Tag: Relocating Tourist

Overture, curtains, lights…this is it, the height of heights…well, you know the “toon.” Honestly I didn’t know if I would ever head back to the Movies again post Covid, so many people packed into that small space! I had a day open and had heard about this really cool Theater in the area I have been staying in. Located at Westridge Court in Naperville, Illinois, it looks like your normal movie theater. My thinking was that they had JUST opened that week, so they would probably have low attendance, at least for the matinees anyways. So I booked a ticket online, $9.00 for a Noon matinee of “The New Mutants” for Theater 7, on Friday, August 28th, 2020. When you book, you can see who has booked for the same show, doesn’t include walk-ups, but it gives you a small idea, and there was noone but me headed to that flick that day-sweet!

The entrance lined with palm trees, you come upon the ticket area which is housed in a sort of hut. Confirmed my ticket with her on my phone, then was handed a menu for dining at my seat- LOVE IT!! A bar on my left and right, (no concessions stand) this was no cinema, this was an experience. Movie posters lined the walls, and they were done classy, they weren’t just thrown here and there. They were eye-pleasing, so much that AFTER my movie was done, I stayed another half hour just reading and looking at them all! As you enter what can only be described as the door from Jurassic Park or King Kong, you’re transported to waterfalls which start you on your adventure, but will path will you choose?

Hollywood Palms has a total of 7 screens, with an additional screen upstairs for private events. Depending what movie you’re headed too will choose the fate of your screening experience! YES each screening area is themed differently- the coolest thing ever! If you head to the left of the waterfalls, you head to screens 1-4. Screen ONE is JUNGLE/ADVENTURE themed, screen TWO is ANIMATED themed, screen THREE is ASIAN themed, and screen FOUR is UNDER THE SEA themed.

If you head to the right of the waterfalls, you head to screen FIVE which is Egyptian themed, SIX which is Oscars themed, and SEVEN…..my heart almost exploded from it…..an entire theater dedicated to THE WIZARD OF OZ!!! Seriously my heart couldn’t take the excitement, I made a video I will post on The Relocated Tourist FB page to better show the feel of it, but I will be posting as many pictures here and probably in seperate posts because of the number of pics I took. Sorry, but it’s THAT COOL of a place! This is something like a Cinematic Museum, an ode to Hollywood, a nod to the greats of past and present. AND you get to enjoy a movie, dinner, AND a cocktail from the relaxations of a reclining chair and moveable table.

It’s not every day you get to watch a movie surrounded BY your favorite movie, but I was IN HEAVEN!! I had to wear a mask inside the Theater walking around to and from my seat, but once seated, I could remove it. Now, if you feel safer leaving it on, leave it on! I was handed a menu upon check-in, but I also noticed that under the table attached to my chair were more copies, in case you don’t get one at the ticket booth. They have everything from cocktails to full meal food,including this is the ONLY WAY you order your popcorn! I checked out the menu of every Hollywood delicious namesake and went for the Kevin Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato, with a side of the Lord of the Rings Onion Rings….one onion ring to rule them all AND my digestion…huzzah! Along with a Diet Coke (they carry Coke products), I had ordered and recieved my food by the time the previews started running. Now, I was the only one in there, so the food was probably going to come fast, but it was still impressive. I have been to the dine and watch kind before and wound up getting my food near the end of the movie (yes, seriously, think it was “Malificent” at Disney Springs AMC- horrible). For safety reasons, they give you your food in closed take-out containers, which I found were just fine. I wasn’t expecting real dishes like at “Be Our Guest.” The KBLT was delicious, I don’t like mine toasted (why toast it?? It’s like sandpaper across the top of your mouth!) and my LOTR OR were yummy! It’s the kind of dining experience where you’re sad when it’s over- like he came out to see if I wanted a refill on my soda and I really didnt need one but I wanted to keep the feeling alive, so I got one.LOL

Now, I can’t tell you how hard it is to pay attention to a movie when there is SO MUCH to look at around you! I literally had flying monkeys around me, I was as giddy as a girl on Christmas morning. Probably why they put MOST of the decor BEHIND you where the projector lives so that you aren’t focused on it the entire film. Seriously, the ANIMATION themed one, HOW are kids watching the movie?? The imagination and creativity it took to put this place together is just amazing, pretty sure my mouth never closed! After “The New Mutants” which was EXCELLENT, I asked Management if it was ok to peruse the other Theaters and see the different themes. Yes, only if they were empty, which unfortunately due to Covid and it being a matinee, all but one, were empty. I was able to look at all of the detail, take in the beauty of what this man created, and again, it was just a sight to behold.

Like the movies? Go here. Hate the movies? Go here. Scared of getting Covid? Go during a matinee. They clean everything down, seats around you are meant to be empty, and the next row in front of behind you is already a good 6 feet- these are SPACIOUS seats! The staff was incredibly kind and attentive, and I would go back in a heart beat. Actually probably am for “Bill and Teds” before I head back to Florida. So if you’re in the Naperville area, check out Hollywood Palms- you won’t be disappointed!