40 replies to this topic

[Texas Angel Ang]

I went to the movies with the guy that I have been seeing the other day. I warned him that this particular movie theater SUCKS for wheelchair seating! In fact it's one of the reasons why I do not go to any new movie theaters...

this particular AMC theater is in the mall and it is huge, very nice (if walking). My guy knew that I haven't been to the movies in forever (years) and wanted to take me (he challenges me and makes me want to try new things all the time -- 1 of the things that attracts me to him, but that's a different story LOL)

soooo we go to the theater and of course there is no place to park! We had to park all the way in the back nowhere near the movie theater, more like in the line of traffic... something I'm used to. We go to the movie and he automatically sees what I mean.

The wheelchair seating is in a very very very very front! He wears glasses, can't see far away without them, I'm surprised he didn't take them off that is how close we were to the screen! Not only that but my chair is taller not the "typical" wheelchair... so yes we were sitting together... but he was lower than me LOL.

My leg made a good armrest for him

I had a great time I just don't understand why the wheelchair seating had to be so close! Does anybody ever have the same issues or suggestions on where else I could sit???

[pow76]

Texas Angel Ang, on Jul 23 2009, 10:02 PM, said:

I went to the movies with the guy that I have been seeing the other day. I warned him that this particular movie theater SUCKS for wheelchair seating! In fact it's one of the reasons why I do not go to any new movie theaters...

this particular AMC theater is in the mall and it is huge, very nice (if walking). My guy knew that I haven't been to the movies in forever (years) and wanted to take me (he challenges me and makes me want to try new things all the time -- 1 of the things that attracts me to him, but that's a different story LOL)

soooo we go to the theater and of course there is no place to park! We had to park all the way in the back nowhere near the movie theater, more like in the line of traffic... something I'm used to. We go to the movie and he automatically sees what I mean.

The wheelchair seating is in a very very very very front! He wears glasses, can't see far away without them, I'm surprised he didn't take them off that is how close we were to the screen! Not only that but my chair is taller not the "typical" wheelchair... so yes we were sitting together... but he was lower than me LOL.

My leg made a good armrest for him

I had a great time I just don't understand why the wheelchair seating had to be so close! Does anybody ever have the same issues or suggestions on where else I could sit???

Yessssssss, the seating is so close to the damn screen and it makes your eyes hurt/plus if u trying to follow a person running in a movie or something u can get slightly dizzy. It has to be a movie i really want to see before i go to the movies..NOT TO ADD THE COLDNESS.....

[Abbey22]

I can't even rememeber the last time I went to an AMC movie theater. All the ones around me are Carmike. They have about 10 seats in the middle of the theatre grouped in 2's and 3's with a space on each end. There's about 15 rows of seats in front on ground level and stairs leading to more seating behind. It works really well because I hate staying in my chair to watch a movie. I say you find a new movie theatre!

[LeahC]

When I go to the cinema my friend carries me to a good seat, my weaker friends give me a piggy back too, it's really easy! xx

[Texas Angel Ang]

Yessssssss, the seating is so close to the damn screen and it makes your eyes hurt/plus if u trying to follow a person running in a movie or something u can get slightly dizzy. It has to be a movie i really want to see before i go to the movies..NOT TO ADD THE COLDNESS.....
[/quote]

haha it's crazy how close it is. I agree it has to be a movie I really really want to see or a special occasion like this was! It wasn't about actually going to the movies it was about US going together.

I was freezing I was going to have him lay my jacket on me... but the wheelchair seating spot is so tight and again we are in the very front... I just waited for the movie to end and then covered up. Which he was not so happy about LOL.

[pow76]

LeahC, on Jul 23 2009, 10:26 PM, said:

When I go to the cinema my friend carries me to a good seat, my weaker friends give me a piggy back too, it's really easy! xx

im 6'1 245, i would break the piggy back lol

[Texas Angel Ang]

Abbey22, on Jul 23 2009, 05:23 PM, said:

I can't even rememeber the last time I went to an AMC movie theater. All the ones around me are Carmike. They have about 10 seats in the middle of the theatre grouped in 2's and 3's with a space on each end. There's about 15 rows of seats in front on ground level and stairs leading to more seating behind. It works really well because I hate staying in my chair to watch a movie. I say you find a new movie theatre!

