Intrepid Summer Movie Series

Let me start off by saying I was extremely excited to watch Top Gun from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier on the Hudson River. Seriously, can it get any better?
The website stated that they begin to let people in at around 7:30pm but they advised that patrons arrive early because a line begins to form. My girlfriend and I made sure to arrive at 6:30 to better our chances of getting in. We met up with some friends who we joined in line. By the time 7pm rolled around, the line was HUGE and we were at about the halfway point from the museum entrance to the back of the line.
7:30pm arrives and no movement in the line yet. 7:45pm, still no movement. 8pm, no movement. Now its starting to get dark and it seems the little bit we trickled forward were from inpatient people who decided to leave. Finally at around 8:30pm when its already dark and two hours since we joined the line some museum employees come out to inform everyone in line that they are at capacity.
But how could this happen? We were in line since 6:30pm and there was never any movement. How could 1,000 people have gotten in before us without us even noticing? Especially since they start letting in people at 7:30. We really don’t know how they were at capacity so early, but one thing is for sure, they knew they were at capacity well before they came out to advise those waiting in line. Some people exiting the museum were stating they were surprised nobody had told us.
I was pretty disappointed that nobody was sent out earlier to advise people they were at capacity. I’m pretty sure the guys who were decked out in Top Gun Pilot costumes who had gotten in line much earlier were even more upset. I wish I could have those two hours back to use it doing something more fun than waiting in line. Unfortunately, that was the last movie being played this summer so I wont be able to give this event another chance anytime soon. I’m still somewhat interested in checking out the museum, but it seems expensive, and I’m a little less inclined now.

Watching Top Gun on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier – it doesn’t get any better than that.
My friends and I arrived with beach towels and snacks in tow just a few minutes after 630pm. Hundreds of people were in line. And over the next hour hundreds more would line up behind us. We were the last ones to be allowed in. Everyone beyond us were sent home!
The sound system was clear and loud – almost as good as a movie theater. The setting on the flight deck was wonderful; the staff kept the crowd small enough so that each person had plenty of space. No stress.
The show started off with a quick documentary on the Intrepid carrier. When they hit play on the Top Gun movie, everyone cheered and clapped; and several other times during the movie people clapped.
Sitting amongst fighter jets, watching Top Gun, on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, with other helicopters and passenger airplanes flying overhead throughout the movie, it was by far the best outdoor movie watch imaginable.

Such a cool place to see a movie! My bf and I went for The Muppets. It’s (understandably) quite a search getting in — metal detectors and all — but it is just so awesome that you can watch movies for free amongst crazy planes overlooking the water.

disclaimer: I work in the aviation electronics industry, so pretty much anything to do with aircraft excites me. I know, this is a sad reflection on the life of engineers, but we take what we can get.
one of the 380,482 awesome things about New York in the summer is free outdoor movies. you could take your pick of locations, but what better way to wind down on a Friday night than on an AIRCRAFT CARRIER?
this summer, the Intrepid is showing a string of 80s classics. we caught Ghostbusters last week. they set up a large inflatable screen and sound system.
you should get there at least at 7 PM, as the line at 7:30 winds 2.5 blocks down the West Side highway.
the price? FREE. music to my ears.
you can bring your own food and drinks, though no alcohol is allowed (not sure how the Aussies next to us got cans of Budweiser in). bring a blanket or chair of some sort.
Bank of America was there handing out free seat cushions and water bottles.
overall, a good vibe. crowded, but fun. my main recommendations to the staff, if they read this, is to either:
(1) get a bigger screen and make the sound louder
or
(2) set up more screens so people in the back and on the sides can see as well.