Park 11 Theatre

501 N. Orlando Avenue,
Winter Park, FL 32789

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MSC77
MSC77 on September 18, 2023 at 2:41 pm

The Orlando THX certification, at Fashion Square (not the Park), for the release of RETURN OF THE JEDI did not happen as originally planned. Ultimately, the initial THX certifications in May 1983 were only at the Avco in Los Angeles and Northpark and Prestonwood Creek in Dallas. The JEDI 70mm release (with THX locales noted) is documented here. The Orlando 70mm presentations history is documented here.

The first THX certification in Florida was GCC’s Northdale Court 6 in Tampa in 1985. The first THX certification in the Orlando market was at Cineplex Odeon’s Sand Lake 7 in 1987. The Park in the Orlando suburb of Winter Park finally got THX certified during its 1991 renovation.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez on September 9, 2023 at 9:44 pm

THX was a noise cancellation process gimmick that did not require any “installation”. It was just insulation guidelines for noise from the outside, projection booth, and HVAC units. If the cinema failed the test, it was not THX ‘certified’. I ran several cinemas that failed for legitimate reasons. A few months later we received certificates for the failed cinemas from THX anyway. THX also advertised failed locations in the trades as passed months after they failed, so cinema chains did the same. THX was a con job.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on September 7, 2023 at 8:36 pm

I know but I recently read an article about THX before the film came out, and said that only one Orlando area location installed THX on the film’s release day, which comes along with a couple of Los Angeles and Dallas locations. I don’t know any projection/sound status the GCC Fashion Square had when the film came out, but with its 70mm (6-Track) logo shown on the Park Triple Theatre’s showtime section, my best bet has to be the Park Triple Theatre.

rivest266
rivest266 on September 7, 2023 at 7:29 pm

Just had an look at the Sentinel on the date that you provided, No mention of THX on the ad.

THX screen ? no mention on this ad. THX screen ? no mention on this ad. 25 May 1983, Wed The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Florida) Newspapers.com

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on September 7, 2023 at 6:05 pm

The Park Triple Theatre is also the first movie theater in Florida to have the installations of THX on May 25, 1983, just on time for its 70mm presentation of “Return Of The Jedi”.

rivest266
rivest266 on November 20, 2016 at 4:36 pm

11 screens on May 24th, 1991. Grand opening ad in the photo section.

rivest266
rivest266 on November 19, 2016 at 3:30 pm

3 screens on October 30th, 1981. Grand opening ad in the photo section.

rivest266
rivest266 on November 18, 2016 at 5:00 pm

The East screen opened on April 7th, 1965 and the west screen opened on April 23rd, 1965. April 7th, 1965 grand opening ad in the photo section.

Marlon Martinez
Marlon Martinez on September 12, 2015 at 11:49 pm

This was the theater where Walt Disney presented the “Florida Project.” He did so from the grave, as he filmed it seven years before his death.

Mikeoaklandpark
Mikeoaklandpark on March 21, 2011 at 1:39 pm

What killed thsi theater is Regal opened a 20 screen stadium theater right across the street.

jimthesoundman
jimthesoundman on March 21, 2011 at 10:26 am

I remember the theater had a section of seats roped off for smokers in the late 60’s/early 70’s. You could see them flicking their lighters all through the movie.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on January 18, 2010 at 9:21 am

This theater opened as the Park East and Park West in 1965. Total seating at opening was 1,500, divided 600 and 900. It was operated by Wometco. A rendering of the proposed house, by architect A. Herbert Mathes, appeared in Boxoffice, December 31, 1964.

filmhandler
filmhandler on January 29, 2009 at 9:04 pm

What’s sad is that the owner didn’t care about the theatre that had so much history.

RD— You’d be surprised at how many people loose their wallets right there. You can almost guarantee someone that says they lost something, that it’s caught right there.

I think someone actually lost an envelope that had over 2 grand in it, and they found it when they came back after the following showing got out.

jtrapp
jtrapp on January 29, 2009 at 8:12 pm

I was sad to see this theater close, it’s now a gym.

I remember seeing a movie there when I was about 17 (1996) and getting home only to notice my wallet missing. To me it was the end of the world because I lost my driver’s lic., some pictures and probably some other random crap. I called the theater to ask if any found it but sadly no. Convinced it was there I went back the next day and search the theater only to find it stuck in the fold of the seat. I was so happy!

filmhandler
filmhandler on October 25, 2007 at 2:09 am

For the past year or so, this theatre has been operating on only 10 of the 11 screens. The property management took and stripped one of the original auditoriums and converted it to Retail Space.

The Projection booth was equipped with a 5 deck Christie to worked both projectors. There should be some pictures coming up soon on Cinema Tour.