Regal Fox — Attraction in Brambleton

UPDATE 12/2021: Unfortunately, as more people roll back in and times slowly normalize again, so too do bad habits of theaters reverting to normal. I went to see Spider-Man: No Way Home recently in IMAX at the first showing of the day on a Wednesday (11am). Despite being first showing, the screen was down for about half an hour after scheduled showtime and trailers. No picture, just sound, and then neither until someone would fix it. This isn't the only time this has happened here. When I went to see Black Widow opening night, the IMAX theater again had been down. Both times customers were offered a free ticket for another showing and a refund/exchange. This showing simply wasn't prepared beforehand. Also noted was the lack of cleaned seats and cupholders (see added pics).

It's a shame because this theater is very nice, but they don't clean it as much as they did a few months ago, and they regularly have down screens. Reasonings given are usually just that the screens are down. Sorry to change my original 5-star rating, but I'm inclined to knock several stars off for cleanliness and poorly managed operations. 2 out of 5 stars until they up their game.

ORIGINAL THOUGHTS: First time visitor to this theater and I was very impressed. Not much around except a few restaurants and this randomly upscale Regal theater + IMAX (not true IMAX like Udvar-Hazy or Smithsonian, but close enough). It's gorgeous! There's a welcoming exterior with fountain out front (pictured), and the even more welcoming interior with beautiful blue lighting (also pictured). The halls are lined with screens of motion ads instead of traditional posters, which definitely made me wonder how much money was spent on this place (seriously very nice).

Everything looks clean inside, taking a quick glance around. I came to see one of Regal's $5 Classics of "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back", and the auditorium it was shown in was located in the back of the theater. It was very clean looking, from what I could tell--not sure if the seats were actually new or not, but they did have a bit of a new car smell, and were very comfortable.

How often can one say they got a whole auditorium to themselves to see "The Empire Strikes Back"? Great experience! I enjoy movies alone, so while many are avoiding theaters for social distancing purposes, it's nice to acknowledge the hygienic attempts and mostly empty theaters.

Distancing was observed, for the most part (only a handful of staff were there on a weekday afternoon, with one other moviegoer noticeably present). Things looked cleaned and maintained and auditorium seats smelled like new leather. Also a welcome sight to see Gender Neutral bathrooms (in the back, by my auditorium, but present nonetheless--see pics).

Overall, I'd recommend this location if you're in Ashburn, VA. It's in a small town center, but it's a beautiful theater. Check seating online (reserved seating). Also, while most people are staying away from theaters, this might be an opportunity for you to enjoy fewer crowds, discounted pricing, and attempts to market hygiene efforts.

Masks are required except when eating/drinking.

TL;DR -- Great location, beautiful, great pricing right now, and they're trying to keep things cleaner than...

UPDATED FROM REVIEW BELOW I'm so disappointed in what my favorite theatre has become. Sure, maybe they served stale popcorn, maybe a hard stale hot dog bun, and never seemed to know how to take online tickets etc. But I still used to love this Brambleton theatre because it was never crowded and the seats were comfy. Well, it's still not crowded... but has been thru a big "upgrade" that has probably made it where I won't return. First the new seats are uncomfortable. This is a deal breaker. They are bright orange seats that spring your head forward. If you want to slightly push the seat back so it's not sticking you straight up, you have to push your feet against the floor and push back and maintain pressure against the back of the chair the whole time or it jolts back up straight and pushes your head forward like a bad airline seat. (Maybe the seats work better for big, heavy, tall people-- maybe those people don't have to press against the ground to get the seat not to be straight up and down; I don't know.) While they were under renovation, they had one theatre open with new reclining seats that were wonderful! I don't know if they removed them and put in the orange ones or what, but I was so disappointed after telling my husband they had the comfy reclining seats to get there and have to sit in the orange straight-up-and-down seats. On top of that, they stopped settling Coke products. :( My guilty pleasure used to be popcorn and a Coke (not Pepsi, I'm afraid!) Lastly, they have very limited availability of snacks and I understand it's been that way due to Covid but I'm surprised they aren't more back to normal.

ORIGINAL REVIEW Convenient and never a wait. Comfy recliners esp in renovated section but some issues that make it not quite ready for prime time. On Tuesday, cheap movie day, they had concessions closed except for candy and a few basics. Concessions is how they make most of their money so I'm surprised they cannot microwave a hot dog (:30 second) and stick it in a bun or even sell a fountain drink (fountain closed)! We would have purchased food if they had sold it. We even skipped lunch before the movie thinking we could do this, only to learn they were not selling concessions. One of my biggest petty complaints is that the popcorn often is stale and tastes old. Popcorn used to be the best at the movie theatre! It's so easy to pop in real time, I am disappointed to see it all pre-popped in bags and have it taste old and stale. They closed down the box office the last few times I was there. So they take tickets at concession stand. If you buy tickets ahead on Fandango they are sometimes confused about how to handle that. The automated teller stop where you should be able to print your Fandango tickets was broken the last two times I was there. Concessions can be kind of a mess. Last few times, they were out of napkins in all of the dispensers, lots of trash and mess around the area where you get butter for popcorn etc. I did get a hot dog recently and the bun was so hard you could knock it on the countertop and it would...

Last Friday, my wife and I took our two children to see Avengers Endgame in 3D. In total, we spent $60 on tickets as well as an additional $60 on food for the family to enjoy while we watched.

A group of rowdy and unsupervised teens came in the theater and proceeded to talk on and off throughout the movie. Repeatedly they were asked to be quiet by audience members to which they yelled back obscene comments. Multiple patrons left to complain to management and staff, to which they did not seemingly care nor do anything about it.

During the main battle of the film, they became loud and extremely disruptive, and a man behind us yelled out to them to shut the F up. They replied make us n*gger. And racial slurs were thrown back and forth. Both the teens and the man behind us were white. I am black and my children are bi-racial. There were also other people of color in the audience. Finally, after threats of violence and people standing out of their chairs about to fight, security came in.

I have never felt like my safety or my children's safety was in question. However, this time I was concerned for them and all the other members of the audience.

I am infuriated that my children and those around us were exposed to that kind of behavior. It could have been prevented had the management heeded the multiple complaints that preceded the final encounter.

We spent a lot of money to see that movie in your theater. For the management to allow this egregious behavior is appalling. According to your website my family was promised a “convenient and enjoyable movie-going experience.” Our time spent in your theater was neither convenient nor enjoyable.

I expect from a company that has “committed to being ‘The Best Place to Watch a Movie’” a resolution once this commitment has been broken. As such I would like a complete refund and training for your staff on what to do in situations such as these.

I am profoundly disappointed with your company and expect an immediate...