University Town Center

cinema OC on May 8, 2024 at 1:56 pm

The Regal UTC location is a hidden gem of a theater, especially after the complete overhaul a few years ago. It’s one of two Regals in south OC that has recliners in every auditorium at no surcharge (the other being Kaleidoscope Mission Viejo). This location also accepts Apple Pay at the self-service ticketing kiosks, something I haven’t seen at any other Regal I’ve visited.

This location doesn’t seem to do a lot of business though considering some notable drawbacks, including the parking situation. All the spots in the UTC parking lot are time-restricted to prevent UCI students from parking there and going to class. The spots near the theater are timed for two hours, which seems like not enough for a moviegoing experience. I’m not sure how strictly they enforce this limit since I always park at the UCI garages instead. There’s also the fact that this is the smallest Regal location in the county with only six screens, significantly limiting the selection compared to nearby theaters like Regal Irvine Spectrum (21 screens) or AMC Tustin (14 screens).

Still, though, it’s a great place to watch a movie for those not hindered by the aforementioned flaws.

raymondraydm on August 5, 2023 at 8:29 pm

I went from the Edwards Woodbridge 5 as General Manager to the Edwards University 6 when it opened in June of 1984. Of course we opened with Ghostbusters. Also one of Me Edwards favorite movies was Blazing Saddles. We played that on opening weekend. Mr Edwards had a 35 MM Projector at his home online island. He brought in his own 35Mm print of Blazing Saddles!

Flix70 on February 23, 2021 at 9:45 am

The Uni, as locals called it, was Irvine’s second movie theater and opened four years after the Woodbridge 5.

Even though it was at the far end of town, it didn’t stop my Irvine High School buddies and I from coaxing our parents to drop us off on a Friday or Saturday night for such flicks as “Commando,” “Predator” & U2’s “Rattle & Hum.”

I even recall taking my one and only bus ride there in the summer of ‘87 to see “Dragnet” with Dan Aykroyd & Tom Hanks. Other memorable '80s films included “Die Hard,” “Big” Lethal Weapon 2" & “Christmas Vacation.”

Came back in the ‘90s for “Misery,” “Ed Wood,” “Speed” & “Pulp Fiction” (with a full crowd opening weekend).

The Uni later became a popular indie art house in the Regal chain and was soon booking OC exclusives. Unfortunately, the theater has an absolutely terrible parking lot they share with a Trader Joe’s, Target and every other retailer & business office in the center. Most close-by parking is 45 minutes or less & I can’t tell you how many movies I’ve given up on seeing because I couldn’t find a parking space. By far, the worst parking lot of all of Regal’s OC locations.

Exclusives should be at the nearby Westpark, which has its own sprawling, dedicated parking lot.

Mike Rogers on August 25, 2011 at 7:46 pm

Thanks Ron,not a lot of 6 plexes left.