Park Plaza Cinema Hilton Head Island — Attraction in Hilton Head Island

0 Stars. Came alone 12/27 for Mary Poppins @ 9:45pm-Theater #4. However, flashing sign for MP was above theater #5, next door. Theater #4 said Aquaman. No big deal! 3 other ladies were in theater #5 already for MP. So, just 4 of us - not a packed house. Previews began 15 min late @ 10pm -in 3D. Wait, huh? 4 of us were confused- did we get MP in 3D by mistake? Lady Manager came in, stating 4 of us in wrong theater & she admitted she "had forgotten to change signs outside" for correct theater. The couple next door had been in MP, we were in Aquaman 3D. We all got up & switched theaters. 4 of us were OK to roll with it, even though we were now 30+ min past when MP was supposed to begin. This mistake was NOT the fault of that couple OR the 4 of us ladies seeing MP. We start again, watched same 15 min previews again that we'd just seen 20 min ago. Previews end, movie starts. It's Nicole Kidman, who I know isn't in MP. This isnt a preview - we are watching 1st part of AQUAMAN! AGAIN! -Just the regular version.😡 Manager came in & we finally complained b/c now it was a bit nutz that it still wasnt the right movie playing. I then asked for 4 of us to get a future ticket for all the inconvenience at this point. Manager shot me down quick! She OFFERED ME A POPCORN. OR, our money back if we I wanted to LEAVE because we WERE now actually seeing "OUR FEATURE."

It didn't matter to her we are now 45 min past when MP was supposed to begin & STILL not watching correct movie. 😡 The lights in theater were still on also when she left. I had to get up and try to turn them off myself. When I didnt see a switch, I went back outside & had to find Manager down hall to say the lights were still on. She was on the phone, trying to get it fixed by someone on other end, I guess. Weird. I waited for her as she came down hall. I am now missing beginning of MP. Again, I asked for a future ticket for myself & the 3 ladies inside with me. Again, she Refused. She then offered me a glass of wine. Um, no. The 4 of us had now waited AN HOUR for movie to begin. She didnt believe me when I told her the other ladies also wanted a future ticket. I have been coming to this theater with my 3 kids, husband, parents and grandparents for decades & have spent SO much $$ there. And Manager could not bother to give 4 people a future ticket - $10.50 each. She DID offer to refund our money....If we left and didn't watch the movie. Are you kidding? We already waisted an hour due to the theater mistake. It was only FOUR of us. A free ticket for an hour of inconvenience would have brought us all back w/additional people buying tickets & spending more than a measly $10 on concessions. She refused. I was told it "wasn't their policy" and she "couldn't do that for everyone who complained." She & her husband own the theater! She has every means to give 4 people 1 free ticket as HALF owner for the mess that happened. Mom of 3 - 2 free hrs to myself never happens! Got babysitter just to see a 2 hour movie. I left my house at 9:30pm for 9:45pm movie that didnt begin until 10:38pm. The 4 of us ladies finally left at 12:45am!! As we were leaving, we again asked for a future Ticket. Nope. She reiterated she would have given us a refund if we had left & didnt watch MP. Told her how much my family had been to her establishment over every summer for 30+ years & over Xmas for years & I now had to pay extra for my sitter due to the extra time waiting for right movie. She did not care AT ALL. Other 3 ladies are locals to HHI who also wanted 1 future ticket after a mistake that cost us all an hour we wont get back. She never offered the other ladies any compensation. We were stunned. I regret it, but I was livid and tossed my Popcorn back onto the bench. My bad, but so frustrated. You admitted the mistake & waisted an HOUR of our time. How do you run a business like this? Keep your Popcorn & wine. I will NEVER return. Such a shame after all the $$ we have spent there. It was my GO-TO movie place for decades. Customer Service...

It would have felt churlish to give three stars so I went for four when 3.5 would probably be fair in my opinion. The cinema is a lovely, quirky alternative to the usual type of facility we get in the UK and all the better for it. The seats are a revelation and never cease to delight us every time we visit (we come to HHI every other year) and the food and drink options are, again, something long since lost to us in Britain in terms of range. The staff are extremely friendly and create an atmosphere very much in line with the entertaining promotion shown prior to the trailers and film.

