ML Interest Tag: morning-person

San Diego’s Best Family-Friendly Movie Theaters

by Nikki Walsh

Wondering which movie theater steals the show for seeing a family-friendly flick with your kids? We’ve rounded up our favorites which feature everything from play areas, parent’s night out showtimes and family flashback films to crybaby matinees and $1 movie deals. Read on to see which movie theaters we give two thumbs up.

Angelika Film Center

Are you crying for a day out? Need a little time with other parents? Well, grab the littles and head to the Crybaby Matinee (Wednesdays, 11 a.m.) at Carmel Mountain's Angelika Film Center. Whether your babe needs a nap or needs to be changed, they've got you covered with dimmed lights and lower volume on the big screen. Even more, look for special guests before the show. They recently had a lactation consultant visit to advise moms and answer questions before the movie. You'll get information and a free cup of coffee to boot. We also love Angelika's Family Flashbacks where you can take your kids to see classic films from your childhood on the big screen––like The Princess Bride and Labyrinth!

Dates: Wednesdays, 11 a.m.

Angelika Film Center
11620 Carmel Mountain Rd.
San Diego, CA 92128
858-207-2606
Online: angelikafilmcenter.com

AMC Poway Dine-In 10

This recently remodeled theater includes upgrades like heated recliners, dine-in delivery to your seat, RealD 3D and reserved seating. You'll find plenty of family flicks and upscale food like artisan pepperoni flatbread and gourmet fries. Even more, you can stretch your legs or cuddle up in the new large reclining seats with footrests included. Don't miss their $5 ticket Tuesdays to save some dough!

AMC Poway Dine-In 10
13475 Poway Rd.
Poway, CA 92064
Online: amctheatres.com/dineinpoway10

Cinépolis Junior Theater

Playtime and movie time combined! Find it at the Cinépolis Junior Theater in Vista. First, there's a jungle gym on the side of the theater. You relax the twenty minutes before the film while your kiddos climb around and play. Second, if you have a toddler there's a separate gated play area in the front of the theater. Everyone has a choice of seating too: either a long leather chair (to extend those legs) or a huge (red) bean bag chair. A perfect family movie hot spot.

Read more about Cinépolis Junior Theater here.

Cinépolis Vista
25 Main St.,
Vista, CA 92083
760-945-7469
Online: cinepolisusa.com

UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley

Convenient stroller parking right outside the theater? Yes, please. Also, you'll find a spot in the back of the theater (with wipes) to change your little one if needed. Moreover, there are two family-friendly movie time options. If you're a morning person, there's a Parent Movie Morning (10 a.m) where you can watch a grown-up film with your baby. You'll find dimmed lights, valet stroller parking, lower volume and a baby station. On the other hand, if you prefer an evening out, go to the Baby's Night Out (same perks). Usually on Wednesday's too, but check the theater website before you head out.

Dates: Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and for the night show check the theater website.

7510 Hazard Center Dr., #100
San Diego, CA 92108
619-685-2841
Online: ultrastar.com

Drive-in Theaters

Kick it old school at a drive-in. Not only do you get two movies for the price of one (at South Bay Drive-In), but you can also bring your own snack and beach chairs (or there's a snack bar with movie food). Pack up the car and treat your brood to the big screen. Make sure everyone takes a nap because they often show double features!

South Bay Drive-In Cost: $9/adult; $1/kids ages 5-9; free for kids under 5

Santee Drive-In Cost: $9/adult; $4/kids ages 5-12; free for kids under 4

Santee Drive-In
10990 N. Woodside Ave.
Santee, CA 92071
619-448-7447
Online: santeedriveintheatre.com

South Bay Drive-In
2170 Coronado Ave.
San Diego, CA 92154
619-423-2727
Online: southbaydrivein.com

Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas- Del Mar

Sit in the lap of luxury at Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas. The Del Mar location is situated in Del Mar Highlands Town Center, so you and the kids can grab a bite and shop and get out the wiggles before or after the flick. After a full renovation in 2017, the theater has 11 auditoriums with plush, reclining leather seats, reserved seating and dine-in seat service. During the summertime, check the theater's website for discount movie offers on kid-friendly films all summer long.

