Weirs Drive-In

feb · 08-01-2005, 03:13 PM

I haven't been to the Weirs Drive-In since they installed screens #3 and #4

. I was thinking of taking my kids soon but wanted to know what the arrival time should be. Their website says gate open at 7 and movies start around 9. If I get there at 7 then my kids will be bored by 9. Or they would be in so much trouible from fighting with each other ("Dad, Alex is on my side of the car" - remember that?).

Does anyone know how quickly this place fills up and how close to 9 you could arrive and not get a parking spot near the entrance? Is there such a thing as a bad parking spot nowadays? Any tips/experiences are appreciated.

Pepper · 08-01-2005, 11:11 PM

Well, I can't answer from personal experience as far as parking placement, but I can tell you this: From our vantage point near the end of the Boulevard, the traffic starts to back up all the way to our place at around 8:25 every Friday and Saturday night. The jam clears up at approximately 8:50. Judging by the traffic trying to get into the theater, which causes it to back up around the bend, I would plan to arrive by about 8:15 or 8:20 to be safe. I hope this twisted answer makes sense!

jkjoshuatree · 08-02-2005, 07:19 AM

During the week its a lot less crowded. You can judge for yourself where a good "viewing" spot would be once you get in there. A few tips:

1. Bring your own snacks. I wouldn't trust the food served at the concession stand if my life depended on it.

2. Bring bug spray (even if you don't sit outside). You may want to crack the windows so it isn't so stuffy inside the car.

3. Remember to start your car every so often so your battery doesn't die. I just went a few weeks ago and saw a couple cars have this problem.

4. Dress warm if you decide to sit outside. Extra sweatshirts, blankets, etc. definitely help. Its actually nicer sitting outside. Just bring some lawn chairs. The kids will be able to see better compared to the backseat too.

Have fun and enjoy. Our kids went for the first time just last month and they loved it. Its a late night though, so you may want to leave after the first movie. Oh yeah, they start the movie as soon as it gets dark, so I'd be there about a half hour before that.

GrandmaBig6 · 08-02-2005, 09:15 AM

We didn't use the car radio because of this reason - we didn't want to use the battery in the car, so we would bring the boom box. Worked just as well as the car radio.

Waterbaby · 08-02-2005, 10:14 PM

It's been forever since I've been to a DI, but would love for son to have the experience. I always thought the same thing about getting there early but son (and I!) would both get bored....so, I don't know if this is possible, but given the proximity to the Weirs maybe you could get there early to get the good parking spot, then (after paying the admission, of course) be able to leave the DI grounds and stroll down to the Weirs for some entertainment prior to the movie starting? I'd definitely bring in my own snacks, or - even better, if one could leave the grounds, go to Waldo's and pick up some pizza or subs or a lobster roll or two to eat during the show. Then there's always the possibility of your own hot dogs......... boil some up, put in a thermos with some hot water in it, and bring along the rolls and condiments! Have fun, and let us know how it goes!

jmarshall753 · 08-03-2005, 12:07 PM

Just a few ideas. On the weekends in can fill up quickly. If you are planning on watching both movies ( there are 2 different movies per screen per night) on the same screen ok get there whenever, but if what you want to see is on 2 different screens then parking is an issue.
The snack food at the stand is just that snack food candy popcorn and such. You can get hotdogs and hamburgers or chicken tenders if you want. I have seen people bring a small grill and cook in front of their cars before the movies start.
As far as pre movie entertainment, there are video games in the same area as the snack bar. Its not like one of the arcades at the Weirs but it's all the same. I am not sure if you are able to leave the drive-in once you are inside, but anything is possible.
I hope that you enjoy the Drive-in

Skipper of the Sea Que · 08-06-2005, 10:44 PM

When we visit the Drive-In we always have blankets and pillows. The kids like to be outside the car after the mosquitoes leave. It may get a bit cool at night. Sometimes we bring a lawn chair to put in front of the car for those of us who don't sit on the ground well. I find my car seat very comfortable.

Personal FM radios (like Walkman types) are also handy. Everyone can adjust the sound the way they want. If someone wants to watch the movie on another screen they change the frequency on their FM radio and do not disturb others in the area.

Have fun and enjoy the shows.

Outlaw · 08-07-2005, 12:08 AM

If you happen to have a pickup truck (without a cap on it), get an air mattress from Wal-Mart (in the camping section) and put that in the bed of the truck along with pillows and blankets -- makes for a very comfy seat, adults and kids alike. In a pinch, the inflatable floating chairs work well too. Be sure to put a tarp or blanket under the inflatable if your truck bed has a textured liner or dirt in it to prevent punctures to the inflatable.

08-01-2005, 03:13 PM	#1
feb Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Meredith (Winnisquam) & Nashua, NH Posts: 218 Thanks: 25 Thanked 20 Times in 17 Posts	Weirs Drive-In I haven't been to the Weirs Drive-In since they installed screens #3 and #4 . I was thinking of taking my kids soon but wanted to know what the arrival time should be. Their website says gate open at 7 and movies start around 9. If I get there at 7 then my kids will be bored by 9. Or they would be in so much trouible from fighting with each other ("Dad, Alex is on my side of the car" - remember that?). Does anyone know how quickly this place fills up and how close to 9 you could arrive and not get a parking spot near the entrance? Is there such a thing as a bad parking spot nowadays? Any tips/experiences are appreciated.

