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What happens at a Medieval Times show? You enter a castle-style venue, explore the Hall of Arms, take your assigned or reserved seat, and eat a four-course banquet while six knights compete in a staged tournament. The performance combines jousting, swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, horsemanship, and falconry in a family-friendly story set in Medieval Spain.
The performance itself is listed at approximately 90 minutes. Allow roughly two hours for the complete visit, including entry, pre-show time, seating, and any post-show activity. Arrival time, seating rules, package benefits, and photo opportunities differ by Castle, so your confirmation email and on-site staff instructions take priority.
What the visit includes at a glance
| Part of the visit | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Arrival | Enter the Castle when doors open; some visitor guides list opening 60 minutes before showtime. |
| Pre-show | Walk through the Hall of Arms, browse the gift shop, visit the bar, and look for location-specific activities. |
| Seating | Follow the package, group, crown-color, or reserved-seat instructions given by your Castle. |
| Meal | A four-course banquet is served during the performance, with two rounds of select non-alcoholic beverages. |
| Show | Six knights compete in jousting and other demonstrations of skill, with horses, weapons, combat, and falconry. |
| Afterward | The Hall of Arms or gift shop may remain open; at some Castles, knights return there for photos after the final show. |
What happens from arrival to the final salute
1. Arrive at the Castle
Your confirmation email contains the controlling arrival and door-opening information. Toronto, Orlando, and Dallas visitor pages describe gates opening 60 minutes before showtime, but that is a location example rather than a universal rule. Plan to arrive when doors open if you want time to clear the entrance, explore, use the restroom, visit the bar or shop, and settle in before the tournament begins.
Arriving early is particularly useful when several people in your party bought separate reservations. Keep every order number available and tell the check-in team that you want to sit together. Staff can explain what is possible for that performance, but package rules, remaining seats, and group size can limit the arrangement.
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2. Explore the Hall of Arms before the show
The Hall of Arms is the main pre-show area, decorated with medieval-style details and artifacts. Depending on the Castle and package, you may find a gift shop, a bar, a pre-show knighting ceremony, or an opportunity to see show animals. These additions are not guaranteed at every location, so treat them as optional activities rather than scheduled parts of every ticket.
The Hall of Arms can also be useful after the performance. The official show information says knights return there for photos after the last show of the day, but the timing, access, and safety procedures vary by Castle. Ask staff whether photographs are available at your performance instead of assuming the opportunity will be offered.
3. Find your seating section
Seating is one of the details that varies most by location and package. The general FAQ describes seating as first-come, first-served within an arrangement determined by package and group size. The Toronto visitor guide describes reserved seats and calls guests into the arena by crown color. Both descriptions can be accurate for their respective operations.
Read the confirmation email for the Castle you selected, then follow the signs and staff directions at check-in. If your email does not make the process clear, ask before entering the arena. Do not change sections on your own: the color, row, or section may determine which knight your group is expected to cheer for and where servers can reach you.
4. Eat while the tournament is underway
The meal is part of the performance rather than a separate restaurant course before or after it. Servers bring the banquet while the action continues in the arena, so you can watch the knights, horses, and birds while eating. The standard meal is described as a four-course feast and generally includes:
- Garlic bread
- Tomato bisque soup
- Roasted chicken
- Sweet buttered corn
- Herb-basted potatoes
- Dessert
- Coffee
- Two rounds of select non-alcoholic beverages
Items can occasionally be substituted when supplies require it. Adults can purchase alcoholic drinks from the bar, subject to identification and the legal drinking age for the country where the Castle is located.
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5. Watch and cheer for a knight
The story is framed as a tournament in Medieval Spain. Six knights compete in a series of staged contests, and the audience is encouraged to support the knight associated with its seating section or crown color. The action includes mounted jousting, swordplay, hand-to-hand combat, horsemanship, and falconry. It is choreographed entertainment, not an unscripted sporting event, but the horses, weapons, movement, and arena presentation make it more physical than a standard theatrical dinner.
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The venue characterizes the experience as family-friendly. Expect loud crowd participation, dramatic announcements, and a busy arena rather than a quiet meal. The show also uses stroboscopic effects, so guests who are sensitive to flashing lights should consider that before booking and ask the Castle whether any accommodation or seating advice is available.
6. Decide whether to stay after the show
After the final contest and salute, you may be able to return to the Hall of Arms, shop, or take photographs. Some Castles have the knights available there after the last performance of the day. Because post-show access and photo procedures can change, confirm the plan with staff on the day you attend.
How long should you plan to be there?
The official FAQ lists the running time as approximately 90 minutes. The same FAQ calls it a two-hour experience, while the broader experience page describes the wider visit as almost two hours. Those pages do not define an exact minute-by-minute breakdown.
The practical interpretation is to reserve about two hours for the whole visit and understand that the staged performance occupies about 90 minutes of that time. Add extra time if you intend to arrive as doors open, explore the Hall of Arms, eat slowly, shop, or wait for post-show photographs. Your ticket confirmation remains the best source for the specific showtime and entry window.
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Standard banquet
The standard four-course service is designed to be eaten without leaving the arena. Garlic bread and tomato bisque are followed by roasted chicken, sweet buttered corn, and herb-basted potatoes, with dessert and coffee afterward. Two rounds of selected non-alcoholic beverages are included. The exact presentation and substitutions may differ when an ingredient is unavailable.
