Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament’s New Show Opens To Rave Reviews

Earlier this summer, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, North America’s longest running dinner attraction, invited guests to travel back to the 11th Century with the premiere of the dinner theater’s first new show since 2007.  The new show has boosted attendance and has received rave reviews from both domestic and international guests.

 “Our new live performance is giving guests a one-of-a-kind experience that is keeping first-time visitors and returning fans on the edge of their seats,” said Medieval Times Florida Castle’s General Manager Jose Lopez.  “Also, our food consistently ranked among the best dinner theater menus in the country.”  The updated show, which debuted in late June, offers many new elements while retaining some of the most popular traditions. The live show still features two- and four-legged performers (knights and horses) with a utensil-free meal served in a castle-inspired arena.

The Media Reviews

Medieval Times hosted many members of the media and VIPs for the premiere of the show.  Following are some of their reviews:

“I can’t say much of anything because I was screaming and cheering so much that I lost my voice.  I highly recommend everyone make a stop at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament when you are in Orlando. Your family will have an amazing time and eat some delicious food … without utensils!”

~ Jennifer Mercurio, Double Duty Mommy

 “I came away impressed again with the amount of choreography required with not only horses and riders but also the “squires” who rearrange props and sets. It requires cooperation and timing, down to the second.  Another thing I appreciated: Medieval Times is committed to its theme. The knights are not modern and the king does not implore guests to “make some noise.” Crowd participation is encouraged by the action.”

~ Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel

 “I really enjoyed the feast; it was scrumptious and to our delight the roasted chicken was moist and meaty, the soup was hot and the pastry served at the end was light and tasty. Several of the portions are bigger and the potatoes are now easier to eat. One new delight for me personally was the Medieval Village where you get a glimpse of what life was like back then including a medieval torture display. Needless to say, we had a lot of fun and are looking forward to going back again soon.”

~ Beverly Martinez-Collins, Places Around Florida

The New Show

Almost two years in the making, the new live production presents even more audience favorites such as live jousting, sword fights, horsemanship and falconry. Guests are taken back in time and encouraged to cheer for one of six “Knights of the Realm.” In addition to a new story, the production includes new lighting, choreography and battle scenes, costumes, new horse dressage elements, and a new musical score custom created for Medieval Times and recorded in Kiev, Ukraine.

“In a sense, we went back to the basics,” said Leigh Cordner, Medieval Times creative director. “Guests will see a celebration of the horses along with more action and elements of high drama. The streamlined plot allows more concentration on the action. When we started to put pen to paper, we knew from the start 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.”

With authentic weaponry and enhanced armor, the new production presents non-stop action timed to the tempo of the music. And while there’s still a general theme of “good versus evil” throughout the show, guests will see much more of what they like most about the show – fight scenes that maintain the highest quality and safety standards.

The Horses

While almost all of the royal subjects at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament stand on their own two feet, the most celebrated members of the Kingdom are best known for their trot, gallop and canter.

“Audiences will witness authentic jousting and equine presentations that would not be possible without four special breeds of horses,” said Victor de Lara, a veteran horse trainer at Medieval Times. Pure Spanish Horses, Quarter Horses, Friesians and Menorcan – from the Mediterranean island for which it is named – complete the mix of horses at each of Medieval Times’ nine North American Castles.

For the new production, de Lara and Baker worked with all of the horses and knights to incorporate authentic dressage elements.  “Each horse is unique,” said de Lara. “Like any of the actors and actresses in our show, each horse has its own personality, so with our new production, we started the training process several months in advance to develop new routines that are exciting for the horses, their riders and, especially, the audience.”

The Music

Audiences may sense a familiar note behind every clash of swords. For the third time, award-winning IMAX and feature film score composer Daniel May has provided all of the dramatic musical elements that complete the Florida Castle experience.

“Creating music to build the best possible 11th Century experience provides many challenges, but the reward comes in knowing that millions of people are hearing my creation over the next few years,” said May.  Highly acclaimed musicians in Kiev, Ukraine, recorded the new score in one day. “The vibe of the city is classic medieval with a strong artistic soul. It was the ideal location and group of musicians to ensure the score was a perfect match for Leigh’s script,” said May.

The Feast

Guests will enjoy an upgraded menu for the utensil-free meal during the new show.  The menu includes:

- Tomato Bisque

- Garlic Bread

- Oven Roasted Chicken

- Larger BBQ Spare Rib

- Herb-Basted Potato Split into Quarters

- Braided Apple Strudel

- Larger Beverage Servings and Coffee

Get Tickets

Guests can purchase tickets online at www.medievaltimes.com or by calling 1-888-WE-JOUST. For show times, visit www.medievaltimes.com

Guests also can find Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament on Facebook and Twitter,