If you’re in the mood for a unique adventure that combines dinner with an exhilarating show, look no further than Medieval Times in Orlando! This immersive experience transports you to a world of knights, jousting, and royal feasts, making it an unforgettable outing for families, couples, and anyone seeking a break from the ordinary.
A Journey Back in Time: Experiencing Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
First of all, I would like to thank US Family Guide and Medieval Times for their partnership in sponsoring this blog post! This past week was Spring Break for Elena’s school and we had planned a belated birthday adventure for her in Kissimmee, Florida. Our family believes that experiences and memories are more important than physical gifts like toys.
What is Medieval Times All About?
Medieval Times isn’t just dinner; it’s a full-blown experience that plunges you into the heart of a thrilling medieval tournament. As you enter the grand castle, you’ll be greeted by a world of regal pageantry and spirited competition. The show features daring knights, gallant horses, and the dramatic clash of steel as these warriors compete in a series of jousts and games, all while you feast on a hearty, medieval-inspired meal. The excitement is palpable, and you’ll find yourself cheering for your knight as if you’ve been transported back to the days of chivalry and honor. Let’s start with the basics:
What’s on the Menu?
The dining experience at Medieval Times is just as authentic as the entertainment. You’ll be served a four-course meal that would make any medieval lord proud. The menu includes:
- Tomato Bisque Soup: A warm and savory start to your meal.
- Garlic Bread: Perfect for dipping into your soup.
- Oven-Roasted Chicken: A tender and juicy centerpiece.
- Sweet Buttered Corn: A delicious side dish.
- Herb-Basted Potato: Roasted to perfection.
- Dessert: A sweet treat to end your meal.
What’s unique about this dinner? You eat everything with your hands, just like they did in medieval times! It’s messy, it’s fun, and it adds to the authenticity of the experience. If you have dietary restrictions, don’t worry—vegetarian and other dietary options are available upon request.
The Show: A Spectacle of Skill and Valor
The highlight of Medieval Times is undoubtedly the show. Imagine this: You’re seated in an arena, surrounded by fellow spectators, all eagerly awaiting the arrival of the knights. When the lights dim and the trumpets sound, the atmosphere becomes electric. The knights, each representing a different region, ride out on their magnificent horses, and the games begin.
The knights engage in various competitions, including jousting, sword fighting, and other feats of skill, all while you cheer on your knight to victory. The display of horsemanship and weaponry is truly impressive, and the storyline adds depth and intrigue to the spectacle. It’s a thrilling experience that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Why Visit Medieval Times?
Medieval Times is more than just a dinner and a show; it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in a different time and place. It’s perfect for a special occasion, a family outing, or even a unique date night. The combination of live-action entertainment, a royal feast, and the sheer spectacle of it all makes it an experience that you’ll remember long after the final sword has clashed.
Our Experience At Medieval Times in Kissimmee, Florida
Let’s start off with our experience this past week at Medieval Times in Kissimmee. Our show was scheduled to start at 6 PM and we were instructed to arrive at least an hour early to ensure we were seated in time for the show. We were provided with basic tickets, but for Elena’s birthday, I opted to upgrade to the celebration package for an additional $18 per person.
This package included:
- Priority Castle Access
- VIP seating
- Priority Seating Access
- Cheering Banner
- VIP Lanyard
- Group Photo for Each Member of the Party
- Slice of Birthday Cake for Each Member of the Party
- Personalized Announcement During the Show
Our Arrival:
When we arrived to check in, we were asked if we wanted to upgrade again to the Queen’s Royalty VIP package for an additional $4 per person. This upgrade added first row center seating and frames for our pictures. I decided that the upgrade would be worth it and accepted.
What Should You Expect from Group Photos at Medieval Times?
When attending Medieval Times, capturing the magic with a group photo is a must. But what makes these photos so memorable? Well, our experience is one we won’t soon forget—though perhaps not for the reasons we’d hoped. We were quickly ushered into the hallway for photos, where we were handed our crowns and posed for a series of shots: a family photo, one with a cast member, and finally a picture with Excalibur, the legendary sword in the stone. While it sounds charming, the process was so rushed that it felt more like a blur of flashing lights than a memorable experience. Unfortunately, the photos didn’t turn out very flattering, so you won’t see them here.
Before The Show:
Next, we entered the main waiting area, which was filled with souvenirs for sale and a bar offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. It was tempting to get caught up in purchasing these items, but we had agreed beforehand to focus on the experience rather than on souvenirs. The area was quite crowded, with many people pushing and shoving to get to where they wanted to be. When announcements for seating began, they were hard to hear and understand due to the noise and the crowd.
