RODEO DRIVE-IN RULES

Welcome to the Rodeo Drive-In,  one of the first drive-in theaters to be built in Washington State (1949). We're one of 5 outdoor theaters now operating in Washington, and we're the only drive-in in the US with our particular name (Rodeo). Historical information about the Drive-In is available on our "All About Us" page.

We're glad you've found this page and might be considering a visit to the drive-in. Our goal is to provide a unique and positive experience for you, your friends and family. The following information will help you plan your evening with us.

ADMISSION: General Admission for a double feature on a single screen is $12 per person.  Children, 12 and under and Seniors, 55+ are $7 each.  Ages 4 and under are admitted free.

Military discounts are offered for active duty personnel.  Please present your ID at the boxoffice.  Discounts are not available online.

BOX OFFICE HOURS: Gate times change with the time-of-year and are listed on our home page.  The drive-in is closed on July 4.

SHOWTIME: Starting times can vary, based on local weather and the time of year. Early on in the season, our movies can start as early as 6:30 (we normally don't start earlier). By July, it can be as late as 10PM. That's why our showtimes are advertised as "Dusk". It's a time when we think it's dark enough to put a good picture on the screen. Please see our home and Facebook pages for current approximate start times.

ARRIVE EARLY! Drive-In theaters across the country have been "rediscovered", and are extremely popular on Friday, Saturday and holiday evenings... especially on nice days during the Summer. We recommend you plan ahead and arrive early when attending on these days. The best parking spots go to the first in line.

FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED. ONE SPACE PER CAR. SPACES MAY NOT BE RESERVED OR SAVED.

MOVIE SOUND: A working (hears other stations) car or portable FM radio is required to hear the movie sound. If you wish, you may rent a radio at the snack bar (as supplies are available).  More information about our sound system is listed below.

MEALS & SNACKS:  We proudly present our full-service "Concession Central". You'll find all the usual theater fare, PLUS burgers & fries, chicken strip baskets & sandwiches, corn dogs, hot dogs, 16" pizzas with a complete selection of toppings, pretzels, and our famous Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich.

For your convenience, we offer pagers for larger kitchen orders (pizzas, burgers, etc). You can return to your car, avoid the crowds and not miss the movie. We'll page you when your order is ready.

GIFT CARDS: Rechargeable gift cards are available in any amount over $20. They're a great idea for drive-in lovers everywhere, and may be used for admissions and concession purchases. You may purchase gift cards at the box office or snack bar, or request them via private message on our Facebook page.

CASH, CREDIT, etc:  We welcome Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express credit and debit cards for admission, concession and gift card purchases. Cash is also welcome.  We do not accept checks or large amounts of coinage, and there is no ATM at the Drive-In.  Google / Apple Pay is not currently accepted.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

1. What is your management structure?
The Rodeo Drive-In has been a privately-held, family business since 1986.  Please see below for additional information.

2. Concessions and restroom availability:
Our concessions building is open until somewhere around the middle of the (longest) second feature. Restrooms are always available. If the main snack bar doors are closed for the evening, you'll find restroom doors at the South end of the building (at the same end as the projection booth).

3. How do I receive the sound?          
You receive the sound by tuning your FM radio to one of our 3 channels (one per screen).  A working (hears other stations) car or portable FM radio is required to hear the movie sound. If you prefer, we have a limited number of portables, available for rent at the snack bar.  Cell phone options are not available, as it is impossible to synchronize the picture with the delayed sound coming from your phone.  If you have a radio with "expanded capabilities" (ie: really great subwoofers), we may ask you to turn down the bass, as it carries through to the snack bar and other fields.

4. How do you decide what movies to play, and why are they combined as they are?          
In cooperation with our booking agency, we arrange double feature combinations we think will be popular with our customers. We try to make the combinations reasonably compatible... ie: you won't see a "Powerpuff Girls" movie playing with "Bride of Dracula". It's a matter of personal taste, and not nearly an exact science... but we do the best we can.
Sometimes however, our "master planning strategy" is influenced by the studios, who own the movies we play and therefore, have some say in the process.

