The latest
rage at new movie theaters, and also at Universal Studios for theme park
admission, are ticket kiosks. They display on their big screens
movie posters - you touch the screen for the movie, time and location of
seats via the machine and it spits out the tickets to you like an ATM.
It will take either cash or a card and once people get familiar with
them, I can see a much quicker line to buy tickets.
I think Disney is behind
the ball on this new trend, and it's too bad really. If you
remember my opening essay it used to be you went to Disneyland first to
see new technology like this in use, now it seems they are the last to
the party. Imagine how much faster they could process those ticket lines
at the parks...
While a ticket outside is
quick - if you wait to buy your ticket inside the theater, you may end
up even more impressed... below in a photo montage is the huge lobby of
the theater complex.
I've blown up the various
photos used above so you can get a better look at this amazing lobby...
first you see the gift shop (below) it carries a small selection of film
books and reproduction posters, as well as the expected T-shirts,
baseball caps and other souvenir items.
My favorite item was the
Cinerama Dome magnet set, with the Dome and the Cinerama logo fridge
magnets.
In the middle of the room
is the massive scoreboard-like marquee...
It sort of
has that Dr. Strangelove / War Games military strategy room look
- and the displays constantly update with what is sold out, still
seating, and which shows have gone past the five minute mark whereupon
they stop seating new arrivals. The sign in the middle up there looks
temporary - I was told it would be replaced soon.
To your right is the
Customer Service desk and the restaurant / bar. The building is well
designed when it comes to disabled access - that's a ramp leading up to
the dining area.
Below is a close up of the
dining area - with the bar located to the back. The seating arrangements
allow for cozy groups to gather before or after a movie.
Now,
let's take a look around inside, shall we?
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