This morning I went to the movies ...

[CaroPhoenix]

I had visited the Autism Society website for the Northern Virginia area and saw a couple of local theaters were holding a "Sensory Friendly Film" version of Hotel for Dogs. What the Sensory Friendly Film version means is that the lights are up, there are no adverts & the "Silence is Golden" rule is suspended for the entire time the movie is running. It's for Autistic children & their parents.

So Mr. Rum, Child Rum & I go up to the box office. I ask for the tickets to the "Sensory Friendly Film" version of Hotel for Dogs for 2 peopls & 1 ticket to Taken (for Mr. Rum) and we go on our merry way. I quickly realize that we're in the wrong theater but I figure I might be able to see at least the first 10-20 minutes of the movie. I can tell you - Child Rum doesn't like really dark movie theaters. She also clapped after every preview we saw. I tihnk we saw at least the first 20 minutes and then we had to leave because she was playing "musical chairs". We got out and some lady was following us, I thought she was mad at the noise, but she was very nice about it.

I went to the box office, talked to one woman, she got an assistant manager down to talk to me. Come to find out there were 2 10 AM showings of the movie, and that 1. the cashiers selling tickets didn't know about it, and 2. we were supposed to be in theater #4 not #5 (like we were). I got a refund on my Sprite ($4.75) and we also got 3 free passes to be used until May, 2010. I told them that my husband was in Taken and enjoying and Child Rum, though really frisky, was enjoying the little arcades they had, but then we went walking as I was getting a little uncomfortable in the arcade.

Fortunately I keep a pretty good eye on my little munchkin. (Little? HAH! She's 4' tall and 5 - almost 6 - years old! :jawdrop:). There are 2 arcades in the front. One on one side of the box office and the other on the other side. We went to Arcade #1. I ended up playing the games Child Rum said she wanted to play and then we went over to Arcade #2.

Arcade #2 had a pillar-like advert that hides a bit of the arcade. So Child Rum is sitting at the driving games, pretending to drive. I notice a guy, my age, looking into the arcade, watching Child Rum. He was wearing dark glasses, so I couldn't swear for sure he was staring at her and watching her. But for all intents and purposes she did look as if she were alone and he stood there watching for a good minute or two. When I finally made my appearance, he left and went up to the concession stand.

Yeah ... Mommy instincts and everything, I decided to book it out of there.

So that was my morning. How was everyone elses'? :roll:

[Broomjockey]

Those "Sensory Friendly Films" sound a lot like the "Stars and Strollers" showings my first theatre had. Though ostensibly for mothers with babies, I wonder if they'd allow you in there with Child Rum, since the setting's the same. Lights on (not all the way, but at about half), no need for quiet, etc. Might be something to look for in your area as a second option.

[cinema guy]

We too have a mothers and babies screening, with the sound not so loud, no ads, and the lights half way down.

Sorry your trip to the movies didn't work out.

[CaroPhoenix]

Heh ... It was an experiment. At least I got 3 guest passes I can use at any time. :D (Not that I was angling for those, honest!)

On March 14 there is a remake of "Escape to Witch Mountain" (the new title is "Race to Witch Mountain") and is starring Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock). Mr. Rum might want to actually see that one with us. I hope by that time, they tell their cashiers about the Sensory Friendly Films. Also, we might get there a little after the box office opens and we can talk to the cashier and/or a manager just to make sure we're in the right theater this time.

[Emrld]

Let me know if you do get to see Hotel for Dogs . . . .Romeo is the same breed as my baby.

I am glad you got a nice family outing even if it wasn't what was planned.

[fireheart]

One of our local theatres does the show too, but it's called Babes in Arms. The sound is reduced and the lights are down to about half. It's really designed for those with kidlets under 5.

[CaroPhoenix]

According to the Autism Website, the sound is reduced to half, but the lights are turned all the way up. My daughter has a problem walking into an unknown place in the dark. (She almost broke my hand yesterday when we were walking into the darkened theater. :lol:) We're also invited to bring our own gluten- and casein-free snacks.

I think it's a nice idea. As far as I know, there are no movie showing for babies and children in strollers at the local movie theaters. Though another chain might do it. The local theater we went to yesterday was an AMC one.

As I said, we're going to try again on March 14. We're keeping our fingers crossed!

[Jester]

I notice a guy, my age, looking into the arcade, watching Child Rum. He was wearing dark glasses, so I couldn't swear for sure he was staring at her and watching her. But for all intents and purposes she did look as if she were alone and he stood there watching for a good minute or two. When I finally made my appearance, he left and went up to the concession stand.

Yeah ... Mommy instincts and everything, I decided to book it out of there.

I can think of not one, but two possibilities if he was, in fact, looking at your child.

1. He was a creep. No elaboration needed.

2. He was a good guy, and was concerned when he saw what appeared to be (as you said) a child by themselves. Once he saw that the child did, in fact, have a parent near by, he walked away, relieved. Having been this second guy, I can tell you it does happen.

[CaroPhoenix]

Thanks Jester for putting it in perspective. I'm just over-reactive, I suppose. :o

He could have been guy #2. And she does look older than 5. I've had people assume, just by looking at her picture, that she's like 8! I just hope she's more graceful than me and with her height, she could be a basketball player or even a super model! (Though my sister says we can't have be a model 'cos then she can't eat. :roll:)

Ahem ... Yeah ... I've had 2 cups of coffee and I'm still exhausted. My brain is all jumbled.

So does anyone think I should try for the March 14 movie?

[Broomjockey]

Yeah, even if it's one you're only mildly interested in seeing, it'll probably be a good experience for Child Rum. Movies are awesome when you're young.

Well, they're just as awesome when you're older too, but your standards of how much stuff has to blow up are a lot higher. :lol:

[Evil Queen]

So does anyone think I should try for the March 14 movie?

I think you should. I enjoyed "Escape to Witch Mountain" when I was a wee little lass. Even convinced my friends that RW and I were psychic and could find each other anywhere! :lol: