I received tickets to the show in return for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Women are really taking the lead in 2018! Medieval Times Atlanta recently got in on the celebration, introducing their first Queen ever! She took the throne on November 9, 2018, and presents the fourth show to debut at the Atlanta Castle, since its gates opened in 2006. Having visited the Atlanta castle for the first time with Red, I was eager to return to see the new show, and to bring my family with me!
Dress in your Finery
Do your kids have dress up clothes evoking knights and princesses? They will absolutely want to dress up! Red wore his reversible king cape and crown (adding our knight’s crown) while Scarlett opted for her Belle Dress from our visits to Walt Disney World Resort. Can you see the teensy tiara on her head? 🙂 Festive dress makes for a wonderful time!
Meet the Medieval Times Atlanta Queen
I was dying to see the Queen. She totally takes the reigns and commands the stage, which made me proud. She wears her dress well and rides beautifully. I even got to see her dismount and caught a glimpse of her riding pants and boots underneath her gown. Our Queen is prepared! Take a formal photo with her before the show, and then greet her near the bar after the show for informal meet and greets and all the photos you can snap yourself.
View the Torture Dungeon
In the few times I’ve visited Medieval Times Atlanta at Sugarloaf Mills, I had never been in the dungeon. It’s located near the exit of the castle, hidden between two gift counters. You’ll find a sentry as well as curtains, for the torture dungeon isn’t recommended for those under 13-14. The dungeon contains replicas of various real torture devices. Some were meant to hold prisoners, some were meant for punishment, and others for extracting information. You’ll find museum-quality historical references, illustrations, and gruesome devices. Pay the sentry $2 to gain entry, but you’ll want to swap off with the kids. If they are avid historians or good readers, it won’t sit well!
Peruse the Gift Shop
Looking for a souvenir of your time at the Castle? You’ll find a lot of options. If you are bringing the kids, you’ll want to shop BEFORE the show. The foyer opens 60 minutes or so before you are seated, so you’ll have time to shop, see the owls, order a beer or sit by the large fireplace. Choose wooden swords or axes, light up items, crowns, hats, mugs, figures, and even a real knife counter for those 18+.
Root for your Knight
As you pick up or purchase your tickets, you’ll find that they are color coded. This will assign you to a knight’s section, complete with a complimentary paper crown in the same colors. Root for your knight to win the joust! If you’re like us and have visited before, a fabric flag on a stick is a GREAT purchase. We’ve brought back our flag a few times and traded for our most current knight’s colors, which I am grateful to the castle for. That’s great customer service!
Ditch your Utensils
I stand by my comments from years ago; the tomato soup served at the dinner show is delicious. Knowing my picky eater kids wouldn’t want it, I didn’t decline the servings. I sipped theirs instead! While you won’t find the ribs from years past, the hot, 4-course feast still featured giant sides of bone-in roast chicken, garlic bread, soup, potato with herbs and pastries of the castle. We actually took some of our large portions home in foil-lined bags and ate them for lunch!
Watch the Horses Perform
Did you know it takes two months to teach a queen to ride an Andalusian stallion? I’m not sure I could get to know my horse and ride well in this time… not to mention with no helmet; just a crown! There are more than 350 team members and 225 horses training and rehearsing new lines and fight scenes. They practice the “new show” for three months while still presenting the “old” show. I can’t imagine how easy it is to mix up your lines! Scarlett LOVED the horses. The dancing, dressage, and battle jumps they did were incredibly impressive. Look at this absolutely gorgeous stallion!!
See out the Dazzling Costumes
Did wardrobes in the Dark Ages feature sequins? Nope. Not at all. But Medieval Times is a dinner show. It’s meant to sparkle, to heighten, to romanticize the olden days. As a costume designer, I give them that. I started to look for details on the more than 700 new costumes for all nine castles’ performers. These new costumes include those of the horses, all of which are custom-designed and hand-made at a dedicated costume shop near Dallas Design District! From the stitched motifs, matching reigns, to the under armor, everything is very detailed.
Hear to the New Storyline
Having seen a Medieval Times show when I was in 6th grade, I knew a little bit about what to expect when I returned to Medieval Times Atlanta several years ago with a tiny Red. I remembered the Knight’s games, the joust, and cheering them on. Most of that is the same, but the new script that the Queen brings is nuanced and brings variety. Instead of an outsider invading the Castle, you’ll find unrest in the ranks, which adds intrigue! My family experienced a live-action film score that was synchronized with every element of the show, from lights to fights; jousts to jabs; the queen’s entry to curtain closings; and more. As an old theatre nerd, I could tell that the new show had a lot of work that went into it. Safety, lights, fight calls, wild animals and more. You’ve got to see it!
P.S. The Queen is pretty awesome. She had a very short receiving line at our Sunday show and was totally willing to snap a selfie with me. She’s got some updated social media skills for the Dark Ages!
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament was founded in 1977 in Spain. It launched in North America in 1983 and has since opened nine castles across the United States and in Toronto, Canada. It has been performed for 65 million guests in its 34 years. For more information or to book your visit to Medieval Times Atlanta, visit MedievalTimes.com or call 1-888-WE-JOUST. Follow Medieval Times’ Atlanta Castle on Facebook at Facebook.com/MedievalTimesATL and Instagram @MedievalTimesATL.
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