Who Knew?

Juan and I went out last night.  We got in the car and he said, "Any ideas where to go?"  We tossed around a couple of choices and then I remembered the new shops near Disneyland.  "How bout the new Anaheim Gardenwalk?"  "Oh yeah.  Let's try it."  

Don't know if any of you have had the chance to go yet (it is located on Ball Rd just south of Harbor).  It has 5 levels of stores and restaurants, and even a live band.  The parking structure is adjacent and it all feels very new and safe.  We opted to have dinner at the new Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant, and we really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere.  You see movie memorabilia everywhere and the staff is very friendly and service was prompt.  AFterward, we discovered they have a multi-plex up on the top level.  Our timing was good so we chose a movie and went inside.  That is where the real fun began...

First, the marquee shows you how many seats are left for each showing, and also there is a 21+

before the listing of a few shows but not before all of the titles.   Odd, but okay.  We walk in and it didn't have all the bright kaleidoscope of colors all the Edwards or Regal theatres have.  It was very calm, like a brand new model home.  We made our way to the front of the line and asked for two tickets to see the new Johnny Depp film about John Dillinger.  She said, "May I please see your ID's?"  It was an R rated film because of all the gangster violence, but I didn't bring my purse and really didn't think I'd need it.  Juan showed her his, and then she looked at me.  "I'm old enough-really."  I said this with a smile, and almost considered leaning in closer so she could see all my age-related wrinkles when she said, "I'm sorry.  You'll have to go to the Customer Service desk."  --and without another moment of consideration, dismissed us with a 

finger pointing very seriously to the left.  I almost cracked up.

Feeling like we were being sent to the principals office, we walked over to the grown up behind the other counter and said, "She sent us over here.  All we want to do is see a movie."  Not to be deterred, he asked for me ID , and when I repeated my story, he said, "Well, you won't be able to buy a beer to drink  during the movie, and you'll have to wear this red wristband."  I thought maybe for a moment that I was on candid camera.  Then, when I looked down at my new wristband, I knew this was for real.  "This is the 21 and over theatre.  We have to be very careful that only adults enter because we allow alcohol in there.  It is the only theatre of it's kind right now and the state is very serious about the regulations."  At that point, I wasn't sure I wanted to go into that kind of theatre, but he handed us our tickets and we were off down a long quiet private hall.  

There were about 5 of these theaters on this side of the cineplex---and boy was security tight!

Like castle guards, every door had an movie employee, all standing guard.  We stopped to get a bag of Peanut M & M's for Juan and I was stunned at the assortment of beverages--alcohol in kind of beer bottle you can imagine!  We don't drink but if we did it would be hard not to find something we liked.  Anyway, the door opened to the theater and we were both hit instantly with a whoosh of new car leather smell.  It smelled so good!  We rounded the corner, and we couldn't believe it--every single seat was a black leather, wide seated recliner!  Had we just walked into someone's private home theater?  A little lightheaded, we sat down, made ourselves comfortable, and  proceeded to enjoy the movie--in the quietest theater we have ever been in!  It was better than being in the comfort of our own home.  Truly unbelievable--and I'd suggest you go try it out, but I am still not sure I wasn't being Punk'd!