I think I'm just going to look for a new movie theater! What you're describing is kind of like what AMC is... but we were still way too close!

LeahC, on Jul 23 2009, 05:26 PM, said:

When I go to the cinema my friend carries me to a good seat, my weaker friends give me a piggy back too, it's really easy! xx

LOL he wanted to but it would be really uncomfortable for me... my upper body strength has gone downhill! Something he has me working on

[wheeliebear75]

Well maybe it doesn't count......seeing as I AM both (legally) blind and in a w/c. But er uh......if the dsabled seating is in the very back.......I can barely see it.......not too mention that everybody standing up to move over, get popcorn, or use the restroom is then in my line of sight. I avoid going to the ones who put their special seating at the back & DO ATTEND the ones who have it the front. Guess the only solution to this is to have 2 sets; one in the rear & one in the front......hey why shouldn't we have a choice of where to watch from?

[Texas Angel Ang]

wheeliebear75, on Jul 23 2009, 07:31 PM, said:

Well maybe it doesn't count......seeing as I AM both (legally) blind and in a w/c. But er uh......if the dsabled seating is in the very back.......I can barely see it.......not too mention that everybody standing up to move over, get popcorn, or use the restroom is then in my line of sight. I avoid going to the ones who put their special seating at the back & DO ATTEND the ones who have it the front. Guess the only solution to this is to have 2 sets; one in the rear & one in the front......hey why shouldn't we have a choice of where to watch from?

see I used to go to the OLDER movie theaters and I would sit in the back but there was an option to sit in the front as well. Not to mention if I really really really wanted to I could have always sat in the aisle...

I'm all about 2 sets -- 1 in the rear and 1 in the front I have actually done some research and there are movie taverns where you sit at a table! Not sure how wheelchair friendly they are... time to find out

[kdenon01]

Ugh. I know what you mean. When we lived in Houston, the theater there had the wheelchair seating in the front row. Now that we have moved back to MI...we have reallllly nice theaters that have back row and mid section seating for my hubby.

[Texas Angel Ang]

kdenon01, on Jul 23 2009, 08:06 PM, said:

Ugh. I know what you mean. When we lived in Houston, the theater there had the wheelchair seating in the front row. Now that we have moved back to MI...we have reallllly nice theaters that have back row and mid section seating for my hubby.

haha I was in Houston, visiting friends! I would love to find a midsection... the front row is just way too close. Plus everyone behind us (the entire theater LOL) can see us. I feel like all these eyes are on us!

[fatdave]

There is a rather large cinema near me that has great access and ample parking. It has stadium seating and the wheelchair seating is right in the middle. The cinema is Ronnies 20 in south st.louis county.

Another favorite of mine is the drive - in (19 drive-in Cuba missouri) I get to sit in my car and watch 2 movies for the price of 1 and they have a great snack bar!

[SpeedyBK]

in omaha they are in the middle or up top at the amc. It's really nice on the very top for make out sessions especially during the week nobody goes to the very top.

[Texas Angel Ang]

fatdave, on Jul 23 2009, 08:37 PM, said:

There is a rather large cinema near me that has great access and ample parking. It has stadium seating and the wheelchair seating is right in the middle. The cinema is Ronnies 20 in south st.louis county.

Another favorite of mine is the drive - in (19 drive-in Cuba missouri) I get to sit in my car and watch 2 movies for the price of 1 and they have a great snack bar!

oh how I miss the drive-in movies!

SpeedyBK, on Jul 23 2009, 08:43 PM, said:

in omaha they are in the middle or up top at the amc. It's really nice on the very top for make out sessions especially during the week nobody goes to the very top.

yeah it would have been nice to have a little bit of make out session... especially since I haven't been to the movies in forever!

