WDW Drive-In Theater

[OliveMcFly]

I belong to Drive-Ins.com and I was looking on their website at some drive in theaters. I grew up with 2 drive ins within 7 miles from my home. We love them, we go there all the time. I started looking at drive-ins in Florida and saw there was a few in Orlando but, closed. Then I got to thinking, what if WDW put a screen somewhere on property for outdoor movies. They could do this year round. You could bring blankets and just sit out and watch a movie. I would be there. Feel free to give your thoughts.

 

[awallaceunc]

Well they aren't exactly drive-in movies, but there is the Sci-Fi Diner at MGM, and you can watch movies outdoors with a blanket at the Chip & Dale cookout at the Wilderness Lodge. Sounds like it's up your alley.

-Aaron

 

[OliveMcFly]

I love the Sci-Fi. I didn't know about the Chip & Dale cookout at Wilderness Lodge. I'll have to check that out. Do you know of a website with more info? Thanks.

 

[awallaceunc]

There was a thread about it somewhere around here pretty recently, if you wanna give it a search.

-Aaron

 

[tigsmom]

Chip & Dale are at Fort Wilderness, not the Wilderness Lodge.... people get them confused a lot.

From Deb's site:

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The campfire program is open to all WDW resort guests. It generally begins around 7 p.m. during the fall/winter season and 8 p.m. after the time changes in April through the summer. It is held near the Meadow Trading Post in the campfire area. The program begins with a sing-along led by a Disney CM and a marshmallow roast around two campfire rings. You may bring your own marshmallows or buy them at the Chuckwagon (roasting sticks and marshmallows are $2). You may also buy pizza, hot dogs, candy, nachos, juice, popcorn, sodas, coffee, beer and other refreshments at the Chuckwagon. While this is going on, Chip and Dale make an appearance to visit with guests and sign autographs. The sing-along lasts about 40 minutes. Next, one or two Disney animated features, depending upon the season, are shown on a large outdoor screen. Seating is available in bleachers or on benches. There is also plenty of room to lay out a quilt or blanket. The movie schedule is posted at all comfort stations. In the event of rain, the sing-along is still held on the porch of the Meadow Trading Post. [/font]

 

[NemoRocks78]

I belong to Drive-Ins.com and I was looking on their website at some drive in theaters. I grew up with 2 drive ins within 7 miles from my home. We love them, we go there all the time. I started looking at drive-ins in Florida and saw there was a few in Orlando but, closed. Then I got to thinking, what if WDW put a screen somewhere on property for outdoor movies. They could do this year round. You could bring blankets and just sit out and watch a movie. I would be there. Feel free to give your thoughts.

A drive-in theater was actually supposed to be built near the Disney-MGM Studios, however that plan changed because of the AMC Pleasure Island 24 which was being built right down the road. Jim Hill wrote an article about it a few months back.

 

[crazydaveh]

I like the idea. I know you can go see movies at Downtown Disney, but I think Disney could really make it happen with a drive in.

Yes, they have the cafe at Studios, but man, think about it, you can go see movies like in the old days with the family! If you're there without a car, they can build "pretend" cars for people to use.

This is a good way to promote new and classic movies!

 

[marni1971]

Originally a drive in was going to be built in MGM`s parking lot. The AMC was being built at the time and it was decided it may be too competetive.

 

[snoopi_grl]

I belong to Drive-Ins.com and I was looking on their website at some drive in theaters. I grew up with 2 drive ins within 7 miles from my home. We love them, we go there all the time. I started looking at drive-ins in Florida and saw there was a few in Orlando but, closed. Then I got to thinking, what if WDW put a screen somewhere on property for outdoor movies. They could do this year round. You could bring blankets and just sit out and watch a movie. I would be there. Feel free to give your thoughts.

That is a good idea, but i'm not sure it'll attract people. It could be a nice little rest thing, but I (personally) would rather be screaming my head off on rollercoasters and such than watching a movie.

