What is a food permit?
A food permit is a charge that allows you to bring in outside food and drink. They generally run $5 - $10. The revenue from food permits helps drive-ins to offset the loss of revenue from the concession stand. Is alcohol allowed at drive-ins? Generally no. Almost all drive-ins prohibit bringing alcohol.
When do drive ins open?
Most drive-ins in other states generally open sometime between May and October but some open earlier and close a little later.
Can I take my dog to a drive in?
Can I take my dog to the drive-in? It depends. In the past, most drive-ins allowed dogs. Now for liability reasons, there are a good number of drive-ins that prohibit pets because their liability insurance companies require it. However, there are still many drive-ins that allow dogs as long as they are leashed and as long as you pick up ...
Do drive ins make money?
So drive-ins make very little money from your admission.
Can you bring alcohol to a drive-in?
Is alcohol allowed at drive-ins? Generally no. Almost all drive-ins prohibit bringing alcohol. There are a few drive-ins that sell alcohol at their concession areas but you are not allowed to take the alcohol back to your car and it must be consumed in the concession/bar area.
Do you have to stay in your car during a drive in movie?
Generally yes. There are a few drive-ins that require you to stay within your vehicle during the movie but this is certainly the exception. How do I hear the movie at the drive-in? Almost drive-in theaters have now converting to FM Radio to broadcast the audio for the movies shown.
Is it cheaper to go to a drive-in or an indoor theater?
Is going to the drive-in cheaper than an indoor theater? Almost always yes. Most drive-ins show double features and some even show triple features for one price which is generally less than or the same as indoor theaters. So for one admission price, you get to see two first run movies.
Why is it important to take other people's views into consideration when driving in a theater?
Since drive-ins are outdoors and filled with various vehicle types, the theater has a lot less control over how well everyone can see the screen. That’s why it’s imperative you take other people’s views into consideration.
How to dress for a car exhaust?
That means you need to dress according to the weather and plan ahead. Wear light, comfortable clothing if it’s hot out so you don’t have to run the car and crank the A/C. If it’s cold, dress warmly and bring some blankets.
Can you run an A/C during intermission?
You can always run the A/C or heater during intermission. G/O Media may get a commission. 30% off. Tribit Bluetooth Speaker/Sound Machine. Buy for $63 at Amazon. A lot of drive-ins use FM radio to deliver the movie sound, but you don’t want to drain your car’s battery using the stereo.
Can you sit in your car at a drive in?
Many people don’t even sit in their cars at the drive-in. You can park further back in your space and bring camping chairs or folding lawn chairs to set up in your parking space just in front of your car. Just be sure to keep the space between cars clear so your neighbors and other passersby have room to walk through.
Can you smuggle outside food into a drive in?
Hit up the snack bar. Look, it’s not difficult to smuggle outside food and drink into a drive-in theater that doesn’t allow it. It’s probably the easiest smuggling you’ll ever do. But keep in mind that drive-ins, and most movie theaters really, survive because of their concession sales.
Do drive-ins have double features?
Most drive-ins show double features, so be ready for a long evening. You can leave whenever you want, but you might as well get the most out of the experience. Just don’t expect brand-new films, movies that are guaranteed to be appropriate for children, or two movies that go well together in any way. Advertisement.
What does "drive in" mean?
Also, "drive in"s can mean a lot of different things these days, from a classic drive in to a movie on a sheet in a grassy field. So what to expect might vary in the details. Just remember: don't care too much about the movie. You are going to a unique kind of event that just happens to have a movie showing.
How to get cold in an air-conditioned car?
Bring a blanket...sitting in the front seat of an air-conditioned car can get cold after a while, and if you all decide that sitting in the car isn't working and you want to sit on the hood or something you can lay on the blanket.
When do drive ins open?
Most drive-ins open about an hour before nightfall and show 2 movies. This will be a late night if you stay for both movies and then drive the hour home. If you want a prime spot, show up early. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and bug spray. Park near the projection building/snack bar, but not right next to it.
Can you leave the car running in the second feature?
In my experience with drive-ins, though I haven't been to one in a few years: Yes, leave the car running and sit inside if it's going to be hot.
How to avoid smuggling in extra people?
Be mindful of those parked behind you. Don't spoil their view by climbing on the roof of your car. They may ask to look in your vehicle to check you're not smuggling in extra people, but most places are pretty laid back. If you want to drink booze, hide it on the way in. Most drive-ins have no booze policies.
Is there a double feature in kids movies?
They usually run a double feature. One is normally a studio's newest release, followed by another movie they did that came out a few weeks ago. Other than kids movies being together, there may be no thematic link between the two films...so you may get a comedy followed by an action film or something like that.
Can you drink booze at drive ins?
If you want to drink booze, hide it on the way in. Most drive-ins have no booze policies. I usually pop a grocery bag full of popcorn and bring drinks in a discreet softside cooler. Tips: use the bathroom/buy snacks in the middle of the movie. Before and between movies is always a madhouse.
Why are drive-ins banned?
The main reason being liability since they do not want you sitting in your car drinking and then driving home. However, there are a few drive-ins that sell beer and alcohol at their concession stands.
Do drive in theaters allow pets?
It is important to keep in mind that every drive-in theater is different and each has its own unique set of rules. Some for instance allow pets and others do not. Some allow outside food to be brought onto the drive-in grounds and some strictly prohibit it. For that reason, it is always important to review the rules and policies ...
Do drive-ins eject patrons?
For that reason, it is always important to review the rules and policies of the specific drive-in theater you intend to visit. Some drive-ins clearly state on their websites that they will eject patrons from the theater grounds (without refunds) if some policies are violated (such as bringing in outside food).
Is a drive in theater open on weekends?
