Did you know drive in theaters are in trouble?

Question

I read that there aren't many drive-in theaters left in the country. They don't make any money from tickets sales; all of that money goest to movie makers. They only make money from concession stands. If you go to the drive-in and don't buy any drinks or snacks, the drive-in loses money. I love drive-ins because they are a fun family activity. They make me nostolgiac about my childhood. Do you get annoyed when people bring their own food to the drive-in, and don't give their patronage to the concession stand?

Not all drive-ins are gone. There are over a hundred in the midwest. I know, because I went to one last week.

Answer 1

All theaters are in trouble. The big superchains are feeling the heat too. It is a lot of many to pay and sort of a hassle to go the movie theater, especially if you compare that to pay-per-view, cable, or Netflix.

The drive-ins may fall first, but the actual theaters are only hanging on because the movie makers have not started to release straight to DVD.

Answer 2

I go to the drive-in and take my own food and drinks. That's the reason I go there. It's a money-saver because you can take your own stuff. I think that's why most people go to drive-ins. It's a much cheaper option. If drive-ins really weren't making any money from ticket sales, they would start posting that you couldn't bring anything in with you. If the concessions weren't so exceptionally over-priced, then I'm sure that people would be more inclined to use them. Movie theaters in general rip people off with the concessions, so I have no qualms about taking my own food into a drive-in which totally allows you to do so.

Answer 3

I absolutely love drive ins! The very first one I ever went to was when I was about six or seven years old. The movie was "Mary Poppins" with Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews. We are lucky enough to have two left in our town! One is called "Miracle Twin Drive In" it has two screens, and the other is called "U.S. Twenty Three Drive In", which is named for the road it's on, and it also has two screens. I love how people come early and bring lawn chairs and blankets, and play frisbee long before the movies start. And it's one of the best entertainment deals left around. Our theaters charge $6.50 a ticket for adults, and for that price you watch two movies! Between movies, at intermission, they run footage of puppies and kittens playing, and it's acutally the same footage I remember played 25 years ago! It's all so nostalgic, and I have such fun memories of the drive in. I have to say, I didn't realize that the only money they make is from the concessions. Thanks for a very interesting question, it helped make my day a little brighter!

Answer 4

In the mid-70's my buddy Mark would borrow his parent's VW bus and invite about 20 of his closest friends and cram us all into the cupboards, closets and under the beds and then pay admission for two to go see a marathon at the drive in. We would park as far away from everyone else and slowly decamp from the van and work our way towards the snack bar before the movies started. That was a great time - all the freaks hung out behind the snack bar and the weed would flow like......well, weed. That usually entailed another trip back to the snack bar and being too stoned to find our way back to the van........I remember seeing a dusk to dawn marathon of Vincent Price movies. Most of them were from the Edgar Allan Poe series directed by Roger Corman. They were a hoot to watch - and Vinnie never disappointed with his over the top performances. The highlight of the whole evening was when one of us got so liquored up they would vomit on some pricey import (a Fiat or Alpha Romero) - much to the chagrin of the owner!

Answer 5

I liked them as well. i figured they were done for since there hasnt been one on long island since the early 90's the last thing I saw at a drive in was Jurrassic park..it was great.

no, i dont get annoyed at people who bring their own food to drive ins, not even to theaters.

why should I pay TWICE the ammount for a stupid candy bar or a box of gummy worms and a soda just because I bought it from them?

if they lowered their prices to a competitive rate, either for the movie ticket, or for the concession items, they WOULD MAKE ALOT MORE MONEY.

but no, they are ignorant selfish bastards, who charge their loyal patrons out the a** for refreshments, and still charge 15 bucks for a movie ticket.

so, screw em. I'll get the movies illegally from bootleggers, or wait till they are on overpriced dvds, at least then i can watch it as many times aas I like.

Answer 6

I used to love going to the concession during the break....I could eat one of my moms sandwiches, or a cookie at home. But those little dancers dancing across the screen with popcorn, candy, hot dogs, and cold drinks what the signal to run through the darkness toward the smell of food....Watching closely as the hot dogs rotated while you were in line...The awkward teenager with his football sweater and a grin had lipstick all over his face...The grumpy old man behind the counter ringing up the cash while his wife served up the goodies.
But, that was 50 years ago. "sigh"

Answer 7

That's what was great about drive ins. I'm sad because the mission theater in San Antonio was vandalized 2 months ago & won't reopen. It was a place we could go as a family. When my 1st saughter was orn we still went to the movies

Answer 8

My favorite drive in is still in operation in Andover, OH. A great place to see a movie. The flea market is open all summer on the weekends and is well attended. I think that is where she makes most of her money. She even throws the lights on during intermission and some flea marketers open their stalls for 15 minutes to sell stuff. I think drive in movie theatres rock.

Answer 9

I believe there are only a couple left in my state and its been that way for a long time. But they were a great family entertainment option in their day and a wonderful thing for dating back in the day--laughing. A lot of couples romanced and got married later on from the hey-day of drive in movies--lol--

Answer 10

Yep..You should talk to Joe Bob Briggs, the drive in expert