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Although I've now been living in Cardiff for a few months, I hadn't a clue where which cinema to go to so my friend suggested the UGC cinema or Cineworld as it's now known, as it was closest being in the city centre.
Background
The first Cineworld Cinema appeared in 1996 and since ... Read review
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Advantages: huge screens, low prices for students, comfy seats Disadvantages: too many floors - get lost easy!
...suggested the UGC cinema or Cineworld as it's now known, as it was closest being in the city centre.
Background
=========
The first Cineworld Cinema appeared in 1996 and since then has grown to a massive 72 cinema outlets in the UK. The company is owned by Cine-UK Ltd who have also taken over the UGC company and merged the two together to form 'Cineworld Cinemas'.
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The tickets at Cineworld are very well priced and great for anyone on a tight budget like me. For students - any film, any time will cost you £3.60 except for if you go before 12am (this never happens being a student!) when with the Earlybird ticket you can get in for just £3.00! I'm not sure of the other prices for adults and children but I'm sure that the price never goes over £5.
Another service Cineworld offer is the 'Unlimited ... more
Being a typical student, I'm running short of cash what with all the fees, food and rent (and too much partying). So when I was bored and at a loss of what to do that wouldn't cost me much cash one night, my friend suggested going to the cinema to see Walk the Line(really good by the way).
Although I've now been living in Cardiff for a few months, I hadn't a clue where which cinema to go to so my friend suggested the UGC cinema or Cineworld as it's now known, as it was closest being in the city centre.
Background ========= The first Cineworld Cinema appeared in 1996 and since then has grown to a massive 72 cinema outlets in the UK. The company is owned by Cine-UK Ltd who have also taken over the UGC company and merged the two together to form 'Cineworld Cinemas'.
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The Cineworld that this review is based on is located in Mary Ann Street, Cardiff - next to Dewi's Bar, if you fancy a drink before your film showing (although the Cinema has its own bar - we'll come to that later) and across the road from Cardiff International Arena .
There are a large number of buses that will take you into Cardiff City Centre, leaving you with a short walk of around 5 minutes to get to the Cinema itself. For those who want to drive to the Cinema ,you will only need to pay £1.50 for parking so long as you park at the NCP on Tredegar Street (next to the cinema) after 6pm. On Sunday, parking is free. ------------------------------------------
The Cinema offers 5 floors of entertainment - 15 screens, 2 Bars and many screen snacks areas. Walking through the revolving door at the entrance (I can never time it right!) you are greeted with the ticket area. It does seem rather small at first but it can fit rather a lot of people in when busy. There are about 5/6 ticket seller staff who every time I've dealt with them have been extremely helpful, friendly and fast. There are large screens behind the ticket sellers detailing the films showing and the showing times which I find helpful when you have a bad memory like me.
If you like to see the newest films on the day of their release and want to be guaranteed a ticket you can use their clever booking system. Either phone or book online and then when you arrive for your showing there is no need to queue - just put your credit/debit card you used to book the tickets into the booking machines across from the ticket sellers and you will be issued with your tickets - as simple as that!
The tickets at Cineworld are very well priced and great for anyone on a tight budget like me. For students - any film, any time will cost you £3.60 except for if you go before 12am (this never happens being a student!) when with the Earlybird ticket you can get in for just £3.00! I'm not sure of the other prices for adults and children but I'm sure that the price never goes over £5.
Another service Cineworld offer is the 'Unlimited Card'. This scheme was first used by UGC but the idea has been kept on by Cineworld. The idea is that you pay £10.99 a month, which gives you unlimited access to any film, any time as often as you like. So if you're a real film buff you can see a film a day if you like - brilliant value! The only drawback is that you have to sign up to the service for the minimum of a year (£131.88) - but if you can afford it go or it!
Once you are armed with the tickets step onto the escalator which will take you to the 1st floor - home to the Screen Snacks Area - which offers a large variety of drinks and snacks including popcorn (around £2.00 for a small box), hotdogs (around £2), nachos (also around £2), soft drinks (varies around £1-£2.50), sweets(varies between £1 per 100g or about £2 for a pre-sealed bag) and munchboxes for kids. As you can see this can become rather expensive so I always bring my own snacks and sweets in my bag although I'm not sure that you are allowed to do this! This floor also houses 2 screens.
The rest of the screens are spread out over the next 3 floors. They vary in size from a small intimate 80 seater to a larger 200+ seater probably designed for the large, crowd-pleasing blockbuster films. Whatever the size, the screens are extremely comfortable and spacious. The chairs are wide, comfy and have tons of leg space. They seem to be on an angle which makes it virtually impossible for that giant with an afro to spoil your view! If you do somehow manage to sit behind this person then Booster Seats are available for the kids - just ask for one at the foyer.
All the screens have ramps into the screen with chairs above and below you. The screens themselves are huge and crystal clear, as is the sound system. The sound quality with the songs from Walk the Line was incredible. The double doors into the screen help to keep some of the outside noise out….although yesterday I could hear some of the 'Walk the Line' songs through the walls in my screen, when I went to see 'Chicken Little' but once the film started it couldn't be heard.
Once the film has finished you can go for a drink in one of Cineworld's two bars. These are located on the 4th and 5th floor I think and offer a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks as well as food. Again the bars are quite expensive so I would recommend going to any of the other bars nearby to the cinema. The bars make a good place to meet friends before the film.
Looking on their website - http://www.ugccinemas.co.uk - I've also found out that the screens and bars can be booked for private functions and business meetings. What a fabulous birthday present that would be!
The style of Cineworld is very modern and stylish with its array of glass panels and silver and purple colourings - very space-age. The large windows offer a fabulous view of Cardiff - the higher you go the more you see of the busy City.
My only problem with Cineworld is the fact that there are so many escalators! I sometimes find it hard to navigate and find the floor my screen is on although there are signs at the top of the escalator to guide you plus two lifts if you really get stuck and cant find your way.
I thoroughly recommend Cineworld Cardiff. I love visiting there and it feels like a good night out. I can't really find a fault with any part of the business and would live there if I could!
A good experience all around!! ---------------------------- Links: Booking and showing times for Cardiff Cineworld: http://www.ugccinemas.co.uk/reservation/ChoixResa.jgi?CINEMA=86
