Hudson Valley Theaters to Show Special Needs Version of ‘Moana 2′

Parents of special needs children who have been unable to see the latest Disney film will have several chances this month.

Many people take the simple act of bringing their child to the movies for granted. While many children love watching their favorite characters on the big screen with lots of action and loud music, there is a segment of the population who find big movies overwhelming.

Parents of children on the autism spectrum no longer have to wait until big box office hits come to streaming. Local and national movie theater chains have responded to the special needs of these children by hosting "sensory-friendly" screenings.

At these special events, the house lights are kept on and the volume is lowered so that children on the autism spectrum can enjoy the movie without being overstimulated. The theaters also allow children to "be themselves" and make noise, shout, sing along and do other things that make them comfortable but would usually be frowned upon at a traditional screening.

Moana 2 Sensory Friendly Screenings in the Hudson Valley

Dutchess County Executive, Sue Serino, announced a partnership with the Lyceum Cinema in Red Hook to offer a discounted sensory-friendly screening of Moana 2. The event is scheduled for 10:30am at the theater on Old Farm Road in Red Hook.

AMC Theaters and Regal Cinemas regularly offer sensory-friendly screenings. The Regal Cinema at the Poughkeepsie Galleria will show a lights-up version of Moana 2 at 11:30am on Saturday and the AMC Theater in Middletown will host a special screening of the film next Saturday, December 14 at noon.