5. How do you decide what screen to play a particular movie?          
Whatever we think will be the most popular will probably be shown in our largest field. As we hold that show for subsequent weeks, it will eventually make way for new pictures, and will be placed in one of our smaller fields. Even then, those fields have 60 foot screens and are larger than those at many drive-ins. This is not a 'hard and fast' policy, but it should give you a general idea how we like to place our movies. Notable exceptions are when we have more than one new title opening in a particular week, or when a movie's rating makes a particular screen more appropriate.

6. Can I move to another field between shows?          
Only if you choose to purchase additional tickets for the alternate field.  A substantial part of your admission pays for the movies that you bought your ticket for. If you go to another field, you're watching a movie you didn't pay for, and none of your ticket goes to that studio. That tends to make them unhappy.

7. Can I consume alcohol at the drive-in?          
We can not permit alcohol consumption on theater grounds. If we see you with alcoholic beverages of any kind, we will ask you to dispose of them or leave the property. In accordance with our policy on the matter, we do not offer refunds, should you choose not to dispose of your alcoholic beverages when asked.

8. Do you have a Cannabis policy?

Yes.  It is not legal here, and therefore, not allowed.  Thank you for your cooperation. 

A General List of our House Rules:
Listed below is a view of common issues that we bring to your attention. Any situation not specifically covered here may be addressed at the discretion of theatre management.

Ownership: The drive-in is on private property. On our grounds, theatre management has much the same discretion that you have over visitors to your home.

Management Availability: We are always available to help with any situation that may require it. Should field or concession staff be unable to resolve any issue to your satisfaction, or if you have questions about the drive-in, you're always welcome to speak with a manager.

Admission:  Entry to the drive-in is granted on a per-person basis by payment of admission. Tickets may be purchased online or at the box office. There is no carload admission. Drivers are responsible for giving an accurate count of their car's patrons to box office personnel.

Online Ticketing:  You may purchase tickets from our web site for any performance that is currently scheduled.  A separate transaction is required for each vehicle, including each person you bring with you in that vehicle.  All ticket levels except military discounts may purchased online.   A space is reserved for your vehicle at time of purchase.  However, as is the case with on-site admission, the location of your space is not established.  Arrive early for best selection.  Please note:  Tickets purchased will be verified when redeemed at the boxoffice.

RETAIN YOUR TICKETS.
We can not overemphasize this point. Your ticket represents a limited license to be on the grounds during business hours. Any theater staff member may request your ticket(s) at any time, and for any reason. Failure to produce tickets showing paid admission for all in your vehicle can result, at minimum, in ejection from the theater without refund.

Your ticket will also have useful information regarding parking and how to find the FM radio channel for sound.

No "Out and In".  If you leave the theater, your ticket may not be used for re-admittance.

Parking:  One space per car, and 'first come - first served'.

Spaces may not be reserved or saved.  If you wish to park next to each other, please arrive early and together, especially on busy nights.  Vehicle height policies still prevail, in these cases.

In order to maximize parking availability and sightlines, theater personnel may ask you to move your vehicle, either closer to a pole or to another area. Please see our refund policy below, should this be unacceptable to you. 
You are welcome to turn your vehicle so the back faces the screen. Hatchback doors must not be raised higher than the top of the vehicle. On request, we have string available to help hold hatchback doors in place.

No parking on the outside perimeter of the theater. You're welcome to meet your friends here, but please bring your vehicle in with you.

The outside perimeter is an enforced tow-away zone at all times.

Designated parking areas for VANS, TRUCKS, HIGH-TOPS, LARGE SUVs, MOTOR HOMES, SEMI-TRACTORS, BUSES & FLYING SAUCERS.
We usually have good parking for most vehicles, large and small. However, for the viewing comfort of all, larger vehicles are required to park in designated areas. Your ticket will have this information on it. Field staff may designate parking, at our discretion.
If you can't find a satisfactory spot before the show starts, we'll be happy to refund your ticket at your request. Again, theatre staff may designate parking locations for any vehicle at any time.

