Mrs-Picky-Knickers
Jan 2024
This isn't quite the name for the ticket, which was All-inclusive Day and Night ticket which totalled $70/£55 when I booked online.
This was amazing value. You can enter anytime between 10 and 12:30 and again after 5pm (last entry 6.30pm, closes at 7pm.
Once you are in, you take as long as you like.
The elevator rides up and down are amazing, as are the audio visual in the sections before.
You see the bedrock of the building (not Disney fake rock!) and the whole experience exceeded my expectations hugely. The ticket did seem expensive but the day and night clinched it.
This ticket gives you the iPad to match up buildings and points of interest to what you are seeing and I found this super helpful. See the photo included.
Taking photos upstairs, straight after the audio visual and before descending to the main observation deck allows you a clearer view, I would imagine it gets busy in peak time.
I was there 8 January and it was quiet, everyone had space to look out easily. Put your phone against the glass for the best photos.
This ticket has a $15 credit for the cafe, restaurant and shop. Yes I know it's the $15 you've spent, but this was the least extortionate gift shop I've encountered so far and it was nice to have.
Some reviews have criticised this place for the café and I think they are basically missing the point. This is a breathtaking way to see the city. Check the weather beforehand if you have enough days. We had 40 mile visibility and it was breathtakingly spectacular.
It's not everyone's cup of tea and for a family would be expensive. I didn't buy a City Pass so maybe it's included in that which would help. Some people there did look a bit bored, but I absolutely loved it.
The whole place massively exceeded my expectations.
Only downside, and it's not their issue, is that getting out of the Westfield complex is a nightmare. Signage is dreadful. Police officers were very helpful though.