Medieval Times Buena Park
Medieval Times Buena Park
4.5
About
Travel to the 11th Century at Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament. In SoCal, home to so many theme park and family entertainment destinations, one stands alone for its unique and grand scale entertainment. Where else can you enter a European style castle and be immediately transported to the 11th century? Where else can you dine on a feast fit for a King while cheering your favorite knight to victory as he skillfully jousts and swordfights his mighty opponent while atop a magnificent Andalusian stallion. This extraordinary destination is Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in Buena Park. It’s been entertaining guests since 1986. And if you haven’t yet experienced it, now is the time.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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  • Lorraine N
    1 contribution
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth It .....I suggest this Midieval Times for anyone "horsey"
    Every seat has a great view. The horsemanship is very good. The costumes, lighting and festive ambiance is effective. Recommend it for any one such as the countless young girls who love to ride and train horses to come watch. It is worth the charge. Food hot and tasty also. Well Done !!
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written October 23, 2023
  • Tanisha S
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Did not disappoint
    I highly recommend visiting here at least once. The experience is great, and the staff are so friendly to interact with. During the main show, the performers make sure to engage the audience throughout so it's a completely different experience than just 'watching'. You feel very involved. So much fun, I will definitely be back.
    We are thrilled you enjoyed the tournament. WE look forward to seeing you soon and hope that every time you visit us it is a truly KNIGHT to remember!
    Written January 25, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written January 2, 2024
  • orcotruck59
    Vista, California25 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great fun for the entire family!
    This place is just a hoot! Be prepared to root enthusiastically for your Knight…and boo for the others. Two bars plus bar service at your seat. Staff all dressed in character, making it fun even before you get to sit down for the feast. Go early, plenty to look at pre tournament. The food was served piping hot, of great quality and quantity! Our server, Nathan, was great and took care of us throughout the evening. The show was spectacular, start to finish. Go with a good attitude and open mind to be transported back to medieval Spain. It’s just good, clean family fun!
    HUZZAH! We are glad your family enjoyed the dinner and show! Thank you for choosing to visit our castle for your family "Knight" out. :)
    Written January 25, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written January 7, 2024
  • Krystal G
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must see!
    Was a memorable time! Our five and six year old loved it! The looks on their faces were priceless! Sharing that experience with grandma and cousins was worth every penny! The chicken was delicious! The green knight came in second! Please not my child cried for ten minutes after the show because she couldn’t meet the knight. Apparently that can only be done after the last show of the day so choose your time wisely! Also, the restroom line was a 20 minute wait for the girls room. The dessert was a frozen eclair and I am really surprised they don’t offer hot or cold tea. Other than that it’s a wonderful experience and a must do! It was everyone’s favorite part of the trip and we stayed at a nice hotel and spent two days at knotts berry farm. All the kids said the castle was the best part of the trip. My six year old did have her patience tested as she waited over an hour for the knights to be gone fighting to the death as she said, but once they did she was at the edge of her seat the entire time! Good job green knight! Next time we will go to the last show so Sierra can meet her knight!
    We are thrilled you enjoyed the tournament. WE look forward to seeing you soon and hope that every time you visit us it is a truly KNIGHT to remember!
    Written March 27, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written March 18, 2024
  • Amy M
    Compton, California221 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Really enjoyable experience
    I have been to other Medieval Times, but this is one of the best. Our server was great. The show had alot of energy from all of the actors and horses and falcon. The food was great. Due to Lent, I was able to get a vegetarian option and the soup was really good, the potatos were little overcooked. Overall, my husband and I would come back.
    We are thrilled you enjoyed the tournament. WE look forward to seeing you soon and hope that every time you visit us it is a truly KNIGHT to remember!
    Written March 27, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written March 20, 2024
  • Deena H
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great show, need better tip options for their servers!
    The experience was great! Getting in and to our seats was very organized. The show and dinner was really good. Our only critique is that the option for tipping was through an app we aren't familiar with and have limited internet access being from out of the country which is a shame for the servers!
    Thank you so much for your review, Deena! We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with us. Cheers, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
    Written May 22, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written May 18, 2024
  • Robyn Z
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Better Dinner Choice
    We were thinking of going to Benihana while visiting but then decided to try this experience instead. 100% satisfied with our choice. We probably spent the same amount of money and got such a better show. The horses are beautiful, the music is enchanting and the entire production was captivating.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written June 25, 2024
  • El Duderino
    Santa Barbara, California4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Family fun!
    This was our first time for dinner here, and it was quite fun! The entire crew working our dinner was AMAZING and very attentive, seems like we didn't wait in line for anything. Show started right on time and before that our server was on top of things. Big shoutout to Kei! And an even BIGGER shout out to Christian on the event staff, who went beyond my expectations when we realized our boy left behind his favorite blanket. Thank you for ensuring the safe return and we are sincerely grateful!
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written June 28, 2024
  • M G
    Oakland, California189 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fun Tourist Trap
    Yes this place is a Tourist Trap, but that's the point. We did the basic package & it was well worth it. There are online discounts available for 20% off so look for those. I don't think any of the additional upgrades would be worth paying for, as you are only a few rows back & don't need the flags or staged photos. The entertainment is good & it's basically like being at a circus with sword fighting. The food is average costco chicken & a potato wedge, but they give you generous portions so it was overall a good value.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written July 11, 2024
  • Martha G
    1 contribution
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very satisfied with show and food.
    Took my grandchildren to see the show. Great improvement from when we took their parents 30 years ago. The horses were amazing, the food good and the show was very entertaining! Gift shops were $$$ though.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written September 11, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,189 reviews
Excellent
631
Very good
366
Average
122
Poor
33
Terrible
37

