Movie theater - drinks and snacks

[leadfootlevi]

Do you sneak drinks and/or snacks into the movie theater?

I'll confess - I do. I buy popcorn there, but drinks and candy get stowed in my purse.

There are few exceptions - the historic movie theater has reasonably priced snacks (and beer!) and the theater in my small hometown. The multi-plex theaters though? They're already charging me an arm and a leg just to get in, so they don't get my snack/drink business.

Flame me if you wish!

 

[JoiseyMom]

Do you sneak drinks and/or snacks into the movie theater?

I'll confess - I do. I buy popcorn there, but drinks and candy get stowed in my purse.

There are few exceptions - the historic movie theater has reasonably priced snacks (and beer!) and the theater in my small hometown. The multi-plex theaters though? They're already charging me an arm and a leg just to get in, so they don't get my snack/drink business.

Flame me if you wish!

No flames here. I always bring bottled water with me. And if I am going to have candy, I will pick up the dollar boxes at the store! I won't pay their prices!! I do buy their popcorn though.

 

[sk!mom]

Don't sneak stuff in and rarely buy anything. Sometimes I will have a bottle of water with me just because I happen to have it and I've never been asked to throw it out.

We don't have a problem sitting through a movie without a snack.

 

[jeepgirl30]

We bring drinks and sometimes candy but we do buy their popcorn.

The kids are funny when they "sneak" their drinks, totally noticeable and i've had the ticket takers just laugh.

 

[RachaelA]

We buy popcorn and drinks at the theater every time.

Concessions are really what keep the theater in business (yes I know they are overpriced!).

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

We will sneak candy in, but buy drinks and snacks from the theater. I have brought in juice boxes/sippy cups for my younger two, just because I don't want them drinking soda. We spend a small fortune on admission and snacks for our family if 6, so I really don't worry about sneaking in a few candy bars.

 

[SaraJayne]

We buy all of our snacks/drinks at the theater.

 

[Dashzap]

I've heard that most theaters don't make any money from the admission tickets, that all goes to the studios, etc. They make all their money from the concessions.

That said, we usually don't buy anything, due to food allergies and preferences.

 

[snoopyluvsdis]

I'm a sneaker.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

yes, I bring in a bottle of water - not going to spend that for water. Sometimes, candy that they don't sell. We have usually been to the Lindt store and I would rather have that!

However, DH and DD buy soda and we all get popcorn.

that is for a theater, at the drive-in we buy pizza, popcorn, ...DD gets ice cream and they have a better selection of candy. We do bring our own drinks, especially if it is cold. Their coffee isn't good.

 

[solfan68]

DS10 and I just went to see Tron 3D over the weekend. At $21 for tickets, you better believe the snacks came from home. Its no wonder that we don't go more often than we do. We enjoyed our pretzel rods and swedish fish while soaking up the latest bit of Disney eye candy.

 

[shortbun]

I usually bring a water bottle and buy some popcorn or pretzel bites.

 

[Scurvy]

I don't. I think it's rude to sneak food in, actually - it's their theater, they can set the rules they want to, and if I don't want to follow them I just won't go there. In these days, with all the big screen HDTVs and home theater systems, there's no reason someone can't just watch movies at home if they aren't willing to comply with the theater's policies. Typically we buy popcorn and drinks, but sometimes we don't buy anything. I like our theaters, and I have heard that they make most of their money from concessions. I think it would be a shame if they closed because people refuse to follow the theater's policies on outside food just to save a few dollars. That said, I've been to some theaters that permit outside food, and I might take something to one of those. Basically, if I have to sneak to do something then I'm not willing to do it, especially in front of my child.

 

[avgeek81]

i usually buy a soda but i might bring my own candy. if im with my mom we sometimes buy popcorn

 

[IDoDis]

Sometimes we bring in drinks that we buy in the mall right outside of the theater. We don't sneak them though, we just carry them in. No one ever says anything.

Or, I use coupons when they are available and save a ton! For example, here's a Regal coupon for a free small drink with the purchase of any size popcorn:

http://www.regmovies.com/REGFlix_DrinkCoupon.aspx

If you go to the movies on Tuesdays, Regal has small popcorn for $1.00, but you can upgrade to a medium for another dollar or upgrade to a large for two dollars. So, you can get a large popcorn for $3 and then use the free drink coupon to get a small drink or you can do the same thing with the drink: Pay another dollar to get a medium or pay $2 for a large.

Therefore, you can get a large popcorn AND a large drink for only $5.00!

You have to be a Regal crown club member, but the membership is free and totally worth it because you get free movie coupons and free drink or popcorn coupons that you can also upgrade to a large for the extra buck or two.

 

[KristinU]

Has anyone ever noticed whether their theater has a true policy on outside food? Just wondering if this is a perceived policy or if it is a true policy at most theaters.

Sometimes we sneak and sometimes we don't snack...more because of the nutritionally poor options than the expense.

 

[mjkacmom]

No flames here. I always bring bottled water with me. And if I am going to have candy, I will pick up the dollar boxes at the store! I won't pay their prices!! I do buy their popcorn though.

This is what we do - I do buy a large popcorn, that comes with a free refill, and bring bags or cups to divide it up among the kids.

 

[gracie1]

Yep, we take in our own snacks to. But we buy the popcorn and soda there normally. Ours has free refills on drinks so thats pretty good.

 

[Lewisc]

Has anyone ever noticed whether their theater has a true policy on outside food? Just wondering if this is a perceived policy or if it is a true policy at most theaters.

Sometimes we sneak and sometimes we don't snack...more because of the nutritionally poor options than the expense.

Our theater has a sign on each door that says no outside food or drink. I'll either purchase snacks from the concession stand or not snack during the movie.

 

[pearlieq]

I'll buy popcorn and drinks, but I usually bring in candy. I don't want that ginormous box, and certainly not at the price they're charging!

Unless we've just eaten, I am such a sucker for movie theater snacks. Thankfully we only go a few times a year!