Springmill Drive-In Theater — Local services in Madison Township

My husband and I took our kids to see the Mario Movie. We were all super excited as it was our first time as a family going to the drive in. I went a lot as a child with my family and I was thrilled to share the experience with my kids. The parking situation was a little confusing as it was our first time as adults and nothing is posted on their website about exactly how/where to park. We googled parking etiquette at a drive in theater. This told us most commonly you park one car in between 2 poles. We looked around and everyone else seemed to be doing that so we figured it must be correct. We parked with the drivers side closer to the pole so the kids could sit in folding chairs next to the passenger window. (This is what my brother and I did as kids.) We got the kids set up & got concessions. I started to walk back to the concession building when I noticed an SUV behind my car and the man said "well they are going to move". I thought it seemed weird but I didn't think much of it and continued to the building to get some salt for my popcorn. When I came back out the SUV had pulled their car all the way up to my children. I got in the car and asked my husband what the heck was going on. He said the SUV passenger told him our kids needed to move because they wanted to park there. My husband said no because it's one car between the poles and there are PLENTY of open spots. (The place wasn't even half full at this point) A few seconds later the passenger walks back with an older gentleman who works there. He told us we had to move the kids so they could park next to us. And that chairs must be in front of the car. We asked about the one person between 2 poles thing we read. He said no its 2 cars between 2 poles. We questioned why everyone else was parked one car between poles. He said he would have to go tell them to move over because they were all wrong. We also questioned why they couldn't go to any of the other spots and my husband gestured in front of us. He said since they were an SUV they had to be in our row or back. There were PLENTY of spaces behind us. Finally I just moved the kids and the big SUV squeezed in beside us.

The main problems here are that #1 he just immediately sided with them. He didn't ask them if they could simply take any of the other open spots. He was an older man and they were and older couple. Maybe that's why he just gave them what they wanted?? #2 He never made any other car change how they were parked. He allowed every other spot be 1 car between 2 poles besides us. Most cars were centered between poles so it was impossible for another car to fit. #3 We checked their site again and it states that SUVs, trucks and vans MUST park in row 4 and back. The first 3 rows are for smaller cars. We were in row 3 and he allowed them to park there even though they were in an SUV. # 4 They really should place some information on their site about these parking rules. If it truly is 2 cars between 2 poles it needs posted online and at the location. If chairs have to be in front then that also need written in the rules. And lastly he didn't say anything to them about pulling their car all the way up to my kids sitting in their chairs. He just scolded us. I would NEVER drive my vehicle up on children!

If the place had been packed and the "rules" clearly posted we would have never sat the kids next to our car. But the only clearly posted rule that was broken was their SUV parked in row 3.

I would have given 5 stars but this totally soured the experience. Hopefully if we go back the rules will be posted somewhere and I can change my...

We went to the drive in last night and during the intermission my daughter wanted pizza. Her and her older sister went to get it. They told her when she paid it would be a 2 minute wait. After about 20 minutes and the movie starting she called me upset because they still hadn't given her the pizza. She wanted me to come in. I did and couldn't get anyone's attention because it was still quite busy and only 2 people working. Nobody would even acknowledge that I was standing there. When I finally got the girl working behind the counters attention and asked, I was handed the pizza. No apology, so I asked the owner working the register why it hadn't been given to them sooner. By now the movie had been on for approximately 25-30 minutes. He looked past me and just said, "did they get it?" No apology, no explanation, nothing. So we left because we had already missed so much of the 2nd movie. I sent a message before I left and his response is also below. I was actually just looking for an apology and maybe an explanation. I got neither.

My first message:

We missed the 2nd movie thanks to the concession. you could take my kids money, but not give them what they ordered. they called me crying to come get it after waiting a long time. so I got it and left because we already missed the beginning of the movie. thanks

Owner's response:

Ms. Keating, Might I suggest next time that they have an adult accompany them into the concession stand if they are not mature enough to their food, pay for their food, and pick up their food on their own. We had 400 people go through the concession stand last night and everyone else was mature enough themselves or accompanied by someone that was mature enough to do the above. No one else had any issues. If you choose not to come back to the Springmill drive-in theater, we completely understand, there are definitely other options out there. There is a multiplex theater in Ontario, as well as other drive-in theaters in Tiffin, Kenton, Wadsworth, Barberton, Columbus, Etc. Maybe some of those theaters can service you better than what we can.

My response:

Wow. Very professional. All I was looking for, as I was yesterday, was an apology. Why was it so easy to take their money, but not hand them out their food when it became available? I had a hard time getting someone's attention to get it. Maybe you should have more than 2 people working. Just...

I have to say. I am very disappointed. I have been coming to this drive inn for almost 30 years and it has went downhill over the last few years. I went this week end to see the new Top Gun Maverick. It was nice to see the line going down Springmill again. I did notice the line was not moving any where near as fast as it usually did. Found out why when I got up to the ticket booth. A new guy was collecting the fee and handing out tickets. He was knowledgeable, had the radio frequencies for both screen memorized. I say he will do well after some practice. At this point both movies had already started and the line was still long going down Springmill St. So when i went in to get pop corn and snacks, I mentioned something to the cashier about the line and that guy could use some help up front. NEVER DO THIS! Another women next to her snapped off " Well he is the fastest and has been doing it for 23 years." Very hateful and full of attitude. I have been coming here since i was a little kid and I never seen him before, and if he is the fastest. You better start opening the second line to get people in faster.

Between the lie, the rude, hateful and disrespectful behavior of this member of staff. I will not be returning. Like i said i have been coming here for years so I know this guy has not been in that ticket booth. A very nice a fast woman named Tammy has been in that booth for years until now. I wish you guys luck with the way you act and treat customers. You will need all the luck you can get.

Best part was, besides the movie, is the woman that was mean and disrespectful. Said she was going to check on the fella up front and see if he needs help, before my food was ready. Which is saying something since all I got was popcorn, pretzels and a...