My first Drive-in Experience as an Adult

War of the Worlds


Last night I went to the new Wilderness Outdoor Theater for my first drive-in experience as an adult. It is located about 20 miles from my home and is closer than two other drive-ins that are in Dunlap and Athens, Tennessee.Tn Drive-ins
From. (Nestled in the foothills of Dade County, north Georgia, the outdoor theater is set on 45 landscaped acres surrounded by a beautiful backdrop of mountains. The grounds can accommodate up to 1,000 cars, but you’ll want to bring your lawn chairs or blankets and sit out under the stars. The surround sound system is made up of 16 speakers placed around the hillside theater and the massive movie screen measures in at 50’ x 100’.
“We’re so excited to be able to provide this kind of experience for both the community and visitors to the Chattanooga area,” said Don Marshall, builder and owner. “Not only is it the world’s largest single screen outdoor theater, but where else can you park your car, throw a Frisbee for a little while and then relax and watch a movie? It’s going to be incredible!”The landscape was designed at a slope, rising one foot per every four feet, imitating stadium seating in a movie theater. This ensures that whether you’re sitting in your car, on a blanket, in a lawn chair or on a picnic table, you can still see over everyone without straining your neck.)

Anytime someone says something is the world's largest I am skeptical. For instance, you can win the World's Largest Christmas Stocking at Shoney's, but we have a larger one at home.
Anyway, there is plenty of parking, however if you stay near your car you will need the use of a radio, because the speakers are positioned on the hillside that is behind the parking area and it is hard to hear near the car. We tried sitting in chairs near our car but could not hear the movie. Also, if you listen to the outdoor speakers there is a delay between the picture and sound that you will not experience if you use a radio. The price was right, $5.00 a person. I guess the fact that a building is not present allows for a lower price. I like that. Also, the concessions were cheaper. $2.00 for a large bucket of popcorn. $1.50 for a large coke. $3.00 for a barbecue sandwich. Large candy like boxes of Goobers and Raisinets for $1.00. You can also bring your own. We brought a 12 pack of cokes with us. Smokers will be happy to be able to see a movie and partake if they so desire. Plus you can smooch. Or not. Hopefully they will get a few boring movies. With this indicator I would say that War of the Worlds is a better movie than The Longest Yard. 2 movies for 5 bucks a piece is a good deal.
About the movies:
W.O.W. was true to the original including the quote about God in the end. The aliens looked similar to the first movie just better due to technology. It was interesting that a movie from the 1950's could be re-made virtually unchanged except for the cussing and go over as well as it did. It is worth seeing. Another interesting fact is that a remake of a 1970's movie, The Longest Yard could be so boring. Let's face it, the first L Y was not a work of art, and the remake takes the B movie and turns it into a D movie. But then again if you are at a drive-in with your significant other and no kids that is good news. Don't get me wrong. We were fairly conservative especially compared to the chubby teenager I saw leaving the drive-in holding an undergarment out the window of his car. But then again, he probably brought it with him just for that. A lot of kids were wandering about between the cars. I wouldn't let my kids do that just in case the said undergarments were not a prop.

If you get a chance to go to a drive-in, do it. It will save you money and be a lot of fun.