The Villages needs a drive-in theater.

[Taltarzac725]

Drive-in theaters making a comeback | News | The Villages Daily Sun | thevillagesdailysun.com (https://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/news/villages/drive-in-theaters-making-a-comeback/article_110d1c6e-a098-11ea-bb30-0bfcc789e238.html)

They could probably make money on a drive-in theater. This after it looks like they are closing the Barnstorm Theater for good.

[LuvNH]

I think streaming has killed the movie theater for a lot of people.

[Taltarzac725]

I think streaming has killed the movie theater for a lot of people.

Nostalgia might help with the drive-in theater here in the Villages even if they would be very limited with how many movies they could show during one evening.

[Two Bills]

I think the public need some half decent films on a regular basis before you can get them back to movie theaters.
Inside or out. :shrug:

[Keefelane66]

We have plenty of streaming sources in our home, pause button, restroom within 20 feet about the same with microwave, frig and don't need to worry about saving seats. The Villages can barely support one theater.

[Battlebasset]

Drive-in theaters making a comeback | News | The Villages Daily Sun | thevillagesdailysun.com (https://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/news/villages/drive-in-theaters-making-a-comeback/article_110d1c6e-a098-11ea-bb30-0bfcc789e238.html)

They could probably make money on a drive-in theater. This after it looks like they are closing the Barnstorm Theater for good.

Seems they could use the polo fields in the evenings to set up a golf cart drive in theater. Show new and old stuff. Would be alot of fun.

[badkarma318]

Make it golf cart accessible and it will succeed.

[LuvNH]

Make it golf cart accessible and it will succeed.

Agree. It could be an "occasion", vendors with popcorn and fries etc. I don't think a permanent location would make it, but a fun evening once in a while would be a winner.

[JMintzer]

A 3 yo article, written in the initial trows of the pandemic, when all of the theaters were closed...

Most of the ones that "popped up" are closing...

[Bobendres]

Not a good idea IMO. Drive in Theaters take up too much room. and would be eyesore

[bowlingal]

Ocala has a drive in theater. Make a day of it, have fun, enjoy

[Babubhat]

Poor use of real estate

[Papa_lecki]

It would be cool. It would be a novelty thing, people would go, but it would wear off eventually.

Also, it gets dark a little late, and the sidewalks roll up at 9, so probably not feasible.

[NoMo50]

Seems they could use the polo fields in the evenings to set up a golf cart drive in theater. Show new and old stuff. Would be alot of fun.

Never happen. There would be way too much potential for damage to the fields. The polo fields here have a reputation for being among the nicest in the world, and they would not risk tearing them up.

[mlmarr]

Drive-in theaters making a comeback | News | The Villages Daily Sun | thevillagesdailysun.com (https://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/news/villages/drive-in-theaters-making-a-comeback/article_110d1c6e-a098-11ea-bb30-0bfcc789e238.html)

They could probably make money on a drive-in theater. This after it looks like they are closing the Barnstorm Theater for good.

Set up one in your yard..invite the neighbors.. live stream a few movies.. or dig out the old ones..

Hollywood is done..

[Bpduffey]

Drive-in theaters making a comeback | News | The Villages Daily Sun | thevillagesdailysun.com (https://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/news/villages/drive-in-theaters-making-a-comeback/article_110d1c6e-a098-11ea-bb30-0bfcc789e238.html)

They could probably make money on a drive-in theater. This after it looks like they are closing the Barnstorm Theater for good.

I was thinking more of a pop-up golf cart drive in. Get an inflatable screen and a laser projector set it up in a parking lot or field. Once a month.

[coconutmama]

Drive-in theaters making a comeback | News | The Villages Daily Sun | thevillagesdailysun.com (https://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/news/villages/drive-in-theaters-making-a-comeback/article_110d1c6e-a098-11ea-bb30-0bfcc789e238.html)

They could probably make money on a drive-in theater. This after it looks like they are closing the Barnstorm Theater for good.

Occasionally TV has a golf cart drive-in movie at a rec center parking lot, in the summer. A bit buggy but we have been several times. A nice change. Not a big $ maker. Show old an old classic movie. Hopefully some this year.

[msilagy]

Our courtyard neighborhood has an outside movie once in awhile in the back where there is a big wall. Some go - they set up popcorn, candy table. I never do but for those that go it must be fun. They bring chairs, blankets, drinks.

[phojo]

Drive-in theaters making a comeback | News | The Villages Daily Sun | thevillagesdailysun.com (https://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/news/villages/drive-in-theaters-making-a-comeback/article_110d1c6e-a098-11ea-bb30-0bfcc789e238.html)

They could probably make money on a drive-in theater. This after it looks like they are closing the Barnstorm Theater for good.

