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[Stormwatch]

Over Thanksgiving I took my parents out to see Fantastic Beasts and it was the first time they had been to a theater in years. The reserved seating was awesome. They didn't have to show up hours in advance to get a good seat. I just booked them well in advance. The only time I could see this being bad is when you get stuck in front of someone who kicks seats or behind someone who is really tall. At that point you can't move away from them.

 

[BlastProcessing]

Do you go to the movies by yourself or on dates only? That's the only advantage I can see. When you have six friends trying to sit together, do we now have to have one person buy all the tickets so we're together? Then everyone else needs to have cash to reimburse that one friend.

The logistics for a group make it suck.

You can use an app called Venmo to pay back your buddies sans cash. Works great.

 

[Calamari41]

I was hoping there was a better way I was missing, but most of the responses are just deal with it. Kinda sucks, but oh well.

If you're hurting that much for the dollar, you should reconsider going to the movies to begin with.

 

[Grimm Fandango]

Sorry but it's great for big budget movies. For a comedy sure you can put me anywhere. But a premiere movie I'll pay more to not have to get there early and get the seat I want.

 

[skny]

Disagree, I bought tickets for episode VII weeks before its launch and I watched it on IMAX in the perfect seat thanks to the reservation.

 

[cyba89]

Watching Star Wars on opening weekend without reserved seating sounds like an horror scenario to me.

 

[Calamari41]

I can't speak for everyone, but I personally make sure to leave a bigish tip of 25%. Is that big? I have no idea, tipping culture is weird.

But this post has made me realize I should write a thank you on my receipts for places that deal with us. A small gesture, but the right thing to do.

Everyone including me is giving you shit in this thread, but you're being a good sport. Too good of a sport. You are endearing, god damn it.

 

[Cuburt]

But seriously, the feeling of relief is palpable when a friend who invites you to the theater ends up saying it's reserved seating. That statement is always followed by something like "oh, awesome. So do you want to get lunch/dinner first since we don't have to get there early to grab seats?"

That is a good point. It takes some of the anxiety and stress out of going to see a movie opening night. In that way, I think it can actually be easier to go with a group of people than getting a large group to wait in line for seats because you can do something like meet at a restaurant first and take your time.

 

[Fudgepuppy]

I was shocked when my friend told me about the chaos he experienced when watching Godzilla on IMAX in USA.

I don't think there's ever been unassigned seating in Sweden. Personally, I would go to the cinema like never if I couldn't reserve spots.

I say this as someone who goes to the cinema around five times a month. I just pay on the website, get to the cinema 10 minutes before the commercials starts, pick up the tickets in the machine, buy popcorn and then just walk in.

A couple of weeks ago, I managed to buy a row of tickets for Dr Strange, 10 people, for all my friends. I paid beforehand and people gave me cash on the spot. We got in, one man was in one of our seats, we showed him the tickets, and he apologized and moved to the row above.

First come, first serve is ridiculous with these kinds of events. It's better to reserve a ticket, knowing that you will be able to sit with your friends, rather than coming into the theatre and having to split up.

Just book earlier, geez.

Also, this reminds me of the thread with the guy who was angry that he would never get a hair cut because he refused to make an appointment with his hair dresser.

 

[Mushroomer25]

The same movies that you can roll up 20 minutes early for and get a good seat are still the same movies you can roll up 20 minutes early for and select a good seat.

In no way, shape or form have you been able to line up 15 minutes early for an evening show of a huge movie on opening weekend and not be SOL since people even became aware of wide release dates.

This is absolutely incorrect. Since reserved seating, the seats I've gotten when buying at the window are undeniably worse. I'm not even talking about Star Wars - I went to see Arrival opening weekend, and ended up in the front row (despite buying tickets at the counter a full hour before showtime). Took a seat about 20 min before showtime. Had I followed that exact same procedure in a pre-reservation era, I would've gotten better seats.

But since the new system gives preference to early purchasers, I'm going to be SOL. Which is irritating for multiple reasons. First of all, there's a convenience fee. It's more common than not. Avoiding it would require a second trip to the theater, which is another hurdle. So the fee is a given. But even worse, it creates an incentive to pay that fee - even for movies where it might not be necessary. I'm seeing Manchester By The Sea tonight. It's not exactly a smash hit blockbuster, but now I'm paranoid about ending up with bad seats. So I'll probably buy early. That's a change in purchasing habits that universally benefits the theater. Not only do they get a cut of the Fandango fee, they also benefit from an increase in no-shows. If I buy my ticket now and plans change - I'm SOL. Refunds are possible, but most people won't go through the hurdles to bother. They'll just take the loss.

