Her perspective: C
This theater offers VIP Reserved Seating and D-Box.
We decided to go to a 3:30 pm show and wanted to try their VIP seating/service since we were so impressed with the Showplace Icon Theater in St Louis Park. We were hoping we could get a very similar experience closer to home - we were completely wrong.
Apparently, their Mezzanine (the restaurant/bar) doesn't open until 4 pm, so we were out of luck to get food/drinks delivered to us in the theater. They did give us 2 $5 vouchers for the "Mezz" but EACH one required a $20 food/beverage order so we would have had to have $40 worth of food/drinks ordered to be able to use both vouchers. We were just going to have a couple of drinks after the movie (since it was open at that point), but once we found that out from the bartender (we were not told at the box office where they were given to us), we gave the vouchers to a random couple on our way out the door.
Like I said, if you go to a matinee before 4 pm, you cannot get served in the theater, so you're not getting much for the extra money: you do get reserved seating and the seats are a bit wider than general seating.
Here are some more comparisons with the Icon:
*the seats are not bench loveseats (like at the Icon), but they do both have a fold-up armrest
*the Icon has a small table big enough for the plateware in-between each loveseat, the Paragon has a couple of slightly wider armrests in-between each loveseat with no padding for putting your plates on, which is not anywhere NEAR big enough for their plateware
*the VIP section is not a balcony or even separated from general seating in any way (Icon's is the balcony)
Also, regardless of which theater you are in, there is extremely limited space for sitting down in the lobby before your theater starts seating.
I might try to go to dinner at the restaurant, then sit in regular seating, but it's worth the drive from Lakeville to St Louis Park to go to the Icon where it is a TRULY VIP experience.
Monday, December 26, 2011
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1 comment:
My perspective would be an F as they failed to live up to what my idea of VIP status/seating for a movie theater is.
The Showplace ICON theater does VIP seating, and I've come to use that as my benchmark when comparing other VIP seating options presented at other theaters. The Paragon Odyssey doesn't come close to measuring up.
Seats: Icon has larger seats with more padding. They're actually comfortable to sit in. The Odyssey has VIP seats that are only a couple inches wider than standard, with armrests that are about 1.5 inches wider than the standard seats. Still limited legroom (unlike the ICON), cup holders that are too small, and I guess I'll call them 'tray tables' that aren't even worth mentioning. Icon has an actual table between sets of seats, cupholders that work, and even storage cubbies OFF THE FLOOR for you to put thinks like a coat and purse in during the movie. Also, at the ICON the VIP seating is in a seperate area not accessible from the general admission seating. At the Odyssey the VIP seats are just behind the general seating, no seperations or anything. In point of fact more than a few general admission folks decided to move into some of the open seats in the VIP area when the movie started. No staff were on hand to monitor or watch for this.
Food: I can't comment on the restaurant as we decided not to eat there after the movie. I can say the prices are ridiculous (and higher for some items compared to the ICON), and even then if you did get a plate of food, it doesn't fit on the tray table thingy attached to the seat.
Staff: I wanted to take the elevator up to the second level and simply walk over to our VIP seating. The guy taking tickets outside the theater directed us into the theater to take the stairs. Since my foot and knee are acting up, taking the stairs resulted in my falling to one knee when it buckled (strain from all the steps) and dumping a bunch of popcorn on the floor. If your going to put in an elevator for patrons to use, then LET THEM.
Lobby: It would've been nice to have more than one bench seat (hold 4-5 people I'd think) in the lobby for people to sit on while they wait to be seated in the theater. Lots of folks standing around waiting to get in, and nowhere to sit.
Bar/Lounge: So far as I'm aware, the lounge at the ICON is open when the theater is open (at least it always has been anytime we've been there, including some lunchtime showings). The lounge at the Odyssey (call The Mezz) isn't open until 4pm apparently. So, don't count on food/drinks before your show if you go before then.
ICON Theater: VIP is quite satisfactory. WIN WIN WIN
Paragon Odyssey: FAIL FAIL and FAIL
We're not going to be doing VIP seating at the Odyssey again. It's just not worthe the increased cost compared to what you actually get. Even the $5 voucher they give you to the bar is kind of a joke. $5 off per $20 order, each with voucher. Appetizers are $14, add a drink for probably over $6 and you easily hit $20, but is it worth it?
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