FAQs • Durham Parks & Recreation, NC • CivicEngage

Can I park backwards?: Yes. You can pull in backwards and sit in the back of your vehicle. However, your back hatch must be tied down to the level of your roof so that you won’t block people behind you. Vehicles that plan to open their hatch will be placed further back from the screen.

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Bull City Reels on Wheels

1. Can I leave my vehicle engine running during the movie?: No, only run the vehicle to clear your windows.

2. Can I sit outside?: Watch from the comfort of your vehicle or bring your own chairs and sit directly in front of your vehicle. You are also welcome to sit in the box of your truck or park your SUV backwards and open your hatch.

3. Where can I park or setup my chairs? Where is the best spot?: Parking attendants will direct you to your space. Groups will be physically distanced from each other. We will also put those arriving without cars and more compact cars closer to the screen and taller vehicles a bit further away. Please note that there will not be a bad seat in the house so to speak. The screen will be elevated and have a clear line of sight from all spaces.

4. Can I let my children run around?: No, remember there are cars driving around. Please keep yourself and your family members in or around your vehicle unless you are visiting a food truck or need to use the restroom facilities.

5. Can I bring my dog?: No dogs or pets are permitted on the grounds. Staff will refuse admission to those bringing pets in. If found after you park you will be asked to leave.

6. Are restrooms available?: Yes, restrooms will be provided. Protocols for physical distancing are in place and a washroom attendant will be disinfecting handles and faucets regularly.

7. Can I smoke?: Smoking is prohibited. There will not be any designated smoking areas available

8. Can I bring alcohol or cannabis?: No. Leave it at home. No consumption of alcohol or smoking/vaping of any kind will be allowed on the premises. Driving while under the influence is illegal.

9. Can I reserve a ticket at the gate?: No. Reservations will be taken online until we are full or until 3 p.m. on the day of the event.

10. What happens if it rains?: The movie plays rain or shine or snow. In the case of fog or high winds, and we are unable to see the movie on the screen, the event will be rescheduled to the next night if possible. If rescheduling to the following evening is not possible, the event will be canceled. Please check the Bull City Reels on Wheels page for updates.

11. Can I get in after the show starts?: Yes. We do not shut the gates unless we are full. You can come in anytime during the movie.

12. Do I need a car or can I walk-in?: You are not required to have a car. With the change in Covid mandates, you do not need to have a car to participate. You will need to reserve a spot though for your party if you plan to walk, ride the bus, or ride your bike to the event. If you do not plan to drive your car to the event, you will need to have your entire group at the gate to check-in at one time and will be directed to a space for seating. We will be able to accommodate up to 6 people per non-car reservation. Be sure to bring chairs as seating is not provided and please note the event will be held in the gravel parking lot.

No. Every spot is first-come, first-serve. Attendees will be assigned spots in the order that they arrive.

14. Can I park backwards?: Yes. You can pull in backwards and sit in the back of your vehicle. However, your back hatch must be tied down to the level of your roof so that you won’t block people behind you. Vehicles that plan to open their hatch will be placed further back from the screen.

15. Can I leave and come back in?: No. Please see the staff in the event you have an emergency and need to leave. They will help safely guide you out of the event are. For the most part, no in and out privileges.

16. Are there any restrictions on the use of my stereo, like for example the volume?: Volume and bass are restricted especially if other patrons complain; use your common sense. In the event of complaints, the sound must be turned down. Also, we only allow patrons to listen to our station while on the property (including before and during the shows and intermission). If you are playing a commercial station or a CD make sure you can only hear it in your own vehicle. Again, it’s always good to check with your neighbors on this sort of thing before they might complain to us. If you refuse to abide by these rules you will be asked to leave the premises.

17. Can I talk during the movie?: Yes. That’s the nice thing about going to the drive-in, you can talk during the movie! However, please be considerate of those around you; don’t yell or use profanity to disturb others. Think about what you do before you do it.

18. How do I turn off my headlights and tail lights?: Every vehicle is different. You will need to Google or contact your manufacturer on how to keep your lights off when the key is on. Please do this before coming to the Drive-in. One common way is to just turn your auto lights off. Another is to turn your vehicle off, apply the parking brake and the lights will stay off. This does not work for all vehicles. If this does not work, please bring cardboard to cover your headlights. Every car has a trick to keeping the running lights off.

19. Will my battery die? And if so, what do I do?: Leaving your radio on should not kill your battery. In the event that it does die, please have a pair of jumper cables on hand for assistance.

The park Drive-In’s screen stands 4 feet off the ground and is 20 feet high by 40 feet wide.