theaters charging 1 year olds for entrance now.

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   CrystalSingletonposted 16 years ago

   I just want to say I was outraged that I was charged $7.25 for my 13 month old to attend the new Dr Suess movie "Horton Hears a Who" with her older siblings of age 6 and 4. It's bad enough I pay for my own ticket knowing I will take turns walking them back and forth to the restroom the whole time and missing most of the movie taking care of the baby. If she won't cry through it she will sleep through it. Even if she was awake she's barley learning to talk so how in the world is she supposed to enjoy a movie. She can't even sit in the seats alone anyways since they fold up so easily. My 4 year old can barley sit in a theater seat so I don't know why they are being charged. Understandably she will enjoy the movie at least but a one year old. COME ON. For crying out loud. They certainly are not charging my baby for a taken seat or enjoying a movie. So what then is she being charged for? That's is what I would like to know. We also had to pay for our popcorn and sodas since no outside food or drink is allowed. Why not then just start putting those quarter slots on the doors in the restroom too like at laundry mats. They might as well since they have no barriers on their greed.  If you too think this is an outrage please email the century theater group at 482@cinemark.com Thanks. Again thats Century theaters, so if there is one in your area you may want to check Regal cinemas or somewhere else.

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      relacheposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      Parents who spend large amounts of time disrupting the other movie patrons with their child care issues and crying babies SHOULD be charged for bringing those children to the theater.

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         Mishaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         Actually, I think those parents should be forcefully removed from the theater, because they selfishly spoil the experience for many others. And yes, I have kids.

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            CrystalSingletonposted 16 years agoin reply to this

            We are talking about kids movies here, If kids aren't welcome then they really aren't kids movies targeted for kids are they? I see plenty of 8 year olds having tantrums all out in public, It's not just babies that are fussy. It's not like we were at an adult film.

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               Mishaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

               Crystal, I misunderstood you, and I'm sorry if my comment offended you in any way
               Yeah, in this case the charge seems to be unjustified, but as Mark mentioned - as long as they make more changing extra, they will charge you extra... If you have a choice, go to those who don't charge...

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            SweetiePieposted 16 years agoin reply to this

            I do agree with you to some extent Misha.  I do not think parents should be forced to leave certain movies just because they brought kids with them, but my concern is children should not be brought to adult movies.  I remember going to see Titanic in 1998 at a large theater in Ontario, California.  It was ten at night and several people brought infants and toddlers, which resulting in lots of crying throughout the entire movie.  I do not think it was fair to those kids to suffer through that entire movie as it was loud.  However, I do not have kids yet, so maybe I will feel different if I do.  I think it would be ideal to arrange for a baby sitter so you can enjoy a night out with your husband if you have kids.   If it is a kid movie then of course the kids should come.  If it is a movie of PG 13 or higher, the kids should not be attending.

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         CrystalSingletonposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         We go to the movies about twice a year for the kids. We go to the first movie of the day because it's filled with loud whiny kids. We go because they are animated films targeted at kids, We don't get a sitter because they are all working or at school during the day. Furthermore, why doesn't everyone with a small child just quit life then and never I mean NEVER go out to eat then.... I can expect at a KIDS movie that there will be loud whining kids that get up every 20 minutes to go to the bathroom and laugh obnoxiously at the jokes. Thats to be expected. For the record, we go to the bathroom as a group, I don't leave the kids unattended ever. We sit at the very bottom or the very top so I can pace back and forth in the aisle. If you think I have issues go to walmart where kids run around without supervision or out to dinner where they yell and throw glass plates on the floor. They aren't charging them extra for that. The point is Disneyland isn't charging my 1 year old for a ticket even though she rides the train with us. Nor does any of the airlines. Why then should I pay for an unoccupied seat in the theater? People who don't want to be bothered by kids should not go to KIDS MOVIES. If you can't swim, STAY OUT OF THE POOL! Why would you go to an 11 am showing of a kids movie and expect to not hear kids there. LAME! FYI the manager said he has been getting hundreds of complaints since this new price hit the menu two weeks ago so clearly I am not alone.

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         Princessaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         Relache you are ruthless (lol)  I'll better stay at home and rent a video for my "angels"

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      elisabeth reidposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      I just didn't take my littlest ones to the movie if I didn't think they'd get anything out of it, regardless of their age.  I still don't.  My daughter would be mortified if I took her to see certain movies, so I don't spend the money taking her.  Same thing with my youngest children.  My fourteen-year-old probably wouldn't appreciate a 'chick flick', so....
      
      Besides, if you think about it, if you're walking the baby so she won't disturb other movie-goers because she's fussing, how are you going to supervise the other two children? 
      
      As for the refreshments issue:
      1. Concessions are a huge part of a theater's profit.  I think I read somwhere that ticket sales isn't where the revenue comes from -- that barely covers the distributor -- it's the concessions.
      
      
      
      2. Diaper bag.  I'm not going to suggest that you should carry anything other than diapers in it, since that would be a violation of the theater's policy, though.
      
      
      
      
      Ulitmately, it's a theater's right to charge whoever for a ticket and children are going to probably be charged full price for a film marketed towards children that's being shown during premium hours.  It's up to you whether you want to pay the price or go to a matinee or wait until it's been out a while or wait until it hits DVD.