ALL of your vehicle lights must be under your control, and they must be off while you're parked.
Other distracting lights on, in and around your vehicle, including strobes, neon, blinking/flashing novelties, video displays and TV sets must also be turned off.

External lights that automatically come on for any reason must be covered.

Plan ahead!  If you can not run your radio with all lights off, please bring a portable or plan to rent a radio at the snack bar.

Seating Arrangements: Patrons may sit on conventional lawn furniture if it is placed between your vehicle and the screen and does not enter into adjoining spaces, whether occupied or not. For safety, sitting or lying on the ground, whether on the grass, on blankets, on air mattresses or other inflatables is not allowed. Patrons may not lay on the ground between vehicles in an attempt to skirt this rule.
Patrons may not sit on top of vehicles. However, you are welcome to sit in the back of hatchbacks and in truck beds.

Playgrounds are located in Fields 1 and 2 for the enjoyment of young children and pre-teens. These areas are available for use at your own risk. The playgrounds are not intended for adults. Absolutely no horseplay or abuse of the equipment is allowed. Parents are expected to supervise their children.  Please observe any signage related to their use.

Please note:  The playgrounds are open before the show starts and during intermissions only.  They are closed at all times that programming is on the screens and/or the field lights are off.

The SPEED LIMIT: within the theater is 10 MPH. There are pedestrians everywhere, so please observe this limit and drive carefully.

Fireworks of any and all kinds are never allowed on the property.       
This includes items as seemingly innocent as sparklers and "snap-its". For the safety of all, this is considered a zero-tolerance issue here.

Pets must be under your direct control and responsibility at all times. They must be on leash when not secured in your vehicle, and we ask that you clean up after them. Animals are not allowed in the snack bar, restrooms or playground areas, legitimate service dogs excepted.

Shoes must be worn at all times.  Please do not carry shoe-less children. Shirts must be worn when inside the concessions building and restrooms.       

Do not sound your horn. There is no part of our program where you'll ever be asked to sound your horn, and we ask that you not do this for any reason. If you need the attention of theater staff, you'll find us in or around the snack bar throughout the evening.

Never put a light of any sort onto the screen, including spot lights and laser devices.  ANY use of laser devices can result in temporary confiscation or ejection from the theater.

Dead Batteries and Lockouts. Our field staff has jumper boxes at the snack bar, for assistance with battery issues. Please do not request jump starts from patrons you don't know as it can disrupt their enjoyment of the show.

Our ability to help with lockouts is extremely limited, due to liability and training.

If you choose to call for outside assistance (AAA, etc), please be aware that they may not be allowed onto the theatre grounds until after the current movie has ended, so as not to disrupt the show for other patrons.

No barbecues or other cooking activities on drive-in property, including outside perimeter.

Outside deliveries of all kinds are prohibited.

No open flames, except for the use of citronella candles, and items like "PIC" mosquito coils.

Thanks for your consideration. We hope you enjoy your evening at the Rodeo Drive-In!

MPAA RATING SYSTEM

The basic mission of the MPAA Rating System is a simple one: to offer to parents some advance information about movies so that parents can decide what movies they want their children to see or not to see. The entire program rests on the assumption of responsibility by parents. If parents don't care, or if they are careless in guiding their children's movie going, the rating system becomes useless.

The criteria that go into the judgment are: theme, violence, language, nudity, sensuality, drug abuse, and other elements. Part of the rating flows from how each of these elements is treated on-screen by the filmmaker. In making their evaluation, the ratings board does not look at snippets of film in isolation but considers the film in its entirety. The board can make its decision only by what is seen on the screen, not by what is imagined or thought.

There is no special emphasis on any one of these elements. All are considered and examined before a rating is applied. Contrary to popular notion, violence is not treated more leniently than any other material. Indeed, many films rated X in the past and NC-17 now, have at least tentatively been given the "adults only" rating because of depictions of violence. Most of the film makers choose to edit heavier violent scenes in order to receive an R rating.

