For almost two weeks I felt like Goldilocks, only instead of trying to find the perfect bed, I was in search of a comfortable movie seat.
My hunt took me all over Central Florida — from Winter Garden to Mount Dora, International Drive to Longwood. Of the more than 25 cinemas in our region, I visited eight. I sat in comfy recliners, old-fashioned upholstered chairs and a few options that need improvement.
I admit I am a demanding customer: I want neck and back support, and I like my feet to touch the floor.
Then there’s this. At just over 5 feet, I’m shorter than many folks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention puts the average height of women over age 20 in the U.S. at 5 feet 3.7 inches. So keep in mind that what works for me might not work for you.
In this unscientific survey, I had the best luck with recliners at two new theaters offering totally different experiences — the luxurious Cinepolis south of Winter Garden and the basic Epic Theatres in Mount Dora. For traditional chairs, I liked the ones at AMC Altamonte 18 and the rocking chairs at the new-to-me Cobb Plaza Cinema Café 12 in downtown Orlando.
My observations:
AMC Altamonte Mall 18
Address: 433 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs
Type of chair: Standard with plush upholstery; no reserved seats for my movie auditorium
What I liked: A comfortable, basic chair that provided good support; low armrest with cup holder; feet touched the floor. After two hours sitting, nothing hurt.
What I didn’t like: Seat bottom could use a little more cushion.
Other amenities: Large lobby with wide concession stand; Dolby Cinema with reserved recliners; IMAX with reserved seating; 3-D theater; bar area; stadium seating; plenty of parking (some covered)
Details: amctheaters.com
Amstar 12 — Lake Mary
Address: 950 Colonial Grand Lane, Lake Mary
Type of chair: Recliner; I bought my ticket and chose my seat at the box office, but this can be done online.
What I liked: They’re big and clean; armrests at a good height; after three hours I had no aches or pains.
What I didn’t like: Seat numbers are hard to find; took awhile to lock in ideal position
Other amenities: Wide screens; stadium seating; digital sound; beer and wine; large lobby with benches; wide concession stand; photo booth; game room
Details: amstarcinemas.com
Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas Hamlin
Address: 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden
Type of chair: Leather recliner; reserved when I bought my ticket at the 10-theater cinema; tickets can be purchased and seats selected online.
What I liked: The most-comfortable recliner I found; the soft-but-not-too-soft seats can be easily adjusted to a variety of positions — the theater’s website says they are fully reclining; easy-to-see row letters and chair numbers; smallish tray holds food and can be pushed out of the way. After almost 2 ½ hours, I didn’t want to get out of the seat.
What I didn’t like: Chairs are in sets of two, perfect for a date night but too close for a stranger. I had to sit on the very edge of the seat so my feet could touch the ground while I ate my (delicious) food.
Other amenities: Digital projection and sound; full bar serving beer, wine and spirits; full kitchen; in-theater waiter service; extensive menu; smallish lobby with seating; wide hallways; covered parking
Details: cinepolisusa.com
Cobb Plaza Cinema Cafe 12
Address: 155 S. Orange Ave., Orlando
Type of chair: Rocking chair; reserved when I bought ticket at box office; online ticketing and seat selection available
What I liked: Super-comfortable chair (leather, according to the theater’s website); wide armrests with cup holder; seat letter and row numbers on armrest; good support; feet touched the floor.
What I didn’t like: My only complaint after 2 hours, the seat and row numbers are hard to see once the lights dim.
Other amenities: Stadium seating; digital surround sound; concessions with diverse menu; beer, wine and selected co*cktails; wide concession stand; variety of cozy seating arrangements throughout lobby and hallways; garage parking with fee
Details: cobbtheatres.com
Epic Theatres of Mount Dora
Address: 2300 Spring Harbor Blvd., Mount Dora
Type of chair: Recliner; reserved at kiosk when I bought my ticket. Online reservations and ticketing available.
What I liked: These are some seriously good seats, easily adjustable for someone like me who doesn’t want to lean back completely. Chair numbers are easy to see; there are cup holders but no trays. I was perfectly happy the two hours I sat in that chair.
What I didn’t like: This chair is in serious competition with Cinepolis for my favorite movie recliner in Central Florida. It just wasn’t as smooth and soft.
Other amenities: Reserved recliners in all auditoriums; laser projections; large lobby with tables and various seating arrangements; self-service ticketing (although an employee eventually was available for those who wanted to pay cash); self-serve concessions; beer, wine and liquor; wide hallways; blankets available for purchase; plenty of free parking
Details: epictheatres.com
Enzian Theater
Address: 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland
Type of chair: Various seating options, from high-tops to table and chairs to sofas
What I liked: The number of seats in different arrangements. The folks at this independent movie house have managed to make the most of their space.
What I didn’t like: Few of the chairs are ideal for my needs — even when I recently snagged a coveted spot. My feet touched the ground and I was able to physically move the chair for optimal sight lines. However, I shifted several times during the two hours I was here and wished the seat had more padding and support.
Other amenities: In-theater food and drink service; Eden Bar with food, beer, wine and handcrafted co*cktails; plus arguably the most picturesque cinema setting in all of Central Florida
Details: enzian.org
Premiere Cinema 14 Fashion Square
Address: 3201 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Type of chair: Plush high-back rockers
What I liked: Good, basic chair that provided comfort for nearly 2 ½ hours; cup holders in armrest; feet touched the floor
What I didn’t like: I prefer a firm back.
Other amenities: Stadium seating; surround sound; D-box motion seats in some auditoriums; online tickets but no reserved seats; wide lobby and concession stand
Details: pccmovies.com
Regal Pointe Orlando Stadium 20
Address: 9101 International Drive, Orlando, in the Pointe Orlando entertainment complex
Type of chair: Recliner; reserved when I bought ticket at an indoor box office; online tickets and seat reservations available.
What I liked: Easily adjustable; low armrest with cup holders; padded footrests
What I didn’t like: No matter how I adjusted the chair during the 2 ½ hours I was there, the poofy headrest gave me a crick in my neck. I tried to sit up straight, but my feet didn’t touch the floor.
Other amenities: Stadium seating; 3-D, IMAX and 4DX theaters; full bar serving beer, wine and mixed drinks; validated garage parking
Details: regmovies.com
Pro tips
Check theater websites for ticket prices. I found discounts for movies before noon and the first showing of the day. Some theaters offer discount days where films are one price. My tickets ranged from $5.33-12.45. Be sure to check matinee hours as they vary (sometimes widely) from theater to theater.
