Drive-In Theaters

[Melanie]

I was just reading a Sci-Fi Diner thread in Dining, and it got me thinking about Drive-In theaters.

Wondering if anyone knows how many drive-ins are still in operation across the US, and even in Canada? Do you still have one near you that you go to?

What are your drive-in memories as a kid? I think we only went to one or two drive-in movies, and I distinctly remember one being Jaws.

[Mickey'sGirl]

I think we only went to one or two drive-in movies, and I distinctly remember one being Jaws.

I SAW JAWS AT THE DRIVE IN TOO!!!! (and wouldn't use the toilet for a week afterwards, but that's another story!). Growing up we would often go to the Drive In, because it was pay by the car, and my parents had 4 children. It was very cost efficient.

Once upon a time, there were quite a few in our area, now there might be 3 in the whole Greater Toronto Area (serving some 4 Million potential customers) There is a Drive In just north of us here, that I can not convince my husband to go to. He has no desire to sit in a muggy car for 2 hours, and less desire to sit on lawn chairs surrounded by bugs in front of said muggy car for 2 hours. One day perhaps, but he's pretty stubborn!

[Jillirose]

One left in northern MI, near Traverse City. Keep meaning to try it :-)

[MNNHFLTX]

I remember going to a few drive-in movies as a kid, with my older brother doing the driving and chaperoning his little sisters. After watching one scary movie, during a quiet moment on the way home he grabbed my leg and yelled "boo!" I shrieked and jumped so in my seat that my head hit the top of the car, lol!

There is a drive-in theater less than 10 miles from us here in Houston, but we have never been there. Last drive-in we went to was in Blue Ridge, GA, called the Swan Theater. We watched "Shark Tale"--well, that is, until Dave (DH) and fell asleep. Son Jake was the only one who stayed awake and saw the whole movie.

[Melanie]

There is a Drive In just north of us here, that I can not convince my husband to go to. He has no desire to sit in a muggy car for 2 hours, and less desire to sit on lawn chairs surrounded by bugs in front of said muggy car for 2 hours. One day perhaps, but he's pretty stubborn!

Uh Jen, remember he frequents ICOT?

[caryrae]

We have one a few miles from us. Same as I remember except no more speaker on the window just through the radio. People grilling food, kids in pj's under blankets if it's cool, families playing catch or Frisbee in the open area by the screen while waiting for the movies to start. Still can't make it through all 3 movies but can usually make it through 2. We try to go a few times a year since it's still cheaper then going to a theater, if you bring your own food, treats, and drinks and you can watch up to 3 movies.

[medic9016]

We have one also. New release movies at a good price.

[MNNHFLTX]

We have one a few miles from us. Same as I remember except no more speaker on the window just through the radio. People grilling food, kids in pj's under blankets if it's cool, families playing catch or Frisbee in the open area by the screen while waiting for the movies to start. Still can't make it through all 3 movies but can usually make it through 2. We try to go a few times a year since it's still cheaper then going to a theater, if you bring your own food, treats, and drinks and you can watch up to 3 movies.

Is that the Vali-Hi Drive-in, by chance? I remember going to see a couple of movies there years ago when camping with friends at Willow River campground in Wisconsin. I wasn't sure if it was still open.

[deedeebee]

It's the Cherry Bowl by Traverse City! Really fun, double features and lots of fun for the kids!

[PirateLover]

I have never been to one. There is one in South Jersey called the Delsea Drive in. We've been meaning to go for about two years. They play double features every weekend during the warmer months. I signed up for their email too, but we just haven't gotten around to going. Maybe by the end of this summer!

[lettripp]

When I was in college, we had one minutes away, in Mansfield CT. Saw The Dark Night for the midnight showing when it came out. Also brought our own Chinese food :-) It was GREAT to have it so close in college... Going to have to look for one closer to where we live now!!

