There is just something magical about a gallant knight and his horse. It’s this noble notion that fuels the fire that is the allure of Medieval Times. During a recent visit to the Scottsdale castle, we were expecting a slight variation of dinner and a show. What we received was a stellar evening of fine entertainment, expert horsemanship, choreographed combat, a jousting tournament, a great meal and excellent service with a generous serving of chivalry. Medieval Times is an entertainment destination that offers something for everyone.
Medieval Times musts:
- Get your picture taken with a knight
- Wine and dine utensil-free
- Treat little ones to a “knighting session”
The castle opens an hour before the start of the show. The crowd is let in via a massive “drawbridge” that leads straight into the ticketing area where each person receives their seat assignment in the queen’s court. A general admission ticket provides guests dinner and a show. Upgraded ticketing options include Royalty Upgrade, Celebration Upgrade and Queen’s Royalty Upgrade, and each level includes a few fun extras.
The pre-tournament
Once inside the castle reception area, each guest has the opportunity to have their picture taken, either individually or as a group, and shop at several exciting and well-stocked gift shop-style counters. Some of the fun souvenirs and other items available include t-shirts, logoed glasses, stuffed animals, signs, costume pieces and more. If you want a full suit of armor — it will set you back a pretty penny, but they have those, too!
The queen is on hand before showtime to “knight” some of the kids (and adults) having birthdays. A large medieval-themed tavern flanks an entire wall of the reception area and chivalrous staff offers pre-event cocktails, mocktails, mead wine, beer and sodas for guests as we awaited entry into the queen’s court. We took advantage of a great deal while we waited for the main doors to open. We purchased a bottle of Chaucer’s Raspberry Mead and two stately frosted commemorative glasses. For less than $50, I felt it was a solid value and the glasses were beautiful.
Finally, the call came out from a balcony above the tavern that the queen was ready to receive us. Guests are seated by section, so we waited for just a few minutes and made our way to the stadium-style seats, encircling a large arena. The helpful crew and staff at Medieval Times really has the timing of seating and serving down to a medieval science. They’re friendly, efficient and know how to work with a large crowd.
No utensils necessary
The four-course dinner began before the tournament, and we were in for a real treat. The feast started with hearty garlic bread and a fabulous tomato bisque soup. My husband turned to me and said, “We don’t have silverware.”
I replied, “There is NO silverware at Medieval Times!” The look on his face was priceless. The opportunity to not use utensils for an entire dinner was a lot of fun. Looking at it from the business angle, it’s a cool way to drive home the medieval theme, while saving time and money where silverware is concerned.
(Photo courtesy of Medieval Times)
Showtime!
Queen Maria Isabella welcomed the crowd warmly and invited guests to cheer mightily for their designated knight. We were then greeted by a falconer who brought out his saker falcon and showcased its speed and agility. The gorgeous falcon swooped and dove right over the heads of guests. The fact that the bird did so inside of a building was incredible! Interestingly, before the show, I had a chance to speak with the falconer. He told me that only certain birds can be used for this kind of entertainment, due to specific laws in place to protect birds of prey. I learned something new that evening.
Next up was a delightfully seasoned serving of roasted chicken, sweet, buttered corn on the cob and an herb-basted potato. Everything was fantastic and I would easily compare the food quality and flavor to an elevated dining experience. Of course, they had to wait until after the gorgeous falcon display to serve the chicken to guests. They certainly couldn’t have risked having the falcon stealing dinners!
We were seated in the blue knight’s section, and we waived our blue flags mightily as he entered the stadium to be introduced. I couldn’t help but notice that all the knights’ designated cheering sections were different. Some attendees were reserved and clapped politely, and others were off-the-chain enthusiastic — cheering and carrying on like their lives depended on it.
Each knight came out on their respective horses, and it was quite a show. These are not just everyday horses and actors who happen to ride. These are highly trained horses and exceptionally skilled equestrian riders that showcase the specific talents of the types of horses they work with and ride.
Most notably, horses performing at Medieval Times are housed there and have formed strong bonds with their respective performers. Gorgeous Andalusian horses performed very intricate and graceful dressage movements. They pranced, danced and leapt at the command of their “knights.” These horses came out to the arena one at a time to perform and it was jaw-dropping at how studious and obedient they were. The Andalusian horses are specifically bred by Medieval Times at Chapel Creek Ranch in Texas for all its locations.
Quarter horses that are proficient with speed and short distance sprinting took part in the ring toss, flag toss, sword fighting and jousting. They knew exactly what to do and were every bit as part of the show as their human counterparts. It was remarkable to watch the knights jousting and observe how the horses were 100% a part of the action. It seemed that the equine talent was just as schooled in the fight choreography as their knights.
Hand-to-hand choreographed “fighting” also took place, with the knights flying or falling off their horses, only to be met on the ground by a rival knight where they engaged in a fight “to the death.” It’s not graphic or distasteful, and I would recommend a night (pun intended) at Medieval Times as a perfect event for the entire family.
Toward the end of the evening, we were all treated to eclairs for dessert and coffee. Those with special dietary restrictions can have a great meal too and can request a specific meal when you order.
The biggest takeaway of the event is that Medieval Times has its act together. The knights are incredibly skilled equestrians, and the horses are clearly healthy, well-groomed and maintained and seem to be incredibly loyal to their knights. The dinner and a show are much more than that. It’s a great time to bond with family and friends and a chance to appreciate the knights and horses as the true trained athletes that they are.
Medieval Times boasts 10 stately “castles” across the U.S., including the Scottsdale, AZ and Dallas, TX. For more information or tickets, visit medievaltimes.com.
What to know before you go:
Feel free to dress up in Renaissance garb.
Castle doors open one hour before showtime.
Be prepared to cheer and jeer, and most importantly, come hungry!
When purchasing tickets, indicate if you have a birthday or anniversary.
Medieval Times is a perfect place for families, groups or work outings.