Mary M
Chicago, IL63 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Business
I heard from an acquaintance that the Medieval Times dinner was fun, so I decided to go with some business colleagues. We were all so disgusted that we left half way through the show due to the treatment of the horses. The horses are repeatedly whipped for no reason and look to be in great pain. The horses all foam at the mouth when doing tricks. It’s heartbreaking! I am in shock that this is an operating business in the year 2020. The areas that the horses are kept are so small that they can barely move around. I would never ever recommend this show to anyone. I feel awful that we spent money in such an establishment.
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Mary Michelle, Thank you for attending Medieval Times and for sharing your comments regarding your visit. We appreciate and understand your concern for our horses, please allow us to explain. The excessive saliva while the bit was in their mouth is actually a positive. Any excessive saliva means that the horse is relaxed & accepting the bit. The saliva acts as lubrication, so that the bit does not cause discomfort. Lack of saliva would be uncomfortable. Any horse that is tense will not produce the required saliva for comfort. You may have noticed, the horses resting in the Hall of Stallions (on display) were not producing any drool, as they did not have a bit. Each horse is bred and raised at the Medieval Times Chapel Creek Ranch. The Chapel Creek Ranch is a 250 acre state-of-the-art equestrian breeding and training facility located in Sanger, Texas. The ranch is home to more than 150 horses. After birth, the horses are left to grow and mature on the ranch until at least 3 years of age. After reaching this age they may be sent to one of our nine castles to begin their training with a master horse trainer. Each trainer is chosen for their exceptional dedication and knowledge of horses and proper teaching techniques. Each trainer is a true professional and has extensive education and experience to ensure what they are teaching our horses is not only correct and proper, but safe. We train our horses and riders using the Classical Dressage methods that ensure both horse and rider are physically and mentally ready for their career as performers. The training process at Medieval Times does not happen overnight. It takes many months just to get started on the basics and many years to develop into the star performers you see in our shows. During this time, the horse and trainer develop a strong bond and friendship. In regards to the whipping you witnessed, the trainers were using a riding crop or dressage whip acts as a supplemental aid for a rider to use to encourage a horse to go forward, sideways, offer increased engagement and similar intentions. Light taps on a horse’s hindquarters, barrel or occasionally a shoulder are not intended as punishment, but rather to support the aids that a rider executes with his or her legs, seat and weight as necessary. Our horses are very important to us and without them - there is no Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. Each person that interacts with our horses from the trainers and riders, the veterinarian, the farrier, the groomers and the individuals who clean their stalls treats each horse as if it was their very own. We can assure you that no harm comes to our horses and that their comfort and safety is our number one priority. Again, thank you for attending Medieval Times and sharing your comments with us. We sincerely hope we have helped to answer any questions you had regarding the proper care and treatment of our horses.
Written February 4, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Codypup
Las Vegas, NV4 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
I am sad to report that after years of being a fan... this was my las visit.