Why 3.5 stars? Cinemas inevitably get busy on HHI rainy days and on these occasions the entry process for the various screenings is somewhat chaotic. It always seems that the individual screenings are very close together in terms of start time and, inevitably, the waiting throng need some management to allow the exit from the previous screening, some time for cleaning and instruction to enter for the customers waiting for that particular film. While amusing and somewhat entertaining it is frustrating as confusion reigns and it is somewhat annoying when, inevitably, people jockey for position and creep forward in the "line". Having said that it does feel to be more entertainment than annoyance but the one thing that I cannot ignore is the sound pollution from adjacent screenings.

This is not unique to Park Plaza and is something I have complained about previously at mainstream cinema multiplexes. In my opinion the sound stage is as fundamental to the enjoyment of a film as the screen image and insufficient consideration is given to the positioning of the various screenings and the potential for impact on the adjacent theatre. At Park Plaza it appeared to be particularly bad on the two occasions I visited this holiday. At several points during Downton Abbey (for example) the sound from the adjacent screening of Gemini Man made it appear that there was a thunderstorm underway in the grounds of the abbey. Sadly it was a significant distraction from the, at times, poignant dialogue during the film. I doubt there was any impact on Gemini Man from Downton Abbey. I was also conscious of similar issues with Joker the week before (I do not know what was showing in the adjacent theatre/s).

I appreciate that this is something not easily resolved from an infrastructure perspective but I do wonder how much consideration is given to the positioning of the various showings. When mentioned previously at mainstream multiplexes they are adamant that they, locally, have no discretion on sympathetic placement of the numerous screenings. I wonder if this is given due consideration at Park Plaza? Given it was so busy I did not have an opportunity to enquire.

Having said that it will not prevent my return. After all there is no better way to spend a rainy day...

So, when is the last time you went to a movie theater for the camaraderie? Probably never! Although it is highly unusual, I actually look forward to seeing the owners and the staff members of the Park Plaza Cinema! Whenever a new movie comes out, Park Plaza Cinema is my first choice to see it. Owners Lucie and Larry are typically on the premises to greet you. They are personable, and show a genuine interest in making sure you have a terrific experience. Lucie is vibrant, has a flair for fashion, and creates her own jewelry line. Larry is relaxed, and tells great stories. I have to mention some favorite employees, which are Chris, Mandy, and Jessica. Chris, who is attending college, is always nice to chat with, and very professional. Mandy, who hails from Kentucky, is energetic and beyond helpful! Jessica is low-key, and just a sweetheart.

Located at 33 Office Park Road, Suite 201, Park Plaza Cinema is unique, fun, and quirky. I remember walking into the theater years ago, and spotted 2 adorable dogs! Annabelle and Antoinette often sport little jeweled collars or stylish necklaces, and are the official greeters. They are gentle and quiet dogs, and will keep you company. Guess what? Not only can you attend a movie, but you can grab a bite to eat before or after the show! Join your friends and family in the Parlez-Vous Lounge, relaxing on the red leather couch, leather bar stools, or small mosaic tables with armchairs. Enjoy beer and wine and just kick back! The restrooms just were renovated with candy apple red countertops and steel grey stalls, walls, and flooring.

With 7 1/2 years of theater experience under their belts, Lucie and Larry realized that specialty foods and gourmet coffee would be a great addition to the traditional popcorn and candy served. So give their Cine-Cafe a try, which also has vegan and vegetarian choices. Kids will appreciate the local ice cream. I tried the Greek Flatbread Pizza just a week ago. Although I normally dislike olives (gasp!), I thoroughly enjoyed the tomato, spinach, onion, cheese pizza, with a drizzle of herbed olive oil. Park Plaza Cinema offers wonderful outdoor seating, providing a view of lush tropical landscaping, and stunning trees. Feel free to carry your meal and drinks outside, so you can listen to the birds. The yard has gorgeous flowers and fountains.

After you see a movie, sitting in the brand new luxury recliner seats (you'll wish you had these at home), stop in the gift shop to pick up a souvenir.

Hope everyone says hello to Lucie, Larry, their pet dogs, and all the staff. Tell them you were recommended by Karen Marts and...