The ALL-NEW Show at Medieval Times! {Review}

Medieval Times is a show, or actually an experience, that everyone should do at least once.  It is a dinner and show together perfect for families to enjoy together, which in my book is a plus!  I actually can’t think of anything like it that we have seen that appealed to both us adults as well as the kids, plus we got a great meal out of it!  Usually my kids are the entertainment for us as they are young and don’t sit well in restaurants, but at Medieval Times they were mesmerized by the show!  I will say I didn’t know how much they’d like it at ages 3 and 5 but they were hooked.  Actually ever since we left they have been asking when we are going to go back!

I have been to Medieval Times a few times, the most recent being about eight years ago!  While I don’t remember too much of the show itself or the food specifics, I did notice that the New Medieval Times show does have more food and more fighting!

About the new show in Chicagoland:

Get ready to experience history like never before. Travel back in time to the 11^th century at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, North America’s longest running dinner attraction, as an all-new show is unveiled on March 21, 2012. The first completely new show since 2007, this live performance has been two years in the making and features even more action-packed entertainment and a reimagined four-course feast fit for a king! Medieval Times is located at 2001 N. Roselle Rd. in Schaumburg, IL

While the new show has undergone a complete overhaul, some traditions remain. The live show still features two- and four-legged performers with a true medieval utensil-free meal, all in a recently updated, castle-inspired arena. However, the new live production presents even more of audience favorites such as live jousting, swordplay, horsemanship and falconry. Guests become part of the action, filling arena seats and cheering for one of six “Knights of the Realm,” named after historic regions of medieval Spain.

“The new show is designed to keep our guests on the edges of their seats from the opening moment,” says Saj Rizvi, vice president and general manager of the Chicago Castle. “New & returning guests will feel the electricity in the air from the riveting new battle scenes and grand costumes, to the new lighting and on-going action set to a fresh musical score.”

“Guests will see a celebration of the horses along with more action and elements of high drama. The new show’s streamlined plot allows more concentration on the action,” said Leigh Cordner, Medieval Times creative director. “When we started to put pen to paper, we knew we wanted to grab guests’ attention from the moment they take their seats. This led us to the creation of the opening moment, when Liberty Horse enters the arena.”

To start off you sit in a row and you have a “Wench” (I’m not sure what the waiter’s are called) who serves you your food.  The first thing to keep in mind is that you will get NO utensils!  (So if you want some or have picky kids then I’d suggest bringing some.)  All the foods you get are finger foods, and hey how fun is it to eat with your hands and throw manners out the window!

You start off with tomato bisque and a Focaccia bread with Olive Oil and Seasoning, which my boys dipped the bread into the soup while my husband and I picked the soup up by the bowl’s handle and slurped it.  The bread was probably my favorite since it was huge and so delicious!  Next up you get your main entrée:  Oven Roasted chicken, BBQ spare rib, and an Herb-basted potato split into wedges.  The chicken was easy to peel off and eat as was the rib, and the potatoes were seasoned perfectly!  So far so good for us.  Finally we were treated to a Braided Apple Strudel, which is like a McDonald’s apple pie but so much better!  You also get beverage refills of ice tea, soda and coffee.  Vegetarian?  They got you covered!  Unfortunately there is no kids meals, but my boys didn’t mind eating it once I picked the meat off and made them a more kid-friendly looking plate.  You can also take your leftovers home, which we did!

Other than the food, we were of course entertained with an amazing show.  There were knights performing different tricks, acts, and then sword fighting.  While some of it was familiar from when I last saw the show, there was definitely more fighting and action!  The audience was involved as each section had their own knight to root for and the knights even came by and threw flowers into the audience.  I admit I was afraid someone would get hurt fighting, but you could tell they had a lot of training and made it look so real.  My boys of course loved the sword fighting the best and the sparks that flew from that!  The horses were amazing to look at and we sat so close it was amazing to see them up close.  My husband’s favorite part was the food, but he did like watching the show as he ate.  Oh and there was a falcon that flew around everyone’s heads that made us all “Awwwww” (and duck!)  I also brought our eight-month old who was strapped to me in the carrier and she loved the lights the best.  While our knight didn’t win, we still cheered and sat on the edge of our seats.

Now I will say Medieval Times can be pricey for a whole family to go to, but when you factor in that it’s a whole experience of entertainment and food it is worth it.  I know when my small family goes to dinner it is around $50 and that’s just food.  I think for us we will keep Medieval Times as a place we go for celebrations and special treats.  Again I think Medieval Times is definitely something everyone should experience at least once, especially as a family!

Oh and just in case you are not in Chicagoland, don’t worry there are eight other locations to choose from including Florida, North Carolina, California, Texas, Washington D.C., Georgia, New Jersey, and even Canada!

BUY IT:  You can purchase tickets for Medieval Times for $59.95 for an adult and $35.95 for children 12 and under. I would recommend checking your Sunday paper as well as online for coupons!

 Mom and More Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets and attended a media event in exchange for sharing this information and  my honest opinion. Please see my Disclosure Policy.