Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Do you still have speakers?

    Yes, but only a limited number. Come early if you want a space with a speaker. We also have FM radio sound that can be used both from parking spots on the ramps as well as additional parking spots in the grass. It is possible to listen to the radio sound from one screen while parked in the lot for the other screen. If you bring a portable radio, we recommend one with a digital tuner. There are also apps for your smart phone that allow you to receive FM.

  • Will it run my battery down if I use the FM radio sound?

    This is not likely, but it is possible with a weak battery or custom high amp car stereo. But, don’t worry because we will gladly jump your battery with our booster pack.

  • What time does the gate open?

    The box offices open at least an hour and one half ahead of the start time on Friday and Saturday nights, an hour ahead on Sunday’s, and forty-five minutes ahead on week nights.

  • Can we bring our own food?

    Yes, whatever you want. However, we hope you will buy some food from us because our prices are much better than indoor theaters and we think our popcorn that is popped in gas popper is the best. Buttered popcorn is $3, $5, $7. We also offer pizza slices 2 for $4, french fries $2 and $4, hot dogs $2.50, cheeseburgers $3.50, nachos $4, candy $2.50, ice cream $2, soft pretzels $2, Pepsi products $2.50, Jolly Rancher drinks $2, Monster $3, and bottled water $2. But, if we don’t have what you want, feel free to bring in your own. Also, please take your trash back home with you.

  • If we buy tickets for one screen, can we freely cross over to the other screen for the second feature?

    No, absolutely not. The companies that license the movies to us forbid that. If you want to change sides, you have to pay all over again.

  • Why do you play R-rated movies?

    We offer the most popular movies. Although, we prefer to play, G, PG, and PG13 movies, every year there are usually a couple of movies that are so popular, we feel that we have to show them.

  • How can we find out why the movie is rated R?

    Click the movie title on our calendar or go to the "Movie Listings" tab on our website.

  • Are you on Facebook?

    Yes and we post out schedule and other information frequently. Go to South Drive-in.

  • If I have a truck or van, do I have to park in the back?

    It depends on how big it is, but probably not. On weekday nights, park anywhere other than directly in front of a car. On busy nights, we split the lots in half, with the cars on one half of the theater, and minivans, small pickups, and SUV’s on the other side. We evaluate the height of your vehicle at the boxoffice and then give you parking instructions. We have staff on the lot to help you follow the directions. If you are a full-size van, pickup, or Escalade-size SUV, then you will have to park in the back rows, the grass areas, or the limited number of spaces in the first row. (Yes, I said the first row. Due to the high angle of viewing the screen, people in the second row can usually look over the top of a full-sized van and see all of the screen.) Super-large vehicles like the largest RV’s and truck tractors definitely have to be in the last row or off to the side.

  • Can we put our lawn chairs in the car space beside us?

    On a slow night, we have no problem with this. But on Friday and Saturday nights, and holiday nights, we are frequently very busy. On those nights, we have to ask you not to take up extra spaces. If half way through the first movie, no one has parked next to you, you can probably go ahead and put your lounge chairs in the adjacent space. The final decision, however is up to our parking control people.

  • Are you open when it is raining?

    We operate in the rain and even thunderstorms. Once a tornado hit the large screen and took it down just after the movie started. Other than that, we will run the show no matter what. Frequently, threats of rain do not materialize or the rain stops. Some people don’t mind “watching” the movie with the wipers going.

  • What is your rain check policy?

    If a thunder storm or heavy rain occurs, making it impossible for you to stay and enjoy the movie, we will give you a raincheck if you haven’t been able to see a complete movie. Be sure to hold on to your tickets. We can’t offer you a rain check if you don’t have your tickets.

  • Do you accept charge cards?

    Yes we do. You can use your plastic at the ticket office to purchase your tickets and you can also charge your food in the concession stand.

  • What day do the movies change?

    Mostly they change on Friday’s, but we are now frequently allowed to open on Thursday and also sometimes there are unusual openings because of how the Fourth of July falls. So follow us on Twitter for news of these. By the end of the day, each Wednesday, we try to have the upcoming changes for Friday posted on our website. We also Twitter that info to those who follow us on Twitter.(SOUTHDIUPDATES). Also, we are posting frequently on Facebook, so like us, South Drive-in.

  • How long will a movie be there?

    The newly-released movies must play a minimum of two weeks. We play a few of them longer, usually by converting them to a second feature. If you want to see the movie, you should plan on coming before the end of the second week.

  • Why do you frequently move a movie that has already played two or three weeks into the second feature slot, rather than bringing in something different?

    We try to put the strongest movies on the screen that we can get. We aren’t going to terminate a movie that is bringing in lots of people unless there is something stronger that we missed out on earlier. If there is something strong that we missed, we usually bring it in at the first opportunity.

  • Do you always play two movies on each sceen?

    Yes, at least two movies. About once or twice a year, we will play three.

  • Do you always replay the first movie on Friday and Saturday nights?

    Yes, I can’t remember when we haven’t done that. This means that if you have other obligations, you can arrive nearly two hours late and still see both movies on Friday and Saturday nights.

  • What if we can’t agree on which screen to go to because some of us want to see one program and the rest want to see the other program?

    There are parking spots which have a good view of both screens. Those of you who want to enjoy the program on the other screen can either use personal radios or the car radio to listen to the sound for the other program. You can see side one from every spot on Side 2 and you can see Side 2 from nearly every space on Side 1.

  • Can we bring Man’s best friend?

    Dogs are permitted, but we expect the dog to be well-behaved and not bark at other customers. If you walk the dog, please walk it on a leash and be sure to scoop.

  • Can we grill out?

    We do permit this, but your fire has to be cold when the first movie starts, so be sure to come early if you are using charcoals. Please take all of your trash home with you.

  • What are your accommodations for the handicapped?

    We have a wheelchair accessible rest room on the south side of the concession to the left of the ladies room door. We do have parking spaces reserved for cars with handicap placards or a handicap license plate near the concession and rest rooms. Some spaces are van accessible. If you are hearing-impaired, we are broadcasting in FM and you could bring a digitally tuned radio with headphones and we hope that works for your impairment.

  • Is smoking permitted?

    Yes, but we always expect our customers to respect the rights of their neighbors and since most people do not smoke, if there is a car parked next to you, you either need to close your windows when smoking, or exit the car and stand in an open area away from non-smoking customers.