Valley Drive-In

Tears for the demise of the last drive-​in movie theatre.
Sad to wave goodbye to my childhood.

This was a great experience for my lil ones, my husband and I.
Hopefully you read reviews before you embark on this adventure, you cannot go into this with indoor movie theater standards, this is a whole different ball game. Drive in movies arn’t really about the movies, they’re about getting a better quality of time spent with companions. I had no problem with the sound in my little Toyota with stock speakers, I could hear, but not be bombarded by the sound, the picture wasn’t flawless (outdoor projection from a distance never will be), the picture was clear.
Snack bar is pricey for mediocre stuff, BUT you get a hell of a deal on entry for two movies, and you’re paying to support not only a local business, which is awesome, but a dying art which could disappear if people don’t show a little understanding.
All in all I have no complaints about the drive in, I plan to go back even though I’m not terribly close. Next time I will bring more pillows though, as should you fellow Unilocaler!

I drove from Lacey to Auburn to check out this drive in and I was not too dissappointed. You drive up the long drive toward the pay stations and there is something very rustic about this theater practically in the middle of no where. It makes you think it used to be like an old tow yard or car graveyard. Anyway, the place looks like it hasn’t had any updates in the last 30 years from the appearance of the marquee and the lettering on the pay station booths detailing which movies are playing.
I went to see Snow White & the Huntsman and Bourne Legacy. Since I’m becoming a drive in junkie now, those that are regulars to drive ins know they are usually double features. So it is an excellent way to spend 4 – 5 hours of your time on a cool summer night. Anyway, what’s cool about Valley D-​I is that from where I parked I could also see the movies playing behind me in my rearview mirrors (Paranorman & Diary of a Wimpy Kid) and also the movies to my left (Total Recall & some other movie), so it was kind of like getting to see 6 movies for the price of 1. With that said, of course you can’t hear the other two movies. Bourne Legacy was lame and I think Snow White would have been better if the brightness of the projector was turned up. Snow White has so much dark imagery that things kind of got washed out against the dark Washington sky.
I did not visit the snack bar because of the amount of people that were in there during the intermission (two movies let out at the same time), but I bet it’s pretty good. This drive in was a very pleasant experience. It’s something to do at night that doesn’t cost much and it’s a nice way to relax and maybe even get to know the people in the cars next to you. One thing I didn’t like too much was having drag the cord attached to the radio tuner across my car to clip the tuner to my antenna. The one in Shelton does it wirelessly so it’s different. I also didn’t like having to park so far back in an SUV when I saw minivans and other SUV’s just as tall as my car parked closer. I do understand everyone pays the same price to get in and enjoy the movie so parking in the back is a courtesy but I had to squint a lot, especially with my bad eyes. Hahah!

I’m SO glad they still have Drive-​In theaters around. i haven’t been to one since I was a kid because they closed them all down, BUT when my coworker told me about Valley 6… I had to go and check it out! They show double features for only $ 9…what a deal! When we went a few weeks ago the gates opened at 8pm and the movie didn’t start till 9:45 since the sun didn’t set till after 9pm. We only stayed for the first movie since it ended after midnight. I’m sure I’ll be coming here in the fall/​winter on non rainy days to really enjoy the double features.
My car’s sound quality was excellent, it was like I was at the movie theaters – surround sound and all. I was afraid that it would be crackly, but the transmitter roped around my antenna with no problems. Although, with the new-​er cars or cars without antennas, I saw a lot of people struggling to figure out a way to attach it to their cars. Don’t worry, there was staff available to help.
Food…
They have a concession stand that sells your typical candy, popcorn, drink-​ish type of deal. They also make pizza made-​to-​order and surprisingly the pizza we had was decent – very cheesy. Like any theater, prices are on the higher so don’t expect a deal on the food like you did with your movie ticket.
Things to bring with you:
–Pillows
–Blankets
–wipes for your windows or get a car wash before… it makes a big difference!

