Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

Ok, this was the totally weird part when we went to the show ages ago. The food was good and all, but ... there's no silverware. Wasn't any back in medieval times, right? So come ready to eat with your fingers or sneak in a plastic set with you. When we went again recently with my nieces and nephews, I came prepared with wet-naps.

Guests feast on garlic bread, tomato bisque soup, roasted chicken, spare rib, herb-basted potatoes, pastry of the Castle, coffee and two rounds of select beverages. A full-service bar is also available for adult guests. Vegetarian meals are available upon request. Vegetarian meal includes tomato bisque soup, garlic bread, large portobello mushroom cap stuffed with whole grain, rice and bean blend, large skewer of roasted vegetables, hummus with pita chips, pastry of the castle and two rounds of select beverages.

There are nine locations in North America where you can catch the show:
Kissimmee, FL
Buena Park, Calif.
Schaumburg, Ill.
Hanover, Md.
Lyndhurst, N.J.
Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Dallas, Texas
Atlanta, Ga.
Toronto, Canada

Castles open 90 minutes prior to show time, and there's a lot to see and do in the lobby, like the torture museum or photo ops. The show lasts approximately two hours. The schedule of show times varies by season and may be subject to change. Admission price includes the show, dinner and two rounds of select beverages. Ticket prices vary at each Castle. Here in Dallas, it's $52 for adults and $37 for children, but there are often coupons in the paper that can get the kids in for free.

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament employs more than 2,000 full- and part-time professionals in nine cities. Employment opportunities include knights/squires, show cast (speaking roles), food & beverage (servers and prep), merchandising/retail and photographers.

Nearly all of the horses used in the shows are raised from birth at the Chapel Creek Ranch in Sanger, Texas. Along with Quarter Horses, Friesians, and Menorcans, the company also raises purebred Spanish Andalusians, a gorgeous breed prized by Medieval royalty for its astonishing strength, agility, and even temperament.

Training begins early. As weanlings, the horses are introduced to lead ropes and halters, followed by saddles at age two. Long reigns and simple exercises like lunging follow. At age three, the horses go to their new homes at one of MT's North American castles, where they learn advanced-level dressage from a master horse trainer. Then life as a pampered performer begins. After several years in the spotlight, the magnificent steeds retire to live out their lives in comfort and serenity at Chapel Creek Ranch.