If you love and appreciate horses and their talent, you are going to love Medieval Times. The majestic Andalusian, Quarter Horse and Friesian perform graceful leaps and jumps and promenades. The horses are masters of the dance and leave the audience in awe at their athletic ability.
One of the most popular parts of the show highlights the jumps where a horse’s body leaves the ground. There are a variety of names and styles of jumps including the courbette, mezair, levade, and the capriole, which is one of the spotlight moves during the show.
The lights dim and the excitement mounts as adults and children alike get ready for a royal evening of old-fashioned family fun at Medieval Times, located just outside of Atlanta.
As soon as guests arrive, they will be taken back in time as they pass by the twin turrets at the Medieval Times castle. Visitors will quickly get into the spirit of royal days where kings and queens reigned and knights in shining armor swept princesses off their feet.
When you get inside, you will be given a crown with the color of the knight that you will cheer on later during the jousting tournament.
All guests have the honor of meeting the queen or king and having their photo made before they enter the castle.
On a recent Wednesday afternoon, we put on our blue crowns and headed inside for some of the activities held before the dinner gets under way. Announcements are made by the town crier, snacks are sold and games are held. The mood is festive and gets everyone ready for the fun ahead.
We went on a back stage tour and saw what goes on behind the scenes to get the show ready. The horses were in their stalls and waiting for their moment in the spotlight. Jason, our guide, told about the nearby ranch where they spend their off time. He also told us some about one of the horses that was a “rescue.”
Next up was junior knight training for the younger ones in the group where they get an up close look at the sword action.
Once we were seated, our wonderful server, Elizabeth, soon had tomato bisque soup and warm garlic bread in front of us. It was a great start to the meal, which included oven-roasted chicken, herb-basted potatoes, sweet corn on the cob and a hot, crisp apple pastry, as well as your choice of soft drinks, tea or coffee.
As in days of old, you eat with your hands, which just adds to the fun. It was a great meal with plenty of tasty food for the little ones and adults.
Throughout the meal, the entertainment takes place in the large arena below the stadium-style seating. Swords clash and sparks fly during the medieval jousting tournament where guests cheer on their favorite knight. The energy is high and guests feel like part of the action. You will find yourself in the midst of an authentic medieval tournament with games and competitions. Chivalry and romance come to life and whisk the audience back to medieval times filled with splendor and pageantry.
The trained horses and the falcon add so much to the performance. The magnificent horses are a highlight of the show. Another special feature is the falcon that soars through the audience as part of the evening’s entertainment. It truly is magical.
The service, food, castle and cast of the show were all wonderful. It adds together for a fun night out. We saw birthday parties, couples and lots of families during our visit. It makes for a memorable outing and is an experience not to be missed.
If You Go:
Medieval Times is located at 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville, adjacent to Discover Mills Mall. It’s the 10th anniversary at this Georgia location. General admission tickets are $54.95 for adults and $36.95 for ages 12 and under. Check the website for current pricing.
Medieval Times is also located at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Orlando, Florida; Dallas, Texas; Buena Park, California.; Baltimore, Maryland; Chicago, Illinois; Lynchhurst, New Jersey; and Toronto. For more information, go to www.medievaltimes.com.
This is a guest post by Angela Gary. Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc., located in Northeast Georgia.