Address: (Edit Info)
2515 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ, US
Page Views: 808
5 positive - 3 negative = Net Rating (2)
Positive (5)
Negative (3)
Posted on: 2008-05-03
I've only been to two theaters since moving to the Valley. Although I live closer to Harkins at Fashion Square, one experience there was enough for me.
I find this theater relatively clean and free of screaming brats. That's about all I need to be happy. I've never noticed the gas smell in the parking garage or encountered the broken escalators, but my husband always insists we take the stairs. As if that's going to counteract the bucket of popcorn and 55-gallon drum of Coke!
Getting out of the garage can test your patience, though. Beware of the lunatics whipping around the corners oblivious to the concept of driving on the right side.
Best time to go is the 10 am showings on Fridays. Garages are empty, theaters are empty, and it's only $5. Now you have just enough money to buy a candy bar with the change from your twenty.
Dear Mr. or Ms. Esplanade I enjoy your theaters. They are close to my home. And close to many restaurants and shops. Although I have to say the actual shops and restaurants at the Esplanade. Well, they suck. Except for Houstons. The choices of businesses and the horrible signage sends everyone scurring across the street. Yea, that's right. To the Biltmore. Just thought you should know. Your seats are comfortable and generally pretty dang clean. And your crazy concession prices. I don't even mind. It's like the crazy drink prices at the airport. I always expect it and actually enjoy overspending for some strange reason. Just part of the experience I guess. I really just have one other thing to say Esplanade people: FIX THOSE DAMN ESCALATORS!!!!! IF I WAS LOOKING FOR A FREAKIN HIKE BEFORE AND AFTER MY MOVIE I'D GO TO CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN! Thank you for your time. Most Sincerely, Thomas S.
Never really had a problem here. The crowds aren't awful like the other theaters around me. Annnd it's close to the Gelato Spot, so I can smuggle in some treats.
But what's up with the totally rank sewage odor that you have to suffer through while you go up the escalators? You'd think that in such a nice, upscale area as that, they'd want to fix that immediately, but it's been like that as long as I've been a patron.
The Esplanade is a decent movie theater to go to. We are currently in a bit of a fight though, as they've decided to stop selling Snickers Popables. It might not be entirely their fault, maybe more of a corporate decision, but I think I'm going to start sneaking my own treats in after that slap in the face.
Besides disagreeing as to acceptable movie snacks (they replaced the Popables with Goldfish crackers), I'll usually choose this theater over others, if only for it's proximity to my house and the mostly civilized crowd. I find less screaming babies in R-rated movies at this theater than at, say, AMC Arizona Center. Sometimes you get some annoying, giggly teens and pre-teens, which is why post-city-mandated-curfew shows are great.
I never have figured out why they can't seem to solve the problem of the garbage odor though. It's not always present, but when it is, it's there in full force. I'm guessing it's the food garbage from the restaurants, but I can't think that their neighbor, the Ritz-Carlton, is a big fan of that stink wafting over.
Some tips:
* If you want to avoid parking lines, park underground. (This may only be useful after business hours and on weekends.) If you come in off 24th Street, the entrance to the underground parking is to the right. It's kind of creepy, but you can usually park right by the elevators and avoid the reeeeeally long lines that occur when almost all 14 theaters let out at the same time.
* If you're afraid to park underground, simply go downstairs and get an ice cream/coffee/pastry/drink at one of the restaurants and bars on the ground level. By the time you get your food or drink and get back to your car, you've most likely avoided the line. Don't be too leisurely though, or you'll catch the next exodus and the circle will start all over again.
* If you take the stairs, make sure you make note of which side of the stairs you came up. There are two sets on each side of the theater and if you go down the wrong side, the entrance to your floor will be a non-descript little door rather than the wide open double-doored entrance that you recognize.
One of my favorite places to catch the latest flick. It has lots of food/drink options all around, yet because it's not mall you won't find tons of kids, tween and teens running all over the place all of the time. Most kids who are there are there to watch a particular movie. In and out of there.
It's also just a perfect meet spot for folks from different parts of town. It was almost equal distance for friends from N. Phx, Old town Scottsdale, North Tempe and me in SoMo. With it's location, you know it has to keep things nice, and it always does.
And as a note, something about the place must work to help keep kids calm. We took a pack of kids (Ok, 3 boys) here to see the first Harry Potter when it came out. It was awesome. Got everyone a Starbucks to sip on while waiting in the long line - even though we'd pre bought our tickets we had to get there early to ensure good seats. And even after an early morning drive that could have made them whiny and a Venti serving of sugar and caffeine - they all behaved perfectly through the entire thing - as did almost all other kids during the whole Harry process. Dang impressive.
OK, here it is folks....I've been to this theater before and ran into the escalators being broken down and having to use the elevator(way too long a wait!---Not fun) but the whole idea of the theater's location is a nice one, and yes, the movies seem to be a bit less macabre there and the maturity of the over-all crowd seems to have less crying children than many other theaters. Last night though, I experienced the rank sewage smell (throughout the complex) with a friend (bad smells are the worst and most offensive to me!), theater #13 was filthy and unkempt, and the parking underground was a mess again! I'm sorry, but if I should decide to go on a date any time soon or to impress a friend, I might have to strongly reconsider my theater choices. Possibly go to Fashion Square in Snottsdale (Oh well)--At least I know what to expect there! To me and my friend, the smell was the worst! Sorry, this theater gets only two stars.
I like: ~the location (close to me) ~you can grab a drink after a movie or grab dinner before all in the same area ~the theater is traditionally cleaner than most
I hate: ~the smell of gas leaking when you walk out of the parking garage after you park ~getting stuck in the garage after the movie-- i don't get what the hold up is people??? Have your VALIDATED TICKET in your hot little hand as you approach the exit. Often times, you can be stuck in the garage for 15 mins. totally blows.
So I gave 3 stars, even though I like the theater itself, it's the parking that deserves zero stars-- so 3 stars it is.
This is an OK place to watch a movie. I like it because it's close by, usually has the films I want to see and it's relatively clean - although the other day I did step on gum in the theater. Ugh. Nice selection of corporate pre-date chow in the area, too.
Downsides are the film selection and parking layout.
The film selection could involve more creativity. Why are they showing 3 screens of Pirates. Is that really necessary? I think AMC could show an indie film or two - I think the Biltmore / Central Phoenix types would really eat it up.
I find the parking set-up to be fine, really. But for the first-timer used to parking in a flat parking lot and walking straight into the theater it might be a bit confusing - because it's all urban, mixed-used development parking garage and stuff. The stairs leading out of the garage to the walkway of the theater is REALLY confusing. I can never remember which alternating staircase I took or which floor I'm on - Gila Monster, or Cactus Wren? Hmmmm.
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