Nothin’ says summer like the drive-​in movies! Last week was my first time going and I was too excited! Practically an outdoor theater, with your friends in the cool breeze of the summer night as you wait for the sun to set. How exciting!
As we got here on a Friday night, oh how perfect! We got there around 9:25PM and I wa s soooo worried that we were going to be late, since gates open at 8PM. Thank the Lord because there was still some parking (although not the greatest). We got there, drove a few minutes and parked kinda in the back (where the yellow poles are, since we were a truck).
I know they say to not bring our own food, but sushi and grape juice were calling my name. So I had to bring it. And it was so comforting during our movies. We got to see «Ted» & «Snow White & the Huntsman.» I fell asleep during the first 30 minutes of Snow White. By the time Ted was done, it was already midnight.
But our sound quality did suck… so I recommend making sure you either have subs in your car to amplify your movie, or make sure you have good quality speakers. Ours was annoying as ours kept getting feedback.
But the food isn’t that great unfortunately here. I got a polish and the bread was sort of sour and my friend had the cheeseburger which she said was mushy and tasted like paper lol.
But otherwise, I like it here. It’s fun & it’s a great way to enjoy summer nights!

MUST HAVE AN AM RADIO.
Great place and we plan to support it.
But I got a nail in the tire on the way in. People are allowed in after the flick starts. The weathered screen needs white paint, the worn boards show through and the screen has odd light washing out the bottom of the picture. Like a bad projection TV. So deduct 1 star.
CASH lane is on the far LEFT.
The right lane opened into extra lanes and I wish I would’ve jumped in one of them.

TIPS:
— Bring tape
— Bring food
REVIEW:
There’s no such thing as a newly renovated sparkly drive-​in that I know of. You have to deal with what the 70’s left us. I personally think the drive-​in is awesome so I shrug off the downfalls.
The funny part is how modern cars totally clash with old drive in technology. The transmitter is supposed to clip on to an old style metal antenna that nobody has anymore. You probably have a roof nubbin or window wire. So instead of clipping you will have to tape the little transmitter to your window. Then… if you want to leave the car running… but you don’t want to wear your seatbelt… you’ll probably be annoyingly reminded by your car. another thing I don’t remember our car in the 80s doing. Anyways most cars you can turn that off.
They ask that you don’t bring outside food. I was totally down with respecting that because I want these places to thrive but the popcorn was unforgivably stale. There were like a hundred bags of pre-​popped dry corn in the snack stand. I’d bring my own next time!

It looks like this place has two separate entries for the same venue (despite two different addresses), so I am just reviewing the one with more reviews. Follow the crowd and whatnot.
The sound quality here is decent and the picture is good, too, as long as they let it get dark enough before starting the flick. Concessions are about on par with quality and price of a normal theater, and they have plenty of selection. You could even do dinner here– pizza, burgers, etc.
The shtick here is that you pay what you pay at a normal theater ($ 9 per adult, kids 5 and under are free) for TWO movies. They usually try to pair similar genres together, but most of the time 25% of the people leave after the first movie. I’m usually one of them– I’m too exhausted to watch a movie until 12 or later. I’m lame, I realize this.
There are two entry lines, and sometimes a third line that moves much faster for cash only transactions. Bring cash, come early, pack a bunch of your own snacks. Maybe a flask.

This was my first Drive-​In movie experience and it was sweet!
We drove the truck and filled the back with tons of blankets and pillows so we could lay back and watch the big screen! You have took hook your antenna up to the speakers which is different but it worked nicely for us,
I like how you get 2 movies for the price of one, making it a great deal. Although the food and beverages are a bit pricey and the popcorn tasted stale… maybe we should bring our own snacks next time. hehe.
Would love to go again! But I’m not sure if this is just open seasonally or not…

Loved loved loved this place! But then, I love drive in movie theaters. Visited the Valley Drive in on a week night a couple weeks ago. Price was $ 9 per person for a double feature of two first run movies– definitely a deal.
Drawbacks would be that the antennae thing you are supposed to put on your car is awkward (no one shows you how to do it, and you end up needing to tape it on, so bring masking tape), and you really can’t be sure on the start time because it is loosely defined as «dusk». The boyfriend and I arrived at 8 when the gates opened only to find that the movie wasn’t going to start for over an hour. That made for a long night and we ended up cutting out after the first movie since it was a weeknight. In addition, you can’t switch «theaters» after the first movie, so you are stuck with whatever double feature you choose.
That said, there is nothing better than sitting back in your car and having your own personal movie theater. You can also bring in your own drinks and snacks, which is nice (no hiding them in the purse, haha). The boyfriend and I really enjoyed the drive in and will definitely visit again.

