We just need to smuggle in some cheaper popcorn now...! ;) (Orange Wednesdays)

Member Name: burtybookworm

Product:	Orange Wednesdays
Date:	22/10/08 (668 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: cheap way to see the latest films

Disadvantages: sometimes slow service, wednesdays at the cinema can be packed!!

Anyone living in this country will know that going to the cinema is expensive at the best of times and now with this horrendous credit crunch, taking time out to sit and enjoy a film is even tougher on the pocket. London prices are extortionate, but - before anyone corrects me - I know that it's not just London cinemas that are a rip off, especially if you go to big chains like Odeon, Vue etc.
A couple of months ago for instance, my boyfriend and I went back to Portsmouth to visit my parents and decided to go to the Odeon in Port Solent. We paid £7.10 each plus we bought a large popcorn to share and two cokes. The total of this was something close to £17.00! I cannot imagine how a family would take their kids to the cinema to watch the latest animated film - you might as well take them to Disneyland, you would probably get better value for your money!
This is where Orange Wednesdays comes in very handy indeed. .

So what is Orange Wednesdays?
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Orange Wednesdays is a scheme by Orange Mobile. If you are a regular cinema goer, you might have seen their adverts before the start of the film usually featuring a famous celebrity. Recent ones have been Angelica Huston, Rob Lowe, and my favourite (which made me laugh out loud!) Snoop Dogg.
Orange Wednesdays is a campaign started in 2004 for Orange Mobile customers (and also users of its broadband/internet services) that gets you two for the price of one tickets on films on ...you have guessed it...a Wednesday! All that you need to do is text "Film" to 241 from your mobile and you will be sent a code straight to your phone. All this will cost you is the price of the text service (which has recently changed to 35p, still a bargain!) If you would rather not text, you can also call the number from your phone and you will still receive a text.

So what are the negatives??! There has to be some!
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There are a few negatives of this service, but they don't really outweigh how good a deal this is. Some are:

** You have to be an orange customer to get the message. **

This is true, but if anyone is a member of MoneySavingExpert, you will know that there is a non-orange customer loophole involving a £1 sim card (visit http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/orange-w ednesday for more details)

**Wednesdays can be extremely busy.**

I often use this deal now as it saves a packet - unfortunately so does everyone else! I last went to watch Tropic Thunder a couple of weeks ago and my boyfriend and I queued out the door - half an hour before the film (or should I say trailers!) were about to start. I'd definitely suggest getting your tickets earlier in the day!

**The network gets jammed. **

I have experienced this once since using this service. We decided late in the day to go to the cinema after walking past it. The film we had chosen was due to start in 45 minutes, and I texted to get the code. Usually, the service is really quick and you get the code sent back instantly. However, when I hadn't received it after 10 minutes I text again. Then my boyfriend texted to see if he could get it.

At 15 minutes to go, we managed to get the text through -but the network was so busy that sometimes leaving it til the evening to get the code is not a good idea. (I don't think I was charged for my second message, but I could be wrong!)


**The tickets are for participating cinemas**

It is true that most cinemas do not take part in this. I havent personally experienced it - I think it might be larger cinemas such as Leicester Square (thanks DancingCopper!) and maybe smaller independents. Ive used this deal in Odeons & Vues in Putney, Wandsworth, Fulham, Hammersmith and Streatham Hill with no problems. Admittedly these are all London places, but Im pretty sure that most cinemas in your area will allow you to use this deal, and if the one closest to you doesnt, chances are, the 2nd closest one will!

Overall
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Despite the above problems, this is an excellent service that I would highly recommend, it's very rare now that I'd go to the cinema on a different day and pay the full wack. Popcorn and treats are another matter obviously...I'm not saying you should sneak in your own treats but sometimes that works....! Although last time I said that I was told off because apparently the snacks are what keep the cinemas open!

Summary: A bargain!