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[Shaanyboi]

That's why it's great to have reserved seats. You can arrive 5-10 minutes late. skip most of the ads and still have a good seat.

But because I want to play Timeplay, what I end up doing is showing up 5 minutes early for that, then as the ads are going, that's when I go get food.

 

[ClosingADoor]

I have two theaters that I go to. One with reserved seating, one without. I like the one with reserved seating better (for different reasons). It's pretty common that I can't see a movie in the one I like and have to go to the other one because the seats are full hours if not days in advance. It's bullshit. I don't know 8 hours ahead of time if I'm going to see a movie. Reserved seating has its benefit but I don't know how people don't see this as the huge negative that it is. It's a mixed bag. That theater has missed out on quite a few showings from me solely due to reserved seating.

They didn't miss out on anything because they were sold out.

 

[Mushroomer25]

Sorry if it's been mentioned before, but how much are these reservation fees?

Fandango charges a $1 convenience fee per ticket. If you have to cancel the ticket, they only refund the purchase price and not the fee.

 

[jstripes]

Only if you're anti-social and cannot talk to people. Met many good people waiting in cinema queues, especially for the nerdy stuff.

I prefer not to talk to people. I can talk to whoever I go with.

 

[Sesuadra]

They should only have a system that doesnt let people leave only one seat free by their side IN SOME OCCASIONS (for example in the premiere and first/second weekends of big movies).

O = free
X = taken

Then lets say they have one line like this

X O O O O O X X X O O X X
Then someone wants 3 tickets, they shouldnt be allowed to buy like this:
X O X X X O X X X O O X X
because leaving 1 seat free is terrible and there will be people for sure that would like to seat with someone by their side and just cant...

my cinema in germany does that automatically !

 

[iPaul93]

So let me get this straight,they gave you the option to choose your seats,you chose shitty seats and somehow it's their fault?

 

[kevin1025]

Generally a buck

Like 1-2 bucks usually

If you're a member of the theater rewards program (like AMC Stubs), they waive it

Ah, I see. For the longest time it had only been IMAX reservations, but now my theatre has it for all screens. I can sort of see getting into the $17-20+ area where another dollar or two can be a bit of a sore spot.

Cineworld don't have empty bookings anymore because they charge a fee now, because of the empty bookings. Were other options they could have done but since everyone else charges and it money for nothing they do it too now.

As to my local options, they are crap, is a Vue and is a private owned one, but the private owned one is small and literally shows 1 screening of 3-4 different movies per night.

I actually avoid the busy periods most of the time now because of the online booking BS, plus my brother works in a Cineworld so I sometimes get to see movies pre-release for free as he takes me along for the test screenings. Problem is while my job/free time is very flexible most friends have 9 to 5s they gotta work-around.

The Trump comment was a joke.

That's unfortunate, though the pre-release screenings sounds like a fairly good deal! Without many options I can understand the frustration. But if it's only for a movie a month, maybe twice, the extra fee and dislike of the system might be worth the trouble.

 

[Moonkid]

I've been used to reserved seating all my life, can't imagine having to line up in advance just to get decent seats. Book in advance a couple days before then go enjoy the movie, doesn't get easier than that.

 

[LizardKing]

They didn't miss out on anything because they were sold out.

True until someone just gets fed up with the theater in general and just stops checking and regularly goes to a different theater.

I keep going to this one because it has much better seats and legroom, but if it was just a regular theater? I'd never go there.

Not to mention I buy tickets for this place at Costco (like $4 off each ticket) so if I want to go to a real popular show I have to go to the theater in person hours ahead of time to redeem my vouchers.

They should also drop the reserved seating after the movie has been out for like a week. At that point it's nothing but an inconvenience if you want to stick to your seat behind a 6'6" dude in a half full theater. Sure you can move but at that point, what's the point of reserved seats.
Also for people who don't know the theater.

 

[jstripes]

But because I want to play Timeplay, what I end up doing is showing up 5 minutes early for that, then as the ads are going, that's when I go get food.

Man, I was totally off my TimePlay game the other day.