Inexpensive (about $ 9 per adult), lots of places to park, tons of bathroom stalls and cheap food.
However, bad that we came and didn’t know we had to install a cord to our antenna — luckily an employee saw us and gave us some tape (not sure what we would have done without him). Came to see Fright Night and because the movie is itself dark (movie takes place mostly at night), it was pretty much impossible to see anything on the screen. So hard that we actually left during the movie.
Overall it’s a cool experience, just be sure to have some tape for the antenna cord, and select a brighter non-​night time based movie. :)

My ex-​husband brought me here for the first time back in 1994 when we were young lovebirds. Since then, we got married, had two awesome kids and after eleven years, got divorced (no need to cry, we’re still friends).
A lot of things have changed since those hot and heavy make out sessions in his old Chevy Nova, but Valley Drive-​In — has not.
In 2011, the drive-​in is the same as I remember it to be, but a little more run-​down. One of the screens has been abandoned and seems to be falling apart where it stands. The radio hookup doesn’t have a clamp anymore, you just wind the wire around your car antennae and hope for the best. The bathrooms are a god-​awful yellow, and the garbage cans are the same ones that have been there since the 70s.
All negativity aside, nostalgia allows me to overlook these shortcomings, since there is nothing like watching a movie from the comfort (or discomfort) of your own car, van, or truck bed. It’s a great place to bring kids and let them run around in their PJs with their friends. It’s kinda like camping without the campfire and s’mores.
So here’s my advice: Pick up a pizza, grab some cokes and candy at the 7 – 11 up the road, and have a good time. Because really, it’s all about the experience, not the aesthetics, or lack thereof.

Ugh Valley 6… why…
The boyfriend and I came back to watch a double feature of Captain America and Transformers 3 last weekend. Ok, I know it was a nice night but the line took foreverrrr. Be sure to show up way in advance if its a nice summer weekend! They had one person working every two lines which seems stupid.
My main gripe is with the concession stand: there is very minimal options for vegetarians! I saw «cheese slice» on the menu so I thought I could order a slice of cheese pizza. Um no… that’s literally a slice of cheese for your burger. To get a vegetarian pizza, I had to order a WHOLE pizza. I had already bought the boyfriend a burger and chicken sandwich and didn’t want a whole pizza to myself. The concessions stand guy then tried to sell me on a pretzel and thinking I was vegan he told me «the cheese with the pretzel isn’t real.» Uh… is that seriously a selling point?! I ended up begrudgingly ordering a whole pizza (bf ended up eating more) because I couldn’t last 5 hours without food.
The lesson in this review is to be prepared at the Valley Drive-​In. Bring insect repellent. They don’t check your car so bring your own food… especially if you are a vegetarian who doesn’t want to eat tons of junk!

Great place to see a movie that you don’t want to pay full theater price for. $ 9.00 for a double feature. Fun way to be with friends or significant others. Great date option. Get there early for primo parking spots. Newest movie out always goes first, and they try to pair similar movies together.
The quality and sound isn’t great and you occasionally have shine from headlights as people leave early or move spots– but you can’t beat the price for two movies.
We always bring snacks, as the concession food isn’t that great. And bring blankets, as the previous reviewer said your windows can get stuffy and our Northwest evenings can be chilly.
Gates open at 8:00 and movies don’t usually start until dusk– around 9:30 — 10:00pm mid July. The other night we got there at 8:15 and was just in time to get a good parking spot.