08-01-2005, 11:11 PM	#2
Pepper Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Laconia, NH Posts: 1,284 Thanks: 409 Thanked 155 Times in 40 Posts	A twisted sort of reply ... Well, I can't answer from personal experience as far as parking placement, but I can tell you this: From our vantage point near the end of the Boulevard, the traffic starts to back up all the way to our place at around 8:25 every Friday and Saturday night. The jam clears up at approximately 8:50. Judging by the traffic trying to get into the theater, which causes it to back up around the bend, I would plan to arrive by about 8:15 or 8:20 to be safe. I hope this twisted answer makes sense! __________________ Never waste time lamenting what was. Simply celebrate what is!

08-02-2005, 10:14 PM	#5
Waterbaby Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kensington, NH and Paugus Bay Marina Posts: 656 Thanks: 323 Thanked 17 Times in 13 Posts	Drive-In Ideas It's been forever since I've been to a DI, but would love for son to have the experience. I always thought the same thing about getting there early but son (and I!) would both get bored....so, I don't know if this is possible, but given the proximity to the Weirs maybe you could get there early to get the good parking spot, then (after paying the admission, of course) be able to leave the DI grounds and stroll down to the Weirs for some entertainment prior to the movie starting? I'd definitely bring in my own snacks, or - even better, if one could leave the grounds, go to Waldo's and pick up some pizza or subs or a lobster roll or two to eat during the show. Then there's always the possibility of your own hot dogs......... boil some up, put in a thermos with some hot water in it, and bring along the rolls and condiments! Have fun, and let us know how it goes!

08-03-2005, 12:07 PM	#6
jmarshall753 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Arlington,MA Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Drive-In Just a few ideas. On the weekends in can fill up quickly. If you are planning on watching both movies ( there are 2 different movies per screen per night) on the same screen ok get there whenever, but if what you want to see is on 2 different screens then parking is an issue. The snack food at the stand is just that snack food candy popcorn and such. You can get hotdogs and hamburgers or chicken tenders if you want. I have seen people bring a small grill and cook in front of their cars before the movies start. As far as pre movie entertainment, there are video games in the same area as the snack bar. Its not like one of the arcades at the Weirs but it's all the same. I am not sure if you are able to leave the drive-in once you are inside, but anything is possible. I hope that you enjoy the Drive-in

08-06-2005, 10:44 PM	#7
Skipper of the Sea Que Deceased Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: 1/2 way between Boston & Providence Posts: 573 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 32 Thanked 55 Times in 22 Posts	A few more drive-in thoughts When we visit the Drive-In we always have blankets and pillows. The kids like to be outside the car after the mosquitoes leave. It may get a bit cool at night. Sometimes we bring a lawn chair to put in front of the car for those of us who don't sit on the ground well. I find my car seat very comfortable. Personal FM radios (like Walkman types) are also handy. Everyone can adjust the sound the way they want. If someone wants to watch the movie on another screen they change the frequency on their FM radio and do not disturb others in the area. Have fun and enjoy the shows. __________________ Amateur HAM Radio What is it? You'll be surprised. When all else fails Ham Radio still works. Shriners Hospitals *providing specialized care for children regardless of ability to pay*. Find out more or refer a patient.

08-02-2005, 07:19 AM	#3
jkjoshuatree Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bear Island Posts: 642 Thanks: 349 Thanked 145 Times in 77 Posts	Go On A Weekday If Possible... During the week its a lot less crowded. You can judge for yourself where a good "viewing" spot would be once you get in there. A few tips: 1. Bring your own snacks. I wouldn't trust the food served at the concession stand if my life depended on it. 2. Bring bug spray (even if you don't sit outside). You may want to crack the windows so it isn't so stuffy inside the car. 3. Remember to start your car every so often so your battery doesn't die. I just went a few weeks ago and saw a couple cars have this problem. 4. Dress warm if you decide to sit outside. Extra sweatshirts, blankets, etc. definitely help. Its actually nicer sitting outside. Just bring some lawn chairs. The kids will be able to see better compared to the backseat too. Have fun and enjoy. Our kids went for the first time just last month and they loved it. Its a late night though, so you may want to leave after the first movie. Oh yeah, they start the movie as soon as it gets dark, so I'd be there about a half hour before that. __________________ Dream out loud.

08-02-2005, 09:15 AM	#4
GrandmaBig6 Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 103 Thanks: 10 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Radio We didn't use the car radio because of this reason - we didn't want to use the battery in the car, so we would bring the boom box. Worked just as well as the car radio.

08-07-2005, 12:08 AM	#8
Outlaw Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 338 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Inflation at its finest If you happen to have a pickup truck (without a cap on it), get an air mattress from Wal-Mart (in the camping section) and put that in the bed of the truck along with pillows and blankets -- makes for a very comfy seat, adults and kids alike. In a pinch, the inflatable floating chairs work well too. Be sure to put a tarp or blanket under the inflatable if your truck bed has a textured liner or dirt in it to prevent punctures to the inflatable. __________________ I fought the Law, and the Law won