Regal Valley River Center — Attraction in Eugene

When Regal first came to Valley River Center it was the place to go for movies. You were guaranteed no talking and texting as they had ushers through each theater regularly and it deterred people. Yet as of late the theater has gotten lazy. Tonight was another prime example that you don't always get what you pay for (and as we all know the prices at Regal are ridiculously expensive compared to Cinemark). My expectation at a movie is that I don't want to hear the people near me comment on every new face that pops up on the screen nor do I want to hear their thoughts about each pivotal plot point, especially not louder than a whisper. Apparently this is not considered talking per the management staff at Regal. We had a foursome of Senior Citizens sitting and talking behind us and half way through the movie (Grand Budapest Hotel) I caved and went to talk to the manager. I asked that they please come speak with these people. Specifically, that they not ask them to stop talking, stand next to them for 2 mins and then never come back. As this only quiets people while they can see they are being watched (which of course it did). The moment the manager was not standing next to the group the commentary and talking started right back up. For the next 40 mins I grinned and bared it as it wasn't worth crossing my entire row for another useless visit to management. When the movie ended I went to speak with the manager to complain. Instead he was busy and I got to talk to a women who was his boss. She was from the get go, unsympathetic and insincere. NOT a single " I am really sorry" or "what can I do to make this better". Instead she claimed they had gone back into the theater multiple times and witnessed no talking. I countered that with a either she was lying or her staff doesn't follow directs. I clarified I knew no one was there because I spent the last half of the movie glaring and shooshing the people and there was no one monitoring them. Then the original manager I talked to came out and he said he witnessed no "talking". But according to him as long as one is just commenting on things your not talking. Guess the definition of talking has changed since Webster's Dictionary came out! Additionally, he felt that since it was a comedy it is expected that people will talk and there is nothing they can do about that. I guess its my fault for thinking that when they put the signs out saying no talking what they really mean is as long as your not yelling a full conversation about something other than the movie your free to comment at will; especially if your in a comedy. What is truly ironic is that we were there at the theater on a free pass. That pass was given because of a previous experience of talking and lack of solution from management. I can firmly say that I will NEVER attend Regal again and I will make sure everyone I know will not attend either. I would rather travel to Springfield from Eugene, pay the cheap price at Cinemark and expect talking. That way I won't feel that I have been robbed when there is poor service...

My experience had to do with cost and staffing. I chose to pony more $ to see Gravity recently because the showtime matched up with our sitter arrangements. My wife and I usually see great films at Cinemark because of its lower prices and better email concessions coupons. Although the Regal environment sure looks pretty, it does not justify visiting on a regular basis for families on a budget. At Cinemark, there are plenty of staff, especially at the concessions - things move quickly! At Regal, I paid too much for the matinee, saw it in a comparable theater to Cinemark's and waited too long for concessions. At the ticket window, I was asked again if I had a regal Card. When I asked what it was good for, I got the same answer as a previous visit: "You get points." Not very clear or compelling. The concessions counter girl was nice but slooow and she manned the counter all alone. My texted coupons stopped coming (until I got a renewal notice AFTER my movie) so I opted for the large popcorn with a free refill, but when I tried to get a refill, there was a line ahead of me with the same single girl serving everyone. Where is all the staff and managers? So I had to chuck my popcorn tub and get home to my kids without even a refill. So, too much paid for tickets and food & inadequate service. Shiny hallways though! I brought a big group of friends and family to Regal to see the Hobbit premiere at a midnight show last year. What a crowded mess. Why did I insist that the Regal experience would be better than the Cinemark? This December's Hobbit sequel will probably see us all at...the other place in...

I have not been to the theaters since before 2020. I showed up to no one manning the ticket area and being forced to use the computer kiosks. Only 1/3 kiosks were working. It took us about 10 minutes to purchase tickets. The kiosk kept booting us out and not allowing us to select tickets or seats. After FINALLY getting our tickets we walked in and someone sitting on a chair scanned them and told us next time we could go directly to the snack area to order tickets. We go to order snacks because we haven’t been to the theaters in so long, why not? The prices were atrocious. 7$ for a small icee??? The last time I went to the theater you would walk up and order anything they had and they’d hand it to you. I got up to the counter and started looking through the glass. I pointed out one item and the guy told me they did not have it. I picked another thing behind the glass, again telling me they don’t have it. I pick a third thing and that’s when the kid behind the counter looks at me like I’m an idiot and informs me anything they have is on the rack behind me. I did not know this. I thought they kept things behind the counter like they used to. I have people staring at me waiting while I quickly run around the stand trying to pick something. We started making our way to the theater and I have never waited so long for a movie to play. There was over 40 minutes of ads. I’m blown away that we even spent the money at this theater. If we go to the movies again we will give another...