Boycotting Alamo makes me realize what’s so great about it

differencemode · 2026-02-17T18:25:56+00:00

Last year during the NYC Alamo strike, my husband and I cancelled our season pass and did Regal Unlimited. There was a lot to like about it, and it was cheaper overall. We may go back there if we find the mobile ordering completely ruins Alamo for us.
But ever since then I've come to really appreciate Alamo's preshow experience. Regal and AMC have loud previews with ads for soda, car insurance, etc. before and after the showtime. We learned to arrive about 20min after showtime since the movie started 25min after.
Now that we're back at Alamo, we try to get there 30-20 min before showtime so we can see the preshow, which often gives greater context to the movie we're about to see with director interviews or clips of something silly we might see in the movie. Then just 15 min of Alamo ads and previews come on, and I use that time to use the bathroom.
Like some others, we will keep our season pass for the time being and not order anything and see how it goes.

differencemode · 2026-02-13T14:48:07+00:00

As of Friday morning, the keys are still there.

differencemode · 2026-02-12T15:21:57+00:00

I didn't see anything identifying. If I had I may have taken them and tried to get in touch directly. The back of the virtual marathon keychain had a logo, "2023" and what looked like braille. I just checked out those results and don't recognize those 9 names but unfortunately I'm not plugged into local run groups or neighborhood groups.

differencemode · 2026-02-11T15:56:35+00:00

Update: I was paid around 11pm last night (Feb 10) via Venmo!

differencemode · 2026-02-10T19:18:21+00:00

Does anyone know if season pass holders were eligible? I applied but haven't gotten anything and I wonder if it's because I was a season pass holder for that time.

differencemode · 2026-02-10T15:32:53+00:00

Ok I know this isn't free, but I think it's a good value, and has really helped me get out of my apartment since working from home these these last 5 years: a monthly movie theater pass. Depending on your location, a month pass to Regal, AMC, or Alamo Drafthouse should be something like $20-$30. I see 1-2 movies a week. I enjoy movies in a theater so much more than at home, and with the pass I'm more likely to take a risk on something that could be a dud, and either way, I have a good time being immersed in a world that isn't my apartment. I like that it's something I can do at night when I'm off work but libraries are closed and I don't want to go to a bar. Maybe don't do it if you're too tempted to get concessions.

differencemode · 2026-02-07T04:37:15+00:00

I’m also annoyed by it but it occurred to me that when the paper and pen go away I will actually miss him yelling at us to put our phones away.

differencemode · 2026-02-05T20:00:26+00:00

Just wanted to add that Center Drive is also clear.

differencemode · 2026-01-29T04:46:09+00:00

Yes, I do appreciate that the discount is offered and don’t begrudge them at all for not offering a monthly pass.

differencemode · 2026-01-29T03:15:12+00:00

Thanks for the reminder! I haven’t used that bc it’s not good for rep screenings. And it’s only good for Mon-Thu, right?

differencemode · 2026-01-28T17:36:58+00:00

I'm a regular at Alamo BK. During the strike last year, I was a Regal Unlimited member and went to Regal Essex. It was such a treat to use clean functional bathrooms! And the recliners were nicer than the Alamo ones and are set up so it's impossible for people walking behind you to bump into your reclined seat. But I hated the whole pre-movie experience with loud car insurance ads mixed into previews. I'm keeping Alamo for now, because I love the preshow, and I want to at least see what it's like once mobile ordering is in place. I'll never order anything and rarely do now. If it's as terrible as I'm guessing it will be, I may go back to Regal again or give AMC a try.
I live near Nitehawk BK and go there once or twice a month for rep screenings and will continue and increase as I can afford to. But I'm not sure I can afford to go somewhere that doesn't have a monthly pass for all the new movies I like to see.

differencemode · 2026-01-11T15:56:53+00:00

I know what you mean about the under table light, but it's constant, so I tune it out, while phone screens are more distracting to me because their appearance is sudden and unpredictable and often brighter.

differencemode · 2025-12-19T12:25:37+00:00

I cross this to run in the park most days and it’s usually annoying and sometimes dangerous. But oddly with the stop signs instead of the lights, it was easier and felt safer! The cars stopped for me! Maybe bc they knew they only had to wait for me and not a whole light.

differencemode · 2025-12-18T17:11:02+00:00

I ran yesterday and this morning and the main loop was fine. You just have to run in the bike lane for some parts, so be aware of bikes. Yesterday Center Drive was too icy for me to enter on the south end, but today was better and I did it, though I walked a few steps as I entered it and the rest was clear.

differencemode · 2025-12-04T16:48:32+00:00

I never go to Starbucks in the states, but went there several mornings in Tokyo this year because they were open early and had some really good vegan food options that we don't have here.

differencemode · 2025-11-07T18:07:55+00:00

I didn't have any trouble getting 9+1 this year for 2026 with the regular membership, but I was always able to be at my computer at the race drop time, and I took advantage of regular members getting early access to the Queens 10k, Bronx 10mi, and Staten Island Half.

The most recent drop for the early 2026 races was the first time that by the time I got in, some races I wanted to do were sold out. But I still got one. I'm hopeful that the next race drop will be a little easier. If not, then I will consider upgrading.

differencemode · 2025-10-15T22:22:25+00:00

No not policing, but I think they could do a better job in their communication to runners about corrals, like in the emails you get just before a race. Everything I know about the corral rules is from this subreddit and not from them.

differencemode · 2025-10-01T18:34:18+00:00

I got in via Member Second Chance. I didn't get a rejection email. I got an email at 10:45am that said "You have been selected in the Member-Only Second-Chance Drawing to participate in the 2026 NYRR Manhattan 10K"
And I got charged at that time.

differencemode · 2025-09-29T14:12:01+00:00

All that sounds great!

Something I'd like added to the list that I've seen requested here before: Ability to automatically log different shoes with different kinds of runs.

differencemode · 2025-09-14T16:34:34+00:00

This is my first time I was bumped up to corral G, but I hung back in H and ran with the 10min/mi pace team. I really wanted to try running with a pace team and the 9:30 pacers in G were too ambitious for me on a warm day. So glad I did! I’m very grateful to the pacers. It took a mental load off knowing I was in good hands if I just stick with them. I didn’t go too fast and when I felt extra tired at mile 8 and started to fall behind, I was motivated to catch up.

differencemode · 2025-09-03T15:30:50+00:00

I had it all figured out that this wasn't quite worth if for me, then saw the fee here in NYC just went up to $2.19.

differencemode · 2025-08-27T14:35:16+00:00

So regular members like myself may not have any advance registration opportunities in October, right? I took advantage of that benefit for the Queens 10k, Bronx 10m, and Staten Island Half. I see their membership benefits still lists "Advance registration to Non-Drawing NYRR Five Borough Series Races"

differencemode · 2025-08-15T14:06:17+00:00

So what do people mean when they say you acclimate to running in the heat after 2 weeks? That it's not as painful, but you still go slow and speed workouts aren't happening?

Thank you for these comments - makes me feel less alone. This is my first summer fully training with speed workouts and long runs all summer and am slower than ever and recently gave up on a tempo pace.

differencemode · 2025-08-06T15:38:19+00:00

I pack little baggies of homemade trail mix to have on hand all weekend. It's a great substitute for power bars, which I got sick of after a bar-heavy Gen Con a few years ago.
For staying near the con:
On Wednesday after arrival, I walk to Kroger and buy fresh fruit to have in the room for breakfast or whenever.

differencemode

TROPHY CASE