1. There is a drive in theater on 441 between Belleview and Ocala.
2. Years ago The Villages used to have golf cart drive in movies at the Polo Field. Good times.

[RICH1]

Only if cell phones were disabled on Theater property!

[skippy05]

Be patient on this. The world's largest drive-in theater is literally being built in Eustis which is not too far for one to drive from The Villages. And, it is going to be the largest.

[chrissy2231]

I think the public need some half decent films on a regular basis before you can get them back to movie theaters.
Inside or out. :shrug:
The best are on TCM!

[Steve]

Drive-in theaters making a comeback | News | The Villages Daily Sun | thevillagesdailysun.com (https://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/news/villages/drive-in-theaters-making-a-comeback/article_110d1c6e-a098-11ea-bb30-0bfcc789e238.html)

They could probably make money on a drive-in theater. This after it looks like they are closing the Barnstorm Theater for good.

If it's such a good idea, go for it. Why wait for someone else to do it and "make money"?

[Taltarzac725]

If it's such a good idea, go for it. Why wait for someone else to do it and "make money"?

The Villages' developers pretty much control what goes on as far as businesses here in the Villages.

[virtue51]

Drive-in theaters were not good in the 50s

[Taltarzac725]

Be patient on this. The world's largest drive-in theater is literally being built in Eustis which is not too far for one to drive from The Villages. And, it is going to be the largest.

World’s largest drive-in movie theater could land in Eustis (https://www.dailycommercial.com/story/news/local/eustis/2020/03/11/worlds-largest-drive-in-movie-theater-could-land-in-eustis/1545177007/)

That will be worth a drive.

[OhioBuckeye]

LOL, Drive In theater in TV! TV board will never fall for this request. Drive In’s are just passion holes for young people.

[Worldseries27]

we have plenty of streaming sources in our home, pause button, restroom within 20 feet about the same with microwave, frig and don't need to worry about saving seats. The villages can barely support one theater.
one would be better than none

[JSR22]

World’s largest drive-in movie theater could land in Eustis (https://www.dailycommercial.com/story/news/local/eustis/2020/03/11/worlds-largest-drive-in-movie-theater-could-land-in-eustis/1545177007/)

That will be worth a drive.

The article is 3 years old.

[Veiragirl]

Drive-in theaters making a comeback | News | The Villages Daily Sun | thevillagesdailysun.com (https://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/news/villages/drive-in-theaters-making-a-comeback/article_110d1c6e-a098-11ea-bb30-0bfcc789e238.html)

They could probably make money on a drive-in theater. This after it looks like they are closing the Barnstorm Theater for good.

I would love that. Since we all drive golfcarts, there will be no car trunks smuggling non paying customers!!

[Rodneysblue]

Drive-in theaters making a comeback | News | The Villages Daily Sun | thevillagesdailysun.com (https://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/news/villages/drive-in-theaters-making-a-comeback/article_110d1c6e-a098-11ea-bb30-0bfcc789e238.html)

They could probably make money on a drive-in theater. This after it looks like they are closing the Barnstorm Theater for good.
Ocala Drive in. About 17 miles north on 27/441

[Number 10 GI]

I think the public need some half decent films on a regular basis before you can get them back to movie theaters.
Inside or out. :shrug:

:BigApplause: I can't believe the number of movies based on comic book characters. I gave up reading comics when I was 11 years old. I like going to a movie theater once in a while but there has to be a movie playing that I have an interest in. That hasn't been the case for a long time now.

[donnbecky]

We agree. 100%

[dadoiron]

Seems they could use the polo fields in the evenings to set up a golf cart drive in theater. Show new and old stuff. Would be alot of fun.

Can you say mosquitoes? You probably don't go out at night, but you will be bitten many times by thousands of mosquitoes.

[Taltarzac725]

Can you say mosquitoes? You probably don't go out at night, but you will be bitten many times by thousands of mosquitoes.

They do spray for mosquitoes here in the Villages and usually are quite effective at it.

I was visiting with a woman with a 2 year old and she and her husband take him to the drive-in where the baby's fussing will not be that much of problem for other drive-in goers.

There have been a few instances here in the Villages over the past 17.5 years of going to the movie theaters when there have been very fussy kids watching movies with their parents and/or grandparents.

[NewRealms]

Sign me up for next summer.

[Chi-Town]

Never happen. There would be way too much potential for damage to the fields. The polo fields here have a reputation for being among the nicest in the world, and they would not risk tearing them up.

The Balloon Festival is there today. Have been to a couple of golf cart drive-in movies ther also.

