This week some of the ladies from my mums group decided to live on the edge and try taking our 6 month old babies to the movies. For those of you who are unaware, during the day, many movie theatres offer up one of their theatres for people with young children. The sound is turned down from the usual zillion decibels and there is a table on which you can change your baby so that you don't need to miss the film.
We selected a mid-town location that was conveniently located, but I had no idea just how inconvenient the experience would be. We were warned that there might be some competition for the elevator going up to the theatres, so we met early in order to beat the rush.
Well. First of all, just getting into the damned mall was an exercise in frustration. I ended up going in through the book store and luckily finding the elevator up from there. However once I got to the exit that emptied out in front of the theatre, I found that there were only stairs leading down -- no ramp.
Then when it was time to head up for the movie, we headed toward the "elevator." More like claustrophobic nightmare. The "elevator" was big enough to fit one stroller and I dare say that if you were in a wheelchair, you'd be heading up alone. The "elevator" required the rider to press the "up" button until it finished climbing incredibly slowly up to the second floor -- scraping up the concrete wall ( yeah, no sliding doors on this one, it really just cranked up a concrete shaft ). When you reached the top, presumably one is able to exit the "elevator" although I'm not sure because when I let go of the button, I started going back down to the first floor! As though the trip up had not been traumatic enough! When I reached the first floor again I backed out of the "elevator" and reported to the ladies waiting to get in that I didn't know what had happened to cause my trip to be a total failure, but that I would not be repeating it ever again. One of them (one smart enough to bring her son in a sling) was kind enough to navigate my stroller up the narrow escalator while I carried the chimp.
Once on the appropriate floor, I made a bee-line for the washroom, because, of course, the chimp had pooped right through her clothes up to her neck. When I was done laundering my baby, I headed for the theatre in which one is not permitted to bring a stroller, and lugged my kid, my popcorn, my beverage and my diaper bad up to the seats where the other mums were sitting.
The movie was cute. Entertaining and the chimp was fairly accommodating. She played contentedly on my lap until she tipped over and bunked her head on the arm rest, then she screamed at the top of her lungs (only I can injure my baby in a room where most of the furniture is upholstered!). Once calmed, she only kicked up a fuss again when she got tired and I did have to walk her around a bit and then nurse her until she fell asleep. Then, bliss. For the last 20 minutes of the film. Then it was time to go.
I had an easier time getting out of the theatre -- I headed directly for the escalator, although this is better done with a partner because when I got to the bottom I nearly killed myself and the chimp -- good thing the stroller is light enough to lift with one hand! Getting out of the mall on the other hand was not as easy. I actually had to ask at the information desk how to get out of the mall with my stroller.
I was actually relieved to get back to my steaming hot car. Too bad about that theater -- now I can never go back. Well, I could go back without the stroller, but on principle, I think I may not.
I can go to the movies without my stroller, but people in wheelchairs cannot go to the movies without them and it made me pretty friggin' irritated on their behalf to be in this theatre. If there was ever an emergency evacuation of that theatre, anybody in a wheelchair would not survive -- what the hell is up with that? -- it's 2008 for Pete's sake.
Green P Parking = $14
Daytime Movie = $11
Snacks = $10
Eye Opening Experience = Priceless.
We selected a mid-town location that was conveniently located, but I had no idea just how inconvenient the experience would be. We were warned that there might be some competition for the elevator going up to the theatres, so we met early in order to beat the rush.
Well. First of all, just getting into the damned mall was an exercise in frustration. I ended up going in through the book store and luckily finding the elevator up from there. However once I got to the exit that emptied out in front of the theatre, I found that there were only stairs leading down -- no ramp.
Then when it was time to head up for the movie, we headed toward the "elevator." More like claustrophobic nightmare. The "elevator" was big enough to fit one stroller and I dare say that if you were in a wheelchair, you'd be heading up alone. The "elevator" required the rider to press the "up" button until it finished climbing incredibly slowly up to the second floor -- scraping up the concrete wall ( yeah, no sliding doors on this one, it really just cranked up a concrete shaft ). When you reached the top, presumably one is able to exit the "elevator" although I'm not sure because when I let go of the button, I started going back down to the first floor! As though the trip up had not been traumatic enough! When I reached the first floor again I backed out of the "elevator" and reported to the ladies waiting to get in that I didn't know what had happened to cause my trip to be a total failure, but that I would not be repeating it ever again. One of them (one smart enough to bring her son in a sling) was kind enough to navigate my stroller up the narrow escalator while I carried the chimp.
Once on the appropriate floor, I made a bee-line for the washroom, because, of course, the chimp had pooped right through her clothes up to her neck. When I was done laundering my baby, I headed for the theatre in which one is not permitted to bring a stroller, and lugged my kid, my popcorn, my beverage and my diaper bad up to the seats where the other mums were sitting.
The movie was cute. Entertaining and the chimp was fairly accommodating. She played contentedly on my lap until she tipped over and bunked her head on the arm rest, then she screamed at the top of her lungs (only I can injure my baby in a room where most of the furniture is upholstered!). Once calmed, she only kicked up a fuss again when she got tired and I did have to walk her around a bit and then nurse her until she fell asleep. Then, bliss. For the last 20 minutes of the film. Then it was time to go.
I had an easier time getting out of the theatre -- I headed directly for the escalator, although this is better done with a partner because when I got to the bottom I nearly killed myself and the chimp -- good thing the stroller is light enough to lift with one hand! Getting out of the mall on the other hand was not as easy. I actually had to ask at the information desk how to get out of the mall with my stroller.
I was actually relieved to get back to my steaming hot car. Too bad about that theater -- now I can never go back. Well, I could go back without the stroller, but on principle, I think I may not.
I can go to the movies without my stroller, but people in wheelchairs cannot go to the movies without them and it made me pretty friggin' irritated on their behalf to be in this theatre. If there was ever an emergency evacuation of that theatre, anybody in a wheelchair would not survive -- what the hell is up with that? -- it's 2008 for Pete's sake.
Green P Parking = $14
Daytime Movie = $11
Snacks = $10
Eye Opening Experience = Priceless.
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