University Triple Drive-In
11460 E. Colonial Drive,
Orlando,
FL
32817
11460 E. Colonial Drive,
Orlando,
FL
32817
1 person
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Built as a single screen in 1970 and opening on June 10, 1970 with “The Molly Maguires” & “Villa Rides” showing as a double bill program. It was designed, owned and operated by the Buzlea family. It became a twin on June 14, 1974, it became three screens in 1982. Only drive-in to play “Star Wars” in 1977 as exclusive for Central Florida. Over 600 cars, one of the first to use platter film projectors and Xeon bulbs with radio sound. Closed in 1986 upon the death of Rudy Buzlea, General Manager and designer.
Contributed by
David Buzlea
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
11460 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32817
The above address will map accurately to the location of the drive-in. The address in the heading has the correct street address, but the zip code is not correct which throws off the mapping on Google Earth.
Here is a 1980 aerial photo of the drive-in, courtesy of HistoricAerials.com.
<<< ONLY drive-in to play “Star Wars” in 1977 as exclusive for Central Florida. >>>
Not true. “Star Wars” also played first-run at Lake Haines Drive-In in Haines City.
<<< Build as one screen, then twin in 1978 >>>
This was twinned before 1978. (I’m not sure when it was twinned but know it was a twin in ‘77 when they ran “Star Wars.”)
500 cars. Also had a swap meet. Demolished sometime after the drive-in burnt to the ground(date unknown?). Site is now a car dealership(Orlando Car Services), and U-Haul Neighbourhood Dealer.
The University Drive-In soft-opened on June 10th, 1970, and added its 2nd screen on June 14th, 1974. Ads posted.
Opened on 10/6/1970 with “The Molly Maguires” and “Villa rides”. Opened as a twin 14/6/1974 on screen 1 with “American graffitti” and “Charley Varrick” and on screen 2 with “Serpico” and “Badge 373”.
Was it near a university?