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Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free meals
The FAQ says vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free meals are available on request. Tell your server when you are seated so the appropriate meal can be provided. Listed vegan items include hummus with carrot and celery sticks, three-bean stew with fire-roasted tomato and brown rice, and fruit or Italian ice for dessert. The vegetarian option adds warm pita bread.
The listed gluten-free meal includes tomato bisque, hummus, vegetables, roasted chicken, corn, potatoes, and fruit or Italian ice. These lists are not a substitute for an allergy assessment. Review the Castle’s current nutritional and allergen information and explain serious allergies directly to staff before service begins.
Other meal questions
- Silverware is available on request.
- Outside food and beverages are not allowed inside.
- Cake is available by the slice for celebrations.
- Alcoholic drinks are purchased separately from the bar.
How seating works for couples and groups
There is no single seating rule that applies identically to every Castle. A general first-come, first-served process may be used in one operation, while another may assign reserved seats and summon guests by crown color. The package you purchased and the size of your party can affect placement.
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For the clearest answer, check three things before travel:
- Read the confirmation email for the Castle and date you selected.
- Note any crown color, section, row, or reserved-seat instruction.
- Ask staff before entering the arena if members of your party are arriving separately or have mobility requirements.
Accessibility and mobility planning
The FAQ says guests can select an accessible-seating option during online ticket purchase or tell staff upon arrival. If you need a particular space for a wheelchair, transfer, companion, service animal, or other accommodation, contact the selected Castle in advance so its team can explain the available arrangement.
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The Ontario accessibility policy describes broader accessible-customer-service commitments and service-animal access at facilities open to the public, subject to applicable regulations. Policies and physical layouts are not necessarily identical at every Castle, so a general policy should not be treated as a promise about a specific row, entrance, restroom, or viewing angle.
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Clothing
Dress is casual. The Castles are indoors and climate-controlled, although the FAQ notes that some guests prefer a light sweater or jacket. Medieval clothing is optional; you do not need a costume to fit in.
Avoid hats, headdresses, or other accessories that block the view of the person behind you. Full-face masks and costumes that cover the entire face are not permitted. If you choose to dress up, select clothing that leaves your face visible and will not interfere with neighboring seats.
Permitted and prohibited items
- Cameras are allowed, but do not use flash.
- Outside food and beverages are prohibited.
- Balloons are prohibited.
- Weapons of any kind are prohibited, including toy weapons.
- Medieval toy weapons may be sold as merchandise, but that does not make them acceptable to bring into the Castle.
Keep personal items compact enough to remain under your seat or in the space directed by staff. Arena aisles need to remain clear for servers and audience movement.
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Children under three
Children younger than three can be admitted free when they sit on an adult’s lap and eat from that adult’s plate. A child who needs a separate seat and meal requires a child-rate ticket. Decide which arrangement you need before purchasing so your party is not surprised at entry.
Alcohol and identification
Bring photo identification if you plan to buy alcohol. The stated minimum age is 21 in the United States and 19 in Canada. A server or bartender may request ID even when a guest appears older.
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Flashing-light effects
The show uses stroboscopic effects. Guests with photosensitivity or a history of problems with flashing lights should weigh that information before attending and ask the venue about possible precautions.
How to choose a ticket package without making assumptions
Packages and schedules vary by Castle. Instead of comparing a package name in isolation, check the actual listing for the performance you want and compare:
- Whether seats are reserved or assigned on arrival
- Where the package places you in the arena
- Any included pre-show activity, knighting, animal encounter, or photo opportunity
- Meal or beverage differences, if any
- Child, accessibility, and group-seating rules
- The date, showtime, door-opening time, and cancellation or change terms shown at purchase
A package that includes an attractive extra at one Castle may not include the same feature elsewhere. Use the confirmation for your selected location rather than relying on a description from another city.
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A first-timer’s planning checklist
- Confirm the Castle and date. Seating, schedules, activities, and arrival instructions are location-specific.
- Read the confirmation email. Record the showtime, door-opening guidance, seating instructions, and order number.
- Tell the venue about food needs. Request vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free service and explain serious allergies to your server.
- Arrange accessibility in advance when possible. Select accessible seating online or contact staff before arrival for more specific needs.
- Plan to arrive early. Use the published door-opening time to allow for entry and the Hall of Arms.
- Wear comfortable casual clothing. Add a light layer, keep your face uncovered, and avoid headwear that blocks views.
- Leave prohibited items at home. This includes outside food and drinks, balloons, and real or toy weapons.
- Bring photo ID if buying alcohol. Age requirements differ between the United States and Canada.
- Prepare children for the format. Explain that dinner is served while the knights perform and that the arena can be loud and bright.
- Ask about post-show photos. The opportunity may exist after the final show of the day but is not identical at every Castle.
What the experience is really like for a first-time guest
Medieval Times is best understood as a staged arena performance with dinner built into the seating experience. You are not choosing courses from a normal restaurant menu or watching a tournament from a distant stand; servers bring a set banquet while the action unfolds around you. The result is part theater, part meal, and part audience participation.
The details most likely to affect your visit are practical rather than mysterious: arrive according to your own Castle’s instructions, clarify how your seats will be assigned, communicate dietary or accessibility needs before service, and leave restricted items at home. Once those points are handled, the basic sequence is straightforward—explore the Castle, take your place, eat the feast, cheer for a knight, and decide whether to stay for the Hall of Arms afterward.
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