One recent, very warm Sunday, we finally tried something that I’d been curious about for years…

Medieval Times in Buena Park. And here’s what I have to say: this is a good time for all.

The lure that lead the Meekmas to “The Castle” is a special promotion offered on Sundays through the end of August (maybe more dates – check their website.) The promotion is called Knights in Training which allows children ages 5 – 12 to meet the knights and have a lesson in swordsmanship & knightly behavior (Knights listen to their parents, the King said) on the arena floor, prior to the Sunday 3:30 p.m. performance, or spectacle, or dinner theater – whatever you want to call it. Plus, some adult tickets are only $35 right now. So, if you’ve ever considered Medieval Times, this is the time to go. Perfect for a birthday celebration.

As you enter the arena, you are given a colored crown that corresponds to the colors one of the knights will be wearing. You are handed a matching pennant, seating in that section and then cheer on that knight as he battles the evil knight (one out of the six is a bad guy) at the Tournament.

The horses are real and quite beautiful, and the knights fight with real weapons – we could see sparks flying off the swords as they clashed. I’m not giving anything away when I share that the bad knight is thwarted by the end of the performance and that the good prince does get his princess. Ah – a real life fairy tale!

While you are watching the pageantry unfold, a 3-course meal is brought out – without utensils. My girls got a real kick out of having to eat a half a roast chicken with their fingers – and the chicken was pretty good. The meal also includes a soup appetizer, side dishes, soda and an apple turnover for dessert. Very child-friendly.

We left Medieval Times happy that we had tried it out. This is good family fun – try it.

www.MedievalTimes.com/BuenaPark.

PS: Ladies: The knights are pretty cute – be careful your husband doesn’t get too jealous!

PPS: I recommend this for ages 5 and older.  Kids have to sit in their seat during the performance & dinner. My 6 and 9 year olds loved the experience.