[newwife08]

There are two movies theaters in the town where we live. One is old and crappy and only has a few w/c accessible spots (that are actually in the middle of the theater). The other, newer, facility has them on the back row of the floor seats. Those are still a little closer the screen than I'd like to be, but it works.

I have sent in a complain to the other crappy facility because the last time we went to a movie there, we got there about 10 minutes before the movie's start time. It was so packed tha there weren't any seats open next to the w/c accessible spots, so I finally went and asked to speak to a manager. I wanted them to go into the theater and ask people to move in to make room on the ends. (there were tons of open spaces in the middle of the theater that would have opened up a spot on an end), but they would do it. Instead, I stood for the first 15 minutes of previews, in the back of the theater next to my hubby. They finally brough me a folding chair!!!! Told me that it was illegal to do, but they couldn't ask people to move.

BS!!!!! I worked at a theater in high school and we asked people to move all the time! Any time there was a popular movie we would sell out and people would come out and say there was no where to sit. So, we'd stop the previews, turn on the house lights and ask people to make friends with those around them and move to the middle!!! We weren't rude, we asked nicely, and in all those times we did it, I don't remember anyone giving us a hard time about it.

[jules]

I hate the wheelchair seating at my local cinema too, its not right at the front but is very close, plus because you are raised up my husband ends up at about knee level. So generally I get my husband to carry me to a seat, but this also has a few issues - I only weigh 40kg (88 pounds) so I can get folded up in the seats - which my hubby finds hilariously funny. What we do now is I sit in the seat and Neil puts his leg on the corner of the seat to hold it down.

[JustJayde]

All the theaters in my city are like that too! I don't bother to go.... which sucks because I miss going to the movies but it is so not worth the discomfort.

[Texas Angel Ang]

newwife08, on Jul 23 2009, 11:03 PM, said:

There are two movies theaters in the town where we live. One is old and crappy and only has a few w/c accessible spots (that are actually in the middle of the theater). The other, newer, facility has them on the back row of the floor seats. Those are still a little closer the screen than I'd like to be, but it works.

I have sent in a complain to the other crappy facility because the last time we went to a movie there, we got there about 10 minutes before the movie's start time. It was so packed tha there weren't any seats open next to the w/c accessible spots, so I finally went and asked to speak to a manager. I wanted them to go into the theater and ask people to move in to make room on the ends. (there were tons of open spaces in the middle of the theater that would have opened up a spot on an end), but they would do it. Instead, I stood for the first 15 minutes of previews, in the back of the theater next to my hubby. They finally brough me a folding chair!!!! Told me that it was illegal to do, but they couldn't ask people to move.

BS!!!!! I worked at a theater in high school and we asked people to move all the time! Any time there was a popular movie we would sell out and people would come out and say there was no where to sit. So, we'd stop the previews, turn on the house lights and ask people to make friends with those around them and move to the middle!!! We weren't rude, we asked nicely, and in all those times we did it, I don't remember anyone giving us a hard time about it.

hmmmm maybe I should complain to someone. I haven't been to my local movie theater yet... I'll check it out and see what it is like. I don't understand why all these new theaters are being built and while SOME are wheelchair accessible... obviously not up to par!

Oh, btw, this has nothing to do with movie theaters but I was once at a restaurant in the aisle and the hostess told me I could not sit there because I was a fire hazard LOL. I was blocking the exit door in case of a fire! Needless to say the manager overheard this and our meal was taking care of

jules, on Jul 24 2009, 03:14 AM, said:

I hate the wheelchair seating at my local cinema too, its not right at the front but is very close, plus because you are raised up my husband ends up at about knee level. So generally I get my husband to carry me to a seat, but this also has a few issues - I only weigh 40kg (88 pounds) so I can get folded up in the seats - which my hubby finds hilariously funny. What we do now is I sit in the seat and Neil puts his leg on the corner of the seat to hold it down.

I would love to sit next to my guy but it's such a pain in the ass... plus I would not be physically comfortable. I need support for my upper body.

JustJayde, on Jul 24 2009, 08:08 AM, said:

All the theaters in my city are like that too! I don't bother to go.... which sucks because I miss going to the movies but it is so not worth the discomfort.

