Medieval Times- Have you ever been to one? (long)

[SRUAlmn]

We went to the one outside of Baltimore about 7 months ago and I have mixed feelings about the experience. I was wondering if, nationally, they are all pretty much the same or not. The tickets were given to us as a gift so I think I was able to enjoy it more knowing that I didn't pay all that money to be there. So here are my thoughts:

The show was interesting. I am not a Medieval type of person, I'm not really into that era or anything, but I love the theatre and I am a performer, so I liked the whole production aspect of it and the fact that your section had a specific knight to root for.

The food, however, left a LOT to be desired.
The appetizer was garlic bread (which was actually really good) and what was supposed to be vegetable soup, but all I could taste was pepper broth.
The main course was a HUGE piece of chicken that was decent, but again very peppery and pretty dry. Also potatoes which were disappointing because I love potatoes. It was basically just a baked potato soaked in pepper and split in half served open faced & very dry, of course, no butter or sour cream
The dessert was an apple turnover type thing that was somewhat decent, but also very dry (I'm sensing a pattern here )

I know they strive to make the foods very true to that time period, but it wasn't my cup of tea. Also, the majority of the time it's dark so you can't see what you are eating, and you don't get silverware (not even for the soup.) I use napkins like crazy even when I have silverware, so my sticky hands were driving me nuts because they only give you one napkin Your wench (server ) is never easy to find because they have large sections to serve which they are constantly rotating around with food and it's dark.

Overall, whether I would go again or not would depend on who is paying I don't know if I would go again unless it was at a special discounted rate or tickets given to me as a gift again. Anyone else have experiences from other Medieval Times Restaurants around the country?

 

[KathyTX]

They're pretty much the same everywhere!

I don't know that the food is supposed to be true to the time period as much as easy to serve and eat with no utensils...

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Well, I am diabetic and they did not serve diet soda. That really took from my enjoyment. My only drink choices were beer and water.

 

[PammyK]

I had to go to Medieval Times a couple months ago as research for my job. I have to admit to being pretty underwhelmed. The arena in Kissimmee is very narrow with some really terrible seats for some guests, especially those in the corners. If you weren't sitting on the end of a row it was also very difficult to get out we had to climb up the back of the bench seats to go visit the ladies room - there would have been some Sharon Stone flashing going on if we'd been wearing short skirts!

For the most part, I found the food dry, bland and boring. The only thing that wasn't dry, bland and boring was the single bbq pork rib that ended up being extremely messy b/c of the wet bbq sauce. But thank goodness for that sauce b/c it was the only thing that saved the tasteless and dry chicken. The hockey puck they call an apple pastry was very unappealing except as maybe a projectile into the arena.

The show itself seemed to move very slowly. The horses they have are beautiful - they appeared to be mostly the showier breeds - Arabians and such - and seemed to be well treated. The performers were okay - the fight choreography was decent from what I could tell. However, I never realized how many Asian knights there were in Medieval Europe.

I've had to visit many of the other dinner shows in the area and Medieval was my least favorite. They're the oldest and have a strong history but they're resting on their history instead of really working to improve what they've got. It isn't someplace I'd visit again unless I had to and it was free.

 

[nuke]

My family and I went to the one outside of Chicago a few months ago. It was pretty fun. I upgraded for better seats and we ended up in the first row which was great. We were given...soup, garlic bread, chicken, bbq rib, potato, and apple pie. The soup was bland. I had to load up on the salt and pepper to give it some taste. My DS on the other hand loved it. The chicken was really good. It was juicy and tasty. The rib was okay and the potato was okay. The apple pie was exactly like McDonald's apple pie. They had pepsi, diet pepsi and 7-up along with beer.
All in all we had a good time but it is very expensive. We won't be going again for a long time.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Thanks, I forgot about the BBQ rib. The one here was actually really good so I don't know how I forgot. I would have been happy with a couple ribs and the garlic bread. They can keep the rest of it

 

[geffric]

We went to the one outside of Chi for our anniversary and because kids are free in Jan, it was expensive not too expensive. I had the vegetarian meal which was the best of the food selects. My kids and DH ate a lot of my meal too. The veggies were steam and I was given silverware to eat it. I had steamed cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, corn, potato, and snow peas.

The show was nice.. We did not see the server as she was very busy trying to sell drinks.

And yes, just like EsmeraldaX, all the kids and I could drink was water since they are not allowed to have pop and Medieval Times does not have anything that was diet and caffine free.

