Success with Synergy - A Sensory Friendly Movie - Smurfs Opening This Weekend in Niantic

A Sensory Friendly Movie?  What is that?

If you don't go to the movies because you or your child say it is too loud - you will love a sensory friendly movie.

If you don't go to a movie because the theater is too dark for you or your child - you will love a sensory friendly movie.

If your child cannot sit still through a whole movie and you need to walk in and out or up and down the aisle - you will love a sensory friendly movie.

If you or your child needs to make movements and sounds that make it difficult if not impossible to go to a movie theater because of disturbing others - a sensory friendly movie is your ticket.

Do those previews cause you to forget what movie you came to see? - yes a sensory friendly movie takes care of that for you also.

A Sensory Friendly Movie Presentation means:

• House lights stay up (low level lighting throughout show)
• Volume is lowered (movie volume is lowered from typical settings)
• No "Silence is Golden" Rule (everyone can be themselves knowing the behaviors are accepted and understood by others at the show)
• No previews

Sensations Charitable Foundation and Synergy Center have focused their efforts on ensuring that families, with and without disabilities, have opportunities to engage in typical activities with varying levels of support.  In this case we think everyone should be able to see a movie in a theater with the appropriate accomodations in place for people who need them.  We also believe that people should be able to see new releases when everyone else sees them. 

Do you think it is fair that classmates talk about going to see new movie 'x' and your child can't go because they don't like the dark or can't watch quietly?

We don't and neither does Niantic Cinemas.  With that said we have begun working in synergy to ensure that all movies are available to families with disabilities that might have prevented them from going to movies in the past.  Deep River Snacks has come forward as another sponsor with Synergy Center to support Sensations Charitable Foundation's Sensory Friendly Movies at Niantic Cinemas. 

Local Businesses working together to entertain all families.

In the past 6 months over 300 people have seen Oceans, Rango, Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2, Rio, Cars 2, and Zoo Keeper.

This coming weekend families can see Smurfs in Niantic with sensory accommodations at 1:20 p.m. on Saturday July 30, ticket price is $6. 

As a father of small children I can't wait to be there (yes I was a fan of the Smurfs growing up).  The 7 year old loves seeing movies, 5 year likes them but doesn't understand the concept of whispering and sitting still, and my three year old needs to move around. 

Have a smurftastic time and tell your friends about this opportunity in New London county - as in the past movie theaters in our area have only had sensory friendly movies every 3-6 months.  Sensations Charitable Foundation, Niantic Cinemas, Synergy Center, and Deep River Snacks are dedicated to equal access for everyone when new kid movies come to the cinema!  If people ask for them, I am sure the theater will do the same for adults if enough people come forward and ask.