Entertainment Book Worth It?

[DisneyGirl83]

I'm thinking about buying a 2006 Entertainment book for my June/July trip to Disney with Dbf. Do you think I'll save enough money to cover the cost of the book and is it worth it. Those of you who have it do you find yourself actually using the coupons? Also I would want the Orlando book correct (Sorry I know a stupid question but just checking)
Also would it be smart to buy it now or wait until closer to June, do they sell it at a discount around May or not until late in the year? TIA

 

[DonaldDucky]

Absolutely worth it. You can save the cost of the book in just one day, less actually and still have hundreds of coupons. We probably saved over $50 just in McDonalds coupons.

Also right now they are $5 off and free shipping when you use this link..


LINK - $5 off and FREE SHIPPING on the 2006 Entertainment Book

 

[ducklite]

You will have to go off property to use any of the coupons. If you won't have a car, then forget it. If you don't mind spending up to a couple hours a day in transit if you do have a a car, then it might be worthwhile.

Anne

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

If you're staying offsite (especially the I-Drive area) or have plans to go offsite to visit some of the other attractions that Orlando offers, then yes, the Orlando Book is worth it. If you're staying on-property, then no, don't buy the Orlando Book, buy your local book instead. There are still coupons for car rentals that cover the cost of the book, a coupon for a free meal and a movie at Universal CityWalk (in all books not just Orlando's), 10 free digital prints at Target, etc. For me, it's worth the cost of the book, even at full-price.

The books do go on sale about half-way thru the year. That would make it around May or June but I can't remember when it was that I bought mine last year.

 

[kydisneyfans]

We bought one for our October trip and the only coupon used was McDonalds. Most in Orlando are for obscure out of the way from Disney places-that are not in the touristy travel areas.

You are better off saving the 20 odd bucks and obtaining the free coupon books outside of WalMart etc with local discounts for Golden Corral, IHOP, etc. Buy your local book for national discounts like car rentals, etc.

I am disappointed in the quality of the Entertainment books for 06-at least in my local area (Lexington, KY) Last year we bought 2 books-I am still deciding whether to buy 1 this year.

 

[Earstou]

Walgreen's sunday ad had a coupon for $5 off the 2006 local Entertainment guide. It does say not available in all stores though.
Usually you can just walk into the store and find ads near the door.

 

[DisneyGirl83]

Well I will have a car with me in Disney (and I can use the car rental coupon for the rental) but I have to say I'm surprised I thought it would be an overwhelmingly big "yes get the book it'll save you so much". I'm still leaning towards getting it as I'm not opposed to going off site to eat a few times. I am going to City Walk, but does the book have coupons for say olive garden, cracker barrel (specifically) and other stuff like that in the orlando area? Thanks for your help

 

[kydisneyfans]

Nothing specifically for Cracker Barrel-Olive Garden has a 10% off gift card offer on the website.

You can preview the book at the Entertainment website to determine if it would be advantageous to purchase or not.

The only chain restaurants I recall were fast food, and not all locations were included.

We stayed at the south end of I Drive and ate at Sizzler(yuk), Golden Corral, Dennys, Ponderosa(breakfast), Boston Market(John Young Pky) and McDonalds. We also ate in the Disney Parks where the food actually seemed cheaper than the above mentioned places.

The freebie books have usually 10-15% off total purchase coupons for the chains, or keds eat free, etc. You could also try the printable coupon site at Entertainment.com-for 3.99 you can print out all coupons you want 2 weeks before expiration. Then cancel the membership-it may be free for a few days to try it.

 

[the kabuki]

Can't comment specifically on the one for the orlando area, but kids' came home with some for fundraisers' couple of weeks ago and I did not purchase. Most of the stuff was for places that were quite far away from where i live, some up to 1 1/2 hours away. I'd have to think the Orlando one has probably got some far off places in there

I did purchase one years back, and only used a few coupons out of the whole book. Find them to be a total waste.

 

[WaltD4Me]

We eat out alot, so I love my local Entertaiment book, but don't know if it'd be worth it to buy one just for a trip to Orlando. Even if you eat off site a couple times...and it wouldn't surprise me if you find you don't get around to it or don't want to eat off site...I doubt you'd save enough to cover the cost of the book. If you are lucky you might break even, so hardly worth the trouble.

I did save a nice amount with my local Entertainment book booking a DTD hotel last year though, it more than made up the cost of the book!

I've always thought it'd be great if just the immediate Disney area...with a few DTD spots thrown in...had it's only little book.

 

[Emily921]

This is the 4th year I have bought the Entertainment book for Orlando and I would say it biggest disappointment yet. In the past, I have gotten my money's worth but it will be more of a challenge even though we make 3 trips.

 

[marjie8230]

Another thing you can do instead of buying the $40 entertainment book for a city you don't live in is order the 30 day free trial for the online version through entertainment.com and download the coupons before you leave your home town. Just make sure to cancel the membership beofre you have to pay for the membership. Check it out and see if the coupons will be that big of a deal for you. Like a previous reply indicated, you may not be able to use far off-site coupons very effectively because the restaurants close to disney don't NEED to advertise.