We have at least 30 homeschool people that we will be spending the morning with and after, they want to hit the matinee of The Hobbit on opening day perhaps about 1 or 2.. I have never been to an opening day movie, someone thought it shouldn't be too packed as the kids would still be in school. I am thinking, it's a Friday which many people around here have off, and anytime on that first day would be so unbeleivably crowded. What do you think? I just dread big huge crowds.
Yeah, but it's THE HOBBIT!!! My birthday present!
Can't wait. I, personally, will brave the crowds.
And yes, have the kids read the book first, if there's time.
My son is excited, because he's seen the Lord of the Rings, and I've read them all to him, and the Hobbit(which he though was silly that they didn't do in the first place.
Call the Theater. They often have school rates/packages, and depending on capacity of each screen and how many adults are attending with the kids, it may be less expensive to have the whole screen rented out for your party. I'm not sure of the capacity of the theater in question, although some do not rent the whole screen on opening day unless it's a full seat.
I remember when my son's school went to see "The Lorax". They rented out three screens just for this movie. Yes it was on opening day. Due to the special arrangements the school board had with IMAX on location of the theater, they really can't argue about school funded trips, so that was always a plus.
Also, call ahead, and be at the theater 45 to an hour early to make sure your entire party can sit together if you guys can't get the whole screen, otherwise, you may be stuck in different screens at different times. By your tickets online if possible, and pick them up as a group on site(also why I mention getting there early). This ensures they are not sold out before you get there.
I do think you may end up with a crowd though. Pete Jackson did a stellar job with the other movies, and the fans are excited.
Hope this helps.
Just do it! How exciting to be at the opening! I can't wait to see The Hobbit! I opened this thread laughing, because I'm watching Lord of the Rings right now...
I'd have the kids read the book before going to the movie, if you have time.
Dawn
Exciting! I'm taking my son also! The QUALITY of the Lord of the Rings trilogy makes me excited to see what they'll do with the Hobbit (although I heard it will be a triology.....which would be a stretch.....remembering the story I'm thinking it should just be 2 parts, but I'm interested to see what they're going to do with it, so I'll watch them all).
Just do it! I agree that there shouldn't be too many people during the day when most are in school or work. Also, that vampire saga stuff is still new and probably drawing a lot of people still when The Hobbit comes out. (Christmas break when noone's at school, I'd expect more crowds....so just jump on it!)
When I worked at a movie theater, it would have been packed. But now they have the midnight showings for the die-hards so it's hard to tell. It will also depend on how many showings there are. Is there one every hour? That happens a lot now, and the ones that start first will be full but the couple in the middle might not be as full.
I would count on it being busy and buying the tickets early and getting there early. With that many people, you want to be in line early to try to get seats all together. You could also try calling ahead to the theater and asking if the showtime is super full. Maybe you can go in and talk to them about your huge party and see what they can do to try to accommodate you, maybe let you seat early or something. I know there were times people would have a huge group and they would all be buying, say, a kids meal for 20, so we would have them all prepared and ready when they got there.
True die-hard opening day fanatics will attend any midnight showings the night before. During the day on a Friday especially at 1 or 2, it generally isn't too bad. I would just try to arrive a little early or have one person get there earlier to block off your seats so you can all sit together.
Have fun!
That would be Friday Dec 14th.
In our area school is still in session (holiday break begins Dec 21).
Opening day movie attendance might be crowded or it might be sparse - it all depends on how many die hard fans you have in your area (who will take off school or take a day off work).
For a large group - definitely call the theater manager.
If it's not already sold out you should be able to advance purchase tickets for your group.
You should be able to do it with the manager or check out Fandango.
If it were just your family that is on thing but a group of thirty? could someone call and talk to a manager?
I agree with everyone who has answered. Even though kids will be in school, many adults may take off of work to go and see it. The Hobbit is such an amazing story and it has been around for decades. That is when retired adults may go too. I know where I live, there will be school and I have seen commercials saying that they are going to pre-sell tickets. So if you all do decided to go, make sure you get the tickets well before hand just in case on Fandango or at the theater.
