Drive-In Theatre Kicks Off The Summer Season With Free Movies
Drive-In Theatres across the country are benefiting from a resurgence in demand with revenues outpacing traditional “walk-in” theatres. Drive-in movie attendance is up by double digits again this year and the newly reopened West Wind Santa Barbara Drive-In in Goleta has reaped the benefits.
Patrick LaCava, Senior Vice President of Operations explains that “value seems to be the major reason drive-ins are growing.” Tickets to the drive-in are only $6.95 per adult, and kids 5-11 years old are just $1.00, while kids 4 and under are free. Plus, you get double features each night, instead of just one movie at the indoor theaters. LaCava continues, “A family of four can see two first run movies for less than $14.00, or $16.00 if you have kids between 5-11 years old.”
If you think Drive-Ins are dead, think again. “Business is so good, we’ve reopened drive-ins. Five years ago we reopened the Solano Drive-In in Concord, CA and two years ago we reopened the Santa Barbara Drive-In,“ according to LaCava.
Tony Maniscalco, Vice President of Marketing is thrilled that people are re-discovering the family fun of the drive-in. “Parents bring their kids to watch the first movie then the kids fall asleep in the back seat while the parents watch the second movie. It’s the perfect baby sitter.”
Drive-ins presentation has changed considerably over the years yet the nostalgic feeling remains The biggest improvement in presentation is the addition of Technalight, which produces a picture seven times brighter than before along with upgraded Dolby stereo sound that comes right through your car stereo. West Wind’s snack bar also offers delicious well-known brands at a fraction of the cost you find at conventional theatres.
The West Wind Drive-Ins are taking this great value one step further with Free Movie Customer Appreciation Night on Thursday, April 19, featuring recent movie blockbusters The Lorax and Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. “We are opening up our Drive-Ins as we do twice every year to thank our loyal customers and to invite those who have not yet experienced the drive-in to give it a try. We typically show first run movies every night but on Customer Appreciation Night we give everyone a chance to catch up on the best movies of the past few months,” Maniscalco explains. “Bring a chair and a blanket and enjoy your movie under the stars and moonlight,” adds LaCava.
About West Wind:
West Wind is the largest owner/operator of drive-in movie theaters in the country, and owns and operates four drive-in theaters in California, two in Arizona and two in Nevada. In Goleta, the Santa Barbara Drive-In is located at 907 S. Kellogg Ave. In Sacramento, Sacramento 6 drive-in is located at 9616 Oates Drive off of Hwy. 50 and Bradshaw Road. In the Bay Area, the Solano Drive-In in Concord is located at 1611 Solano Way right off Hwy. 4, and the Capitol Drive-In in San Jose located at 3630 Hillcap Avenue at Snell Avenue. Gates will open at 6:00pm and movies will start at dusk. In addition to the free movies, there will be live music, bounce houses for the kids and other fun activities planned prior to the start of the movie.
