Medieval Times or Pirates Dinner Show

[mom2isaac&ella]

We are thinking of squeezing one of these shows into our vacation. Any opinions on which is better? We have a DS4 (he'll be almost 5 by August) & DD2.

[mom2isaac&ella]

Any opinions on either of these would be appreciated!
Thanks!

[stanax]

We are considering one of these shows for our upcoming trip, although our kids are a little older, DS 14, DD 12. I would be interested in feedback from anyone who has gone to either of these dinner shows.
Thanks,
-Stan

[CastMemberDWA]

Basically the decision really comes down to this:
do you want to see horses or not? MT has horses...PDA doesn't.

I have done both and prefer MT to PDA. I have also been to Arabian Knights and Dixie Stampede. My favorite of all 4 is Dixie Stampede.

Best food/entertainment.

[princesspumpkin]

I have only done MT and can say that it was a fabulous time! Now, I'm not someone who is usually into that kind of stuff (medieval period, jousting, horses and stuff), but my sister suggested it (and paid). We all had a wonderful time (me, DH, DD-4, sis and bf). And the food was good too! When my sister's boyfriend said that he didn't want anything to eat. they brought him a beggie/cheese platter that we all ate from too (that wasn't on the menu).

[twoprincesses]

Does it smell like horses? I don't think I could eat and smell horses at the same time.

[princesspumpkin]

Does it smell like horses? I don't think I could eat and smell horses at the same time.

Nope, didn't smell "horsey" to me (and I have a scent sensitivity and get easily nauseated).

[dpuck1998]

I went to MT last Jan and loved it. No bad smells and food was overall good. All the reviews I have read online about Pirates are terrible. Checkout www.tripadvisor.com MT is much more popular and successful than Pirates. Well run and my kids loved it!!

[gjw007]

I went to Medival Times (MT) about 10 years ago and I enjoyed it. I went to Pirates about 2 years ago with a 4 year-old and a 10 year-old and none of us enjoyed it. I think Pirates has potential but it didn't live up to our expectations when I was there. Food in both places was so-so at best bit it is designed to match the setting of the show.

[Sylvester McBean]

mid times is much better than pirates. dixie stampede is much better than mid times. :)

[lck]

We went to MT in Fla about 8 or so years ago--maybe more. Anyway, it was pretty rundown. There was a tortential downpour at the time and the roof was leaking. They had big buckets scattered around to catch the water. It smelled musty inside.

We had a terrible server. At first I thought she was "in character" and was supposed to be surly but the server at the next table was happy and pleasant. Plus, we got terrible seats. Up AGAINST (literally) the wall in the middle of the row. Not good if you have to go to the bathroom. Is it still like this? Have they remodeled?

We went to the one in Anaheim 3 years ago and it was nice and we had a great time.

Anyway, my advice is, if you go--go EARLY. A reservation does not guarantee you a table. If they fill up before you get there, you're SOL. This is the way it's done in Ca anyway. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[emh1129]

We loved MT when we went to the one in CA 3 years ago. We're looking forward to trying the one in Orlando this January. My husband loves that whole time period and I know that will be his one request during our trip ;)
I know that my son will love it (he is 4) but my daughter will be 2 and I'm not so sure if she will sit still :confused3

One thing I've been wondering, though (for those who stay onsite) how do you plan to get to MT? That's the only off-site place we plan to go, so I'd rather not rent a car just for that..

[DaddyDon]

Went to MT last year and had a great time :thumbsup2 Went to pirates a couple of years ago for free and thought it was pretty bad.Maybe they have improved but i would not go back and pay full price for it.Went to dixie stampede last month and really liked the food and show.Now remember the food is made for the masses in all these venues so not any of it is top notch ...some just better than others.I just wish King Henerys Feast was still around ...... :guilty:

[MickeyP]

What made the Dixie Stampede so much better than MT?
Just curious, I haven't seen either one.

[Corryn]

Hello,
We went to the Pirates show a few years ago.
We walked in and hung around in a big waiting area. We did not know what to expect. So we looked around for a few minutes, then found a place to sit; we got something to drink and sat around again. Then some employees came out with a big bowl of salad and pasta salad. I swear I was expecting shrimp cocktail and stuff like that....Anyway, by the way our fellow visitors were acting, it was like they hadn't eaten for days! People literally charged the table where the food was. It was ridiculous. After we had our pasta salad appetizer, then they opened the doors for us to go in to watch the show and eat.
I don't remember anything special about the food, but I think we were hungry after the show.
The show itself entertained us. Our kids liked it. It was something to do that night, you know? Would we go back? No. After you are entertained by Disney, nothing compares.

