Drive-in movies

[bcla]

Just wondering what people though of them. Strangely enough, I've never actually seen a drive-in movie before in my life, and I was born in the 70s. I'd passed by a theater though while a movie was showing. My kid's favorite movie is Cars, which has a drive-in movie scene during the end credits, so I was asked about what it was. I think there's one left with 25 miles of where I live.

I've physically been to a drive-in movie property before, so I kind of get how it works. As a kid my folks took me to flea markets that was set up at one. I saw the little speakers that were supposed to be hung on the edge of a window. I've heard that newer setups use a car radio.

I also get that watching movies wasn't necessarily what everyone's was doing.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I love the drive in theaters. We still have one off of Bradshaw and the 50 freeway. Been so many times. Loved the food way back when. We even made our dinner and took it with us. The speakers are so cool. And the play ground. You should try it once.

 

[CdnCarrie]

LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED our drive-in. SO many wonderful childhood memories, teen memories of going with car full of friends. I was so sad when it closed down 10 years ago. Miss it immensely.

 

[bcla]

I love the drive in theaters. We still have one off of Bradshaw and the 50 freeway. Been so many times. Loved the food way back when. We even made our dinner and took it with us. The speakers are so cool. And the play ground. You should try it once.

That's the one I've driven by while movies were showing.

There are a host of closed drive-ins in the Bay Area, like Island in Alameda or Hilltop in Richmond. One of the bigger ones was Coliseum Drive-In in Oakland, which is now a full time flea market.

There are basically two left in the Bay Area. One is in San Jose, and I remember going to movies at the indoor movie theater that was part of the complex. Another is West Wind Solano, which is kind of odd since its in Concord. I'm thinking of taking my kid to see a movie there. My kid really wants to see Cars 3, so maybe they'll have it.

 

[usnuzuloose]

That's the one I've driven by while movies were showing.

There are a host of closed drive-ins in the Bay Area, like Island in Alameda or Hilltop in Richmond. One of the bigger ones was Coliseum Drive-In in Oakland, which is now a full time flea market.

There are basically two left in the Bay Area. One is in San Jose, and I remember going to movies at the indoor movie theater that was part of the complex. Another is West Wind Solano, which is kind of odd since its in Concord. I'm thinking of taking my kid to see a movie there. My kid really wants to see Cars 3, so maybe they'll have it.

I bet it will be a blast for them. Take some blankets and a pillow as well.

 

[jdb in AZ]

It depends on where you live. I grew up in cold country and drive-ins included a heater along with the speaker. Still wasn't warm enough, so they didn't do much business in the winters. One rural drive-in was called "The Big See." It was right next to a cow pasture so we called the theatre "The Big Smell." Then I moved to AZ and in the summers it was way too hot. AFAIK all the drive-ins in my past are definitely in the past.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

I love the drive in theaters around here (Boise). You get 2 movies for $8 and kids under 12 are free. Plus both of the ones we have have started showing first run movies; for $2 less than the other theaters here you get to see a movie just released and an extra one. Concessions are cheaper as well and you can bring in your own food.

Sound is run through your car radio so if you do end up going make sure you start your car for a few minutes inbetween movies. I have seen multiple people have their car battery die and have to get jumped due to this.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We took our kids to see Cars and a few other movies at the drive in, but our theater has closed since then.

 

[bcla]

I love the drive in theaters around here (Boise). You get 2 movies for $8 and kids under 12 are free. Plus both of the ones we have have started showing first run movies; for $2 less than the other theaters here you get to see a movie just released and an extra one. Concessions are cheaper as well and you can bring in your own food.

Sound is run through your car radio so if you do end up going make sure you start your car for a few minutes inbetween movies. I have seen multiple people have their car battery die and have to get jumped due to this.

I've got one of those portable jump starters. Heck, it might even come in handy if someone else needs a jump. I've probably used mine to help others as much as my own family.

 

[E&Cmom]

We have one about 45 minutes away but I haven't been.

The only time I went to a drive in was as a child probably in the mid 70s. I remember we saw " Bad News Bears". Our family went with our neighbours and it was across the border in New York State. I remember playing in a small playground in front of the restaurant more than the actual movie. Lol.

 

[low-key]

My parents would go to the drive in every weekend, and had an ld station wagon where the back window rolled down, me and a freind would sit on it with are pops on the roof, I just loved them times. I would go into my teen years, and when my daughter was young I tried to giver her the fun I had as a kid, but she and her girl freinds just wasnt into it, and so goes the story of the drive ins

 

[hereyago]

I miss the drive in.

Our area had 2, but my favorite also had a small indoor theater as well.
However, years ago out now crappy mall out in a theater and it signaled the end of the drive in era.

After my favorite one closed, it was abandaned for years and a friend and I trespassed and I got a condiment / naplken holder that I use today.

The land was finally bought by Wal-Mart,ugh.

 

[bcla]

I miss the drive in.

Our area had 2, but my favorite also had a small indoor theater as well.
However, years ago out now crappy mall out in a theater and it signaled the end of the drive in era.

After my favorite one closed, it was abandaned for years and a friend and I trespassed and I got a condiment / naplken holder that I use today.

The land was finally bought by Wal-Mart,ugh.

The strange deal is that a lot of these places still exist as lots. The West Wind company
I mentioned seems to operate more flea markets than actual movie theaters.

I remember one drive-in even opened in the 90s.

 

[Capang]

Our drive in is the best. We go often in the summer. Much cheaper than the regular

 

[MamaBelle4]

My parents used to take us all the time. I've taken the kids a few times (there's one 10 min from my house).

They show kids shows first then adult. One of the best things in the world is snuggling on a pile of blankets on the bed of a truck under the stars watching movies on a huge screen. I love it.

 

[dotfurio]

We used to have one in town back when DH and I were dating. I had a pick up truck so we'd load up with blankets, pillows, munchies, and back into the parking spot to enjoy the show. Well, maybe we didn't watch the show so much....

 

[FINFAN]

LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED our drive-in. SO many wonderful childhood memories, teen memories of going with car full of friends. I was so sad when it closed down 10 years ago. Miss it immensely.

same for me, plus we would bring our dog(s) We have a drive -in not too, too far hanging on by a thread..it opens this weekend for the season and I hope to get there soon

 

[bcla]

The one closest to me seems to have one admission price that admits to two movies. Its been a while since I've seen a double feature. Right now they're showing Boss Baby and Fate of the Furious. Kids aren't free, but it's something like $1.50.

 

[momz]

Mosquitos! The movie starts at sundown, just as the mosquitos are at their worst.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I enjoy the drive in and we have one 5 minutes away and another 20minutes away.