 

[Stallion Dan]

You really sound like you're trying to cling to the past for some reason. Paying slightly more for convenience isn't a new thing. If you buy a ticket online through Ticketmaster, you pay a fee that you don't pay when buying in store. I'm sorry that said fee is too much for you, but that's the way it is. If you want to turn up minutes before the show starts and get stuck with crappy seats in the name of saving a quid or two, go for it. I'll happy pay that quid for the convenience of turning up as the movie is starting knowing there's a seat waiting for me.

It's not paying for a convinience though. It's paying for the exact same thing to the detriment of other people.

...and when everyone is forced to buy online eventually, everyone will be paying more and you won't even be able to get a 1-up over other people for it. At that point cinemas will probably roll out 'Special advanced bookings" where you pay an even bigger fee so you can 1-up all the other people buying online.

Amusements parks already doing it, not only do you get a fast-pass ticket, now also a super-fast-pass ticket, to skip the fast-pass ticket holders.

Just playing yourself long-term.

 

[BronsonLee]

It's not paying for a convinience though. It's paying for the exact same thing to the detriment of other people.

...and when everyone is forced to buy online eventually, everyone will be paying more and you won't even be able to get a 1-up over other people for it. At that point cinemas will probably roll out 'Special advanced bookings" where you pay an even bigger fee so you can 1-up all the other people buying online.

Amusements parks already doing it, not only do you get a fast-pass ticket, now also a super-fast-pass ticket, to skip the fast-pass ticket holders.

Just playing yourself long-term.

I just want it to get the point where I can pay to live in a theme park

Just think about all the magical hijinx I'd get up to if I lived in Disney World

 

[ClosingADoor]

It's not paying for a convinience though. It's paying for the exact same thing to the detriment of other people.

...and when everyone is forced to buy online eventually, everyone will be paying more and you won't even be able to get a 1-up over other people for it. At that point cinemas will probably roll out 'Special advanced bookings" where you pay an even bigger fee so you can 1-up all the other people buying online.

Amusements parks already doing it, not only do you get a fast-pass ticket, now also a super-fast-pass ticket, to skip the fast-pass ticket holders.

Just playing yourself long-term.

It's an entertainment product. If it is more then I'm willing to pay, I don't pay. So I can't really be bothered thinking about the long term effects of booking a seat online.

 

[blackflag]

People crying over a dollar or 2 booking fee? My chain doesn't have one but if it did I'd still do it.

I make xx dollars an hour at work. Do you think I want to stand in line for a half hour or more? Even if you make like 10 dollars an hour, it's worth more to save your time.

Time IS money.

I mean carry on if you love standing in line, then I guess it's a worthwhile use of your time and money.

 

[Gravy Boat]

It's not paying for a convinience though. It's paying for the exact same thing to the detriment of other people.

...and when everyone is forced to buy online eventually, everyone will be paying more and you won't even be able to get a 1-up over other people for it. At that point cinemas will probably roll out 'Special advanced bookings" where you pay an even bigger fee so you can 1-up all the other people buying online.

Amusements parks already doing it, not only do you get a fast-pass ticket, now also a super-fast-pass ticket, to skip the fast-pass ticket holders.

Just playing yourself long-term.

It is convenience. It's only to the detriment of people too stingey to pay the small extra fee, which isn't anything new. If you buy a concert ticket online, you generally pay a booking fee wheras getting a ticket in store doesn't have that charge. I'm not doing it to '1-up' people, I do it because I'd rather not have to be at the theater 30 minues early to get a seat next to my girlfriend. It is objectively a better option and if you don't want to get involved for the sake of saving a quid then that's your fault. Enjoy getting stuck with seats you don't want after queuing for 30 minutes.

 

[Count Dookkake]

I admit that a part of me misses the rush of pushing through an opening night crowd to stake out a section of seats for my weaker or slower pals, but if you know the layout of a particular theater, reserved seating just makes things so much easier.

 

[patapuf]

I've never been in a movie theater without reserved seating.

I'm a bit surprised this is considered unusual.


Also, booking fees being a thing is odd too.

 

[Dazzler]

I don't think I've ever seen an OP on here be so incorrect

Reserved seating is one of the only things making theatre trips tolerable

 

[kevin1025]

I admit that a part of me misses the rush of pushing through an opening night crowd to stake out a section of seats for my weaker or slower pals, but if you know the layout of a particular theater, reserved seating just makes things so much easier.