I’m so glad this place is still open. I swear they say «this is our last season» every year! $ 9 for 2 movies is a steal if you can saty up that late lol!
I came here recently with by bf who had never been to a drive-​in movie before so it was really exciting for us.
We went and got teriyaki and some drinks to bring in so we didn’t have to pay their ridiculous prices at the creepy concession stand. Really as you walk in it feels like you’re in a scene of some kind of zombie horror movie. With the too bright florescent lighting, the 70’s décor, the stale food waiting to be bought for who knows how long and the pale faced, monotoned employees, it really does give me the chills. I am really glad we were able to sneak in our own food.
Get there early to avoid the lines and if you see a CASH ONLY lane with no cars in it. It most likely means that it is closed (we learned that the hard way). You have to park your SUV, truck or van at the yellow polls and smaller cars have to park at the white polls. Follow the rules or they will tell you to move.

SO MUCH FUN!
Here are the highlights:
1) Choice of 5 or more recent releases (Bridesmaids, Hangover2 — the weekend they came out in theaters)
2) Each ticket was good for a double feature.
3) If you get your antenna set up right… good quality sound.
4) No need to sneak in food in an oversized purse… just bring in your car and snack during the movie. (They say no outside food on the website… but they don’t search your car and the workers could care less!)
5) Watching the movie from the comfort of your car!
6) They take credit cards… but the cash only lane was definitely shorter!

Fun fun fun!!! Reminded me of my teenage years. Backed in and set up the hatchback. The night was warm enough to have a light blanket. They say you need an AM radio, but they hook the antennae to a wire and you leave your radio on. It was difficult to get the antennae hooked up, had to ask a nice man to help me. My daughter had never been to a drive in, so it was fun for her. Many had blow up mattresses in the bed of their truck and look really comfy! You can also bring dogs, many did and did not hear one barking for 3 hours… will go back and bring my cuddly sheltie!
Watched «Bridesmaids» which was a hoot, but too many little kids there and not appropriate for little kids… I just wish they would not allow people to come in after the movie starts, annoying …

When I found out that there was a drive-​in nearby after I moved to Seattle a couple years ago, I was elated. There are so few of these left in the US, because for one reason or another people are not going to them. This is not just a movie. Actually, it’s a double feature at Valley 6, and a great night out. For $ 9 you get to see 2 movies and chill in the comfort of your own car. No listening to people talk over the movie, no surround sound popcorn chewing. If you have kids, it’s great too, because they aren’t bothering other people if they decide to chatter throughout the movie, and often times they fall asleep in the backseat after the first movie.
Also, if you have a sun/​moon roof you can enjoy the stars as well. :) Come out and enjoy the drive-​in, it’s so much better than the movie theater!

I used to love going to the drive-​in with my parents when I was a kid. It had been years since I’d been until last year when a friend clued me in on this little known spot.
Great fun and cool movies at about half the price of contemporary theaters! Bring your blanket, chairs and the kids and have a great time under the stars!
quick tip: Bring your own food (just saying!) and don’t wait for the movie to end if you really have to pee-​those lines are brutal! :-)

This is the best way to watch a new release movie with the family during the summer months and cheap way of entertainment. It’s so affordable and just a super fun classic experience to enjoy with friends or family or both! i guess it would also be a good place to make out with your sweetie if you are young and well yeah… but we are old and don’t display public affection.
Useful tips:
1. Be sure to bring duct tape to keep the wire attached to your antenna.
2. Go early for new releases so you can get a good spot. Especially if you drive a van or SUV since yellow is the designated area for big vehicles. Movie starts as soon as the sun goes down.
3. Bring lounge chairs and/​or comfortable mat if you have an SUV. We had a cushion custom made for our back trunk.
4 Bring your own food and snacks.
5. Double features
6. Start your car often or keep it running. Although at the end of the movie, a guy wanders around to give those dead batteries a jump… you may end up having to wait awhile.
Negative:
1. Since you have to wait until the sun goes down it can get pretty late to watch a movie.
2. Bathrooms are stinky even if it’s already been cleaned.
3. Mosquitos if you have a trunk open or are sitting in the back of a truck.