I did a short post on the renovated AMC La Jolla back in August when it was still finishing up. I recently went back and got to see the finished product and wanted to do an updated post sharing all the new features.
AMC Amazing is what they are calling the theaters that are renovated. According to the website, it looks like AMC La Jolla (which is the one I went to) and AMC Otay Ranch 12 are the ones in San Diego that have the AMC Amazing label so far.
I also noticed while exploring the AMC website that they have now have drive-in theaters as well, though currently none in San Diego. So here are some of the highlights:
Reserved Seats
The first biggest improvement I noticed on this recent trip is that they now have reserved seats. This had been the main reason why I started going to Arclight, so I was so excited to find out they have it at the new AMC theater. This allows you to buy your tickets in advance and choose your seats so you don’t have to get to the theater early. AMC La Jolla is such a popular theater because it’s near UCSD so when a new release comes out, you used to have to buy your tickets early in the day and come several hours before showing time to get decent seats.
You can purchase tickets online, at the teller, and they also have several automated machines set up now too, which really helps to alleviate long lines.
Alcohol
Also like Arclight, alcohol is now served. They have a big bar area when you first enter the complex. There is also a smaller station once inside.
Expanded Menu
They also expanded the hot food section (adding mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers, and pizza just to name a few). And as I previously mentioned in my last post, they have the free play coke machines that has hundreds of drink options.
Large Reclining Seats
I already discussed the enormous fully reclining red leather seats before. But they are worth another mention. These are ridiculously comfortable.
The one downside to the large seats is that each screening accommodates far fewer seats than before.
Cell Signal
One of the things that annoyed me most about AMC La Jolla was that not only did I have to show up early, but it was hard to get any sort of cell signal so I couldn’t browse the internet or play with my phone to pass the time. I was really surprised it was such a dead zone. But I noticed on this visit, that I had great signal strength and was finally able to browse the web with phone while waiting for the previews to start.
Price
I also check the price because I had several people ask me on my last post. A regular full adult ticket is $13, which is only $.50 higher than the older AMC theaters in San Diego. But, they do accept the discounted Gold tickets that you can buy at Costco and other sources, which is roughly $8.50 a ticket. So your best bet is to buy those discounted tickets and use those instead.
I have to say, I’m quite impressed with the changes. We had stopped visiting this theater for a long time and now it’s going to be our go to theater again.
Ooh, AMC Otay Ranch got renovated? I’ll have to check that out. I wants to drink me some alcomahol while I watch animated flicks!
I’ll have to do it when Enders Game & The Hobbit – The Desolation of Smaug comes out! Haha, imagine all the drunken people in the movie theatre!
I was actually thinking of you when I saw Otay Ranch. I haven’t seen for myself, but when I was on the AMC website that’s what it says. So I guess either is has been renovated, or is going to be soon, or is in the process?
Thanks for the update on this theatre. I still go to Arclight for some reason though – not sure if it’s b/c you can hang out in the mall beforehand. But I can’t wait to try the AMC – especially if they let you use the Costco tickets. Have you tried any of their 3D or IMAX movies?
I have not. Only the regular ones so far.
Very cool! We recently went to the luxury theater in Del Mar, which was awesome but very expensive. I love that this has the reclining seats for a decent price. Will have to check it out soon!
I’ve been wanting to visit the Del Mar one but every time I see the price it makes me cringe and I find some excuse and put it off. One of these days I’ll go, but I’m so glad to see AMC offering luxury seats and more for a decent price
but one has to have a costco membership to get that $8.50 discount ticket. SIGH>
I am also weary of alcohol at the movies. People are already
acting out/stupid…no need for alcohol to add to the craziness.
AMC Gold tickets can be purchased through other venues. And you can always get a friend with a membership to buy you some.