Things To Do Amid COVID-19, drive-in movies are popping up around the Valley Josh – ABC15 Arizona

PHOENIX — While movie theaters and other attractions remain closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are able to go outside and hike or ride their bike as long as they practice safe social distancing from other people.

The same apparently goes for drive-in movies, which have popped up across the Valley in recent weeks. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Schnepf Farms, Yam Properties, and a group of entrepreneurs, have all opened pop-up drive-ins in recent weeks.

All are following the same social distancing guidelines: people must remain in their vehicles the entire time, unless to use the bathroom (if there is one on-site). People are not allowed to hang out outside their vehicle and vehicles will be more than six feet from one another.

Here is a look at each pop-up and what they’re offering.

West Wind Glendale 9 Drive-In
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The West Wind Glendale Drive-In is the last remaining true drive-in theater in the Phoenix area that screens first-run movies, the same movies screened at movie theaters, which are closed due to Gov. Ducey’s stay-at-home order. West Wind has remained open during the COVID-19 pandemic, though with strict guidelines. Gates open at 7 p.m. and movies are currently scheduled to begin at 7:40 p.m. Admission is $7.75 and $1.75 for kids, aged 4-11. Schedule updates are posted on the theater’s Facebook page.

To maintain social distancing, people have to stay inside their vehicles, which does include a truck bed. People are not allowed to stand, sit, or otherwise be outside the vehicle. Restrooms are open, but limited to a certain amount of people. The theater is located at 5605 N. 55th Avenue Glendale AZ 85301, near Montebello and 55 avenues.

Digital Drive-In
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After dozens of festivals were canceled or postponed in the Valley, a group of entrepreneurs collaborated and combined their equipment to open a pop-up drive-in in Mesa near Alma School and the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway. Movies are shown every night of the week. Showtimes can be viewed on their website, http://digitaldriveinaz.com.

Due to its licensing agreement, most of the movies being shown have been out for years. As of this writing, the movie selection included “The Book of Life,” “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” and “Ad Astra.” Admission is $22 ($8 per vehicle, plus $14 in fees), according to the website. Their address is 901 N. Alma School Rd., Mesa AZ 85201.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
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The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale recently announced that it would screen a selection of family-friendly animated movies as part of its “Drive-In Movie Night at the Princess.” Upcoming movies include Frozen, Shrek, Toy Story 4, A Dog’s Journey, Secret Life of Pets 2, Coco, and The Incredibles.

Movies will be screened every Friday and Saturday night from the resort’s valet parking lot. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids, aged 6-12. Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The parking lot opens at 7 p.m. with a pre-show beginning at 7:45 p.m. and the movie starting at 8 p.m. Cars will be parked 10 feet from each other. A concession pack is available for $10 and includes two bottles of water, a bag of popcorn, and two boxes of candy. Proceeds will benefit the Princess Employee Family Meal Fund. More information.

The Drive-In at Schnepf Farms
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Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek is also hosting movie nights, Wednesday-Sunday at its farm. Showtimes vary between 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Admission is $15 per vehicle.

Because of is licensing agreement, the farm said it is not allowed to advertisement the name of the movie being shown each night nor before people purchase their parking spot. They are also not offering refunds for those who purchase a ticket and do not want to see the movie being shown. Instead, people can exchange their tickets via a Facebook group, according to the farm’s website.

They have also designated certain nights for certain types of movies:

Wednesday: Date movies (action, suspense, adventure, romantic comedy)
Thursday: Family movies
Friday: Date movies (action, suspense, adventure, romantic comedy)
Saturday: Family movies
Sundays: Classic movies

Moonlight Movie Nights
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Yam Properties, which owns a bunch of shopping centers in the Valley, including Westgate, has teamed up with Steve Levine Entertainment to open a pop-up drive-in movie theater that will reportedly travel to other properties in the Phoenix area.

This weekend and next weekend, April 23-25, and May 1-3, the pop-up drive-in will be held at the Sonora Village shopping near the Loop 101 and Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. in Scottsdale. The two movies being shown are “The Greatest Showman” and “Dodgeball.” Showtimes are at 7:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.

Admission is $15 per vehicle (up to two people) or $20 per vehicle (three or four people). Food will also be available from participating restaurants. Those who purchase at least the cost of their movie ticket in food from those restaurants (at least $15-$20) will be reimbursed the cost of their movie ticket, according to the website.