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      sandra rinckposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      well I can't believe you paid it in the first place.  I woulda told them to go...themselves. 
      Anyways, there are movie theaters that have movie showings specifically for mothers and little babies.  In my area, they call it mommy movie day, the movie time is usually early, around 10 am every monday. 
      ps. about the popcorn thing...bring a purse, a big one.  lol.

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   Maddie Ruudposted 16 years ago

   Here in the Bay Area we have two theatres owned by local guys that have a night once a week especially for parents with babies, where you won't be kicked out for a crying infant.  I think it's a great idea, but can see how it wouldn't work for a large chain.
   
   They also sell beer and food, and from time to time show "adult" films... though not on baby night, obviously.

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   Mark Knowlesposted 16 years ago

   All I can say (apart from the amount of times I have thought about asking for my money back because of some screaming child preventing me from enjoying a movie) is - If you are daft enough to pay, they will keep on charging you. Vote with your money. Stop going. If they lose money, they will change their policy.
   
   Money talks.

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   gamergirlposted 16 years ago

   There is nothing so great and awesome about a movie theater that warrants taking your one year old with you.
   
   Really.  They're not that great.  Besides, shouldn't you be saving that money so you can pay for the super high price of gas you ranted about previously?

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      CrystalSingletonposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      I didn't go to take my 1 year old. I was taking my 4 and 6 year old because its their spring break from school. I would never waste time or money taking a one year old really anywhere other than the park or grandmas honestly. My kids have been to the movies to see three movies in their entire lives, Ice Age 2, Horton Hears a Who, and Surf's up.

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   Stacie Naczelnikposted 16 years ago

   The movie theaters in this area sell admission tickets, not seat tickets.  If they don't offer an age limit, then it is their right.
   
   I agree with Relache on this one.
   
   Plus, there's a difference between kids at a kids movie and babies at a kids movie.

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   stephhicks68posted 16 years ago

   Well, I think everyone in this thread has a point.  I would have been surprised to be charged admission for a baby (our theatre allows kids under 3 in free - to all shows).  That said, I wouldn't consider bringing my kids to shows other than "G" shows because the audience for PG shows and up (who would take a kid to an "R" show???) tends to get frustrated by kids that talk, whine and wiggle in their seats.  Its bad enough when there are rude teenagers and adults that do the same thing (talk and giggle).
   
   My four kids are all over 3 now, so going to the movies is extremely expensive and a very rare treat.  We are very lucky to have a second-run theatre in town.  If I can convince the kids to wait an extra month or two, we'll see if the movie shows up there instead.  Then its $2 per adult and $1 per kid for admission.  Plus, you get to sit on sofas and wing chairs and drink beer and wine (OK, not the kids - LOL!!).

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   CrystalSingletonposted 16 years ago

   I appreciate everyone's feedback. I see some people have tapped into their date night movies and have been offended in the past about loud children at their shows. If there is any mothers there that have over 3 kids of varying ages and wanted to do something special for their kids at a "G" movie at 10:45am, then this was written for you. I guess I tapped into a group of people who read a title but not the actual article. I am sorry I did not realize the attention span of so many people was so small. I must have overlooked that. This is the third time my kids have been to a movie in their life. I remember going to my first movie experience to see E.T. I was about 7 years old. Same age as my son. I guess I wanted to share the same experience with him. MY BAD!

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      elisabeth reidposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      No problem with sharing your experiences with your son...but I still don't feel that a theater is an appropriate place for an infant -- regardless of rating or time of day. 
      
      And yes, I've been where you are.  I have five kids of various ages, plus did daycare for years.  I didn't take the baby.  Baby doesn't enjoy it...mom doesn't enjoy it...and it detracts from the siblings' experience as well.
      
      Lose-lose.

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      Mark Knowlesposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      Well, you have certainly got the sarcasm down. But I read your original article again, and you actually neglected to mention the whole 10:45 am thing. I guess I tapped in to some one's rant who can't even be bothered to go back and see what she wrote in the first place. I am sorry.
      
      I still say that if you are stupid enough to pay the money, they will keep on charging you.
      
      And my personal feelings are that I consider it to be extremely bad manners to inflict a screaming baby on the rest of the audience - whatever time of day it may be.

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         CrystalSingletonposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         ha-ha

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   Uninvited Writerposted 16 years ago

   Well, I don't like babies in theatres, but I put up with it. And I don't mind little kids being there as long as their parents control them.
   
   However, if people want to take their babies to a paying venue then I don't see why they should get in free.
   
   I don't think my parents took me to a theatre until I was at least 8...and that was before the time when you could rent movies and watch them at home.

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   RFoxposted 16 years ago

   Wow, it's funny that a forum on 'taking a baby to a theater' could cause so much mud-slinging.
   I had no idea it was such a heated topic. Lol
   
   It's right up there with politics and religion. No wait, the religion forum has actually been pretty mellow and polite lately.

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    CrystalSingletonposted 16 years ago

    Yay, I am pretty stoked on all the controversy. I didn't realize there are so many considerate parents out there. I was selfishly focusing on opening experiences for my kids. Who knew. I guess working with with the public all these years had me thinking I was the only considerate one left on the planet. I was way off. More people should move to California . . . .  and they say New Yorkers are rude.

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