I understand what you mean. This was my first time to go back to the movies in almost 6 years! I'm always waiting for the movie to come on pay-per-view or DVD! But I'm going to try the movie taverns, they have tables and serve food.

[Ches]

Angie there is a movie bar and grill in Plano,.. Not being a fan a the movies theaters, even pre injury, I have NO clue how accessible it is,.. but Ive heard many of times its just tables, food and a big screen.

Also, there is a few old Drive In movies around time... Last I heard the one in Plano may get demolished.... the rest are more east and over an hour from you easily..

And lastly, have you heard of or checked out the Angelica at Mockingbird Station? Again I really dont remember how accessible it was, but that theatre is way cool and play mainly indie films.

[Texas Angel Ang]

Ches, on Jul 24 2009, 01:48 PM, said:

Angie there is a movie bar and grill in Plano,.. Not being a fan a the movies theaters, even pre injury, I have NO clue how accessible it is,.. but Ive heard many of times its just tables, food and a big screen.

Also, there is a few old Drive In movies around time... Last I heard the one in Plano may get demolished.... the rest are more east and over an hour from you easily..

And lastly, have you heard of or checked out the Angelica at Mockingbird Station? Again I really dont remember how accessible it was, but that theatre is way cool and play mainly indie films.

Ches, I wasn't a huge movie buff pre-injury either, but I can ask some friends in the Plano area how accessible it is.

I'm definitely going to have to check out the drive-in movies! That would be so worth the drive... make a huge date night out of it. I know there is one on the way to Houston we always pass by in Garrett.

Where is Mockingbird Station?? Indie films are always so much better here lately!

[fatdave]

I lived about 20mins from a drive in, it was great $7 per person. We even had people hide in the trunk. It was also great for dates, 2 films and ample time for making out or even more...

Just make sure you have tinted windows or you will get spectators.

[Ches]

Kinda funny name 'Paralyzed not Blind"

I wonder if there is a forum for the blind where they have a topic "Im Blind not Paralyzed"

Angie have you noticed the new handicap ramps going up around Texas? They have the little red plastic coating with all the little bumbs.. (they are all over the mall near my house, Ill take a picture for you, if you havent seen them yet)
Anyways.. They are for the blind.. Apparently those guys are tired of our ramps and need a more obvious texture.. Now we have to rattle up 40 million little bumps to get up a ramp. Well... Coming SOON!

Edited by Ches, 24 July 2009 - 08:51 PM.

[Beautiful]

Wow, thats crazy. I have several theaters near me. The one in the mall has no stairs at all, so I can sit wherever, its just on a bit of a slope, so I have to put my brakes on. The other "major" theater we have is really accessible. It has lower seating, and when you first enter the theater where the movie is playing, if you take a left, there is a ramp that goes to the middle, and that has accessible seating too. I have never really had to deal with seating issues before. Im sorry you're having a tough time with that!

[Texas Angel Ang]

Ches, on Jul 24 2009, 03:50 PM, said:

Kinda funny name 'Paralyzed not Blind"

I wonder if there is a forum for the blind where they have a topic "Im Blind not Paralyzed"

Angie have you noticed the new handicap ramps going up around Texas? They have the little red plastic coating with all the little bumbs.. (they are all over the mall near my house, Ill take a picture for you, if you havent seen them yet)
Anyways.. They are for the blind.. Apparently those guys are tired of our ramps and need a more obvious texture.. Now we have to rattle up 40 million little bumps to get up a ramp. Well... Coming SOON!

haha ches you crack me up! "I'm Blind Not Paralyzed" I wonder how they would read?? Is it all read to them out loud? Talk about no privacy!

Yes I have noticed these red bumpy ramps and honestly... okay here comes a blonde moment... I thought it was like that so that people wouldn't slip LOL. You know like my mom in heels! Those bumps drive me crazy, I always spasm!

