Frugal families find cheap thrills at the drive-in
If you’re already tired with rent-all-you-can I posted yesterday, or you probably wanted to go out and see a movie, the next best thing would be a drive-in.
What? A drive-in? I thought drive-ins are no longer around. I only saw one of those while watching some 70’s movie.
Today however, I found this recent story about a couple bringing their 3 yr old daughter and 5 yr old son to the Oakville drive-in.
The couple, paid a mere $22 to see both Cars and the blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest last Saturday. They avoided babysitting costs, and their children got in for free because they are five and under.
“It’s a lot more economical than going to the theatre where it would have been at least $70 to see both movies,” said the 30-year-old production chef at a golf club.
The nice thing about a drive-in is that you can bring your own food. You know how food and soda costs when you buy it at the movie houses. It’s definitely cheaper when you bring you own. Just pop it in a cooler and bring it out just before the show starts.
[via theglobeandmail ]
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POSTED IN: Easy Entertainment
4 opinions for Frugal families find cheap thrills at the drive-in
Blaine Moore (Run to Win)
Jul 18, 2006 at 11:41 am
I read a year or so ago that there were only 16 drive-ins left in the country (although, that could have been New England, but I think it said the country) since they are worth more to their owners as parking lots for wal-marts, etc.
What I love about Maine is how behind the times we always are. There is a drive-in about 20 minutes north of me, 10 minutes south of me, and about 45 minutes or an hour south of me (it used to be 20 minutes south of me but I just moved).
The cost to get in is the same as the going rate for one movie these days, except that you get two movies and can sit outside in your own chairs (or propped up in the back of a pickup truck with your own blankets…)
Noel
Jul 18, 2006 at 8:07 pm
Hi Blaine! Nice to hear from you.
Yeah, most of the drive-ins has been converted for other use like parking lots as you mentioned.
Based on the article I mentioned, the number of drive-ins peaked at 315 in fiscal 1975-1976. They fell to 54 in 2003-2004 before rising to 58 during the latest period. I think they got their figures from statistics canada.
It’s a seasonal business which is why other owners add other stuff like mini-golf, or go-karts so if the movie sucks, go-carts would be more interesting.
Kerri
Jul 19, 2006 at 10:57 am
PBS recently did a special on drive-ins, and reminded me of the 3 that we have within 30 minutes of us. Now I just have to remember them when we’re looking for something to do that doesn’t require a sitter!
Dating Dames » Dating Mr. Cheap
Jul 20, 2006 at 6:00 pm
[…] 1. Go old school and have a Drive-in date […]
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