Time To Take Our Seats:
When it was our turn to be seated, we were led to our spots and immediately noticed how tight the seating was. While I understand the need to maximize space, it wasn’t exactly comfortable to be practically sitting on top of a stranger with no room for your belongings. Once we settled in, we were offered a choice of Pepsi, Sweet Tea, or Water as our drink. However, our server, Albert, got a bit mixed up somewhere along the way, and we ended up with an unexpected blend of Pepsi and Sweet Tea.
The First Course:
The first course arrived: a bowl of tomato basil soup paired with garlic bread. Our server playfully called it “dragon’s blood,” which Elena absolutely loved. The soup had a wonderful flavor and was served moderately warm. Since this feast is entirely “hands-on,” there’s no silverware provided, so we drank the soup straight from the bowl. Elena found this absolutely hilarious and immediately asked if she could drink her soup like this at home from now on!
The Main Course:
The main course featured a half of roasted chicken, a herb-basted baked potato, and a piece of buttered corn on the cob. I was pleasantly surprised by the chicken’s crispy skin, which was perfectly seasoned, and the meat itself was tender and juicy. The portion was quite generous—more than enough on its own, even without the sides. The potato had just the right amount of firmness, holding together beautifully while bursting with herbaceous flavor. As for the corn, it was a delightful surprise, buttered with hints of cayenne and paprika that delivered a sweet heat, leaving a pleasant tingle on the tongue. It’s a flavor I can’t wait to recreate at home!
The Negatives:
Unfortunately, the cramped seating led to a mishap when we were trying to help our daughter with her meal—her drink got knocked over, soaking her entire plate in sweet tea. It took us 15 minutes to get our server’s attention, and when we finally did, he reassured us that he would bring napkins and a fresh plate of food for our daughter. However, when Albert returned, it was only with prepackaged wipes for after the meal, as if nothing had happened. We had to remind him again about the napkins and the replacement plate. He quickly apologized, handed us a few napkins, and then disappeared once more. Jason and I eventually decided to share our portions of chicken with Elena, grateful for the generous servings, as it became clear that the replacement plate was not coming anytime soon.
The Dessert
Then came dessert time. With our celebration upgrade, we were treated to an additional slice of cake alongside the dessert on the menu, which was a cup of ice cream topped with caramel sauce and served with a wooden spoon. The cake was a simple vanilla with white icing and sprinkles. Unfortunately, it was a bit dry, and the icing seemed to be partially frozen. However, Elena was so hungry by this point that she eagerly ate hers—and mine too!
All About The Show:
The Queen, Doña Maria Isabella, has taken the throne following the passing of her father (presumably the king from the previous show). She oversees a grand tournament to determine the best knight in the land, but the drama intensifies when one knight, acting dishonorably, challenges her authority.
The show was packed with captivating performances, including horses performing impressive tricks, the thrilling flight of a falcon, and expertly choreographed displays of skill between horse and rider. We were completely enthralled from start to finish! The highlight of the night came when our knight chose Elena to receive his ribbon. She was over the moon and proudly wore it for the rest of the evening.
Final Thoughts and Anger:
This is when my frustration really peaked. Albert came around with a plate for credit cards and a small card thanking us for attending, along with a reminder that gratuity was not included in our tickets. Despite everything that had gone wrong during our meal, when we declined to leave a tip, he repeatedly asked—at least four times—for us to reconsider, even going so far as to try and stop us from leaving without an explanation. By that point, we were so fed up with the experience that all we wanted to do was get home.
Is It Worth The Cost?
Overall, the show was a lot of fun, and we genuinely enjoyed ourselves. The excitement, the spectacle, and the chance to step back in time made for an entertaining evening. It’s not necessarily something I would do more than once, but the upgrades we chose did add a special touch to the experience, making it feel a bit more exclusive and memorable.
However, looking back, if I had paid the full price of over $80 per person, I think my frustrations would have overshadowed the fun. The incident with my daughter’s meal was particularly disappointing. While I understand that accidents happen and a spilled drink isn’t entirely the staff’s fault, the lack of prompt attention and the absence of any extra effort to make things right left us feeling a bit let down. For the price we paid, a little more care and consideration would have made all the difference. When you’re spending that kind of money, especially for a family experience, you expect a level of service that matches the cost. Small gestures, like quickly replacing her meal or offering a complimentary treat to make up for the mishap, would have gone a long way in turning a frustrating situation into a more positive memory.
In the end, while we did enjoy the evening, the lingering frustrations and harassment over gratuity—especially considering the cost—made us feel that the experience didn’t quite live up to our expectations. It’s those little details, the extra mile in service, that can really elevate an experience and make you feel like it was money well spent. Unfortunately, in this case, we felt that was missing.
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