the discount until you're there in person? I was worried about making reservations without the discount yet. We don't leave until NYE, would you mind posting how it worked for you when you get back?

 

[Dugette]

Yeah, I found an FAQ on the PCC site that explained that's how the Entertainment Book coupons work when you book online. So, I just bought tickets last night (10% discount for buying in advance on their website, I believe). I can post back and let you know if it works, unless someone answers sooner. We go on 11/8/14.

 

[lovetotraveltx]

Dugette -- so they let you book your reservations, but they won't give you the discount until you're there in person? I was worried about making reservations without the discount yet. We don't leave until NYE, would you mind posting how it worked for you when you get back?

It says on the coupon you can't use entertainment coupon online. You need to call the reservation number say you have the coupon. They charge your party, we were 4, in full minus the coupon amount. They say if you don't have the coupon when you arrive then you pay the difference for full price.

Worked fine this way for us.

 

[drmrchk]

So you can't get the coupon with the app, is that what you mean? I'm not sure it's worth it to buy the books since there are so many of us, I don't think the savings would be that much more than the book and we wouldn't use it for anything else.

Thanks for chiming in!

It says on the coupon you can't use entertainment coupon online. You need to call the reservation number say you have the coupon. They charge your party, we were 4, in full minus the coupon amount. They say if you don't have the coupon when you arrive then you pay the difference for full price.

Worked fine this way for us.

 

[lovetotraveltx]

So you can't get the coupon with the app, is that what you mean? I'm not sure it's worth it to buy the books since there are so many of us, I don't think the savings would be that much more than the book and we wouldn't use it for anything else.

Thanks for chiming in!

I'm not sure about the app. Just call and ask if they will take the app. I meant I don't think you can pay full price on their website online then present the coupon. You buy by phone at coupon price then present the coupon at will call when you get your tickets

 

[Dugette]

They might offer a couple options. Sounds like lovetotraveltx had one scenario that worked and this is the one listed on their website FAQ:

For guest who have purchased the Entertainment Book and would like to apply the value ($49.95) of the coupon to your online order, please follow these easy steps.
Learn about the center on our website.
Select your package, or create your experience.
Purchase your package or customized experience on our website.
Present your Entertainment Book Coupon at the box office of the Polynesian Cultural Center, and we'll credit back the value of the Go Oahu offer.
Note: This coupon is not valid with any other discounts on this website (ie. 15 outside 10 Special)

(link here: http://www.polynesia.com/faqs/entertainment-book-go-oahu-card.html#.VDXmnr7VrWM)

I went ahead and purchased online at the full price (with online/advance discount). If I can get the Entertainment book coupon, I'll apply that on arrival, according to their posted policy. If not, at least I got some discount.

 

[lovetotraveltx]

Sorry thought we were talking about paradise cove!

 

[Dugette]

Sorry thought we were talking about paradise cove!

Ha, you're totally right on that! Looks like OP put PC and I read it as PCC, since I was thinking the same thing for the Polynesian Cultural Center (and both have luaus). Oops. Guess we will answer both questions with this thread! OP, I can let you know if the app coupon free trial works for me, but obviously different venue.

 

[Dugette]

I guess our main question is still the same - can we get the free trial of the online Entertainment Book, use the one thing we want during the trial, then cancel the subscription? And are the offers the same ones as the paper book?

 

[drmrchk]

Too funny, yeah I was talking Paradise Cove...so thanks for the phone-in tip. Dugette -- yeah, you're right the main question is still the same

Anyone know what the PC coupon is? 25% off, or BOGOhalf or something?

 

[lovetotraveltx]

Too funny, yeah I was talking Paradise Cove...so thanks for the phone-in tip. Dugette -- yeah, you're right the main question is still the same

Anyone know what the PC coupon is? 25% off, or BOGOhalf or something?

If you call Paradise Cove to make a reservation, I would just ask if they accept the mobile app. If they say yes, it shouldn't matter that it's during the 30-day trial. Just time it right, and cancel it the day after you attend the luau. Because regardless, you don't show them the coupon until night of your luau.

 

[drmrchk]

Super helpful. Thank you!!!!

If you call Paradise Cove to make a reservation, I would just ask if they accept the mobile app. If they say yes, it shouldn't matter that it's during the 30-day trial. Just time it right, and cancel it the day after you attend the luau. Because regardless, you don't show them the coupon until night of your luau.

 

[Dugette]

Just wanted to update this. Since we are only a few days from our trip, I signed up for the free trial tonight. It says that I will not be charged until 11/19 and can cancel anytime before that with no charge (we return 11/17, so I'll have to remember to do that when we get home).

I was interested in the BOGO for the Polynesian Cultural Center, so I went right to that (via the website version - have not tried the app version yet). It came up as available, so I just printed the paper coupon to make sure I had something. It looks good - says it's good through 11/18. I don't think we'll have any trouble applying it when we get there on Saturday, but I'll report back when I can.

For the OP, I looked at Paradise Cove Luau next. And it says:

You do not have any usage available for this coupon. Please view Redemption Activity for latest usage information. Purchase a Membership by clicking here.

At first, I thought it had something to do with me already printing my PCC coupon. However, once I browsed around other offers, I don't think that's it. Germaine's Luau (also 25% discount) was available to me. Everything else I clicked on was available. But not PC Luau. I'm thinking it may not be included in the electronic version of the Entertainment Book - just the paper one. Not positive, but that's the way it's looking. Sorry.

I would still do the free trial before your trip, just in case it was related to me redeeming the other coupon. Good luck!

ETA: Just was browsing other offers and found one for Costco membership. Wish I'd known about this one in advance, since we just got a membership for the rental car savings for our trip. You still pay $55 for the membership, but get $50 worth of coupons. Sends you to a special link to sign up for the membership. Shows this info:

Costco Membership Activation Cards • Exclusive Online-Only Offer

Costco Membership Activation Cards are not valid for a renewal of an existing or expired membership.

Join the 71 million Costco members who enjoy low warehouse prices on thousands of high-end, brand-name products and services at more than 600 locations worldwide.

Order today and receive this special offer.

Every Costco Membership Activation Card comes with coupons worth more than $50, including:
• Free Kirkland Signature™ Bagels
• Free Kirkland Signature™ Super Premium Vanilla Ice Cream
• Free Kirkland Signature Spring or Drinking Water 35/16.9 or 40/16.9oz. bottles Offer Expires 12/31/2014

 

[drmrchk]

Thanks dugette, you are fantastic!!! I hope you guys have an AMAZING trip!!! Only 55 days left until ours!

 

[Dugette]

Used our BOGO at the Polynesian Cultural Center just fine. The only snags were the employee ringing us up didn't know what to do, so had to call a manager and then they had to undo the 10% online purchase discount, as we couldn't have both (we'd prepaid online, since their FAQ says they refund the entertainment book coupon value upon arrival). They refunded my credit card $30-some dollars, so not bad for a free trial of the entertainment book online.