IMAX 3D Theater

We decided to go to the 12pm showing on Valentine’s Day. After waiting in line to pay for parking we rush to the theater with about 15 minutes to spare. Then we see the long line. We got in line because we had already paid to park. By the time we got in, the movie had started. We didn’t have time to go to the bathroom or get any refreshments. We hurried to our seats. There were several people behind us in line and they filed in slowly after us. The movie about the National Parks was very good, we would have enjoyed it more if we hadn’t missed the beginning. I don’t understand why they couldn’t open a second ticket window, based on the number of people in line. After reading another reviewer saying the same thing about the 2pm showing, they obviously made no move to correct the problem.

It was Valentine’s Day so it was busy. Usually the place is empty. We waited 30 min in line out side in the cold for tickets for the two o’clock show. They only had one ticket counter open there was like 30 people in line total. Only made it half way in line when the movie started with out us. WASTED 3 Dollars for parking.
Came back on a week day and enjoyed our visit.

I come here to see the ocean showings alone. I sit near the front and get lost in the ocean for a while and it’s quiet and no one bothers me. It is an extremely therapeutic thing to me, and I think a lot of other people could benefit from it too, and it’s way cheaper than a session with a shrink. :)

The IMAX Theatre at the Tennessee Aquarium is a fancy version of other IMAX theatres I’ve been in. The auditorium and seating is pretty standard to IMAX theatres, but the lobby has a spiffy concession stand and an Aquarium gift shop that includes items pertinent to the films being shown.
There were two films being shown in rotation, plus a third film that showed only at 3pm. I don’t think it really matters what film you see, they’re all pretty enjoyable. Choose based on personal interest or what best fits your schedule. All films are in 3D, which feels a little gimmicky. IMAX by itself is pretty spectacular without the 3D.
You can add an IMAX film to your Aquarium admission for only $ 6. It’s a good value and worth doing. It’s also a great place to sit down and chill out when you’ve been walking around downtown on a warm day.

I’m not crazy about 3D films but I’ve been to more than I’d prefer. This being a family trip we of course had to visit the IMAX. I was glad the film was shorter than a typical movie because the constant refocusing of my eyes in 3D gives me a headache. I know, I know I just sound whiney.
I was a little surprised the theater wasn’t larger because it would be nice to sit farther away from such a big screen. The graphics were nice and the kids really thought it was cool. My husband on the other hand, someone who loves 3D movies, ended up falling asleep.
SO unless you’re just enthralled with the idea of seeing a 3D film about something educational you probably wouldn’t want to spend the money on the IMAX.

PLEASE DONT ALLOW KIDS UNDER 4 INTO AN IMAX THEATER!!!
I love this IMAX theater, but screaming infants ruined the last show that I saw there. I expect kids and families, but screaming infants and 2 year olds chattering away? Staff needs to monitor entitled parents that think it is okay to sit there while their crying kids ruin the show. They need to exit the theater or designate kids under 4 years of age to special shows that won’t scare toddlers and infants.
This IMAX theater would really rock if they stayed open for evening shows for the adult crowd.

We watched «Tornado Alley» while visiting the aquarium. While the movie wasn’t the best, the experience of the IMAX was amazing. I can tell you, little kids will LOVE it! I highly recommend.

We took our 3 year old son to the Chattanooga Aquarium and were fully enthralled by all the activities. We wish we had more time there to see every nook and cranny. We did the iMax 3D movie, the Explorer boat and the Aquarium of course!
The Explorer Boat experience was such a great experience we learned so much about the river. We also enjoyed the iMax movie and the location of all of these attractions were so close to a variety of restaurants.
This entire day was perfect for a family and families with small children. Our 3 year old enjoyed the 3D iMax movie — it was his first movie so we were not sure how that would work out.

Went to watch Toy Story 3 after New Year’s. As previous review stated, seating begins (max) 10 – 15 minutes before the show starts. Have your concession snacks in your hands and ready to go because you won’t appreciate having to get settled in your seat and swim upstream to reach the concession stand.
The screen is da*n big for the size of the theatre. The first 3 – 4 rows — you are looking up at the screen. Sound quality is pretty good. My niece was talking during the movie (next to me) and I didn’t even hear her. I think their quality is better because it is a smaller theatre with same features as a major movie theatre showing a 3D movie.
Cons: Parking — I wish they had a free parking validation for a nearby structure while you watch a movie. I think this is a huge deterrent for going.
Exiting is a headache as you go upstairs, around the 2^nd floor, and down into the gift shop. Of course, the bottom of the stairwell is full of toys and stuffed animals so the line backs up fairly quickly on the stairs.

I visited the Tennessee Aquarium’s IMAX theater with some friends after visiting the Aquarium. Usually this IMAX theater only shows 40 – 45 minute educational fare in conjunction with the Aquarium. Current features are «Under the Sea 3D» and «African Adventure 3D». Occasionally, this IMAX theater does show a real feature film… we came to see the latest Star Trek on this six story tall screen!
With only one theater, they don’t have much time between clearing out the last show and seating for this show… so you do a lot of standing in line, waiting to go into the theater. They tell you they begin seating 15 minutes prior to the movie… it’s actually more like 5 minutes prior to the movie. Hopefully you didn’t consume all your snacks waiting in line, because for the 7 pm Star Trek show, they closed the concession stand at 7:01.
I’m a big guy, and the seats were a little «cozy» for me. I prefer the seating of newer theaters where I have a little bit more room to spread out (or raise an armrest). So I wound up leaving an empty seat between me and my friend so that we both would be comfortable through the movie. Something I didn’t notice right away, is that also, being a tall guy, my knees were jammed up against the back of the chairs in front of me… about halfway through the movie that started to become uncomfortable.
The screen is huge and the sound system is pretty good. I heard in the cheesy «Welcome to IMAX» skit that the screen is nearly as wide as a basketball court. Or that you could fit a life-​sized adult whale on the screen… that’s pretty big! It certainly made the movie experience very awesome. You feel like you’re in the movie.
As I just mentioned you do have to endure a two minute «Welcome to IMAX» skit that’s pretty cheesy… but it does teach you a little bit about how the IMAX experience works, which is interesting. And right after the skit, they go right into the movie… you don’t have the 30 minutes of previews as you do in regular theaters.
I gave this IMAX three stars for the movie experience. The massive screen and sound system are pretty fantastic. It would deserve another star if the seating was more comfortable and if they played regular Hollywood movies more often.
In case you were wondering… Star Trek on the IMAX? Very awesome!