Review: The Ultimate Family Cinema Day Out at Vue Swindon
*Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post for Vue Swindon, however, as always, all opinions, snack enthusiasm, and love for comfy seats are entirely my own!
The last time I was invited to Vue (at Bristol Cribbs Causeway) to test out their new reclining seats, I basically had the dream afternoon for a parent of three who doesn’t get a lot of time to herself: two glorious hours of alone time, to switch off, lie back, eat a plethora of snacks, and watch Ryan Gosling frolicking across the big screen.
So when the invite landed to check out the recently-transformed Vue Swindon, I jumped at the chance. This time, though, I had three miniature movie critics in tow and a gloomy May half-term morning to fill.
Here’s what we thought of Vue Swindon, its Ultra Lux/Lux reclining seats and new Vue Your Way retail concept.
Swindon cinema Vue Your Way
We rocked up to Vue Swindon early on a Saturday morning (Sat Nav got us there no problem) and parking was a breeze (and free) – always a win on a family day out.
Even though it was my first time here, it was obvious the place had had a serious glow-up – everything felt super slick and pristine.
A lovely staff member was there to greet us, but with the Vue Your Way setup, you’re basically in control of your visit – from scanning your tickets, to building your dream snack stash. And what a stash to choose from! The kids were buzzing to press the buttons, pour their own drinks, and pick from the wall of sweets and popcorn.
I was after the classic popcorn-and-fizzy-drink duo, but there were so many options, including an M&M vending machine, Pick ‘n Mix, DIY smoothies, ice cream with toppings, hot dogs and nachos. A paradise for snack lovers and kids, and all self-serve.
And if you get stuck? Vue team members are dotted around and happy to help if you need a hand.
VIP experience inside Swindon Vue cinema
We had opted for a 9am showing of the Minecraft movie and while this is the earliest time I’ve ever gone to watch a film, I now think this is a genius time to hit the cinema.
Add in the reclining seating, with both Lux and Ultra Lux options – each offering tons of space to park your snacks, drinks, and belongings (meaning you don’t have to juggle bags and cups) – and the whole thing felt incredibly plush.
Each seat is basically a big, squishy armchair with its own button controls, so you can stretch out, lie back, and watch the movie in a much more comfortable position. As you can imagine, the kids loved this. Some seats even had a mini cushion – and as someone with a dodgy spine, I really appreciated that little detail as it can sometimes make all the difference to sitting comfortably.
This visit was also a bit of a milestone – it was the first ever cinema trip for our four-year-old. I’m pleased to report that he sat quietly, happily munching his snacks through the whole thing, which is huge for us parents as it now means we can factor him in when planning to see films from now on. Although, I fear Vue may have set the bar too high for future cinema trips – because after this, regular seats might not cut it!
Swindon Vue cinema – Big Screen laser projection
I’m not super techy, but when I can see Jason Momoa’s chewed-up chicken as if I was standing in front of the man himself (a girl can dream), even I can appreciate that the visuals are something special.
Each screen at Vue Swindon uses laser projection, so everything looked insanely sharp and vibrant. Throw in surround sound and we were fully swept up in the story, however far-fetched the plot line in this particular film may have seemed to my non-Minecraft-expert brain.
The kids were totally enthralled though, and my daughter was belting out songs and dancing in her seat to all the songs she recognised. Now if I could just get Steve’s Lava Chicken out of my head….
It’s the kind of big-screen experience that proves the cinema still beats home TV in terms of wow factor— no matter how comfy your sofa is, it’s not going to deliver this kind of shared experience.
How to book Vue Swindon
Tickets start from £7.99 when booked online at www.myvue.com — which, given the full fancy cinema experience, feels like excellent value. It’s basically movie night, but upgraded to first class.
Final thoughts
My nine-year-old declared this experience ‘the best cinema EVER!’ and my other two children firmly agreed. All three kids sat happily through the whole film — a small miracle in itself.
To watch a movie in the cinema on these splendid chairs is a total game changer. It feels like such a special treat, which is how it should be when you’re parting with your hard-earned cash.
I hope more local cinemas take a leaf out of Vue Swindon’s book (or should that be screenplay?), because after this next-generation big screen entertainment experience, I’m not sure we’ll ever be able to go back to upright cinema seats again!
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