Medieval Times Orlando: Where the Magic of Camelot Comes to Life!
‘Orlando?’ said I.
Adapted from Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court
‘Camelot,’ said he.”1
Were you that little girl who dreamed of being Queen Guinevere, living in Camelot’s castle—or perhaps the boy who saw himself as Sir Lancelot, clashing swords with the Black Knight? Protecting the realm, the roundtable, and King Arthur’s kingdom from foes without honor…
But alas, the days of Merlin are no more. Are they?
Well, legend has it there is still a place where gallantry and noble deeds are still displayed. Follow me through the gates of the royal castle and leave the modern world behind. My ladies, my lords, this is Medieval Times!
Location and Overview
Located less than nine miles from Walt Disney World on Hwy 192 in Kissimmee, Florida, lies one of—if not the best—dinner theater experiences you can have in all of Orlando and the Central Florida area. In fact, Medieval Times has built a legendary reputation as one of the most popular dinner attractions in the state of Florida!
(Photo: Experience Kissimmee via Flickr)
Since opening its doors in December of 1982, Medieval Times has had over seventy-two million guests. Every night, ordinary folks like you and me are transported back in time to a royal feast and noble tournament of knights in shining armor. The joyous festivities are paying homage to the queen, who just so happens to be your host. (So, this is what it means to receive the royal treatment!)
The Royal Medieval Times Dinner Tournament
This popular dinner attraction is based on the actual historical events of an 11th-century Spanish noble family. You will bear witness to and cheer on the gallant efforts of royal knights as they joust on horseback. But there’s more! Swordplay, hand-to-hand combat, exhibitions of horsemanship, and the majestic art of falconry are all on display, dazzling and delighting audiences of every century, 11th to the 21st! While the knights are hard at work entertaining the queen and her guests, you get to sit back and enjoy a four-course meal prepared by the chef and staff members of the royal kitchen.
Each guest is given a crown upon their arrival. (How fancy!) The color of your crown coordinates with the knight who represents your region of the kingdom so that you can root them on to victory in the tournament! The call to the table before the show is also color-coordinated, so getting seated in the arena is a breeze.
What to Expect When You Arrive
The venue could be sold out depending on the time of year you visit. We suggest buying your tickets online and early, although there are ticket vendors throughout the area who sometimes have same-day availability. Gates open one hour before the show, but lines can be an issue at times. However, the staff is well experienced and generally does a fine job keeping things moving! (Just what we’d expect from the royal court guard squad!)
Always remember that a royal guest should display appropriate manners and class at all times, so be pleasant and agreeable to those you meet from other parts of the kingdom, no matter how much you want to rub it in that your knight won the tournament.
Gratuities are not included, and the venue asks that guests pay their humble servers in cash. ATMs are available on-site for your convenience. VIP seating is also offered for those looking to get even closer to the action. Simply ask to upgrade when you arrive or select the VIP option online. You’ll find plenty of parking with good lighting on-site, but we still suggest securing your vehicle’s doors before heading inside. (That’s just good practice wherever you go!)
Other Adventures for Those Seeking a Noble Quest
Full adult alcohol service can be found at the Queen’s Bar, located outside the tournament arena on the Medieval Times concourse. Also, no trip to Medieval Times is complete without a visit to the sword shop! That’s right—they have a real sword shop.
(Okay, Uncle Doug, I think you should leave the swordplay to the professionals. I know you’re excited, but you need to be a little more careful around the kiddos. Remember New Orleans? Yeah, we don’t need another one of those again.)
Oh, sorry, that’s just our crazy uncle. You probably have one of them too… right? Anyway, where were we… Oh, other adventures, that’s right! Another place you’ll definitely want to visit is the gift shop! You can find so many fun things to remember your trip by, and I’m sure you’ll want proof of your time traveling, so be sure to stop by before or after the show!
Accommodations and Menu
Medieval Times understands that some of its guests may have special dietary needs and does its best to accommodate most medical and lifestyle diets. Just be sure to let your humble servants know when they arrive at your table, and things should be fine. As for the menu, you will be served a four-course meal with coffee and two servings of non-alcoholic drinks.
For those seeking the pleasure of an adult-style beverage, the humble servants of the castle will be happy to take and deliver your Queen’s Bar orders tableside.
While the menu is subject to change seasonally and without notice, at the time of writing, the menu was as follows:
- 1st-course: Bread Service—buttery garlic bread
- 2nd-course: Soup—tomato bisque
- 3rd-course: Main Dish—fire-roasted chicken served with buttered corn and roasted herb potatoes
- 4th-course: Dessert (the most important)—The Queen’s Pantry has a rotating selection of different pound cakes served in several different combinations with several different toppings.
Our MouseEars TV time travel experts are sure you, your friends, and your family will enjoy a trip to Medieval Times!
If you enjoyed this article or have suggestions about other places and adventures in the Sunshine State, we encourage your feedback in the comments below. Until we both meet again…my lords and ladies, cheers of ale to you all and tally-ho good friends and nobles!
Cover Image
Photo: Unsplash
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