Be Treated Like Royalty At Medieval Times

Although my family has been to before, we were so excited to be invited to the preview of their brand new show, the first new program since 2007. Almost two years in the making, the new live production was worth the wait!

My favorite horse in the show is the black Friesian ridden by the Lord Chancellor. To my great delight, he was being attended by the Black and White Knight outside the castle as we arrived. I was able to get an up-close view and rub his nose before the show!

Once you are inside the castle, there are lots of things to see, including weapons, suits of armour, Medieval artifacts, a live bird display and the dungeon. You can purchase drinks in a variety of keepsake mugs and glasses to sip on as you browse around before the show. Don't forget your purse, because they also have some great souvenirs such as princess hats and gowns, swords, shields and some beautiful chess sets, plus a lot more.

Your family can also have a photo taken with some of the cast. Once before, we had ours taken with King Carlos and this time it was with the Royal Falconer and her bird. They are placed in a beautiful Medieval Times commemorative keepsake book.

The new show is wonderful. There is new, exciting music, beautiful costumes, dramatic lighting, more fighting and, of course, more horses. The magnificent stallions are the real stars of the show, beginning their training as babies on the Medieval Times' Chapel Creek Ranch in Sanger, Texas. This 241-acre ranch is home to Quarter Horses, Friesians and Menorcans, as well as the Pure Spanish Horses they breed. They move the horses at age 3 to their new home at one of the nine North American Castles, where they learn advanced-level dressage from a master horse trainer. Then life as a pampered performer begins. After a few years in the spotlight, the Medieval Times horses move back to the Chapel Creek Ranch to live out their retirement, still receiving the royal treatment.

Pure Spanish horses were prized by medieval royalty for their astonishing strength, agility and even temperament. To me, their performance was one of the highlights of the show. Another highlight was the performance by the Royal Falconer and her bird. It was breath-taking to see this beautiful bird soar around the arena and swoop just above our heads as it tracked its prey, culminating in a exciting toss and snatch by the bird.

The new show delivers even more audience favorites such as live jousting and sword fights. Guests are encouraged to cheer for one of six Knights of the Realm, named after historic regions of medieval Spain. With authentic weaponry and enhanced armor, the new production presents non-stop action paired with exciting new music.

And while there’s still a general theme of good-vs.-evil throughout the show, guests will see much more of what they like most – fight scenes that maintain the highest quality of action-packed entertainment and safety standards.

Included in the price of the show is a four-course, utensil-free meal. This is served during the show, so you are entertained as you eat and never feel as though you are waiting. The waiters are terrific. They are efficient and remain in character, answering every request with "Yes, my Lord," or "as my Lady wishes."

The menu includes pureed tomato soup, garlic bread, roasted chicken half, BBQ rib, half a potato, and an apple pastry along with beverages. One member of our family is a vegetarian. Along with her tomato soup and garlic bread, she was served a rice-stuffed roasted red pepper, a skewer of roasted vegetables, hummus and chips and the apple pastry. The portions are large and the kids love eating with their fingers. Don't worry, they even provide warm wet-wipes after the meal to clean up hands and faces.

This show provides heart-pounding entertainment, lots of crowd participation as you cheer for your favorite knight, gorgeous horses, brave knights, royal pageantry and a feast "fit for a king." We had a wonderful evening. This is truly family entertainment at its finest.