Arabian Nights

[pintrader]

Just wanted to share that we had a non Disney night during our last WDW trip. We decided on Arabian Nights. Easy to get to from I-4 and right across the street from the town of Celebration.

I have allergies and my DH is so sensitive to odors especially while eating so we never thought we could consider a place like this for dinner. We were delighted to find out when we called that they have a room for those with allergies or sensitivities.

It was one of the best dinner/theatre shows we have been to.
It brings a fairy tale to life on horseback. Beautiful horses from around the world are showcased in the world's largest indoor equestrian arena. The Palace of Horses is the only one of its kind on the map, and is the central stage for a dramatic and touching story of love. The guests of Arabian Nights are invited to celebrate the wedding of a Prince and Princess. The Prince is able to summon the magical power of The Black Stallion (Walter Farley's legendary star in print and movies). The Black Stallion's power must be used when the wedding is threatened by an uninvited guest. The wedding festivities are filled with many adventures and surprises - all portrayed with horses.
The guests of the Sultan include: Gypsies with powerful draft horses, Arabian horses with mounted Bedouins, a unicorn, a frightening villain horse with glowing eyes, and a painted Native American reining horse.

This is a show that was obviously entertaining for people of all ages and did not require any of us to get out there and "participate" or make fools of ourselves.

For those of you with little girls who love horses and "unicorns"., this is a can't-miss. The best part was the food. We had Prime Rib, and all the soda, wine, beer we could drink. Not being wine or beer people we settled for the Coke products.

I would suggest this to anyone looking for a Non-Disney night. I'm sure that Dreams Unlimited can make reservations.

We are trying Pirates Dinner Theatre next trip.

 

[WDWFOREVER]

We've done this show twice in the past and like you, absolutely loved it. Second time we went though I left my fanny pack and DH's new jacket behind .... fanny pack was handed in but not the jacket my only defence is that I was recovering from pneumonia at the time ......

 

[dana99]

I would like to take my older DD to see this while we are there, but my youngest daughter is just turning 2 in June (we are going mid-late July) and not sure she would be happy to sit through it. What are your opinions having been there?

Dana

 

[WDWFOREVER]

I certainly saw children your daughters age there but I suppose it depends on the child really. My son at 2 would have sat there quite happily. However, my friends daughter of 2 would not have done. There are enough doors to slip out of if she starts getting restless and there is ample space for her to run around once you get out of the doors.

Jackie

 

[dana99]

Thank you so much for the information. I will have to decide whether or not to take her, she can get pretty restless sometimes and I wouldn't want to spoil it for anyone else.
Thanks again!
Dana

 

[WDWFOREVER]

Dana,

I don't know whether you are from the US or UK but if you are UK and haven't been to the US before, you will notice quite a big difference between taking your daughter out in the UK and in the US. The US is much more child friendly (although I admit the UK is gradually getting better) and you will not encounter so many of the miserable stares from people without children that you are likely to experience in the UK! The American people love children and aren't afraid to show it. My son loves being there (he is 9) because people pay him attention and don't pretend that he doesn't exist!

Also, the show is quite loud and I doubt very much your daughter's voice (or even her screams!) are likely to be heard above the show.

Jackie

 

[Lewisc]

Sorry to have to disagree. I found the show enjoyable (although the description from the OP was lifted almost verbatium from promotional material) but the food was, at best, adequate. I actually traded in my prime ribs for chicken.

The service was great and the show was very enjoyable BUT the food is not the attraction. I don't think I'd go much past edible (Sizzler quality). Discounts are readily available from the usual sources (ticketmania 27.50 adult for example)

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Lewisc
Sorry to have to disagree. I found the show enjoyable (although the description from the OP was lifted almost verbatium from promotional material) but the food was, at best, adequate. I actually traded in my prime ribs for chicken.

The service was great and the show was very enjoyable BUT the food is not the attraction. I don't think I'd go much past edible (Sizzler quality). Discounts are readily available from the usual sources (ticketmania 27.50 adult for example)

I pretty much agree with you Lewis, I have owned, trained, bred and showed Arabian horses for better part of 25 years (in fact we had one that was related to one of the owner of Arabian Nights mother's stallion), the Black Stallion is one of many Black Arabians out in the world, the Walter Farley Stallion used in the Movie died years ago, his name was Casa Ole.

The food, IMHO, does not even make it to Sizzler quality, but, I was not going for the food. I have been 3 times and have enjoyed it greatly, especially at the end when they let many of the horses loose in the arena so you can watch or pat them.

 

[Banshee]

Can you take picture's? I have heard of this show from my horsie friends years ago, My family has raised blue list Egyptian Arabians since 1963 and I would love to get some pics of the arab's in this show for my mom, since she will absolutly not travel that far so if anyone could let me know about taking pic's that would be great!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Banshee
Can you take picture's? I have heard of this show from my horsie friends years ago, My family has raised blue list Egyptian Arabians since 1963 and I would love to get some pics of the arab's in this show for my mom, since she will absolutly not travel that far so if anyone could let me know about taking pic's that would be great!