 

[MelessaG]

Dh and I have been twice in Dallas. Once in 1997 and once back in March. Maybe it's just my imagination, but I was much more impressed the first time. Most recently, I was just as underwhelmed by the food as everyone else has mentioned. The show was still good and we also upgraded to front-row seats this time, but I swear the food was better the first time. I also have been pregnant for both trips and hated the choice of either tea or Pepsi. This time I bought a bottled water at the bar before the show started. (I'm jealous to hear 7-Up was an option for some)
DH wants to go again since our kids are just now old enough to enjoy it, but I told him he is on his own next time. I enjoy the show, but it doesn't justify the cost of the ticket. He can take the kids and I'll hit the Galleria!

 

[Skywalker]

My husband and I were just discussing going to see this. Would it be appropriate for 4 and 6 year old boys? Is it all in fun or is the violence realistic and all that. Also would it long and boring or exciting for kids? Thanks for any input, it would help a lot. At least now I know not to expect much from the food. LOL.

 

[KathyTX]

As far as the violence goes, think fight scenes in old westerns. There are choreographed fights between knights, with pretend punches and sword work and the like. No blood.

I think it's horribly cheesy, but DS 11 enjoys it. For his birthday last month, he chose to take two friends there and then have a sleepover. The boys had a happy, rowdy, lots of laughs good time.

Pricey, but much easier than most of the other birthday party options.

 

[MelessaG]

Originally posted by Skywalker
My husband and I were just discussing going to see this. Would it be appropriate for 4 and 6 year old boys? Is it all in fun or is the violence realistic and all that. Also would it long and boring or exciting for kids? Thanks for any input, it would help a lot. At least now I know not to expect much from the food. LOL.

These are the ages of our oldest two kids and I think they would love it. It may be a little on the long side for them. I know it was for me-but I was 8 mos. pregnant both time I went.

 

[Skywalker]

Kathy and Melessa - thank you for the input! I think we may take the boys, it sounds like it may be fun for them.

 

[Lewski709]

Went to the one in Schaumberg, IL this past April. Food was pretty good, actually. Sounds like the same menu everywhere. The only bad thing we had was the extremly overcooked and dry potato. The apple turnover was really good. Would have been better with a scoop of ice cream and caramel. But, I liked it as it was nice and warm.

My son turned 5 and we took him, but man it was pricey. He got in free and we spent over 150.00.

We won't be going back, even though the "boys" enjoy it a lot. It was boring to me, but I acted excited for my little guy.

 

[WishingOnAStar]

SRUAlmn, was that the one at Arundel Mills Mall? I've been dying to go there. I was just thinking maybe we'd take DS and 4 of his friends for his 6th birthday (his birthday is 12 days before we leave and without the kids knowing about the trip, I'm trying to think of a way to scale down a party for him).

Now, you have me re-thinking it. We had done a Dixie Stampede in Myrtle Beach and LOVED it, so I guess I assumed it would be similar.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Hey my fellow Bel Airian

Yes, we went to the one at Arundel Mills. I am a big believer in forming your own opinion about things. I would definitely say that it's a one time experience, but something that you should definitely try once if it's not going to break the bank. If you want to do it for a bday or something then go for it. Just be prepared that the food is not good. Kids I know around here have gone and loved it (because they didn't pay and usually don't care what the food tastes like.) Just know that the food won't be super great and it will be long. Also prepare your kids for the fact that there is no silverware. They announce all the birthdays, anniversaries, etc... if you let them know (when we were there, all the announcements took almost 20 minutes!) I think boys that age will think the show is really cool with all the horses and the knights and the smoke and flashing lights. So if you can afford to take them all I would say definitely try it once. Let us know how it goes

 

[WishingOnAStar]

Okay, just went to the website- I had no idea it was that expensive. I mean, I guess it makes sense, I just never totalled it up. I wanted to "scale down" his birthday b/c of our trip- not spend as much or more than I normally would have.

Maybe a movie with some friends!................

 

[SRUAlmn]

I was wondering, but I thought maybe you were a BIG Bday Party kinda person who goes all out and then Medieval Times would be scaling down Check out some places in the area, I know first hand that there are some great places around here to have parties

 

[Stepharoonie!]

If anyone ever goes to Vegas, try the Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino. The food is VERY tasty and VERY good with a very nice show involved. I liked it a lot better than Medieval Times.

 

[WishingOnAStar]

Karen,

yeah, I was kinda feeling like we've done all the Bel Air stuff (Abingdon Putt-Putt and laser tag, bowling, Chuck E. Cheese, Bel Air Athletic Club, Just For Kids, etc.....) I need something different - and TRULY scaled down!

(By the way, have you heard of Champion Plumbing? We own it.
I just think it's so cool that you're in Bel Air, too.)

 

[Aimeedyan]

Call me prissy, but I refuse to go because I won't eat with my hands. I haven't heard that it's that great, either, and it's SO expensive!!!!!! But even if someone invited us, I wouldn't go due to the no silverware bit.

Sorry you were less than thrilled, but nice that you didn't have to pay