After months of unusual closings, guests can once again head over to AMC Theaters, grab some popcorn, and arrange to watch Ghostbusters on the big screen. Is it 1984 again? No, but it feels like decades since we last set foot in a movie theater, and that’s why we’re so excited about the grand opening of AMC DINE-IN 24 at Disney Springs!
For today only, the theater is offering special 15 cent tickets to various re-runs of popular recent films and some throwbacks, too.
Outside, social distancing markers along the queues were set up to the ticket windows, however, mobile ticketing is encouraged. While old Sonic the stingray posters lined the outside of the theater, there is an adorable Soul banner…“Coming to theaters soon”.
If you look closely at the windows, they would have reduced card slots to just a sliver for guests to run cards through.
Once inside, there are social distancing markers in the classic AMC red color, reminding guests of social distance.
There is also this massive red sign indicating that face masks are needed for all guests and crew. Masks are required to be worn during the show, unless they are actively eating or drinking.
While the sign indicates that masks are for sale, managers at the location told us that they would not sell masks, and would instead offer standard disposable face masks to guests at Guest Services upon request.
Speaking of guest services, the area now has a clear plexiglass window to protect the crew member manning the office.
As you enter the theater, there is a sanitary dispenser for hands, as well as a screened stage for scanning cards.
Next, we move on to Concessions, where there are some notable changes. First off is a simplified menu for shorter lines and faster service. Conditions like ketchup, relish and butter for popcorn are available on request, as are things like napkins, lids and straw.
Grab & Go items are still available, such as Mobile Pick-up windows.
A-list priority lanes at checkout have been retained, even with social distancing markers.
Cash is no longer accepted at the Concessions booth. If needed, guests can use cash at the ticket box to purchase an AMC card, and then they can use that to purchase concessions.
A reduced menu means that only popcorn, hot dogs, and movie snacks are available as savory snacks – no pizza, chicken or fries as the overhead sign normally advertises.
You can still get bottles of water, bottles of juice and tea, and novelty ice cream from the self-serve fridges here.
Refills on popcorn and Coca-Cola Freestyle drinks are temporarily unavailable, and crew members refill your drinks as ICEE orders.
Condiment stations are closed or shortened, but crew members can supply them upon request.
The entire layout of the concession area follows a one-way traffic pattern.
Outside each stage you will find a red tube with disinfectant wipes free for guests to use on their chairs, dome holders, telephones, anything they might want to disinfect before or after their movie experience.
In theaters with Dine-In-Seats, the rows are even 6 feet apart, so there is no need to stretch rows. Each party sits in its own divided section.
Within larger stadium-style theaters, however, we were concerned about the lack of signs or what kind of seats were blocked, as we have seen in the parks. There’s a bit of an honor system going on, with seats virtually excluded when you buy your ticket online. Every other row is available, and when a party buys their tickets, a single seat on either side of them is thrown out. Of course, this depends on people finding seats in the right set and seats they bought, which, if I remember correctly, was often a problem in the past, pandemic or not.
The exact seats used change each view, and each seat is sanitized with a sprayer in between showings.
In the bathrooms there was not much sign up next to this sign “Wash your hands for 20 seconds” sign.
Due to the large halls of the theater, however, there are many signs, even recording slots that were previously used for movie posters.
On the Dine-In side of things, the In-Theater service is temporarily unavailable. Guests must visit the Dine-In Lobby ordering station before the movie buys their selections. Selections will still be delivered to your seat.
A queue is set up to order Dine-In, complete with social distancing markers.
Here is a look at the order stations, with digital and display menus showing the limited menu.
Here you get some more options, with lots of burgers, quesadillas, sandwiches, and even nachos available.
On the snack side of things, there are wings, tots, fries, mozzarella sticks, and even chicken tenders available. You can scan a QR code for the full menu available here.
As a reminder, cash is not accepted throughout AMC.
Hand sanitizer and box with sanitary pens are available for signing receipts.
Fortunately, the MacGuffins bar is open. However, the lounge is currently closed, and there is also a limited menu here. There is plenty of wine and beer on tap, but outside there are only frozen margaritas and basic mixed drinks (one drink and one mixer.)
On this side we have a similar setup for the second office for Guest Services, with clear dividers on the desks.
Outside, updated banners show ads for Mulan, which is now coming to Disney + September 4 under Premier Access.
The photo on the outside of the theater (at the Orange Garage) has also been updated. It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post.
So, what do you think of the new health and safety measures at AMC Theaters in Disney Springs? Are you on your way to some throwback movies and popcorn, or are you going for the changed Dine-In experience? Let us know in the comments!
