Sneaking treats into the movie theater

[blanq]

It has been awhile since we had a thread on this, but I am feeling sassy, and in light of AMC theater's new policy to ban outside food in their theaters, I thought it was time to renew our discussion of this budget-related topic. Movie theaters are losing revenue and more are joining the ranks of banning outside food. So, the question is will a ban keep you from bringing food from home? Is a $15 popcorn/pop combo in your budget or will it keep you from realizing your WDW trip dreams? Do you care? (Note: if not, simply exit this thread now).

Let the discussion begin. Eating popcorn and Dots from home while reading and responding to this thread is totally encouraged and NOT banned.

One more tid bit to get the creative juices flowing...The below was posted at MSN Money today. Do not consider my posting the below to mean I am in agreement with the contents contained herein, however I will admit to them making me smile.

"In light of the new (banning) policy, Fat City wanted to offer guidance for novices considering sneaking food into the movies.

Do sneak in anything sealed (candy up the sleeves of your shirt is one possibility), a wrapped sandwich (in the front pocket of a hoodie sweatshirt), or contained in a ziploc bag (popcorn is a good filler).

Do not sneak in anything that could leak (open containers), makes your pockets or purse suspiciously lumpy (20 oz. sodas don't fit inside of anything), has a strong odor (tuna fish), makes excessive noise (crinkly bag, aluminum wrapper, potato chips), is patently obvious (a sack from Burger King), or could leave you sitting with a lap full of cheese and hot sauce (Taco Bell).

It is not for Fat City to decide whether you should actually sneak anything inside of the theater. Ultimately, that is a question for your conscience and jacket to decide."

 

[Irin997]

Well, I wasn't aware this was a "new" policy...I thought that was always the case! And I always sneak in food...why do you think I carry such a large purse?

I refuse to pay $3.50 for $.50 worth of swedish fish.

 

[StitchFan73]

Maybe if I didn't have to take a second mortgage for the 3 of us to visit the snack bar......

 

[blanq]

Well, I wasn't aware this was a "new" policy...I thought that was always the case! And I always sneak in food...why do you think I carry such a large purse?

I refuse to pay $3.50 for $.50 worth of swedish fish.

Oooh, you are a Swedish Fish fan, so I like you already.

 

[Justsyd2]

I personally do not take food into a movie theater, a restaurant, or any other place of business. To me, it's just rude, but, to each their own.

 

[Princess April]

A 20 oz. soda will fit inside of my purse... maybe 4 (I have a really big Coach purse). We usually get the lg. popcorn and soda with free refill deal. Then, I bring in the little red striped popcorn bags from the dollar store and 2 cups. Get the goods, go to our seat, divide up the booty and go back for refill #1.... even before the movie starts.... . Hey they wanna play and charge the outrageous prices I'm gonna play too! I personally don't see a problem with people bringing in their own food, as long as it's done in a respectful manner. (nothing too stinky, loud, messy, etc.) They just want all the $$$ they can get...

 

[StephMK]

Movie theaters priced themselves out of my pocket when ticket prices hit $9 so limiting the food isn't affecting me. I have seen maybe 3 movies at the theater this year and they were all at our local $2.50 theater. Great seats, a little worn but nice old-timey theater lighting & decor.

I just think the more they increase prices, the less business they will get, vicious circle. I would love to see one lower prices to see if their volume increases and they make more money that way.

I don't understand how Walgreen's can charge $1 for their movie candy and I'm sure make some sort of profit yet theaters charge $2.50+.

Last thought - a 20 oz soda can comfortably fit into those cloth hobo bags popular w/teen girls. Not sure how I would know but just sayin'...

 

[StitchFan73]

I personally do not take food into a movie theater, a restaurant, or any other place of business. To me, it's just rude, but, to each their own.

A restaurant I can see, but movie theater? They make their money off of movies-snacks are just side action gravy

 

[Priorityonecb]

We buy movie theater tickets, popcorn and drinks. But, we openly admit to sneaking in the .50 bags of M&M's! I think $60 for a family of four to sit in their theater for 2 hours is quite enough.

 

[Vivianne]

We went to see 2012 last week, right after I got out of work and I was hungry so...DH and I shared a bag of overpriced popcorn... I'm pretty much a stick by the rules person. If I had the time, I would have eaten at home. Forget about buying treats at the theatre. Maybe some some of these actors can take a pay cut....if they love acting so much...

 

[blanq]

A 20 oz. soda will fit inside of my purse... maybe 4 (I have a really big Coach purse).

I know! The Fat City columnist who wrote that article must have been a dude, and one who has not paid attention to the size of women's purses. When my son was a toddler, I could have fit him in my purse.

 

[Tinkertude]

I have brought in a Can of Pop for years to go along with the popcorn that I purchase. I can't see spending all that money for a flat pop that is mostly ice.

 

[dougsmom98]

We don't go to the movies often because it has gotten expensive. When we do go, we visit the concession stand. I don't sneak food in, but I do bring in empty brown paper lunch bags so that I can split a couple large popcorns among my family of six.

 

[minnie1928]

I recently read/heard something that said that the nutritional value of a medium popcorn was the same as eating 3 big macs!!

So, I will continue to smuggle in my packs of fruit snacks and granola bars.

 

[marcyinPA]

I never buy movie theater food. That popcorn will kill you...seriously. It's sooooo bad for you! Never mind how expensive it is. No way am I blowing that kind of money on snacks!

We keep a candy bowl at home with various treats in it...lollipops, snack sized packets of whatever, and that's what we take to the movies. We each choose a couple of things and put them in our coat pockets, or my purse. I usually bring a bottle of water, and Capri Sun juice bags for the kids.

 

[Swimnoid]

We very rarely go to the theater anymore but when we do we usually buy popcorn and a drink and share and bring our own candy.

 

[blanq]

I recently read/heard something that said that the nutritional value of a medium popcorn was the same as eating 3 big macs!!

So, I will continue to smuggle in my packs of fruit snacks and granola bars.

Inquiring minds want to know...does this mean you would consider smuggling in 3 Big Macs, considering the important nutritional value issue you raise?

 

[*BTMRR*]

We stopped bringing things in because when our first child got old enough to read the prominent "please no outside food or drinks" signs at the theater we suddenly realized that we were setting a bad example.
Now, we eat before the movie. Sometimes we buy a box of candy or a bag of popcorn to share.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I too carry a large purse, all the time, but it sure helps at the movies. On occasion we will get the movie popcorn (never drink), if we go with the kids. But one of our DDs gets violenly ill from the artificial stuff in the theater popcorn and personally I prefer air popped or 98% fat free microwave with my Kernel Seasons brought from home, and it doesn't hurt that it saves a lotof money!

 

[Princess April]

I know! The Fat City columnist who wrote that article must have been a dude, and one who has not paid attention to the size of women's purses. When my son was toddler, I could have fit him in my purse.

.... you know it!!!!