Drive-Ins

[focusondisney]

So how many of you still have a drive-in near you? Do you like them & do you go to them?

There is only one left in my area. But it has 4 screens, so at least there are several movies to choose from. DH & I like to go as often as we can. Seems like summer when we can go to the drive-in.

There were at least 7 drive-ins in our area 30 years ago. Now just the one. Seems such a shame that they are all going away.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We had one up until last summer. We've taken our boys a couple times, and they love it....sad to see it close.

 

[AndreaDM]

We have one about 30 minutes away and go at least once each year. Wanted to go over Memorial Day weekend, but by the time the movies start, we were just too tired from working outside. I love going, a double feature for $5 for adults, $2 for kids, plus we bring in our own food and drinks. The only problem is that the first one doesn't even start until after 9, and we're lucky to stay awake through that one, let alone watching 2! It is a fun experience though and I'm glad I've been able to share it with my kids.

 

[dawson5]

we have two, one is 40 minutes away and the other about an hour. It's been a while since we went, like pp stated, they don't start until late. It's always two movies, they end usually at 12 or 1 and the 40 minute drive is not fun that late at night when you are tired.

When I was growing up, we always went. My mom would put five (yes five) kids in the station wagon along with two dogs. My dad would say "if you bring the dogs, I'm not going." He never went to the drive-in with us.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

I think there is still one somewhere around town. But I'm not sure. I haven't been to one since I was a kid. I don't even remember what movie it was that was playing.

The main problem is that the movies start so late because it stays daylight so late. So many people, especially families with young kids can't really go and enjoy them.

I think it's worse here now because it stays daylight until almost 9:30 during the summer.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

When we go to in Lake George, NY every year we go then.
Other then that I don't think we have any left.

 

[disykat]

We haven't gone for a few years. The last time we went was Ratatoullie (sp?) and POTC 3. The movie got out past 3 am. We all agreed it just wasn't worth it!

Maybe if we saw shorter movies a bit earlier in the season. Where we live, movies often don't start until 10 or so. I used to enjoy the drive in when I was younger and lived further south.

 

[focusondisney]

The main problem is that the movies start so late because it stays daylight so late. So many people, especially families with young kids can't really go and enjoy them.

I think it's worse here now because it stays daylight until almost 9:30 during the summer.

See the one in our area has a small mini golf & playground. So kids have something to do while waiting. Family movies are usually at the largest screen & are always packed. Lots of kids in their jammies! (of course you can also jammies anywhere these days!).

It is also about a 40 minute drive from us. But since it is just DH & I, we don't mind the drive. And we don't usually stay for all of both movies. Still, it's just fun!

 

[aduck126]

We have a drive in about 40 minutes away. DH and I go all the time. It is such a good deal. It is 7.00 per person and they play double features. It is so much fun we bring in a ton of food and just sit there talking and watching the movie. Some people even grill out and tail gate. I wish there were more drive ins.

 

[shortbun]

We have one in the entire metropolitan area. It's packed all summer. We go several times with DS and his friends. They love it and DH and I do too. Flip flops, drive-ins, root beer floats and sun streaked hair. Nothing like summer!!!

 

[RadioFanatic]

We are very lucky, because in our area there are five I can think of off the bat. I love them - they truly signify summer for me. And they were and still a godsend for us because we can see movies when our son was an infant and even now at 2 where we wouldn't take him to the theatre.

 

[savannahcat]

We have one with 4 screens about 20 minutes away. We never go because SUVs and minivans have to park in the back (we have one of each), and then we are too far away from the screens for the kids to stay interested in the movie.

 

[charming23]

We have one two towns over and I love going there. My parents used to take my friends and I when we were younger. I remember them packing tons of food and we would eat until we burst. I even remember that the first movie they took us to was A League of Their Own.

My best friend has suggested we all go again this summer as everyone is fianlly living in the area again and I hope we get to.

 

[MIGrandma]

The closest one to us that I know of is at least a couple hours away, so we don't go.

We used to go to the one in the U.P., near Manistique, when we were up there during the summer but it's closed now.

Loved going to them when they were here. Always fun, and nice to be able to see 2 movies for the price of 1. And those concession stand snacks...popcorn, pop, huge dill pickles, hot dogs, even pizza.

I miss them.

 

[Planogirl]

We have an old-timey one just to the south of Fort Worth that I really like. It's a long drive though! We also have a newer one south of Dallas and it's OK.

 

[eowensby]

We have one about 45 minutes away from us. We went Tuesday night actually. It's become our preferred way to see movies, especially in the summer. Can't beat $7 for 2 movies! Our kids love it, too. I love that we see a family film first, this week it was Shrek. The second movie was Iron Man 2. By the time that started our 8 year old was out, but the 3 year old stayed awake for the entire movie. We got out of there at 12:30am. It makes for a late night, but thankfully DH is a teacher so no worries about getting up for school the next day. We try to go on Monday or Tuesday nights as the weekend gets crazy busy out there.

 

[luvmy3]

We have 2 about 20 minutes from eachother. We go a few times every season, the kids love it. We just went to see the Shrek movie the weekend it opened.

 

[fraggle551]

We have them in the summer, but not a real theater. They put a HUGE screen up at the beach and its free for everyone to go. I know one movie this year is Harry Potter, I forgot the other one. Last year they showed E.T.! I was so excited. I'll be dragging my friends again this year.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

We have one literally next door to us (ok, there's a strip of wetlands between the screen and our development, but that's it!). We joke that we could go out to our front yard with lawn chairs and a radio and catch movies that way.

That said, we haven't been to a movie yet (only moved into this house 2 months ago) because of the late starting time for the movies - I'm in my third trimester so I'm often asleep before it's totally dark! However, I can see us going a lot once the kid is born, as a way to see movies without needing a babsitter.... put the baby to sleep in its carseat in the backseat, turn off the rear speakers in the car, and enjoy. That's providing that we have a baby that sleeps in its carseat, as opposed to screams.

 

[ckay87]

Yea, we're big fans of the drive in. We are loyal patrons of supposedly "America's Oldest Drive-In"
www.shankweilers.com

Have spent some epically-late nights there! This past weekend we saw Prince of Persia and Robin Hood. Some of us stayed awake, some did not. That's the beauty of the whole experience. Make yourself comfy, doze, eat, etc. Love it!!