I don't know why but I loved that part, haha.

 

[What did he mean by this?]

Me not being able to get a whole row of seats for my extended family a week before A Star Wars movie comes out is the theaters fault yes I agree

 

[Shaanyboi]

Man, I was totally off my TimePlay game the other day.

Last time I tried to do it, I fucked up and forgot to connect to the Wi-Fi, so I was staring trying to figure out why the app wasn't connecting for the first game. Still managed to get the top 5 though lol

 

[Owari]

Prior to four months ago, you could reliability walk into a theater about 30 min before showtime, and assume you'd have the best seat in the house. The vast majority of moviegoers in the US are accustomed to that system, and plan their evenings to compensate. That's not to say that system is objectively better. But your arguement of "You should've known better" loses steam when the rules of the game were abruptly changed without informing anyone. People are regularly fucked over by reserved seating. With time, they'll change. Fandango and the chains will make a killing, and everyone will just accept it.


"This isn't a problem for me, so I don't understand why you're complaining about it."

That's why there are plenty of options of movie theaters. If you don't like reserved seating, just go somewhere else.

 

[Rodeo Clown]

So 30 minutes of your time is worth less than $1.50? Not mine.

It's actually more than that. The reserved closest to me charges more per ticket ($12.60) and then tack on a $3 booking fee. So instead of $11 for a ticket, I'm looking at $15.60.

So yeah, I'm okay.

 

[Count Dookkake]

I don't know why but I loved that part, haha.

lol, though to be clear, I don't just mean physical strength.

I suppose I could have said confident or assertive. Like if someone is standing at the end of a row, counting available seats, I don't wait for them. I just walk past them.

 

[rainking187]

I do feel like they're leaving money on the table by doing this. Obviously when a movie is brand new and is going to sell out it doesn't matter, but I only go to the movies with my family and only after the movie has been out for a week or two. If there's still plenty of seats available but there aren't enough together we'll just go to a different theater. I imagine most other large groups would feel the same way.

 

[Diprosalic]

If theaters wouldn't have reserved seatings i would never go again.

Gladly not a single one doesn't have it.

 

[kevin1025]

lol, though to be clear, I don't just mean physical strength.

I suppose I could have said confident or assertive. Like if someone is standing at the end of a row, counting available seats, I don't wait for them. I just walk past them.

I pictured a massive crowd rushing for seats and a few friends getting swallowed up and someone yelling back, "Weak! You're too weak!"

 

[nekkid]

Someone has to sit in the worst seats, it might as well be the people that bought their tickets last...

No, it means that people have a choice whether to leave those seats empty or not - rather than turn up and be disappointed having already bought the tickets. So it's actually even better.

 

[Spat_triate]

reserved, reclining leather seats is the only way ill step foot in a movie theater now

This right here. Reserve early to get the good seats then you don't have to rush in 30 mins before the movie.

 

[Gravy Boat]

I do feel like they're leaving money on the table by doing this. Obviously when a movie is brand new and is going to sell out it doesn't matter, but I only go to the movies with my family and only after the movie has been out for a week or two. If there's still plenty of seats available but there aren't enough together we'll just go to a different theater. I imagine most other large groups would feel the same way.

If they were leaving money on the table it wouldn't be a growing trend.

 

[Mushroomer25]

People crying over a dollar or 2 booking fee? My chain doesn't have one but if it did I'd still do it.

I make xx dollars an hour at work. Do you think I want to stand in line for a half hour or more? Even if you make like 10 dollars an hour, it's worth more to save your time.

Time IS money.

I mean carry on if you love standing in line, then I guess it's a worthwhile use of your time and money.

It's less about cost, more about precedent. Over time, reserve seating will become the standard. So at some point (when theatre executives need a profit bump), they'll just roll out a higher-priced option for people who REALLY want the best seats. Rinse and repeat.

Not to mention, it'll become a fucking nightmare once they actually start enforcing the reserved seats. The days of just walking into a second screening on the same ticket will be kaput.

And standing in line isn't an option anymore. The good seats are taken up hours before the show even starts.

 

[Joni]

Reserve seating is amazing. Don't need to be two hours early to get the best place, just reserve.