[DaddyDon]

To tell the truth i did not hear one cast member complain about there manager's(at Dixie stampede).My daughter age 8 had the privilige if getting the gold knights scarf that nite(at MT),But all i heard was cast members complain about there company! :confused3 :confused3 :confused3 The cast at MT are a great group as i got to meet them at a outing once at the mecarrdo.Great people and great athletes!!!!!!!But when i fork over money for a dinner show i do not wish to hear complaints.....I was there to leave a real world and go to a fantasy if you will.
DS was a really polished show from the pre show to the end.There food was some what better,if not hotter than i expected(heat)My dd was also selected to be in the chicken chase(that was a hoot)
2 shows twice my dd got to be a part.....No complaints from cast members win ......
Hope this sheds some light on my preference
Don
p.s. no i am not in mgmt of any sort.......

[Tink's Tormentor]

I have been to MT and enjoyed it.. The food was not that bad.. Never did the Pirates show, probably never will... The other show I did do was Capone's.. And that was terrible.. The show was OK, not great, and the food was horrible.

[TSM1993]

MT is alot better than Pirates. Like Capones as well if you pick up a coupon book from the hotel you maybe able to get in to Capones at 1/2 off. Capones has Italian food buffet stlye. At least the last time we were down there Capones had coupons in the book half off.

[tinkerbell2006]

I was doing this research for my next trip in July 2006. There are many options. Dixie Stampeded, Pirate DInner, Medieval Times, Arabian Nights. I tried to access each of the websites for each dinner and decided with my 4 year old.... WILL BE 5 this Sunday! That we will be going to the Dixie Stampede. I do not rememeber if you have kids or their ages, but I think after seeing the website that this is the most child friendly.

Hope this helps. Since besides the Hoop de doo revue in Disney Fort Wilderness I have not attended to any other Dinner Show. We really enjoyed that one.

Have Fun! princess:

[isla bonita]

We have been to MT twice and loved it both times. The food is ok but the show makes up for it we think.

[doombuggy]

I have been to the Medevil Times in Lindhurst, NJ and had a great time! Went with adults, no kids, though. I have not been to any of the ones around here, mosly b/c I just don't have much free time, since I work every day.

[adnama]

has anyone been to the slueths mystery show??


:tink:

[dpuck1998]

aiii cap'n pirate: we've been hijacked :rolleyes1

jk :teeth: I'd be curious myself

[jezebella]

My brother did the Sleuth one last time he was down here and said it was horrible. Sorry to hijack, but I'm really curious at how bad Capone's is. We've been wanting to do one as in they're all really right out our back door (live in Celebration) but haven't decided. Capone's is always packed, but then again, it's ALWAYS half off.

[Andrea]

we also loved Medieval Times but we did the one in las vegas. we are going to do it in disney and dixie Stampede ( we have to pay for mt but not for ds)

[TSM1993]

My brother did the Sleuth one last time he was down here and said it was horrible. Sorry to hijack, but I'm really curious at how bad Capone's is. We've been wanting to do one as in they're all really right out our back door (live in Celebration) but haven't decided. Capone's is always packed, but then again, it's ALWAYS half off.


I liked Capones. The thing with Capones is it is a buffet so you serve yourself and has italian food on the buffet.

[scarboroughmom]

This thread is a little old, so I don't know if the OP still cares but:

We went to MT a few days ago. We all (DH, DS's 11,8,8), and we loved it. But I would not spend the money with a 2 and 5 year old. The seating arrangements are somewhat confining. It is dark and noisy. My kids would not have been interested in the show at those ages. And the "chaos" would have just made them fussy.

To anyone else reading this, kids from about 6 and up should enjoy it. The horses are beautiful. The stunt work is incredible. Check out their website http://www.medievaltimes.com/ .

[cyjmhill]

Basically the decision really comes down to this:
do you want to see horses or not? MT has horses...PDA doesn't.

I have done both and prefer MT to PDA. I have also been to Arabian Knights and Dixie Stampede. My favorite of all 4 is Dixie Stampede.

Best food/entertainment.

Thanks for the advice! I Have been to MT & PDA, but wanted to know about the other 2.

Thanks again!!!

[sunnishine]

I would say pirates will keep your 5 year old more amused. I have a 4 year old and that is what I am doing.

I have been to pirates, medieval times, and several others except Dixie stampede. Pirates was the first one we went to and we enjoyed that more than all the others. We always ended up regretting not going to pirates. We are going back this year. Make sure to get your tickets at a discount online place. They are a lot cheaper.


MT is ok but caters more to an older audience. Last time I went the 4/5 year old kids at MT were bored. They could not follow the story and so the parents ended up haveing to amuse them making the parents miserable.

I found the food at pirates good. After waiting in the opening area the scene starts as a festival and then the princess is kidnapped by the pirates. You are then ushered into the "ship" where the rest of the story unfolds. Each section gets their own pirate to root for. There is lots of acrobatics and things going on. Great for the younger kids and dh and I enjoyed it too. The free wine didn't hurt either!
Sunni