Drive-in theaters in colder weather areas are generally only open seasonally. And some smaller or more rural drive-ins are only open on weekend and holiday nights. Also, the movie times change throughout the year along with the time of sunset. So check in advance to ensure you have the proper times. Arrive early.
Do drive-ins accept cash?
Many drive-ins only accept cash at the box office and the concession stand. More drive-in concession stands are moving towards accepting credit cards. But even some that accept credit cards at the concession stand only still accept cash at the box office.
Do drive-ins allow dogs?
Many drive-ins still allow dogs as long as they are on a leash at all times and you bring bags to pick up any waste. But there are also a large number of drive-ins that no longer allow pets primarily for insurance reasons. Bring sleeping bags, chairs, pillows, etc… in order to sit outside.
Can you sit outside at a drive-in?
However, also be aware that there are a few drive-ins that do not allow you to sit outside of your vehicle so you will have to determine if that is possible before you arrive. Bring portable radios. Most drive-ins now use FM signals to broadcast the audio for the movies.
What to do in the morning at a sandbox?
You'll have time for other activities if you arrive early. Here are a few ideas: 1 Play card games or board games 2 Throw a football 3 Kick a soccer ball 4 Have a picnic 5 Take a walk 6 Read a book 7 Say hello to the “neighbors”
What radio do you use to play movies?
Most drive-in movie theaters use FM radio to play the sound. Each screen has its own frequency and you tune your own radio to that station to listen. Here are three ways to listen to FM sound at a drive-in movie.
How many movies do you get at a drive in?
Plan for a late night. You usually get two movies for the price of admission at a drive-in. The first movie starts as soon as it gets dark enough. In June and July, the second movie often ends well after midnight. You don't have to stay for both movies.
When do drive in movies start?
Consider spring or August. Drive-in movies don't start until dark, which can be 10 PM in June. That's late for our family, and it's hard to enjoy both movies if we're all fighting sleep an hour into the first one. When we go in the spring or later in the summer, the weather is still warm, but the movies start earlier.
Can you bring in your own food at a drive in movie?
One of the best things about a drive-in movie is that you can bring in your own food. We pop our own popcorn and pick up sodas, pizza, or candy before we arrive. Once you're inside, don't plan to leave for treats. Our drive-in does not allow re-entry but it does sell snacks.
What radio app can I use to listen to radio?
There are some good radio apps like TuneIn, Simple Radio, or iHeartRadio. They'll easily stream popular radio stations, but they aren't built to tune into the specific FM frequencies you need for a drive-in and play the sound ad-free.
How long does a drive in double feature last?
Dress in comfortable clothes or pajamas. A drive-in double feature can last until 1 or 2 AM. It's easy to move the kids directly from the van to their beds when they are already in pajamas.
How long does movie audio last?
Movie audio is via car radio/speakers. With movies going for about 1.5-2 hours, I want to know if this will have a major impact on the battery while the radio is on all the time ... Do you leave the engine off, or is it a good idea to turn it on intermittently for 5-10 minutes in-between ?
Is it bad to run an engine at idle?
Running your engine at idle is unlikely to be charging the battery very much anyway. running the engine at idle gives enough alternator charge to keep the engine and components running and remove the battery, so there is sufficient charge occuring to sustain the system.
Can alternators run 2 hours?
Alternators don't put out full output at idle anyway, usually need 2000 rpm etc. Unless a battery is already sick, it should easily do 2 hours of radio.
What happens if you leave your car running?
If you do leave your car running for too long, you might experience a few unpleasant side effects: 1 As mentioned, your car’s engine continues to consume fuel so long as it’s powered on. But it also consumes power from your car’s battery because the engine and alternator both run slowly whenever your car idles. The alternator provides enough power to charge the battery by itself. Still, if you’re idling and have other electronic components powered on – such as your radio or lights – you could gradually drain your car’s battery and potentially leave yourself stranded. 2 Your engine may also overheat if you leave your car idling for too long. However, this particular error often occurs because of mechanical malfunctions. If your engine overheats, get your cooling system or fan belt checked by a certified mechanic 3 Your car may run out of gas. An empty gas tank can sneak up on people who don’t expect their fuel gauge to go down when they’re simply sitting and not driving. But it can and has happened to people in the past on multiple occasions.
What does it mean when a car is idle?
In an “idle” state, your vehicle is still powered on and could theoretically begin moving at any time. In all actuality, it would start moving immediately were it not for other systems and components, like brakes and transmissions. Most people have idled their cars at one point or another out of sheer necessity.
Why does my car's engine consume so much power?
As mentioned, your car’s engine continues to consume fuel so long as it’s powered on. But it also consumes power from your car’s battery because the engine and alternator both run slowly whenever your car idles. The alternator provides enough power to charge the battery by itself. Still, if you’re idling and have other electronic components powered ...
What happens when you sit at a stoplight?
When you’re sitting at a stoplight, even if the light’s pause period extends for a few minutes. In this case , turning your engine off and starting it again could take too long for the people waiting behind you. When you’re low on gas and trying to get to a gas station.
When you're low on gas, what should you do?
When you’re low on gas and trying to get to a gas station. It takes more gas to start your engine than it does to keep it running in many cases. So keep your car on and idling if you’re running on fumes and trying to get to safety.
Is it bad to idle your car?
Although idling your engine is not necessarily harmful, it’s also not something you should try to do excessively. There are limits on how long you can leave your car running before you experience trouble or introduce the possibility of mechanical failures. Remember, idling means your engine runs continuously at low power.
Is it bad to start and stop your engine multiple times?
One good example is when driving on a backed-up road in a major city. But the idea that starting and stopping your engine multiple times is harmful is also a myth. In fact, even if you’re stuck in traffic and know you’ll only move a few meters every few minutes, feel free to start and stop your engine multiple times.