After the show I believe you may, but, not during it, it is dark during the show and flashes bother people.

I love Egyptian Arabians and one farm that used to show up for the New England Show and the Regionals, had exceptional ones.

 

[Lewisc]

My memory is you can take pictures during the show. They ask for no flash, many people ignore the request BUT since you're more than 10 feet flash is USELESS. If you're going to take pictures take a good camera with high speed film (Fuji 800 speed is decent). Pictures won't be great but people using a disposable camera with flash are wasting their money.

 

[kylara]

You can take pictures during the show without flash. You can also take pictures at the end when they are talking to people and answering questions.

I agree with those who stated the food is not very good. The Prime Rib (when I went) was very fatty. Most of the group I was with did not eat. But then again, I went with two young ladies who are into competative riding, so even if the food had been terrific, they probably wouldn't have eaten since they were so focused on the horses and the riders.

The show really doesn't have much of a plot...really, it is a stretch to say it has a plot, but the riding is fantastic. The night I went, we saw many young kids in the audience that enjoyed the show and a couple of fussy ones whose parents moved them nearer to the doorway so that if they turned into full blown wailing, they could easily slip out. As was already pointed out, there is a lot of room for them to run around if needed.

Also, there is a pre-show tour that you can do (for a cost of course) that lets you see the horses up front and the actors getting ready for the show. I personally didn't think it was worth the price (but since someone else paid for my admission, I held my tongue) but the ones really into horses loved it and thought it was well worth the price.

 

[Goofyzgurl]

Dh and dd enjoyed the show so much they wanted to go again. They even started singing along at the end of the show. Like the others the food is not the greatest. I think it's one step up from Sizzler quality tho--just one step up

 

[pintrader]

As Lewisc so accurately pointed out what I posted is verbatim from their literature. It is what made me want to go.

I likely don't have the same appreciation for horses that GAIL does. All I ever did was barrell race for a couple of teen years. However, my lack of knowledge regarding horses of any breed did not lessen my enjoyment of the show and performers. However, it is my opinion that it is a great show particularly for youngsters.

Compared to the other dinner theatre shows we have attended I was pleased with prime rib and glad it was not another piece of chicken. They served over 900 of us at a time, and I have not found too many dinner theatres that match a Victoria and Albert's standard. The food was not the attraction, it was a secondary reason to be there. We all have our preferences. I think it cost as much to eat into this dinner theatre as it did to get into the chicken ones.

We took the VIP tour prior to the show. We went behind the arena to the stalls and "met" all the horses and a few of the riders. Photos of all sorts were allowed before during and after the show.

If anyone likes horses I think it is a nice non-Disney type night.

Sorry if I offended anyone by typing the info from the brocure rather than trying to create my own description. How could I know it would offend?

 

[Banshee]

You dont need to now horses or be a horse person. to appreciate the beauty and majesty of a horse especially, a very well trained horse, i am sure all the horses are top level dressage trained, and to reach that level of training is a magnificent thing!!! To truly be appreciated! as there are some people that think "just a dumb animal" I love all horses I just prefer the arabian breed, Thanks for the info everyone i really apreciate it!!

 

[***SandieUK***]

Pintrader - you didn't offend me even though I thought I recognised your description. Don't worry about it!

We saw Arabian Nights in 2001 and really enjoyed the show even though my husband and sons are not into horses. Anyone who loves horses should go but I do agree with others that the food was very average.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by pintrader
As Lewisc so accurately pointed out what I posted is verbatim from their literature. It is what made me want to go.

I likely don't have the same appreciation for horses that GAIL does. All I ever did was barrell race for a couple of teen years. However, my lack of knowledge regarding horses of any breed did not lessen my enjoyment of the show and performers. However, it is my opinion that it is a great show particularly for youngsters.

Compared to the other dinner theatre shows we have attended I was pleased with prime rib and glad it was not another piece of chicken. They served over 900 of us at a time, and I have not found too many dinner theatres that match a Victoria and Albert's standard. The food was not the attraction, it was a secondary reason to be there. We all have our preferences. I think it cost as much to eat into this dinner theatre as it did to get into the chicken ones.

We took the VIP tour prior to the show. We went behind the arena to the stalls and "met" all the horses and a few of the riders. Photos of all sorts were allowed before during and after the show.

If anyone likes horses I think it is a nice non-Disney type night.

Sorry if I offended anyone by typing the info from the brocure rather than trying to create my own description. How could I know it would offend?

You most certainly did not offend, you informed. I take exception with Arabian Nights for touting the "Black Stallion", " A Black Stallion" (who is really a gelding) would be more appropriate.
I never did Barrell Racing, to chicken....

 

[Lewisc]

I wasn't offended that you "lifted" the description; I felt that part of your post should be viewed more as promotion than an independant review.

At least when I was there the food was poor, I don't think I've sent food back more than twice in my lifetime. I sent back the prime ribs in exchange for chicken fingers. That said my family had an enjoyable evening.