Wondering what actually happens inside the castle on 192?
Wonder no more!
This is good family entertainment. Kids will love it and parents will enjoy the evening.
Having said that, while this review is positive overall, let me now tell you some of the negatives.
The ticketing process at the beginning is tediously long. One problem with being a Disney visitor is that you get spoiled by their proficiency. When you go anywhere else, you become more impatient at inefficiency.
Prices, by the way, are steep. $60 gets you in the door as an adult. Check the website for special deals as they offer $10 off on occasion. Kids 12 and under pay $35, but again check for deals as they can offer a free child with paying adult.
This was right before the 8:00 pm start time. I had missed the earlier show at 6:00 pm. The audience for that show was just filing out and it was lots of happy, energized people. Happiest of all seemed to be little boys with wooden swords.
Where did they get those swords? Well, that's what I was going to find out.
The large holding room for those waiting to be allowed admittance was really a big, noisy market for a captive crowd. So, this is the big negative that, while it didn't ruin the experience, did diminish it. The tiled room with wooden ceiling just reverberates with every vocalization which is particularly annoying for small children, who are more sensitive.
My advice is to avoid going in right away. Stay outside and visit the village.
I've already written at some length about The Medieval Village . It is often overlooked by the patrons of the dinner show entertainment. I think this might be because the village is more high-brow than most of the visitors seem to need.
If you do chose to enter in the castle and wait, then head into the Wine Cellar which is more quiet. You can find cushy booths, the bathrooms, and a water fountain.
What about drinks? A small non-alcoholic slushy, found at any 7-11 for a buck, is $5.00. 'Tis the royal rip-off, me lads! I mean, I expect to pay more at one of this tourist venues, but there's a moment when you just can't stomach the absurdity.
Now, remember, this is all my initial moments, waiting until the real evening's entertainment starts. It was unpleasant and even confusing, as I wondered about the yellow cards Iwas holding in my hand. The ticketing agent didn't really explain the process. I had to ask a bartender. He said that we would be called in by colors soon.
The whole audience is divided into colored sections which correspond to a knight's crest. The tournament takes on an element of a wrestling show, as you cheer and boo fake fighting in a tournament.
Finally, upon the trumpet's blare were we ushered in. That is when we could settle in and the fun began.
The script of the show is more or less superfluous; meaning, you really don't care what's being said.
It mostly sounds like:
blah blah blah My Lord blah blah blah sword blah blah blah steed blah blah blah
It doesn't really matter. The great part of the show is watching some fights and some horse show tricks. There's even a falcon in flight! Visually, the show is really good, so if you can't understand the Medieval mumbo-jumbo, it's alright.
There are a number of videos on youtube that show you exactly what goes on.
The food? Remember, this is a dinner show.
To start, no water is given, unless you request. Your choices are Pepsi or beer.
There is then the choice for a meaty meal:
Garlic Bread
Tomato Bisque Soup
Roasted Chicken
Pork Spare Rib
Herb-Basted Potato
Pastry
Beverages
or a vegetarian meal:
Tomato Bisque Soup
Garlic Bread
Large Portobello Mushroom Cap Stuffed with Whole Grain, Rice and Bean Blend
Large Skewer of Roasted Vegetables
Hummus with Pita Chips
Pastry
Beverages
That is a half a chicken sitting on your plate and no vegetables. If I had to do it over again, I would order one meaty meal and one vegetarian and then split them both between the two of us.
And if you're a low-sodium eater, good luck! Everything is chockful of salt. The saltiest food being the soup (I diluted it with some of the water I had requested) and then coming in second, the garlic toast (that slice isn't really bread any more).
The chicken was delicious. Absolutely no complaints on the succulent meat which fell off the bone.
If you don't eat pork, you should request a side of hummus and chips. Very tasty!
The pastry is an apple struddel stick.
Did I mention no silverware? For some that's an anomaly, but I found it refreshing and fun. Why not?
You will not leave hungry or dissatisfied from Medieval Times. Even if the beginning of the evening was a bit of a muddle, the total experience was worth recommending as a unique entertainment you will truly remember.
Medieval Times Map
