Regal Davis Holiday — Attraction in Davis

I came to UC Davis expecting growth, challenge, and a vibrant campus experience. What I got was overpriced mediocrity wrapped in slick brochures. Ironically, I’ve found more peace, enjoyment, and value living at Regal Davis Holiday than I ever found within the UC Davis system itself. And that says a lot.

At Regal Davis Holiday, things just work. It’s clean, respectful, and far more student-friendly than anything UC Davis seems capable of managing. The atmosphere is calm and sane — no bureaucratic hoops, no condescending staff, no feeling like you’re just a walking dollar sign. It’s honestly refreshing. I’ve had better conversations, better sleep, and a better sense of belonging off campus than anything UC Davis ever offered on campus.

Now compare that to UC Davis — a school that seems to go out of its way to drain you financially and academically while pretending to care.

Campus stores? Overpriced traps. Textbooks? Marked up beyond reason. Academic support? Generic, slow, and often useless. Classes? Bloated and impersonal. Housing? Don’t even ask.

For top students — those who think critically, aim high, or don’t fit the mold — UC Davis can actually hold you back. The academic bar is low. Professors often treat ambition like a problem. And if you question the system, you’re labeled “difficult” rather than curious. It’s a factory model pretending to be a research institution.

Honestly, I’ve learned more — and lived better — since distancing myself from UC Davis and embracing alternatives like Regal Davis Holiday. That’s where I’ve found actual comfort, actual respect, and actual value for my money.

It’s sad when a housing complex gives more care and community than a multimillion-dollar university. But that’s exactly what’s happening. UC Davis has the branding of a top school, but behind the scenes? It’s overpriced, overrated, and underdelivering — especially for students who deserve more.

If you’re a high-performing student considering UC Davis, do yourself a favor: look elsewhere. Or at the very least, know that the best part of your Davis experience might come after you start ignoring...

Recently closed G St location which was always preferable because it had stadium seating and the theaters didn't open directly into the lobby. At F St, any late audience attendee or person who has to use the restroom light blazes two of the 5 theaters. It has seats that are too small and it's incredibly uncomfortable unless you're below average American size. I've described it as fatphobic jokingly for years, and now that there's no second location, it's no joke. Fat people are not welcome in these seats. If I move at all, I elbow the person next to me. If I wasn't short it would literally hurt to stand up (evidenced by a tall ex who could barely feel his legs after jamming himself into a standard AISLE seat here). Beggars can't be choosers since it's really your only option in Davis, but the theater needed upgrades 10 years ago and hasn't done more than upgrade the screens as far as I can tell. I don't even want luxury seating, but Varsity has more comfortable theaters and it's old old. The AC is also regularly on the fritz, and every couple months it smells like a public bathroom in every theater. You can hear the train tracks at F same as G and last time using the ultra quiet vacuum (not blaming staff as that's their job and they have to do it some time), I could still hear it over my movie in addition to Amtrak and Caltrans adding train sound to every film. It's walking distance from my home, but I'm ready to start driving (in THAT traffic) to Sac for a better movie experience. I see basically everything, so it's a big disappointment.

Staff are always kind and helpful and the only thing giving it an extra star is their work with giving the best they have to work with.

It's only 6 miles to the IMAX regal so if you're regal unlimited with a car, I'd honestly recommend that since Regal is unlikely to upgrade any of their theaters in the...

I am never coming here again! There's far better theaters in other cities to go to. We went to get out of the heat and it was hotter inside this place than it was outside. The parking sucks, the seats aren't even that comfortable, the surround sound could be better, and the teenagers that work here with their red flashlights to patrol the theaters during the movie aren't even slick about it. They let the doors slam closed behind them, the shine their light and make it obvious they're walking around. They don't even try to be discrete while they're walking down the center aisle where they easily disrupt the over priced movie you just paid for. I get that this is davis and everything is a bit more expensive, but go to Vacaville or Woodland and see a movie at one of the newer theaters for the same price as this place. The college people might love it because it's in downtown and easy access back to the dorms and frat row. The only saving grace is that they have ice cream...