RATED G : General Audiences - All ages admitted

This is a film which contains nothing in theme, language, nudity and sex, violence, etc. which would, in the view of the board, be offensive to parents whose younger children view the film. The G rating is not a certificate of approval, nor does it signify a children's film. Some snippets of language may go beyond polite conversation but they are common everyday expressions. Violence is minimal, nudity and sex scenes are not present; nor is there any drug use.

RATED PG : Parental guidance suggested-Some material may not be suitable for children.

This is a film which needs to be examined or inquired about by parents before they let their children attend. Parents are warned against sending their children, unseen and without inquiry, to PG-rated movies.The theme of a PG-rated film may itself call for parental guidance. There may be some profanity. there may also be some violence or brief nudity. But these elements are not considered so intense as to require that parents be more strongly cautioned. There is no drug use in a PG-rated film. Obviously, such a line may be difficult to draw, and in our society, there will always be some disagreement.

RATED PG-13 : Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

PG-13 is a much sterner warning to parents and they should be alerted that they may want to be very careful about allowing viewing by their under-teenage children. A PG-13 rating leaps beyond the boundaries of a PG rating in theme, violence, nudity, sensuality & language, but is not strong enough to get an R rating.Generally, the nudity will not be sexually oriented. Violence will not be too rough or persistent or the film get an R rating. The single use of any of the harsher sexually-derived words will force the board to issue the PG-13 rating. More than one of these words will make the film R rated. However, by a special vote, the board can lower the rating of a film with more than one of these words to the PG-13 level. The criteria used here is if the board feels that other circumstances in the movie would make most parents allow their pre-teens to see this film, then they will lower the rating.

RATED R : Restricted, under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

This rating means that the film contains some adult material which may include hard language, tough violence, nudity with sexual content, drug abuse or other adult themes. Parents are advised to find out about the content of an R rated movie before allowing their teenagers to view it.

RATED NC-17 : No children under 17 permitted.

This rating means that the board feels that most parents will not want their under-17 children to see the movie. The rating does not necessarily mean "obscene or pornographic", but it does mean that most parents would find the material much too strong and therefore off-limits for their children who are not yet 18 yrs old. The film may have graphic sexual scenes, very tough and graphic violence that recurs throughout the film, graphic drug abuse and extremely harsh language.

ABOUT US

The original "Rodeo Motor Movies" was built in 1949 as part of the United Drive-Ins chain (the Forman-Pacific folks of California). Its single field could hold about 600 cars, with concession and projection facilities in the front-center of the field (shown below). Our county would eventually be home to 3 drive-ins; including the "Kitsap Lake Drive-In", which was located closer to the Bremerton city limits, and the family-owned "Big Bear Drive-In", located between Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island.

In 1977, the Rodeo and Kitsap Lake Drive-Ins were sold to Cascade/Seven Gables Cinemas, a small chain with headquarters in Seattle. In addition to these two drive-ins, Cascade operated several indoor theaters in Seattle and Tacoma.

In 1978, Cascade logged out the back property of the Rodeo and added 2 more fields, a new snack bar and a new box office complex. One year later, they closed the Kitsap Lake Drive-In, eventually making way for other commercial development there. In 1986, the Rodeo Drive-In was sold to Jack and Cindy Ondracek, and Cascade's remaining theaters became part of California's "Landmark Cinemas" chain. The Big Bear Drive-In closed in 1994, and the Rodeo became the only outdoor theatre in the Kitsap County area.

Today, with 3 screens and a total car capacity of about 1,000, the Rodeo is the largest outdoor theatre complex, north of California, and by far the largest and oldest family-owned drive-in in the Northwest.  Other drive-ins in our state include the Blue Fox Drive-In (Oak Harbor/Whidbey Island), the Wheel-In Motor Movie (Port Townsend), the Skyline Drive-In (Shelton) and the Auto-Vue Drive-In (Colville)... all family-owned with unique personalities.

Nationally, about 400 drive-ins remain in the US, accounting for about 900 outdoor screens.

Drive-in theaters are special places, with a nostalgic atmosphere that few events offer. Every one is unique, reflecting the personalities of the owners and staffs, and the communities they serve.

Stop by soon, and discover the magic of the movies, under the stars, at the Rodeo Drive-In!