Stadium Seating

I spent an hour at the Raleigh Grand this afternoon.  Here's what I 
can report:  the lobby is surprisingly small, with wide hallways 
flanking either side of a large, rounded concession stand.  (The 
most intriguing feature of which is a "self-serve express.")  High 
ceiling, in the lobby, with a big-screen TV playing previews.  The 
color scheme is a combo of darker reds and greens.  Very pleasant.  
Lots of ushers around, too, including a pair that periodically paid 
a visit to the feature I was watching.  (Dare we hope for manage-
ment mandated noise control?)  Parking isn't bad and tickets can be 
purchased up to three days in advance.  (No word, though, if you 
have to wait in line to pick them up.)  The chain (Consolidated 
Theatres) even has a "frequent filmgoers" club, that awards both 
popcorn and passes after so many visits.  (Membership is free.)  
And though I can't advise on either projection or sound quality-- 
that'll take some time to assess-- the stadium seating is, at best, 
a mixed blessing.  The full-sized, head-rested seats are, well, 
grand, but the auditoriums are so small that you can't help but 
notice people climbing the stairs.  Not good.  (If you're sitting 
along the aisles, the track lighting also intrudes on your field of 
vision.)  And, if you want sit at an eye-level that's comfortable, 
you'll probably have to get there early.  Maybe very early.  Of 
course, heh, when *leaving* the theater, you'll now have an oppor-
tunity to give those who were talking the loudest a healthy shove 
right down the stairs.  Happy Mother's Day.

mjl

Originally posted to triangle.movies in Stadium Seating