Beautiful, on Jul 24 2009, 04:23 PM, said:

Wow, thats crazy. I have several theaters near me. The one in the mall has no stairs at all, so I can sit wherever, its just on a bit of a slope, so I have to put my brakes on. The other "major" theater we have is really accessible. It has lower seating, and when you first enter the theater where the movie is playing, if you take a left, there is a ramp that goes to the middle, and that has accessible seating too. I have never really had to deal with seating issues before. Im sorry you're having a tough time with that!

thanks beautiful! I guess I can just start complaining until something is done or just not go... which I don't think my guy would be to thrilled with. He would transfer me if I would let him LOL.

fatdave, on Jul 24 2009, 03:10 PM, said:

I lived about 20mins from a drive in, it was great $7 per person. We even had people hide in the trunk. It was also great for dates, 2 films and ample time for making out or even more...

Just make sure you have tinted windows or you will get spectators.

eh I have a minivan with no seats... no need for tinted windows with wide open spaces ha ha. Spectators come one come all.

[Ches]

Texas Angel Ang, on Jul 24 2009, 02:10 PM, said:

Ches, I wasn't a huge movie buff pre-injury either, but I can ask some friends in the Plano area how accessible it is.

I'm definitely going to have to check out the drive-in movies! That would be so worth the drive... make a huge date night out of it. I know there is one on the way to Houston we always pass by in Garrett.

Where is Mockingbird Station?? Indie films are always so much better here lately!

Sorry I didnt mean to skip over this!

Mockingbird Station is off 75, at; you guessed it,, Mockingbird Exit..Im pretty sure its on the south bound side of 75. Either way you cant miss it. Its a few nice shops with skyrise living and movie theatre!

[Texas Angel Ang]

Ches, on Jul 24 2009, 05:23 PM, said:

Texas Angel Ang, on Jul 24 2009, 02:10 PM, said:

Ches, I wasn't a huge movie buff pre-injury either, but I can ask some friends in the Plano area how accessible it is.

I'm definitely going to have to check out the drive-in movies! That would be so worth the drive... make a huge date night out of it. I know there is one on the way to Houston we always pass by in Garrett.

Where is Mockingbird Station?? Indie films are always so much better here lately!

Sorry I didnt mean to skip over this!

Mockingbird Station is off 75, at; you guessed it,, Mockingbird Exit..Im pretty sure its on the south bound side of 75. Either way you cant miss it. Its a few nice shops with skyrise living and movie theatre!

haha guess I should've just looked it up. Oh how I've been spelling theater the wrong way this entire time?? Theater or Theatre??

[wheeliebear75]

fatdave, on Jul 24 2009, 02:37 AM, said:

There is a rather large cinema near me that has great access and ample parking. It has stadium seating and the wheelchair seating is right in the middle. The cinema is Ronnies 20 in south st.louis county.

Another favorite of mine is the drive - in (19 drive-in Cuba missouri) I get to sit in my car and watch 2 movies for the price of 1 and they have a great snack bar!

Darn ALL the drive-ins are have closed where I live. That would be a pretty cool way to watch a movie + you can watch it in the same way as everyone else.......talk about a comfy show, turn on the AC or the heater which ever you need (I'm generally shivering in any place that has their AC running). OK I just had the funniest picture of somebody pulled up in an electric chair mixed in with all the cars at a drive-in with the snack box on one arm rest & the speaker box on the other.

Edited by wheeliebear75, 24 July 2009 - 11:35 PM.

[Texas Angel Ang]

wheeliebear75, on Jul 24 2009, 06:33 PM, said:

fatdave, on Jul 24 2009, 02:37 AM, said:

There is a rather large cinema near me that has great access and ample parking. It has stadium seating and the wheelchair seating is right in the middle. The cinema is Ronnies 20 in south st.louis county.

Another favorite of mine is the drive - in (19 drive-in Cuba missouri) I get to sit in my car and watch 2 movies for the price of 1 and they have a great snack bar!

