Happy PAPA Day WAWA Nation!!!!!
This week’s WAWA comes from a recent experience Mr. and Mrs. Dante had on a date night (without our toddler, who was at daycare). We had not been to the movies in a while and decided to try out one of the premium theaters that are now prevalent in Los Angeles, and across the nation. We chose iPic Theaters located in Westwood (they also have a location in Pasadena). We were really amazed at the value. For $25, which is less than $10 over a regular movie ticket price these days, you get to choose you seat. Let’s begin with those seats. Like first class seating on an airline, iPic Theaters, as so many others, features leather seats, that recline almost completely flat. Once you enter, you are escorted to your seats by a host, who then brings you micro-fiber plush blankets, and a plush pillow. The arm-rests also lift up to make sitting with your loved ones a little more cozy. The theater rooms are also smaller, sitting about 40-50, but have a full size screen and great sound. The real kicker was that as we were leaving we saw signage promoting the fact that the theater was kid-friendly. Not only did the theater not discourage toddlers from coming, they ENGOURAGED it.
Here are some pics of the theater:
For more information on iPic Theaters, check out their site:
https://www.ipictheaters.com/ipic-locations.aspx
After the great experience, Mrs. Dante and I shared the details of the theater with our friends and let them know that the theater advertised that it was kid-friendly. Almost none of our friends had been to a “premium” theater, and they certainly did not know that they could bring their toddlers. So, for this week’s WAWA, I will let you in on the all unknown theaters in LA to which you can take your kids!
All of this info come just in time for the new Disney’s Pixar movie “Inside Out”. Launching in the US on 6/19/15, “Inside Out” is slated to be Pixar best movie ever. That’s saying a lot, considering Pixar has had 14 #1 movies in a row! This latest film from Pixar’s visionary director Peter Docter (“Up”), takes place almost entirely inside an 11-year-old girl Riley’s mind, as her five main emotions — Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger — deal with her move to San Francisco and the turmoil that ensues. Its sets are a kaleidoscopic wonderland of psychological concepts-turned-locations: there’s the Dream Factory, where dreams are shot like Hollywood blockbusters; there’s the shadowy terrain of the Subconscious; there’s even Abstract Thought, which, in one of the film’s greatest moments, is exactly as weird as you’d hope.
Here’s the trailer:
For some great reading on the history and success of Disney’s Pixar (and on management as a hole), Mr. Dante highly recommends “CREATIVITY, INC.” by Ed Catmull:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/creativity-inc./id733503589?mt=11
Here are some of the terrific theater options for parents in LA:
1) El Capitan Theater:
Ready to introduce your toddler to the magic of movies in a kid-friendly setting? El Capitan Theater is just the ticket. Dubbed “Hollywood’s First Home of Spoken Drama,” this theater opened in 1926. The elegant theater, which features a Spanish Colonial exterior and a vibrant East Indian interior, has received a museum grade renovation since its early days, including restoring the stage to its original 1926 legitimate theater dimensions. It now boasts state of the art special effects, 1,000 seats, and a Dolby SR-D audio system. The best part of all however, is that the movies that grace the screen at El Capitan will be adored by kids and parents alike.
6838 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, Ca
(818) 845-3110
Online: www.elcapitan.go.com
2) Monday Morning Mommy Movies at Pacific Theater Locations
Pacific Theaters offers Monday Morning Mommy Movies at several of their locations. Parents can catch a current film at 11:00 am on Monday mornings with their infants in tow. Perfect, especially if it’s your wee one’s nap time, and she isn’t a light sleeper! But even if your babe stirs and cries, it’s to be expected and accepted at these showings. The following Pacific Theaters in the LA area offer Monday Morning Mommy Movies:
Culver Stadium 12
9500 Culver Boulevard
Culver City, Ca
(310) 360-9565
Pacific Theatres at the Grove
189 The Grove Drive
Los Angeles, Ca
(323) 692-0829
Glendale 18
322 Americana Way
Glendale, Ca
(866) 722-9790
Northridge Fashion Center 10
9400 Shirley Way
Northridge, Ca
(818) 501-5121
Online: www.pacifictheatres.com
3) Grauman’s Chinese Theater
Quite possibly the most famous movie theater in the world, Grauman’s Chinese Theater is a magical place to take older tykes to see a movie and to expose them to a slice of Hollywood history. Sit in seats that have been graced by the greatest movies stars of all time, from yesteryear and today. This locale has been celebrity laden since 1927, featuring the immortalized in cement handprints and footprints of Hollywood’s elite — and where stars are granted their space on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Seeing a movie at the Chinese Theater would be unlike any other movie-going experience, and kids will always remember it.
6801 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, Ca
(323) 461-3331
Online: www.chinesetheatres.com
4) California Science Center
Boasting the largest IMAX screen in Los Angeles: seven stories high, take the kiddos to see an IMAX film at the California Science Center for a mind-blowing cinematic experience. Current features kids will enjoy include To the Arctic 3D and Blue Planet. Prices for non-members of the museum: Adults: $8.25, Children 4-12: $5, Seniors over 60: $6.
700 Exposition Park Drive
Los Angeles, Ca
323-724-3623
Online: www.californiasciencecenter.org
5) Los Feliz 3 Cinema
Parents with children under age 4 may take advantage of Wednesday morning Mommy and Me matinees. Current movies being shown at Los Feliz Cinema 3 are screened at 10:30 am on Wednesday mornings. Visit their website for their film schedule.
1822 North Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, Ca
323-664-2169
Online: www.vintagecinemas.com
Till next time MAMA NATION. – Mr. Dante