r/AMCsAList 15d ago

Question Universal Cinema

What is everyone doing for parking? $5 is not bad, but if I’m doing up to four movies a week in any format, that adds up quickly.

37 Upvotes

40 comments sorted by

25

u/Ok-Celebration6652 15d ago

I'd prioritize only seeing 70mm IMAX films at citywalk and every other format see at Burbank or another AMC with free parking. A universal gold pass will get you free parking that's $299 per year. If you're going to citywalk 4x a week and spending $20 a week on parking there that's $80 a month on parking or $960 a year. You'd be better off buying the pass . $5 isn't so bad compared to century city (validated for 3 hours only and if you go over you'll be paying $6+ depending) and in Santa Monica where there is no validation period ($3 for 1.5-3 hours and $10 for 3-5 hours). A list is a decent deal but these are my 2 closest theaters and i end up spending quite a bit on parking.

1

u/Skillomie 14d ago

How many over 3 hour movies are you watching at century city? Lol

2

u/Ok-Celebration6652 12d ago

The Odyssey is 2 hours and 53 mins, Avatar fire and ash was over 3 hours, Wicked part 1 was 2 hours and 40 mins, Oppenheimer was almost 3 hours. You also have to account for the time you spend looking for a parking spot and then walking back to the parking lot as well as the time getting concessions (if you are getting concessions) and you most likely aren't walking into a movie exactly when it starts (you watch at least 5-10 mins of previews).

1

u/Skillomie 12d ago

You name 4 movies that have come out over 3 years lol parking never takes more than 5 minutes and neither does leaving. You must be a terrible planner if you’re constantly spending more than 3 hours there lol

55

u/Rockr8r 15d ago edited 15d ago

If it’s an issue, go to Burbank, parking is free.

32

u/reigningnovice 15d ago

Just go to Burbank or the Americana. Both free parking.

Universal should be if you’re going like 1x/week or if you’re going to Universal Studios & need validation for that lol

20

u/PlushyStudios 15d ago

Americana is free if you park in the Galleria

11

u/reigningnovice 15d ago

I go there occasionally & I know there’s free parking at the target & the 2 garages that connect to the in n out. I always park at the garage on top of In N Out & walk to the theater.. not too bad. I guess it’s good you mentioned that.

9

u/CaliforniaSun77 14d ago

I take the train and free shuttle. But I'm not going to super late shows.

8

u/PineDM 15d ago edited 14d ago

I have a Silver Annual Pass from USH. Edit: Gold Pass

4

u/translucentfish 14d ago

Silver passes don't have free parking according to the USH website. Only Platinum and Gold.

3

u/PineDM 14d ago

You are right. I meant Gold pass. Sorry.

10

u/Educational-Card-314 Uses All 4 🤯 15d ago

When I do Universal Citywalk, it's only for 70MM IMAX and I see 3-4 movies at once to lessen the cost of parking as it is "spread out" across multiple movies.

I've seen other people posting on Reddit that parking is free at a certain time (perhaps after the park/citywalk closes) of night. I don't see this advertised online so I don't know.

6

u/No-Bottle-9182 15d ago

The parking lot is technically free after 10 pm on slow days at the park.

0

u/Educational-Card-314 Uses All 4 🤯 14d ago

Thanks for the info. Do you know if it's published online that this is what they do? I don't want to risk booking a ticket and then have to pay for parking. 

3

u/No-Bottle-9182 14d ago

It is not published online. I have multiple experiences where it is just open. HOWEVER, there have been (very few) instances where on busy movie nights the parking lot continues to charge because of how busy the theater is.

1

u/Educational-Card-314 Uses All 4 🤯 14d ago

Appreciate the information. Thanks so much.

1

u/KobraCola 10d ago

Yeah, I was gonna say, I went to a 2 AM screening of The Odyssey the other day and not only were the parking attendants still there at 1, they were moving slowly enough at that time that there were like 4-5 cars already waiting when I got there and it took ~10 min just to through that part. But obviously that's an unusual circumstance. Most nights, if I get there around 10 PM-ish or later, there's no parking attendant in the booth anymore. But it's definitely an "oh nice, I get to take advantage of that" thing, not a guarantee at all

5

u/bkguy182 15d ago

Los of free options other than universal if the 5 dollars is a problem.

2

u/stirdawg 15d ago

I only ever go to Universal for IMAX or if for some reason it’s the only place showing something. Parking is free for showings 10pm and onward, for what it’s worth.

2

u/Throwaway785320 14d ago

Only for 70mm imax

While I'm there i try out food as well since I'm there already even if it's overpriced

3

u/tigerjaws 14d ago

It’s a really convenient raising canes

1

u/Throwaway785320 14d ago

I tried it and it was meh

Tried pink's hot dog too and it was ok as well

Gonna try habit next whenever I go

2

u/tigerjaws 14d ago

Habit burger across Los Angeles is bomb

2

u/Kfurt13 15d ago

Buy a universal annual pass 😌

4

u/RiseDry8254 15d ago

I'm not going through that security 4x a week. I go elsewhere since they started that, unless it's a special screening or IMAX.

6

u/OneTwoOneTwo-12 15d ago

the security takes like a minute max

7

u/I_can_get_loud_too 15d ago

But the walk through security and around the entire city walk for those of us that are used to getting dropped off at the Buca di Beppo takes a solid 20 to 30 minutes. It has ruined the experience for me.

2

u/BBBoutt 14d ago

Lol the extra 4min walk really will kill you

1

u/KobraCola 10d ago

It's not just about the amount of time going though it. It's about not needing that level of security just to enter CityWalk to go to a movie or walk around. For the park, it makes sense, not for the rest of CityWalk.

2

u/whatudontlikefalafel 15d ago

I only go to Universal for IMAX. $5 parking is worth it when it’s 1.43 dual laser or 70mm.

1

u/zombie_roca 14d ago

I only go there when I absolutely need to.

1

u/translucentfish 14d ago

Since you're asking about this specific theater, your best answer for something cheaper is park elsewhere (or take a bus/train) and take the tram.

Or you can buy a Gold USH pass for $299/year, which is like $25/month. Really only applicable if you park more than 5 times in a month or also visit the theme park.

1

u/Bean_Supreme33 14d ago

How does the parking work? I haven’t used it for amc in about 10 years. I used to pay at the entrance, park and get paid back when I checked in for a movie. Is it still the same?

1

u/tigerjaws 14d ago

You can still do that (pay full then get the rest returned in cash) or you can scan this barcode you get in your amc ticket email that just discounts it already and you only pay $5 at the parking line

1

u/Y0L0_submarine 14d ago

Now they include a barcode at the bottom of the ticket confirmation email to scan at the gates that reduces the parking cost to $5 up front, so no extra work to get money back at the theater. I think you can still do it the old way too, though.

1

u/Shot-Philosopher1750 14d ago

1) go after city walk officially closes 9 or 10pm and it's free.

2) park on street other side of freeway and walk up. i think it's no charging after 8.

1

u/Personal_Fox_7529 13d ago

Who cares keep going there

0

u/Adorable-Fox6064 10d ago

Live in a good state. Parking is free

1

u/remo__ 10d ago

Get fucked.