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| - I've spent far too many movie experiences gone bad to chance showing up at a theater without planning ahead and buying tickets online in advance. So whenever I go to ANY theater now, especially opening weekend I buy tickets online. Desert Ridge 18 & Arrowhead 14 are the two I attend frequently. I haven't been to DR before the re-design so I can't comment there. But here at DR my experience has been mostly positive. I like the new redesign. I love the reclining seats! With so many people being able to have their own theater experience in their own homes, I think the reclining seats just add an additional experience that makes watching a movie in theaters much more enjoyable. I've not experienced their IMAX yet. Just the standard theater, mostly non Dolby. 3D seems the same as other theaters.
That being said I still like to save a buck or two and I hit almost ALL my movies in the late morning/early afternoon at matinee prices! YES! SCORE! I think because of this I get in the theater earlier in the day before things get crazy, messy & chaotic. I've never had a problem with the theater being messy or so much so that I was really turned off by it. Ladies bathrooms have seemed fine to me. When I use them. I've not had too much problem with loud noisy children, or sitting next to that annoying movie goer that makes you want to scream. Twice I did I get to my seat a minute or two before the movie started and someone was in my seat. (Both times adults who should know better.) However, rather than make a big deal out of it I sat a chair over and no one was the wiser the first time, the second they were more than willing to move to their assigned seat without having to glare at them.
The downside is the concessions. As a few other reviewers have pointed out, it's confusing and it took me going a few times to this location to mostly figure them out. (An employee directing would be fantastic as this is a new setup. Or even a sign with directions?) And even then I think I learned a few more tips from other reviews. It shouldn't be HARD like that, but its a learning curve. It's helped that I go in the late mornings/early afternoons but I feel for those who just happen upon a busy mess in the evenings. Best thing I've found is to get your tickets, have them taken/ripped by the first tier employee, then go straight to the popcorn counter which is mostly unmanned, get the size of popcorn you want from the counter/warming rack, THEN get in line and pay for it. (Sometimes there is a guy behind the popcorn counter composing the bags and you can get a fresh bag.) Or ask for nachos. Other problem with this is if you are a premiere member you can't ask for an upgrade so you get charged the regular price for the popcorn? It's still a little confusing to me obviously.
Drinks are LAST. So if you only want a drink go straight to the counter and pay. I usually only ask for popcorn, nachos, or a drink. So I'm not sure how to get anything else because that's as far as my experience has gone. Also, salt/extra butter are at stations after you pay as well. It's a bit of a back and forth, back and forth. WAY UNNECESSARY. But that's the setup that I've been able to assess.
NOT all AMC theaters are set up like this. My guess is its an experiment in the area. All other ones I've been to in the last year, do not do this. I wish they would go BACK to what is the standard everywhere else. A majority of people out there don't want to think too much about stuff when they go to the theater. They are there to relax, watch a movie, keep their kids out of trouble, or enjoy a family movie, talk with their friends, focus on couple time with their significant other, or just zone at a screen for 2 hours. Why fix something that isn't broken? Experiment fail.
That being said, the soda machines are awesome! They are the new contained machines that use technology and features to STREAMLINE the soda experience! Whoever invented them is a super hero! Tons of choices they would otherwise never be able to provide any other way. I had fun scrolling through the options, it would make an OCD person go nuts, I have to admit!
I do wish they had a separate line for premiere members as I am one, but the downside is they probably wouldn't have a sign saying as much and I'd miss that detail for a few times before I finally figure out that I'm able to be in a different line. So far, it's been pretty much a non issue as I go during the less busy times, on purpose. And maybe they do have that premiere line just opened in the evening?
There IS a bar. I like this idea but sadly most times I've been there it's not open. I get why because again earlier in the day, not so much drinking then. At some point I will check it out and try it. Usually I see it open about the time I'm leaving during an afternoon movie and I'm headed toward the door. It's small, only a few seats. Obviously its in a theater where the point is to watch a movie and not really linger at the bar.
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