Editors Note:  Talk about well kept secrets, I have lived in Orange County over twenty years,

and in some periods went to movies once or twice a week, and never heard of this amazing theater complex.  I 'found' UltraStar when I recently covered the inaugural Anaheim International Film Festival (also a gem).  Why a secret?  I suspect it has a lot to do with the lack of a Marquee on the Katella Ave street level and poor promotion by the previous management.

I've been back a half dozen times, most recently to see Tron in 3D AND D-BOX (a seat motion experience (more on that in a separate article).  Everything about the theaters, located in the Garden Walk (Katella Ave off the 5 near DisneyLand) is quality all the way - from a covered parking garage with ample space - get your ticket stamped at the box office and they pick up the tab, to comfortable theaters, reasonably priced concessions and clean bathrooms,  this is a first-rate operation all the way.  The employees are polite, knowledgeable, and all seem to want you to have a great experience (that is a good reflection on management).   Below is more information about UltraStar, supplied by them at my request and worthy of being included without change.  Give yourself a treat and go to UltraStar and enjoy this theatergoing experience.  There's even a Johnny Rockets next door for a burger and fries or numerous restaurants on street level

UltraStar Cinemas at GardenWalk opened on August 20, 2010 marking the company’s first Orange County location and the addition of an exciting new movie going experience for area residents. UltraStar is a privately owned theater group headquartered in San Diego, operating 145 screens at 15 sites throughout California and Arizona.

UltraStar prides itself on being a pioneer in the adoption of new theater technologies and is already bringing its trademark innovations to GardenWalk, including Pure Digital Cinema. Pure Digital Cinema is the most advanced motion picture projection technology available combining state of the art digital projection and digital sound. In 2006, UltraStar became the first theater group in the world to be fully equipped with Pure Digital Cinema® powered by DLP Cinema® technology in all of our locations. Even today, very few theater groups have transitioned to digital cinema.

UltraStar Cinemas at Anaheim GardenWalk is also the first and only movie theater in Orange County to offer D-BOX motion technology. With the  December 17 premiere of TRON: Legacy, UltraStar ushered in a new era of cinema technology. D-BOX MFX Seats revolutionize the way audiences experience movies by integrating intelligent, subtle motion effects within each D-BOX seat. Motion effects are specifically encoded for each film and create sensations that  pitch, heave and roll seats in perfect sync with the onscreen action. Currently there are only 13 theater companies in the United States and 17 in the world offering the D-BOX experience.

UltraStar also has a beautiful two-story lounge that offers views of the Disneyland fireworks and is an ideal venue for corporate/private events. In the coming months, UltraStar will introduce additional amenities including its UltraMax large format screen, specialty concessions, beer and wine service, reserved seating, 21+ theaters, and more.

Additional UltraStar highlights include:
·    Pricing (students, children, seniors and military are always $6)
·    Discount days ($6 movie tickets all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays)
·    Kidtoon films - only theater in Orange County to offer Kidtoon films program – every Saturday and Sunday morning year-round, we provide G-rated animated films for $2.50
·    Parent Movie Morning and Baby’s Night Out - Parents can watch the latest Hollywood blockbusters in a baby-friendly setting that includes valet stroller parking, dimmed lights, reduced volume, and changing facilities in the auditorium. Featured movies will be recently released titles that are for adult audiences, not children’s or animated films. Parent Movie Morning will be held every Wednesday at 10 a.m. beginning January 5. Baby’s Night Out will be held the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. beginning January 13.

UltraStar Cinemas at Anaheim GardenWalk
321 W. Katella Ave., upper level
Anaheim, CA 92802
Free 4-hour parking validation
Movieline: (714) 399-0300
For tickets, visit www.ultrastarmovies.com