My first visit to Medieval Times was when I was in 6th grade. It was pretty much the field trip of all field trips, and sure enough, it was a complete blast. I truly felt like I was a King’s guest, the knight tournament and fighting was awesome, and I had no voice the following day from cheering and yelling. 19 years later, I found myself returning to the very same Medieval Times for, or all things, a bachelor party. Although I came in expecting a totally different experience from my 11 year old self, I actually ended up thoroughly enjoying myself! This time around, I noticed everything that went into the entire operation and I have to say, I am very impressed.
Medieval Times, to me, is a great business.
They operate like a theme park (obviously Medieval themed) with dozens of revenue streams. The $30-40 ticket price (which for legitimate entertainment and dinner is actually justifiable) to get you in the door is just the beginning. For a fee, you can: drink (available only in souvenir cups by the way), buy souvenirs, take pictures, get “knighted”, meet the cast, play games, and more. The “concourse” is relatively compact, yet it doesn’t feel cramped since it plays to the medieval era feel (I assume things were pretty crowded back then… but what do I know). All the employees in the performance, who might as well be actors, are very professional, and definitely add to the experience. For example, all the knights are clearly physically fit bearded men with long hair. Definitely not people you pick up off the street at a standard hourly rate.
The arena is smaller than I remember… probably because I grew, but perfectly sized to accommodate their cast. The entertainment is very high quality, starting with trained horse demos and even a flying falcon. The knights are what really make the show. Having different color knights identify with the different sections of the arena is simply brilliant. Everybody can’t help but form a special bond with their knight and cheer them throughout the tournament (skill games as well as hand to hand combat). During the entire show, each knight builds rapport with their section, inducing cheers and camaraderie to the very end. I’m pretty sure the knight in my section and I could be friends! It would actually be an honor to fight with him in battle.
For each skill event that each knight successfully completes, they ride to their section on their horse and award a carnation flower to a young lady within their section. The looks on the faces of these girls are as if they died and went to heaven (or madly in love). The experience of them receiving a flower, or even the possibility of receiving a flower from a knight, is enough to vouch for how awesome Medieval Times is. The young girls instantly become repeat customers and ambassadors for the Medieval Times brand… in a knight, sword, horse, and fighting genre geared towards males! Guess who decides whether or not to return to Medieval Times as a repeat customer; you know it’s not the parents. The parents will open their wallets to keep their kids happy and simply be glad to get the kids out of the house (or maybe give them an awesome birthday). At another point in the performance, a girl gets chosen at random to meet the “Princess”. To be chosen by a knight and get taken by the hand to meet the princess? That’s just not even fair!
What about the young men in the room? Well they get everything they could ever want, witnessing sword fights (by the way, the swords spark), jousting, acrobatics, and hand to hand combat. Was it choreographed? Of course, but its not like I dozed off during any of it… and I am 29. I saw kids play-swordfighting with each other after the show, clearly inspired by the spectacle they just saw.
Medieval Times identifies with, and creates customers out of every demographic present. Old people, young people, male, and female. They pack the arena, and they have multiple shows a day/night! Most importantly, they create repeat customers out of their fiercest supporters – the kids (even the 29 year old kid). It is no wonder Medieval Times has stood the test of time and continues to fill its seats even after so many years. Other businesses need to take note; I see Medieval Times continuing to be popular well into the future.
If you haven’t been yet, what are you waiting for?