Overall, I understand the benefits of reserved seating. But for somebody who really loves seeing movies in theaters, it's a change to procedure that has a lot of drawbacks. Especially how it is currently implemented.

 

[8bit]

Nah, you're terrible. If I pay to go see a star war I'm choosing my seats.

 

[Gravy Boat]

It was already mentioned that some people will only sit with some other people, so I don't think they're all friends. So it makes no sense why they still need to grouped together.

That still doesn't make sense. If they don't all know each other then there's even less reason all 40 need to sit next to each other.

 

[John Kowalski]

The theatre lady already knows not to reserve my spot to anyone except me, it's fantastic.

 

[air jordans for dogs]

Get it all out, baby.

why do you people wear shoes inside your homes?

 

[99Luffy]

Do you go to the movies by yourself or on dates only? That's the only advantage I can see. When you have six friends trying to sit together, do we now have to have one person buy all the tickets so we're together? Then everyone else needs to have cash to reimburse that one friend.

The logistics for a group make it suck.

Get with the times man. I have at least half my friends on my banking app. Takes 10 seconds to send an e-transfer, and 10 seconds to accept it.

 

[Cheebo]

I would feel so anxious if I sat in a theater with people for several hours in complete silence.

But that is what you are supposed to do. That is what those endless pre-trailer commercials about making sure you keep quiet are for.

You realize no theater wants you to talk right?

 

[Hoo-doo]

why do you people wear shoes inside your homes?

What's up with wall-to-wall carpet? And in your living rooms for christ's sake?!

 

[fade_]

Just because it didn't work out in your rare circumstance one time does not make it terrible.

 

[MC Safety]

why do you people wear shoes inside your homes?

We need our shoes for all that ass-kicking we do.

Plus, we're ready to go rebuild your home when a natural disaster strikes or, you know, it gets wrecked in the World War.

 

[shintoki]

I like it because it tells me if I should see the movie or not without leaving the house.

Crowded films are bad

 

[molnizzle]

Watching Star Wars on opening weekend without reserved seating sounds like an horror scenario to me.

As someone who did this for Episodes I, II, and III, I can confirm that yes, it was a horror scenario. You needed to show up a good 5+ hours early (at least) and wait in lines wrapped around the outside of the building just to have a chance at decent seats. It was the worst.

These days you just show up and take your seats. Sooooo much better.

Plus at my theater of choice I can grab a draft beer before I head to my reserved recliner. So fucking good.

 

[CloudyTuba]

Reserved seating is the way, the truth, and the life.

If the theatre was so full that you could not get seats for your party, that means you would have needed to arrive 8 hours early to get seats anyway. Except now you don't need to waste your time anymore. Now you just need to buy your tickets early, and you only need to worry about it for big blockbusters like this one.

You're just having an emotional reaction to not getting what you wanted, but the benefits of this new system far outweigh the drawbacks.

Watching Star Wars on opening weekend without reserved seating sounds like an horror scenario to me.

Everyone would have to get in line three days ahead of time. It would be horror.

 

[sinxtanx]

This is absolutely incorrect. Since reserved seating, the seats I've gotten when buying at the window are undeniably worse. I'm not even talking about Star Wars - I went to see Arrival opening weekend, and ended up in the front row (despite buying tickets at the counter a full hour before showtime). Took a seat about 20 min before showtime. Had I followed that exact same procedure in a pre-reservation era, I would've gotten better seats.

so you bought your tickets late and got bad seats

buy tickets earlier

if "convenience fees" are a thing, complain about it to those responsible and get the word out because no civilized country should have them

 

[Kreed]

So this is what the movie experience is now like. Unless you know you want to see a movie days in advance, you just can't stroll down to the movie theater anymore with your friends or family and have a guarantee that you'll be able to see a movie and sit together.

I was already taking fewer trips to the movies, but these new theater policies may reduce my trips to the movies to about once per year.

I had a similar experience to you in regards to one local theater recently. Where I live, there are a bunch of premium theaters further away from me with reserved seating similar to the photo Ryuelli posted which are great especially when you and your guests want a quiet movie experience and the theater only allows adults who can drink, but I still enjoyed going to this one local theater with regular seating since it was cheaper, closer to where I live, and I could always get good seats just by showing up to a show 30 minutes early. But like you, recently this theater upgraded to reserved seating and also replaced all of their regular seats with "premium seats". So this was an annoyance because it got rid of all the appeal of going to this theater outside of it being closer. Not only was there now the risk of getting bad seats if you didn't reserve them in advance, but the prices were raised to compete with the other theaters despite not having the same level of "luxury" (No bars, restaurants, food/drink service in the theater, blankets, valet, etc...), and because the premium seats are much bigger than the old seats there are less seats in general/it's much easier for shows to be sold out. Overall, I prefer the premium/reserved seating experience and I'm sure you'll adjust Pineapple, but it was nice to have the old option while it lasted.