 

[Count Dookkake]

I pictured a massive crowd rushing for seats and a few friends getting swallowed up and someone yelling back, "Weak! You're too weak!"

Ha! I would watch this movie.

 

[ClosingADoor]

Not to mention, it'll become a fucking nightmare once they actually start enforcing the reserved seats. The days of just walking into a second screening on the same ticket will be kaput.

You're complaining you can't go into a movie without paying anymore? You know, you're not supposed to do that right now also.

Also, nobody is enforcing it. If someone is in your seat, you ask them to move. No theater is going to check if people are in the right seats, because for them it doesn't really matter.

 

[Diprosalic]

Stepping a foot in the theaters before the trailers are starting is vomit worthy.

 

[SoRuffShoNuff]

I do feel like they're leaving money on the table by doing this. Obviously when a movie is brand new and is going to sell out it doesn't matter, but I only go to the movies with my family and only after the movie has been out for a week or two. If there's still plenty of seats available but there aren't enough together we'll just go to a different theater. I imagine most other large groups would feel the same way.

They aren't leaving money on the table because people like me see more movies now due to not having to deal with the camping and rushing to find a good seat. I actually go check out movies I was kinda iffy on now due to knowing I'll have a nice comfortable recliner and I don't have to risk sitting up front or in the corner.

 

[Owari]

You're complaining you can't go into a movie without paying anymore? You know, you're not supposed to do that right now also.

Also, nobody is enforcing it. If someone is in your seat, you ask them to move. No theater is going to check if people are in the right seats, because for them it doesn't really matter.

Can confirm, I snuck into Bad Santa 2 at a reserved theater and was asked to move and it was no big deal. Movie sucked though.

 

[Foggy]

Reserved seating with 21+ seating is my jam. It costs extra but the seats are nicer and I've never had a bad experience since people who just talk or diddle with their phone go to cheaper theaters.

 

[Redd]

Not to mention, it'll become a fucking nightmare once they actually start enforcing the reserved seats. The days of just walking into a second screening on the same ticket will be kaput.

You shouldn't do that. It's not right.

 

[Massive Duck. C.M.]

The rare objectively wrong opinion!

I don't do theaters where you can't pick your seat in advance anymore.

 

[BronsonLee]

You shouldn't do that. It's not right.

I'LL DO WHAT I WANT

 

[LizardKing]

Reserve seating is amazing. Don't need to be two hours early to get the best place, just reserve.

But you do have to be 12 hours early.
Hell or days even.

 

[Staccat0]

You're complaining you can't go into a movie without paying anymore? You know, you're not supposed to do that right now also.

Also, nobody is enforcing it. If someone is in your seat, you ask them to move. No theater is going to check if people are in the right seats, because for them it doesn't really matter.

The theater I go to certainly checks. Right before they take your food order they make sure you are in the right seat.

 

[Won]

Not to mention, it'll become a fucking nightmare once they actually start enforcing the reserved seats. The days of just walking into a second screening on the same ticket will be kaput.

Wow, throwing that out there after complaining about an extra dollar. Ballsy!

 

[Hero_of_the_Day]

Fuck that. Everything should be reserved seating.

 

[Shaanyboi]

The theater I go to certainly checks. Right before they take your food order they make sure you are in the right seat.

Is this one of those super nice adults-only theaters? Because that's a whole separate entity from the big multiplexes.

There is one just a short bus ride down from the theater I usually go to. I really wanna check it out after their recent renovations apparently made it extra nice.

 

[farisr]

I'm all for reserve seating but fuck any theater that tries to charge extra for it.

It may be a $1 or $2 right now, it could be $5 tomorrow. And then next they could start charging you extra to reserve the absolute center seat. No thanks. I'll call reserve fees bad, and it sets a bad precedent. Glad it's not normal for reserved seating here and there are no extra fees for that.

 

[BronsonLee]

Wow, throwing that out there after complaining about an extra dollar. Ballsy!

Theaters are expensive man

 

[Can Crusher]

It's the sane way.

 

[bunbun777]

I don't know what's better, getting the best seats and showing up when I want, or the thrill of kicking out the scum that think they can just sit in my seats.
Exciting times we live in.