The New Year 2014 is here and with it comes a clean slate where everyone can make changes for the better. New is the year, new are the resolutions and the aspirations. Let’s welcome this New Year with smiles on our faces and hopes in our hearts for the best.
2014 is the Year of the Horse according to Chinese zodiac. The Year of the Horse starts from Jan. 31, 2014, the Lunar New Year, and lasts to Feb. 18, 2015. Dave and I decided to celebrate New Year’s Eve at Medieval Times – Baltimore Castle.
As soon as we walked into the castle, our souvenir picture was taken in the provided crowns. 🙂
Medieval Times is an exciting, family-friendly dinner attraction inspired by an 11th century feast and tournament. Guests are served a four-course banquet and cheer for one of six knights as they compete in the joust and other tests of skill.
At Medieval Times expect lots of jousting, swordsmanship, thrilling hand-to-hand combat, and displays of extraordinary horsemanship as part of an exciting story set in Medieval Spain. While waiting to be seated, hors d’oeuvres and plenty of vegetables were provided in the castle’s lobby.
Approximately 15 minutes before the show starts, we were directed to one of two sets of double doors. Then, we were called into the 1,009 seat arena by the color of our crowns and directed to our table by serving serfs and wenches.
Once in the theater, we were seated in a section matching the colors of one of the knights competing in the Tournament of Knights. Ours was the Red and Golden Knight and we were seated in the corresponding section.
A little history. The first Medieval Times castle opened in Majorca, Spain, in 1973. Ten short years later, Medieval Times ventured overseas and into North America with its Kissimmee, Florida, Castle.
With the resounding success of the Florida Castle, plans were immediately developed to expand the company on this new continent. Over the years, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament has become an iconic part of American culture with 9 locations spread across the United States and Toronto, Canada.
As the tournament began, we cheered for our Red and Golden Knight in the picture below as he engaged in hand to hand combat with opponents, participated in challenging games that tested their skills, and competed in jousting that surely splintered weapons and shields.
The storyline is of a kingdom located somewhere in 11th century Spain. A great battle was fought and King Alphonso the Conqueror was triumphant. However, the King’s brother the Prince who was the King’s Champion was killed in the battle. A new champion must be found so King Alphonso proclaims that a tournament will be held to find a new champion and to honor his people’s courage.
All people attending the show are treated as nobles coming to the tournament and court. All men are addressed as milord. All women are addressed as milady. All boys are assumed to be squires (future knights) and are addressed as such. All girls are assumed to be princesses and are addressed as such.
As the story goes, we have been invited to a royal banquet hosted by the king of the realm. The banquet’s entertainment features six of the king’s bravest knights in a competition of skills, with the winner taking the hand of the lovely princess.
Once everyone was seated at their table, our serving serf or wench (you can actually call her that during the show) started serving our meal. Dinner was garlic bread, dragon blood soup (tomato bisque), baby dragon (half a roasted chicken), dragon ribs (a spare rib), and half an herb roasted potato. Dessert was an apple turnover.
For added authenticity, everything is eaten without utensils at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. The food there was really good and had a perfect temperature for eating with your hands or slurping the soup.
Once in a while the Knight would throw a flower to a lady from the arena.
This is one of those places that’s pretty much as fun as you make it. If you go in with a bad attitude, it’s pretty lame. The fighting itself is very choreographed and borderline cheesy-fake. However, if you go in with the right attitude it’s a blast because you start rivalries with the other sections.
Basically, the more loud and obnoxious you’re willing to be the more fun you’ll have. Sadly, our knight was not the winner. He got taken out in the first round of fighting. It was a little disappointing.
At the end of the competition, we found out which knight had the valor and determination to win the hand of Princess Esperanza. The winner was the Black and White Knight.
During the competition, we also watched as the Royal Falconer released the royal falcon to fly over the crowd in an ancient ceremony.
When things get kind of serious with the battle, they very slowly lower a screen around the arena so that you don’t get hit by broken lance pieces or something like that.
Some of the most talented performers of Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament are the majestic Pure Spanish Horse – the Andalusian stallions. These high-spirited horses are raised from young stallions to play a star role in the show.
After the show we gathered in the lobby waiting about half an hour for midnight.
The castle also has a well stocked bar selling a number of fine beers and ales. They also sell non-alcoholic and alcoholic smoothies as well as various wines.
After the show, medieval times give way to modern times with a DJ and dancing, party favors, a champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight.
All balloons are dropped and many of them are popped. 2014 has arrived! Hopefully, it will be the best year yet! Happy 2014, everyone!!!
