2020 Has been a trip… we’ve seen it all… businesses closing, parks closing, playgrounds closing, restaurants closing… people getting sick it’s just been a year of bad – but there has been one shining light – it’s caused many people to get creative. One of the greatest examples of that has been the Stranger Things Drive-Into Experience in Downtown Los Angeles. This licensed event is brought to us via partnership between Netflix, Fever, and Secret Cinema.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
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♬ Stranger Things (From “Stranger Things”) – Remaster – Collosia
Upon arrival there are 2 options VIP or Regular admission
If you purchased VIP your car goes through a carwash that’s a Photo Booth and you receive a bag of goodies and snacks as well as your photo printed – regular admission takes your car directly to an outdoor Hawkins High School reunion in front of Starcourt Mall where you see all your favorite familiar faces from the AV club entertaining you with 80’s Trivia, Music, Videos, and Costume Contests all from the comfort of your car. (basically a drive-in movie type setup)
If you didn’t purchase the VIP option you may purchase food via phone as you experience this portion of the event.
When the time arrives you enter the upside down by driving through a series of levels of a parking garage featuring scenes acted out by performers and utilizing your car stereo (like a drive-in movie) to broadcast the audio of the performances… I am completely underselling the level of thought and creativity the production team has done with sets, lighting, sound, projectors, and live performance talent. The event features rigged actors flying through the air and takes us on a journey through all seasons of the hit science-fiction/horror tv show. eventually you make it to the roof of the garage for a grand finale before descending back down to the street. on your exit route there is an opportunity to purchase exclusive merchandise.
General admission for 2 people is $69 and VIP for 2 is $114
We brought our young children with us and our infant son just liked seeing all the lights and projections our toddler girl however was frightened by demigorgans and there was a lot of profanity if you are sensitive to that. I would not recommend this event for children but that being said our whole party enjoyed the experience.
At one point (on the roof) there was a tall SUV in front of our SUV and we were blocked from seeing all the action upon letting someone know they did back our vehicle up so we could see more but at that point we had missed the majority of that part of the performance. These are obviously things that are hard to fix so, we don’t blame them – but it’s just the nature of the event. Overall it was a really fun and creative interactive experience. I don’t recommend it for people unfamiliar with the series as they don’t tell the story as you go – they jump around through seasons and events with no back story or explanation which I actually loved but my daughter had clearly never seen the series and had no idea what was going on and we were forced to attempt to explain the complex story lines in a very simplified way. While I know adults don’t need backstory to enjoy art I still would recommend if you are planning on coming and never seen the show to binge watch it before hand so you have an understanding.
Currently the event is running through February 2021.
While the experience is not cheap – it’s a lot of entertainment for your dollar. I highly recommend it.
Have you gone to The Stranger Things Drive Into Event? Have you gone to another creative drive thru experience during 2020? Let us know in the comments below.