[Basket Mommy]

We took our kids to one this past summer. It's about 1.5 hours away in Greenwood, SC, but it was worth the drive. We had so much fun! They have great food, and the price is awesome for the movies - $20 for a car full for 3 movies! Since we were so far away we left after the 1st one, but I still felt like we got our money's worth. We'll probably go back this summer.

[paulsheri]

What makes this place different IS if you bring in food, even a candy bar, you are charged an additional $ 5.00,,, but I don't know if they have food patrol police, and how do they know if you have any food ??

[faline]

I can't thik of a drivein anywhere in my area at this point. I can still point to malls and even an indoor theater that sit on what used to be drive-in property.

When I was a kid, we'd go to the drivein several times a year. My dad would put a couple of wooden milk crates (anyone remember those) on the floor of the car in the back seat and pile blankets and pillows on top. This allowed my brother and me to go to sleep on a sort-of bed.

Later, when my husband and I were dating, we'd go to the drive-in frequently. We were poor and it was cheap! There was one drive-in that would frequently show scary movies - and, yes, we saw Jaws at the drive-in! I think the other novie that night was The Exorcist!!

Even after our daughter was born, there were still drive-ins around and I remember going with her a few times. As she got older, there were fewer and fewer and no more opportunities to go.

[paulsheri]

....
New Outside Food Policy for The Midway Twin &
Mayfield Road Drive-ins

"OUTSIDE FOOD AND BEVERAGES RESTRICTED"

Bringing outside food and beverages onto the property requires the purchase of a food permit upon admission. Permit is $5.00 per car, per visit, and is not transferable.

Exceptions:
(1) Bottled water.
(2) Food for those required to follow a medical diet.

Without the concession sales the drive-in could not exist. Income generated by concession sales operate and maintain the drive-in. We appreciate your understanding and hope to keep this drive-in open for many years to come.

Please be aware that our concession areas stand ready to offer great food, treats, snacks, and beverages.

Thank You !





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[paulsheri]

The largest drive-in theater in patron capacity was the All-Weather Drive-In of Copiague, New York. All-Weather had parking space for 2,500 cars, an indoor 1,200 seat viewing area, kid's playground, a full service restaurant and a shuttle train that took customers from their cars and around the 28-acre theater lot.

The two smallest drive-ins were the Harmony Drive-In of Harmony Pennsylvania and the Highway Drive-In of Bamberg, South Carolina. Both drive-ins could hold no more than 50 cars.

[White Rose]

There's one located in Maryland! It's called Bengies and it's located in Baltimore near Eastern Blvd! I've only been once, the summer after my senior year of high school, but it was fantastic. Saw three movies for dirt cheap (even though the one was absolutely horrid) and my friend, who's dad owned a pick-up truck, drove. We parked the car so the bed was facing the screen and put out all sorts of blankets and stuff to lie down and watch the movie.

It was great! Highly recommend going. They do charge $7 for permits for outside food and beverage, but I understand why. I plan on hopefully going again this summer and introducing my friends from college to it!

[2Epcot]

Jaws was also the first movie I remember seeing at a Drive-In. As a kid it was always fun to go to the drive-in, and watch a movie. I really wish there were more still around.

[ElenitaB]

I loved going to drive-in movies as a kid. So sad to see them turned into office parks and shopping malls through the years.

My nephew has told me that there's one in the Richmond, VA area.

[Dopey's Girl]

We have one a few miles from us. Same as I remember except no more speaker on the window just through the radio. People grilling food, kids in pj's under blankets if it's cool, families playing catch or Frisbee in the open area by the screen while waiting for the movies to start. Still can't make it through all 3 movies but can usually make it through 2. We try to go a few times a year since it's still cheaper then going to a theater, if you bring your own food, treats, and drinks and you can watch up to 3 movies.

Hi fellow MN'er! The one on 94 and manning? I think it is opening again soon. I haven't been in a long time (mainly because I couldn't stay up that late on a work night, but also because many of my weekends are spent up at the cabin!). The drive in will always remind me of college. That was always the place we would go in the summer for pretty cheap entertainment.