12905 El Camino Real
San Diego, CA 92130
858-794-4045
Online: cinepolisusa.com/locations/cinepolis-luxury-cinemas-del-mar

Edwards Mira Mesa Stadium

See films in both standard and IMAX format (with reserved seating) at this gigantic theater that makes a trip to the movies seem epic. This theater doesn't have all the modern bells and whistles of luxury cinemas, but nice kid-friendly touches include a small arcade, booster seats you can grab on the way in to your theater and our favorite perk, the Summer Movie Express which offers $1 movies all summer long.

10733 Westview Pkwy.
San Diego, CA 92126
844-462-7342
Online: regmovies.com/theaters/edwards-mira-mesa-stadium-18-imax-rpx

 

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10 Signs That You Have a Toddler

By Shanna Trombetta

Photo: Shanna Trombetta ( Personal Photo)

When you’re the parent of a toddler, there is never a dull moment! You’ve never laughed so hard, or felt this exhausted and rewarded. Here are 10 signs that you have a true toddler on your hands and are more than ready for a glass of wine (or two) at the end of the day.

1. It’s 7 AM and you’ve reheated your coffee about 5 times. In the end, you resign yourself to a cold cup of coffee or burn your tongue trying to gulp it down because you resolve to drink that cup of coffee before the morning is over, if it’s the last thing you do!

2. Your walls, fridge, and floors are constantly covered with fingerprints thanks to a mystery sticky substance. These fingerprints, also reside on windows, furniture, and any other item that you love and/or want to keep nice. If it’s not a sticky substance, it’s sand from the playground falling out of every pair of shoes that you own and your bra.

3. Tantrums happen FAST! One second you are laughing and playing and the next second, your toddler is lying on the ground like a limp strand of spaghetti screaming. These tantrums also happen at the most “convenient times” like a busy parking garage or the dressing room at Nordstrom. When you see another mommy with a toddler throwing a tantrum, you guiltily smile and sigh with relief and think, “thank God that’s not me”.

4. You wake up at 5:30 AM to get to the gym at 6:00 AM for a crazy 1-hour workout session in the dark. You’ve never been a morning person, and so going to the gym at 6 AM is a pretty tremendous feat. After the gym, you rush home to shower, either shave your legs or wash your hair (you can’t do both), brush your teeth, apply makeup and get dressed all before your toddler wakes up at 7:30 AM. 

5. You’ve resigned to reading “The Pout Pout Fish” at least 15 times a day (if not more). You can recite it, and even find yourself dreaming about taking adventures with the Pout Pout Fish and Ms. Shimmer. You order “Pout Pout Fish In the Dark” because for some odd reason you personally can’t wait to read anther book in the series.

6. Going out to dinner on a Saturday night when you don’t have a sitter involves going out at 5:30 PM to a loud restaurant filled with other parents and kids. You inhale your food, ask for the check right away and give the other parents knowing glances. Before you know it, macaroni and cheese is being flung across the restaurant and crayons are scattered on the ground. You scoop up your toddler and run out the door making sure to leave a generous tip before your toddler explodes.

7. Your taste is music changes because the radio stations played in your house and the car consists of Raffi and Elizabeth Mitchell. Throughout the day, you hear yourself humming Apples and Bananas, The Wheels on the Bus, and Baby Beluga. You even start looking for Raffi tickets because in your new state of mind, you think it could be fun to see him live with your toddler. 

8. You never go to the bathroom alone. There is always a little person by your side handing you toilet paper, saying “mommy, mommy” or throwing things into the bathtub. Or your husband, who wants to talk to you and tell you about his day while you’re trying to get five minutes of sanity!

9. Naps are a marathon! In the two hours your toddler is sleeping, you run around getting the house back in order, cook gourmet meals, fold laundry (never-ending), get in a quick workout and complete house organization project. Naptime ends and you wonder, “What did I do with my time before this child?” On the days that your toddler decides to hold a “nap strike”, you are absolutely miserable and will need an extra coffee run to keep up with your toddler and an extra glass of wine after an early bedtime. 

Schedule10. The immense happiness that you get from this little creature is immeasurable! When she smiles, wraps her little arms around your neck for a hug or learns something new your heart melts. You are glad that the days are never dull and you wouldn’t have it any other way.

Shanna is a part-time elementary teacher, stay at home mommy to a toddler and a blogger. She blogs about a range of topics that help make juggling parenthood with a toddler a little easier. She loves to learn from her daughter and most of all laugh.

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