Darn ALL the drive-ins are have closed where I live. That would be a pretty cool way to watch a movie + you can watch it in the same way as everyone else.......talk about a comfy show, turn on the AC or the heater which ever you need (I'm generally shivering in any place that has their AC running). OK I just had the funniest picture of somebody pulled up in an electric chair mixed in with all the cars at a drive-in with the snack box on one arm rest & the speaker box on the other.

ha now that would be a whole different drive-in movie the focus would definitely be taken off the movie... I'm always cold wherever I go... that's why I always have jackets in my lap! I can be hot, steaming hot, and then freezing the next minute! I need a cup holder for my arm rest any ideas??

[Jax]

Texas Angel Ang, on Jul 23 2009, 05:02 PM, said:

I went to the movies with the guy that I have been seeing the other day. I warned him that this particular movie theater SUCKS for wheelchair seating! In fact it's one of the reasons why I do not go to any new movie theaters...

this particular AMC theater is in the mall and it is huge, very nice (if walking). My guy knew that I haven't been to the movies in forever (years) and wanted to take me (he challenges me and makes me want to try new things all the time -- 1 of the things that attracts me to him, but that's a different story LOL)

soooo we go to the theater and of course there is no place to park! We had to park all the way in the back nowhere near the movie theater, more like in the line of traffic... something I'm used to. We go to the movie and he automatically sees what I mean.

The wheelchair seating is in a very very very very front! He wears glasses, can't see far away without them, I'm surprised he didn't take them off that is how close we were to the screen! Not only that but my chair is taller not the "typical" wheelchair... so yes we were sitting together... but he was lower than me LOL.

My leg made a good armrest for him

I had a great time I just don't understand why the wheelchair seating had to be so close! Does anybody ever have the same issues or suggestions on where else I could sit???

IMAX.

That's been the theater I've had the best luck with here in Austin. The wheelchair seating is up top, and you get to go in first. Also, the exit is right behind you if you should need to go to the restroom. I don't know if there is one set up like that in Dallas, but it is worth a look. Usually if you call and ask, the theater will cooperate with you and give you a chance to check out the seating if you like, or they will give you a general idea on the phone of how the seating is set up. I know the tickets are a bit more, but I LOVE the IMAX. Just something about the huge screen and hellaciously loud sound system. Plus, the handicap plates or placards mean free parking in the parking garage...Right next to the elevator.

[Texaswheelz]

Ah, always on the look out for a good place to watch a movie. The ones that serve food here in Dallas is the Studio Movie Grill. They have several in the area. I have been to the one in Addison. Wasn't the biggest screen and I personally thought the food was pretty bad, although some people I know said they love it. You can order food and drinks while watching the movie. You do come in from the rear of the theater at the one I went to. If you like sitting in the rear then it is a place worth checking out.

My favorite in the Dallas area is the AMC at Northpark. Of course there it is in the middle of the mall and if you wanna park close to the entrance to the mall anywhere it's valet, so I'm normally parked way the hell out. They do have handicap parking in the valet area and probably offer free valet for handicap, but I never mess with it. Once inside the ticket booth is on the 2nd floor while the actual theater is on the 3rd. So my wife normally takes the escalator to the 2nd while I go ahead and take the elevator to the 3rd, gotta be one of the slowest around, so by the time I get up there she is normally getting there about the same time.

Once inside there is another elevator to the 4th floor that lets you go into the back of 3 or 4 of the theaters out of the 15 they have. The rest are down towards the front with about 10 rows in front of you. Personally I prefer to sit here. It's not to close, but not to far away. They do have the 2 or 3 seats together with spaces between them, but I always jump in one of their nice comfy chairs. All in All it's my favorite theater that I have been to in Dallas.

Other theaters in the area I've been too. AMC at Valley View Mall, sort of like Northpark but smaller, I try not to go. UA Galaxy 10 over in Garland, been to it a few times but it's been awhile, doesn't really stick out, but it's not one I've marked off my list to go to, was nice theater, nice seating. Cinemark off of 635 is horrible, crappy seats, dirty stained and uncomfortable, some of them have it where you are right at the screen looking straight up at it. Won't go back there even with free tickets.

I'm always looking for one that I have a good experience at. So far I haven't ever had a bad experience at the Northpark AMC


There is a few theaters in there that have a elevator that goes up to the top an lets you come into them from behind.