[Jacob85]

Sometimes people get tired of being at home! Going to dinnner and a movie is a nice evenings entertainment. Staying at home is what we all had to do during the pandemic

[Taltarzac725]

Sometimes people get tired of being at home! Going to dinnner and a movie is a nice evenings entertainment. Staying at home is what we all had to do during the pandemic

The three movie theaters were an option and the Rialto often played older movies as well as foreign ones at times.

Do think that the developers are putting greed over providing a good life to the people who bought homes here.

[JMintzer]

The three movie theaters were an option and the Rialto often played older movies as well as foreign ones at times.

Do think that the developers are putting greed over providing a good life to the people who bought homes here.

How is it "greed" to leave a money making operation closed?

Wouldn't actual greed be to try to squeeze more money out of the squares?

[MandoMan]

Drive-in theaters making a comeback | News | The Villages Daily Sun | thevillagesdailysun.com (https://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/news/villages/drive-in-theaters-making-a-comeback/article_110d1c6e-a098-11ea-bb30-0bfcc789e238.html)

They could probably make money on a drive-in theater. This after it looks like they are closing the Barnstorm Theater for good.

My first thought was that why would people want to go to a drive-in when not many go to regular movie theaters. But people do go to hear free music on the squares—not most of us, but maybe, what, a thousand a night, total? More? What if we had a drive-in just for golf carts? I attended a golf cart concert at the polo grounds once, and that was fun.

Find a parking lot with limited access and no trees near a town square, maybe play the soundtrack live on YouTube, and only allow double-parked golf carts.

[PaPaLarry]

A drive in theater???? Too many people can't maneuver the round abouts, can you imagine a car pulling up to you to grab the speaker???? Ugh LOL

[dewilson58]

A drive in theater???? Too many people can't maneuver the round abouts, can you imagine a car pulling up to you to grab the speaker???? Ugh LOL

With today's technology, you won't have to "pulling up to you to grab the speaker"

So now are you a yes??

[RedChariot]

Can you say mosquitoes? You probably don't go out at night, but you will be bitten many times by thousands of mosquitoes.

I was thinking the same think. Hot summer night in Florida? MOSQUITOES!!!. We would be eaten alive!

[Freeda]

By far the best option for movies for those who like them on a big screen is the AMC at Lake Square Mall in Leesburg. We've gone there for years. We're talking to more and more Villagers who are going there. $5 Tuesday's. Get AMC's A-List membership if you like to go a few times per month, and for around $24 autopay you can see up to three movies per week, get advanced seating with convenience charges waived, leather recliners, concessions discounts/rewards, and cutting edge audio video technology. When you are paying an average of as little as $2 per movie ticket, you travel cost is more than offset, and you don't have to debate whether each movie you see has to be a 'blockbuster' in order to justify spending the much higher ticket cost you pay anywhere else. Just get out of the house and go enjoy. Plus, contrary to the popular myth that is being perpetrated, there are many good movies coming out, and there always have been, even throughout the pandemic and since. Plus, going to the mall, even though it's not a fancy big city type mall, is a chance to walk inside during heat, rain etc;; and there are some nice stores there, plus bowling, indoor go-carts, arcade, sports bar, and food court.

We also combine the trip to the movies with other errands along the way (and sometimes a trip to Icy King!)

AMC is in my opinion possibly at least one factor in why the Villages is not reopening other theaters; it's a much better option, hard to compete with, for movie lovers.

[Psacc0]

Seems they could use the polo fields in the evenings to set up a golf cart drive in theater. Show new and old stuff. Would be alot of fun.

Third golf cart movie this season is later this month

[Psacc0]

Make it golf cart accessible and it will succeed.

The third golf cart drive in movie is later this month

[Worldseries27]

drive-in theaters were not good in the 50s
except for those conceived there

[Worldseries27]

1. There is a drive in theater on 441 between belleview and ocala.
2. Years ago the villages used to have golf cart drive in movies at the polo field. Good times.
they also have a magic show where the car's trunk pops open and many people emerge

[JMintzer]

A drive in theater???? Too many people can't maneuver the round abouts, can you imagine a car pulling up to you to grab the speaker???? Ugh LOL

I don't think they've used a "speaker" at drive-ins for decades...

Now, they broadcast a weak FM signal that you pick up on your car radio...

[chrissy2231]

except for those conceived there
They were for me.

[MrChip72]

The idea sounds interesting, except for the high percentage of people in TV that maintain a bedtime less than 2 hours after dusk would seem to limit the potential audience.

[Worldseries27]

the idea sounds interesting, except for the high percentage of people in tv that maintain a bedtime less than 2 hours after dusk would seem to limit the potential audience.
yes, they wake up the roosters