A Feast at Medieval Times

Ah, Medieval Times, a land of knights, horses, royalty, and eating with your hands (just like they did in the olden days)! While dinner shows may not be the cheapest entertainment option in Orlando (an adult dinner at Medieval Times comes close to $60 as of this writing), finding the right show for your family can be well worth the price investment. As recent hosts to my armored combat obsessed brother, we knew that this performance would be filled with stunning entertainment seemingly crafted to his interests and preferences.

Is Medieval Times a good fit for your family dinner? Let’s take a look at all that awaits beyond the Castle walls! 

The Medieval Times Experience

Upon arriving at the Kissimmee Castle, you’ll check in at the front desk. After taking care of any outstanding payments, staff will direct you to another table to receive your table assignments, kingdom designations, and, of course, everyone gets a festive cardboard crown. 

About Kingdom Designations

The Medieval Times arena is divided into several “kingdoms” designated by section color. Each kingdom is represented in the jousting competition by one knight. While your kingdom designation does little to affect your experience, it’s definitely fun to cheer on your particular contestant during the games and battles (and it’s even better if your knight wins!). 

After being assigned your kingdom, your family will have the option to pose for a photo. Since it’s an extra fee for this activity, we opted out. But it’s nice that the opportunity is there for those that might want it. 

Depending on when you arrive, you might want to do a bit of shopping, grab an adult beverage, or otherwise explore the central area of the Castle. Be sure to head inside the arena with plenty of time to spare before the show begins. You don’t want to miss anything! 

The Medieval Times Feast

After being seated at your table, a server will stop by to ask for your drink preferences. Sodas and assorted soft drinks (and refills!) are included with your meal. 

Also, remember that Medieval Times serves its food according to the customs of the period, meaning that you will not automatically receive any silverware for the first two courses. Instead, you’ll have a napkin, copious amounts of wet wipes, and the most versatile eating utensils – your hands!

The First Course 

The first course consists of a delicious tomato bisque soup served with a slice of garlic bread. To be perfectly honest, I did not care for the bread. It was a little too greasy for me, but I did enjoy dipping a few bites into the soup.

And on the subject of soup, the tomato bisque was INCREDIBLE! The broth was so flavorful I could have enjoyed three more bowls of it!

While the soup is served in a dish with a handle to facilitate eating, some individuals might find it difficult to consume without making a mess. If this is a concern in your party, just ask your server for a spoon! They will be happy to bring one ASAP.

The Main Course

When the soup bowls are cleared, get ready for a tasty main course consisting of roasted chicken, herbed potato, and buttered corn on the cob. 

Ok, first I HAVE to talk about these incredible sides! The herbed potato and corn on the cob were so well-seasoned and delicious I could have eaten an entire plate of just these items (and I don’t even usually like corn). Likewise, the chicken was served juicy and tasty – making this a pretty awesome entree!

The Last Course

No extravagant meal is complete without a little sweetness at the end! Our dinner was served with a dessert of frozen yogurt topped with a caramel-like substance. While I assumed from the color that the yogurt was vanilla flavored, it wasn’t. It was far too tart for that. Instead, I think it was simply plain yogurt flavored. I did not care for this course, but I know others that loved it!

Foodie Focus: Blue Milk vs. Green Milk at Galaxy’s Edge

Dietary Restrictions

If you’re following a certain diet, like gluten-free or vegetarian, Medieval Times can provide alternative menus and food items. Regular readers of the blog will know that I do tend to follow a more pescatarian/vegetarian diet – this time, however, I chose to enjoy the traditional selections. But why, you ask? Well, the simple answer is that the vegetarian menu was a little lackluster, including an appetizer of hummus and veggies, an entree of three-bean stew, and a choice of either fresh fruit or Italian ice for dessert. Considering the lack of price difference and considerably lower food volume, it just didn’t make sense to choose the veggie option. The meal didn’t even include the herbed potato and buttered corn! Unless they are cooked in an oil made from bacon fat or something, I really don’t understand why the vegetarian (as opposed to vegan) menu would not include these items.

The Show!

But the real draw to Medieval Times is, of course, the entertainment! Set in Medieval Spain, your family has received a royal invitation (from the Queen herself) to enjoy a 90 minute presentation of falconry, horse dressage, and the main event – a traditional jousting tournament. Will your kingdom’s knight reign supreme?

While there’s admittedly only a very loose storyline (the preparation, performance, and conclusion of the jousting tournament is intermixed with scenes of animal acts), it doesn’t really matter. The point of the show is obviously more about the spectacle: the horses, the knights, and the battle for royal bragging rights. It’s fascinating to see real jousting and choreographed armored combat happening just below your table!

Freaky Thoughts

If you or another member of your party is interested in the Medieval era, this could be the right show for your group. I know my armored combat-loving brother enjoyed the experience, and the rest of us appreciated the unique demonstrations and tasty food. If you’re looking for unique family fun outside of the theme parks, definitely look into a feast at Medieval Times!