Sensory Friends
Let's stay connected:
  • Home
    • About us
    • Contact us!
    • Join Our Email List
    • Media Page
    • Book Christine Goulbourne
  • Blog
    • Disability Blogs
  • Sensory Friends Directory
  • Resources
  • Great Giveaways!

The Force was Strong at AMC’s Sensory Friendly Theaters!

1/15/2016

8 Comments

 
Picture
My family and I have gone to many sensory friendly films over the past ten years. Many times, my son Richie would be bored of the movie and either play with his iPod, or want to leave the theater all together. This is important to mention, because my family and I are big Star Wars fans, and for me to have to leave in the middle of it – as the great Yoda might have stated – been a disappointment so great, would have, Hmmmmmmm.  

Picture
​According to my daughter Samantha (and oldest), we were all told we had to wear Star Wars t-shirts!   In the spirit of seeing some of our favorite characters in over twenty years revived on blockbuster series, it seemed on point. She and her husband Phil purchased a t-shirt for each of us.  In this picture is our family beginning from left to right: Christine (me), Richie, Samantha, Phil (her husband and my wonderful son-n-law), Tiki, and Kirk (my husband). Of all of us, Richie and Samantha wore the t-shirts favored by most, they received the most compliments!

​It was the day after Christmas, and even though the movie had been out for a week, the parking lot was already packed at 9:30 in the morning.  Samantha seemed surprised, I was surprised we found parking.  While standing in line, we overheard quite a few people asking for tickets to the Sensory Friendly showing, then we listened as the attendant explained that the lights would be dimmed but remain on, and the sound would also be low.  
​“Shouldn’t they also be explaining that other people with disabilities would be in the theater too and that they are allowed to make noise and walk around?” Samantha asked.
​
“I think who ever attends the sensory friendly theater will figure this out soon enough on their own, but you’re right, they should be adding that important bit of information as well.” 

Samantha, being the advocate she is, quietly advised the window cashier to include this important information to ticket purchasers.
We purchased our tickets and went straight to the concession stand, no movie is right without a tub of popcorn, candy and drinks. There was a woman with her daughter standing before us on line.  She turned around and started chatting with us. 

“We’re switching over to the Sensory Friendly theater because she has a touch of autism and she can’t take all the noise in the regular one.” She was smiling as she twirled her daughter’s long, blond locks of curly hair.

“My son Richie has autism, and this is the only way we’re able to enjoy a movie together as a family” I replied.  Richie was laughing, spinning and being silly nearby.

“I think it’s wonderful that they’ve added this feature” she said.  It was her turn to order.
​
“I couldn’t agree more” I replied.  We were up next.  “I hope you both enjoy the movie,” I stated as they headed towards the theater. 
​Once we were all set, we went to the theater and picked our seats all the way in the center of the very last row (our favorite place to be when their available).  Once we were seated, Richie kept peeking into the window of the movie projector room. He was curious about the where the light was coming from.   
Picture
​The movie started promptly at 10 am.  There were no previews or gimmicks, just the classic start of the Star Wars space scroll giving us updates and setting the premise of the story about to unfold.  One of the movie ushers came into the theater at the start of the movie and said, “If the music is too loud, please let me know. We can make any adjustments needed.” He stood at the entrance of the theater and waited several minutes to make sure everyone was fine with the sound and lighting. I was impressed with this, because we’ve been coming to the sensory friendly movies for a long time and this was the first time anyone stayed to make sure all attendees were comfortable. Receiving no requests from anyone, after about ten minutes, the young man left. 

Picture
From the moment the movie started, Richie did not take his eyes off the screen.  He sat quietly through each scene.  He became attentive during the space-fight scenes, and tolerated the very short and few romantic moments (this picture was taken during a touching scene).  

I loved the movie, but more importantly, I loved that Richie enjoyed it too. It was a magical movie experience for us as a family, and we will never forget it. 

Picture
After taking a few photos of Richie with the props of the upcoming movies we may be coming to see, it was time to grab a bite to eat and talk about our favorite parts of the movie.  It was a great day.

​

Sincerely, Christine SensoryFriends

8 Comments
Laurarod5 link
1/15/2016 02:11:58 pm

Christy, thank you for sharing this experience, my kids love to go to de movies, I think is grate that they have this sensory friendly shows.

Reply
Cesar Diaz link
1/15/2016 03:50:35 pm

That is wonderful my dougther had problems at the movies when she was little so this sensory show are perfect for her! Thanks for sharing and it sounds that your family had a good time.

Reply
coolchillmom link
1/15/2016 09:44:39 pm

Indeed it was a great day! I love that you all went with the required tshirts

Reply
Wanda Lopez link
1/15/2016 09:47:18 pm

I'm glad they have sensory friendly movie theater rooms available for families like yours. Glad to hear you all had a great experience and enjoyed the movie. I saw that movie with my family and loved it so much.

Reply
BBabushka link
1/15/2016 11:41:01 pm

How wonderful that your whole family got to enjoy the movie- together! Hopefully they'll have some sensory friendly theaters w/movies La Princesa will want to see; can't wait to share the experience with her. BB2U

Reply
Diana Rodriguez link
1/16/2016 11:17:26 am

The movie was awesome, nice family moments!

Reply
S.Yissele link
1/16/2016 02:38:12 pm

Great! En casa somos star wars fans también, que bueno que disfrutaron la movie, saludos!

Reply
Teresa Garza link
1/16/2016 07:01:12 pm

Gracias por compartir tu experiencia... En casa también somos super fans de Star Wars.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author: Christine Goulbourne
    christine@sensoryfriends.com 

    Archives

    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    June 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015

    Categories

    All
    Autism
    Inclusion
    Parent Involvement
    Positive Behavior Support
    Special Education

    RSS Feed

    Please note that Sensory Friends is a participant in the Google Adsense and Etsy Programs. These are affiliate/advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees (at no additional cost to you) by advertising and linking to their sites. 

An Important Note From Sensory Friends:

All information posted on the website is for informational purposes only.   Please confirm and review information carefully with your professional health care provider before considering a new regime or practice.  The information provided is not intended to replace medical advice offered by physicians.  Sensory Friends only wishes to provide information, resources, options and networking opportunities to its members and site visitors. 
Please note that Sensory Friends is a participant in several affiliate programs (Google Adsense, Awin Affiliates, and Etsy) these affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products or services. We may receive a commission if you purchase any of the linked products at no additional cost to you.  

© 2023 Sensory Friends

Subscribe

Join our mailing list today!
Join Now