 

[Vyer]

i wish more theaters around me had reserved seating.

one of the few things that's good about movie theaters these days.

 

[Gravy Boat]

This is absolutely incorrect. Since reserved seating, the seats I've gotten when buying at the window are undeniably worse. I'm not even talking about Star Wars - I went to see Arrival opening weekend, and ended up in the front row (despite buying tickets at the counter a full hour before showtime). Took a seat about 20 min before showtime. Had I followed that exact same procedure in a pre-reservation era, I would've gotten better seats.

You don't think it's fair that people who ordered their tickets before you should get to pick their seats before you?

 

[Selddon]

I think it's stupid too OP, luckily I don't know any theaters that do it.

People who get there first should get the seats they want

 

[Barrel Cannon]

Most theaters in my area offer both reserved and unreserved screenings. The reserved screenings are for the better experiences (AVX/IMAX/IMAX 3D/VIP) and the normal screenings don't have reserved seats. I feel this works out pretty well.

 

[Deadly]

Reserved seating is awesome. Unfortunately around me it's only available in the fancier showings (IMAX, DBOX, VIP, etc.).

 

[jstripes]

I wonder how many of the people complaining about reserved seating have ever been to a seated concert.

 

[thehypocrite]

Wrong.

 

[Fixed2BeBroken]

All Movie Taverns, iPics, Alamo Drafthouses, etc do this deal

They know you like the premium experience and they also know you wanna GET DRUNK

The only problem with this is, alcohol and movies just don't mix sometimes.

I remember getting hammered drunk before Inception at the bar...and then the movie was just a terrible experience because I was just like "HUH? wtf? this is DUUUUMB AND IM DRUNK!"

then I watched it a second time sober and was like "omg this is amazing"

 

[K' Dash]

I agree with OP, why don't we go back to shitting in the woods?

GOD, how wrong can one person be?

 

[KorrZ]

Should have booked your seats earlier

This. I love it.

We walked in to Star Wars TFA 5 minutes before it started and got our perfect prime seats because it booked in advance with reserved seating. Otherwise, we would easily have had to line up for 2+ hours to not get stuck in the front.

It's far superior, you just can't wait until the last second to book on an opening weekend. Any other time it's irrelevant.

 

[jett]

One of the all-time worst thread titles in GAF.

 

[Kirye]

I completely disagree. Sure reserved seating sucks for impromptu movie time but if you're like me and buy your tickets weeks in advance you get the best seats and get to sit with all of your friends and family without having to arrive at the theater hours in advance.

 

[Vengal]

Over Thanksgiving I took my parents out to see Fantastic Beasts and it was the first time they had been to a theater in years. The reserved seating was awesome. They didn't have to show up hours in advance to get a good seat. I just booked them well in advance. The only time I could see this being bad is when you get stuck in front of someone who kicks seats or behind someone who is really tall. At that point you can't move away from them.

Around me only two theaters use reserved seating and they're the only ones I goto anymore. Both charge abit more then your average theater and are strict about shit like phones and noise.

The trade off is between ordering tickets in advance vs waiting in line and getting in verbal knife fights with people over seats. Reserved seating is awesome.

 

[Very Berry Sunday]

Is there a way to not pay the convenience fee?

 

[Mushroomer25]

You don't think it's fair that people who ordered their tickets before you should get to pick their seats before you?

Didn't say a single thing about 'fairness'. Just tearing down the misconception that reserved seating only causes problems for blockbuster releases like Star Wars. It creates a culture where EVERYONE buys into early ticket purchases (and their associated fees) for EVERY film. I followed the exact proceedure that I would've done without reserved seating, and got worse seats. Which runs contrary to what people have been saying.

so you bought your tickets late and got bad seats

buy tickets earlier

if "convenience fees" are a thing, complain about it to those responsible and get the word out because no civilized country should have them

So you're expecting me to do what, lobby Congress? Convenience fees are bullshit, but the most I'm really going to do about it is change theater habits. Gravitate towards locally owned theaters that aren't doing advance seating. Reserve seating is done because it ups ticket profit margins, regardless of how it impacts customer experience. Perhaps when people in this thread stop championing it without any criticism, the problems associated with it will actually be fixed.

 

[kevin1025]

Is there a way to not pay the convenience fee?