 

[stitchlvr]

We did the Campfire with Chip and Dale on our last trip. We watched Beauty and the Beast on a large (not drive-in big, but a decent size) screen outside. We bought a large bag of smores fixings for $5, which I felt was reasonable, and the kids roasted marshmallows and made smores, met Chip and Dale and there was a sing along, and even some kids who sang, who were apparently guests at Ft wilderness. (including one very tiny Elvis impersonator). We took a day off of parks during our trip, and went to Ohana's for the character breakfast, swam during the afternoon and just relaxed, then went to the Movie. It was free (except for our food purchase) and it was a wonderful way to break from the parks. There is even a hayrack ride you can take from somewhere around Ft Wilderness, and if you time it right, you can see Wishes during the ride. We wanted to do that one, but there was a cost and funds were getting low so we opted for the movie instead. I would highly recommend this for anyone with school age kids especially!

 

[OliveMcFly]

Thanks for all the info everyone. Nemo and Marni - that is so interesting. I wish it would have been built. The parks aren't open too late anymore and it could be a great idea for those who don't wanna go to their room. Well, I still have them here at home. My bestfriend and I have talked to one local drive-in theater about showing classic movies one night a week. They don't think it would be popular. It's a shame...there are some great old movies.

 

[speck76]

I love Drive-ins, and drive-ins.com

anyway

I wonder if WDW has a non-compete agreement with the AMC at Pleasure Island and Celebration.....

Also (a little tidbit)...AMC is merging/buying Loews Theaters, which is the chain that runs the theater at Citywalk....

I think the closest drive-in theater to WDW is down in Winter Haven, although I have never been. One problem in FL is that it is often wet/raining in the summer at times when the movie would be beginning.......could be problematic.

 

[OliveMcFly]

Speck - I belong to Drive-Ins.com. With my membership card I get $1 off admission into Becky's Drive In. Browsing all the drive ins in america and seeing more than 80% closed is sad. We tried to go lastnight and it was full and we were turned away. I really think they need to rebuild some of these great theaters.
True, the rain would be a problem but, they do sell rain guards for the windshield. HeHe

 

[Figment1986]

Also (a little tidbit)...AMC is merging/buying Loews Theaters, which is the chain that runs the theater at Citywalk...

LOL.. anything universal or disney have are becoming one... Bank one is bought by chase... same credit car company.. not the movies theaters are going to be one.. (can AMC clean up better now??) :lookaroun

 

[OliveMcFly]

Figment1986 - LOL.. anything universal or disney have are becoming one... Bank one is bought by chase... same credit car company.. not the movies theaters are going to be one.. (can AMC clean up better now??)

OMG, yes. My sister-in-law's Disney card is Bank One and mine is Chase. You're right, AMCs aren't very clean. Our local one always has sticky floors and popcorn everywhere.

 

[speck76]

The Loews theater at Citywalk was great....

good food....alcohol......both things one does not find at AMC

 

[speck76]

Speck - I belong to Drive-Ins.com. With my membership card I get $1 off admission into Becky's Drive In. Browsing all the drive ins in america and seeing more than 80% closed is sad. We tried to go lastnight and it was full and we were turned away. I really think they need to rebuild some of these great theaters.
True, the rain would be a problem but, they do sell rain guards for the windshield. HeHe

It is sad.....

I have great memories of going when I was a child......(I would always get a bloody nose, which was not uncommon when I was a kid)

It is too bad this type of venue is almost extinct.....

 

[NemoRocks78]

The Loews theater at Citywalk was great....

good food....alcohol......both things one does not find at AMC

Very true....

Loews is also much cleaner and has better seating....that is definitely something AMC doesn't have. I usually wind up going to the AMC at Pleasure Island since it's closer to my house, but I always love going to the Loews Cineplex at CityWalk (the Muvico Pointe 21 isn't half bad either).

 

[speck76]

I usually go to either Muvico 21 or Cinemark at Festival Bay

Loews Citywalk is the closest to my place (Cinemark is just slightly further), but Citywalk is a PITA ot get into if I am only going for a movie....