The Beckman Chronicle
Trendy Travels: Medieval TimesWednesday, January 21, 2009 By Sarah Klivans
An 11th century feast, four-course banquet, flowers being thrown to ladies in waiting, and a jousting match – defines Medieval Times. Sophomore Laura Klivans describes her experience at the castle, saying, “The best part of going was to be with my friends. I really enjoyed eating with my hands and cheering on our red knight!” The first Medieval Times opened in Majorca, Spain in 1973; after ten years, it ventured over to North America. In 1983 the first Medieval Times in the States opened in Kissimmee, Florida. In 1991, Buena Park, California opened the now well known Medieval Times. This local Medieval Times is only minutes from Disneyland, near the Santa Ana and Artesia freeways. What makes Medieval Times like no other entertainment location is the fact that the atmosphere of such a place is filled with excitement and the mind cannot help but travel back to the era of knights and princesses. The shows at Medieval Times are usually two hours of jousting, swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, a display of horsemanship, and a touching story set in Medieval Spain. The audience is typically divided into six different sections, each section representing a different knight. Each knight fights in combat and represents a different color. A handful of ladies in each of the six sections are thrown roses from their knights. During the two hour show dinner is served. “The best part of the entire show is the food you get to eat with your hands,” expressed senior Anthony Fontana. Each audience member is served garlic bread, tomato bisque soup, roasted chicken, spare rib, herb-basted potatoes, pastry, coffee and two rounds of select beverages. The audience receives the full experience of Medieval Spain. Adults can enjoy a full service bar, while also enjoying a vegetarian meal that is available too. If you are vegetarian, please advise your server once you are seated at a table. Besides having a dinner show, Medieval Times offers a bar, dance floor, Hall of Arms (a display of medieval artifacts), and a touring museum. There is also a gift shop where items can be purchased from the show. Tickets are available at 1-866-543-9637 or at www.medievaltimes.com . The castle opens 90 minutes prior to the beginning of the show. Movies and dinner are usually how many southern Californians spend a night out. Medieval Times not only offers a different type of entertainment, but also a new approach to spending an evening out. The whole family can enjoy a evening of jousting, cheering, and celebrating the era of Medieval Spain. |