Step back in time to the Middle Ages with a dinner theater show at Medieval Times Dallas. From jousting knights to feasting with your hands, this popular show will delight children of all ages.
Aim to arrive at least an hour before the actual Medieval Times show begins (doors open 90 minutes in advance). Once you collect your tickets, you can walk around the inside hall of the castle, meet the royal court (the King, Queen, and Princesses mingle with the crowd), and explore the outdoor Medieval Village for free.
Adventurous souls can also investigate the torture chamber, which comes complete with some pretty gruesome and authentic-looking instruments, for an extra $2.00 per person.
If you visit Medieval Times Dallas with young children, get ready to shell out for souvenirs. The hall is filled with vendors selling everything from commemorative photos to miniature swords, and your children will definitely want a flag to wave during the jousting tournament.
Before the show starts, you’ll be given colored crowns. These colors (red, green, etc.) are also the color of your knight, and will determine the section in which you sit and for which knight you cheer during battle. The premise of the show is that there is a group of knights defending the kingdom, and there is a traitor in their midst.
There’s a tournament of games followed by a jousting match between knights on horses. The show itself lasts about two hours, and you’ll be served your dinner during the first hour.
Dinner service includes soup, bread, roasted chicken, ribs and potatoes, and a dessert pastry. A cash bar is also available. The waiters and waitresses request that they be referred to as wenches and slaves (as in, “More water, Slave Harold!”), which children love.
According to the servers—er, the wenches and slaves—only witches and warlocks used utensils during the Middle Ages, so you’ll be eating with your hands. Plenty of napkins and wet-naps are available, and you can always smuggle in silverware, just in case. While the food itself is nothing special, it’s kid-friendly and will fill you up.
But who are we kidding – no one actually goes to a dinner theater for the food!…
It’s all about the entertainment, which Medieval Times definitely delivers. The show itself is well choreographed, and the knights do a great job of making the jousting and hand-to-hand combat look authentic. While adults may notice some choreographed elements, younger children will be enthralled with the fighting. The horses are beautiful and well trained, and a definite highlight.
At times, the show can seem melodramatic and over done, with the flashing lights and booming sounds adding to the over-produced feeling, but the actors seem to be enjoying themselves and the jousting is good fun. Your children will love it, and if you let yourself relax, you’ll love the mindless fun too.
Unfortunately, all this fun doesn’t come for free. Get ready to shell out upwards of $175 for a family of four…
Fortunately, Medieval Times offers a number of special discounts and promotions on their website. Recently advertised discounts include 2 admissions for $80, or $10 off adult and $5 off child admission. Be sure to check the website for exclusive online offers before you purchase!
When you go to pay for your tickets, you’ll be asked if you want to upgrade to the VIP package. The upgrade costs $6.00 extra per person and gets you seating in the first three rows, a free banner to wave during the tournament, and a commemorative program. Since there truly is not a bad seat in the house, unless you want to make the occasion extra special, there’s no need to upgrade to ‘royalty’ to be a few rows closer.
You can also cut costs by waiting to purchase some of the pricy package add-ons until you arrive. For example, if you only want a flag for your child to waive during the jousting, you can purchase it at the Dallas Castle for less than the cost of flags for your entire family.
Located just off 35E at 2021 North Stemmons Freeway, Medieval Times Dallas is a short drive from downtown Dallas or anywhere in the Metroplex. Shows are available multiple times each week, although showtimes and frequency vary based on the season. Check the website for the most up-to-date information.
If you’re looking for a special and unique activity that the whole family will enjoy, you can’t go wrong with an evening at Medieval Times Dallas!