That's what boggles my mind. Here in Canada we don't pay any extra fees for reserved seats, just the price of the ticket.

 

[Zoe]

Is there a way to not pay the convenience fee?

Buy at the box office.

Easy for me cause the Drafthouse is on the way home from work.

 

[spyroflame0487]

My AMC has had reserved seating for a while now. I think it was those damned super plush reclining chairs because when they added them into my local Cinemark, the same thing happened and they got the reserved seats.

I haven't been to AMC for a while, but Cinemark definitely has the "screen" labeled on the admittedly shitty looking little screen and then in the actual theater, the lights are on dim enough even through the trailers that you can see the seats. It helped that there's now large letters emblazoned on the stairs and the seats have a lit up number on them.

Personally speaking, I agree with OP. It's difficult, especially with your party possibly coming at different times to actually be able to get seats together for a popular movie, and then there's the problems with only one seat when you need 2 together, etc. When I worked at that theater, usually for popular movies we'd ask if people could move closer to each other (sometimes they'd leave a seat open between them, etc) and other similar things which wasn't bad. I don't know exactly what the benefit for having assigned seats would be (perhaps easier for knowing where people are in the theater, perhaps better data analysis?) in not only this but in other venues, but I guess it does help if you are planning on being busy before. I feel if you're coming to a movie, you should be there early and get good seats; if you're gonna waltz in and make people get up a few minutes before the movie starts, that's really bothersome.

 

[Stallion Dan]

Reserved seating is the microtransactions of movie going.

Don't turn up early, don't wait in line, don't do any effort to get a good seat, just pay extra to book online and reserve and ruin the experience of people who don't pay extra.

A curse on you all.

 

[Redd]

Buy at the box office.

Easy for me cause the Drafthouse is on the way home from work.

That's what I do at the Regal 5 minutes from my house. I just stop there on my way home after work. The AMC that's 10 minutes away doesn't reserve seats but it's an option for a last minute show if I need it.

I usually go to the Regal because of reserved seating. Love it.

 

[Lothars]

So this is what the movie experience is now like. Unless you know you want to see a movie days in advance, you just can't stroll down to the movie theater anymore with your friends or family and have a guarantee that you'll be able to see a movie and sit together.

I was already taking fewer trips to the movies, but these new theater policies may reduce my trips to the movies to about once per year.

You are incorrect, it is actually a good thing. I would rather book my tickets and know where I am sitting instead of running to find a seat and having to sit in the front row.

 

[Gravy Boat]

Didn't say a single thing about 'fairness'. Just tearing down the misconception that reserved seating only causes problems for blockbuster releases like Star Wars. It creates a culture where EVERYONE buys into early ticket purchases (and their associated fees) for EVERY film. I followed the exact proceedure that I would've done without reserved seating, and got worse seats. Which runs contrary to what people have been saying.

That's because you're stuck in your ways instead of changing your purchasing habits. You got worse seats because everyone else was smart enough to book their seats in advance. You know the option is there, don't be surprised that you get burned by not taking advantage of it when everyone else does.

I can't really think of any other show or event that doesn't have allocated seating. Sports games, concerts, stage shows etc. Pretty much every event where you buy tickets for a seats has allocated seating, and for good reason.

Edit: Conveince fees seems to be a very regional thing. I've never heard of them in the UK.

 

[Cepheus]

I really don't like the idea of reserved seating in cinemas. What if you get stuck next to small children or something? This might not be too big of a problem in the UK, since you have to be 15+ to watch a 15-rated film and 18+ to watch an 18 one, but I imagine it would have a much bigger chance of happening in the USA where you can apparently take children to see any film that isn't NC17. Also, it's more hassle. You can't just turn up to a cinema and walk into one of the screenings anymore.

 

[Razorback]

I get the advantages people are mentioning, but it's just not for me.

I don't like planning my life that much ahead that I have to buy tickets one or two weeks in advance. I might not feel like going out when the day comes, I don't know what's going to happen.

 

[Cipher Peon]

Everyone including me is giving you shit in this thread, but you're being a good sport. Too good of a sport. You are endearing, god damn it.

Thank you very much, friend!!! ^^

I really appreciate it and think you're endearing too!

 

[jstripes]

Didn't say a single thing about 'fairness'. Just tearing down the misconception that reserved seating only causes problems for blockbuster releases like Star Wars. It creates a culture where EVERYONE buys into early ticket purchases (and their associated fees) for EVERY film. I followed the exact proceedure that I would've done without reserved seating, and got worse seats. Which runs contrary to what people have been saying.

As far as I can tell, the theatres around here only do reserved seating for the first week or two, and not for weekday matinées.