Cineplex Cinemas Lansdowne and VIP — Local services in Ottawa

My niece is visiting from Austria and I wanted to show her the VIP experience at Cineplex Lansdowne . Mistake.

I should have known when we walked in to buy the tickets; I saw on the console screen that they were going to be showing the Taylor Swift concert movie... Asked the staff member who was hovering around the self-serve tills if it would be on an IMAX screen. She said she didn't know. Asked if there actually was an IMAX cinema there and her reply? "I don't know. I don't really like movies."!!! WHAT?? Maybe I can understand if you're not a movie fan but how do you NOT KNOW if there is an IMAX screen in the theatre you are working at?? (I didn't know because I moved from Ottawa years ago, just here to see my family)

So anyhow buy our tickets (The Nun 2!) and head up the stairs, all set for my niece to have an exceptional night. Hmmm. We get to the second floor and she is going to buy snacks and I tell her "no, we're in VIP, we get our stuff upstairs." (This is a 7:25 showing on a Friday night btw).

So we head up to the third floor concession area. Wait a minute or two and then are told the concession is not open. By someone who's actually behind the counter. So we head towards the theatre to try and find a server... we find not one, not two, but THREE servers delivering food and are told by each of them to ask the next one about getting something. "Sorry, I can't help you (no explanation as to why)". At this point my niece is looking at me like "we paid over $50 for two tickets to a movie and THIS is how they treat us??" I fear Vienna will hear very uncomplimentary things about Lansdowne VIP (😂😂) experience.

We give up on anything to eat and head into the theatre. Find our seats and settle in.

Oh wait no we didn't. The rows are so close together it's almost like being on an airplane. The seats are narrow, uncomfortable, and tbh pretty thrashed. The recliner goes back a little bit but the footrest doesn't move at all?? I spent most of the movie trying to get comfortable and as I'm writing this my back is more sore than it was after getting off a six hour flight last week. There isn't even room to comfortably stretch your feet out. Oh, AND there's a very large tear or stain about a third of the way in from the left; it was very distracting as it was so evident whenever there was a lighter scene on screen. I went to snap a photo of it afterwards and two other couples came over andsaid that it had been annoying for them as well; and that they hadn't been able to enjoy the film properly. I'd rate the movie 5 or 6 but the theatre experience only gets one star.. and that is not 1/5 it's 1/10. Do NOT waste your cash on VIP. Just don't. Since we both love movies, on Monday we are going to Landmark Orleans; Landmark, where you get the VIP experience without the inflated price tag. I go to the movies a LOT and have come to realize the staff at LM really "love movies as much as you love movies" (it's the tagline to their pre-movie show and it is true)

(Full disclosure, I am so choked by this evening that I am going to go on every review platform and Yelp etc and CC&P this very long letter of disappointment, so if you're checking you'll see this again.) Also fully intend to tell everyone I know here that hasn't had the misfortune to attend a Cineplex VIP event to just DON'T do it.

Sorry to go on so long but I wanted to be very clear and specific; I want people to keep seeing movies in theaters so I can keep seeing them in theatres too. Seeing a good movie in a nice theatre is one of the things I really enjoy. Don't let this place...

I've been to this theatre a few times, and my wife and I usually take advantage of the VIP seating. Normally, everything goes smoothly, and we enjoy the experience. However, last night was a bit different. And, if it had just been one or two things, I probably would still have given a higher rating. So, if anyone is reading this review, take it with a grain of salt, as this is really based off one night and not my cumulative experiences with this theatre.

When we arrived, we had already purchased our tickets online to watch a movie in one of the VIP theatres. We were informed there was some technical difficulty and the VIP theatre was not working. They could either offer us a refund or a later showing in the regular theatre. This is a bit annoying, but understandable. Stuff happens. The manager also gave us some coupons for a free movies another night. So we thought that was nice of him.

Since we had time to kill, and we wouldn't be able to take advantage of the VIP in-theatre service (yes, I know, first world problems...), we decided to eat in the restaurant. Unfortunately, the food was mediocre at best. Not bad, but if we had more time, I would have chosen one of the other restaurants nearby. Also, the waiter seemed a bit distracted or confused and while not unpleasant, not very attentive or helpful either.

When we went to get some snacks before the movie, I paid with a large bill. This seemed to confuse the young person behind the counter. It was like he had never seen cash before. Eventually he gave me back my change in five dollar bills... I don't think I've ever been given so many five dollar bills in my life. Would it have been so hard to have found a few twenties? Once we sat down, and started eating our popcorn, we noticed that there wasn't any butter on it. Again, a bit annoying since we asked for butter. But, it was even more frustrating since we also paid for extra butter and didn't get any. Out of everything, this actually irritated me the most, paying for something, and not getting it. Again, stuff happens.

While the movie itself was great, and we really enjoyed it, I guess we just came on an off night filled with technical difficulties and experienced staff that were a bit sub-par. I'm sure we'll still go back. Just next time, we'll make sure to check...

LEON was awesome!! I should start off with that because it’s a positive way to start something, in this case, this review.

However, On December 23rd, coming in for a Lion King showing, without a hello, good evening or any form of salutation; I was immediately addressed or rather say harassed about my ID from a “man” visibly and OBVIOUSLY YOUNGER than me. In my opinion he didn’t even look 19.

This whole “VIP and 3rd floor reservation” from this cineplex location is literally the nastiest way to go about exactly that! I had to slow the cast member down and remind him easy basic customer service, on the OTHER SIDE OF THE CASH REGISTER!!

To make matters worse, I was on a date! And to make that even worse we were forced to go back out the building in -15 degrees weather to grab a physical copy of our ID to watch a live animated LION KING MOVIE.

As if that was pestering enough, now with our tickets, ID AND freezing hands we’d seen a group of people that was met w the same underwhelming reality.

The kicker, this came from a young manager, whom presumed my date and I had no ID to watch our movie. Again, no formal greetings or salutations. Just an uncalled for assumption which is unacceptable, given the location of this theatre and the fact that we’re in one of the biggest Melting Pots in the world!!

In fact I’m going to call it what it is. It was rude, insulting and disrespectful. I missed 15 minutes of a movie I ended up loving, that might not be a big deal to whom this may concern but the details and reasons as to why it is to me are the PRINCIPLES.

I used to work cineplex at the Scotiabank Theatre, formerly known as Silvercity, I could have never imagined this kind of service to be real.

I WOULD SUGGEST ANY AND EVERYONE TO CATCH YOUR SHOWS THERE. A real MOVIE THEATRE.

LEON who worked the VIP bar was exceptional, with his service and demeanour. He and his service didn’t make me feel like a customer but rather a bro! He deserves 5 stars and is the reason I even gave a damn enough to put up a star!

No way in a working class city, young or experienced in age PROFESSIONALS are to receive the kind of service or treatment I got before meeting LEON.

It’s 2025 and this location seriously gotta do better or change its name and take off the VIP.

I in...