After several visits to different MT venues, yesterday's at California Buena Park will be the final one. The performers hobbled their way through their lines with the enthusiasm of people who would rather be elsewhere. Two of the five meals we were served were inedible, the other three passable stringy chicken at best. If the "thrill" is that you get to eat without utensils --- just go to El Pollo Loco and forget to pick up any forks.
Written February 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kim Kauffman
2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Business
Medieval times definitely caters toward younger children, who get excited to see the horses and people dressed up as knights and whatnot. However, I and my 12-year-old son were appalled at how much the show horses were drooling during the performance, which is often a sign that horses are unhealthy/not well cared for. I recommend avoiding this place where animals are abused for entertainment!!
Written April 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

D0lceVita1
Sunny, CA4 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 • Family
Went April 13 7:30pm showing. Red section Table 12 (Disabled/ADA seats) party of 3.

Worst experience in over 25 years. We continually kept getting forgotten and ignored by the server (male blond). I kept flagging him down for literally everything. We were starving and were passed from bread all through coffee! It was painful, frustrating and sad. I brought my sweet husband and our awesome 8 year old son for an awesome experience and got ignored.

The frat boys (approx 17 total) in front of us were standing 90% of the time acting like idiots and cussing and completely blocking our views! No one said anything to them even though the staff saw and made signals to each other that they were acting like fools and blocking everyone on the ADA row. I finally said something to a floor staff and he eventually said something to frat boys and they tried for a moment but would forget, however the damage had already been done. I paid the same as those frat boys and deserved a great experience like them, but got the short end of the stick. How can you treat a child and a Disabled person so unfairly? Me and my son would stand up to taje a peak, however my husband doesn't have that privilege.

We are officially over with Medieval Times. Very sad.
Written April 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We're sorry for the disappointment you experienced during this visit. It is from honest customers, like yourself, that we obtain valuable information that assists us in maintaining the highest levels of customer service possible. Please feel free to reach out to us with additional feedback at buenapark@medievaltimes.com. We hope that we can welcome you back again in the near future.
Written April 19, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

molly
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Family
I could not enjoy the show at all when I went with my nephew today. First, you get no warning that the union staff is on strike and picketing in the parking lot and at the entrance. Had I known, we never would have purchased tickets in the first place. It’s not pleasant to cross the picket line, and they have every right to be angry. The workers are protesting unfair pay, sexual-harassment, and animal abuse. Medieval times has refused to address any of these things since December 2022, and has instead flown in non-union knights/performers. It felt horrible to sit and watch the show knowing this. And then there were the very clear signs of animal abuse. The horses were foaming at the mouth from exhaustion and clearly are overworked. Shaky legs, signs of pain and fatigue. And upon further research, I found photos and videos from a striking worker of excessive whip usage. The falconer also barely seemed to know how to handle the falcon. I will not be going here again, and I will discourage my friends and family in LA and beyond from doing the same. It’s basically sea world all over again.
Written May 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KittyMartini
Los Angeles, CA160 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Friends
My friends and I were celebrating my birthday and fully expected the food to be horrible and the entertainment mediocre. We also expected the place to be hot and smelly. And we thought the adult beverages would be watered down and over priced. Wow were we surprised in the most amazingly positive way. We checked in quickly and right away it was obvious they were very organized. When we headed straight for the bar and order drinks I was so happy to see that they had top shelf alcohol brands. We ordered beers and some fabulous tasting daiquiri type drinks with grey goose vodka. They also had Titos vodka and other good brands of whiskey and rums. We actually ate before the show thinking the food was going to be terrible. But we were pleasantly surprised to hear they had vegetarian and vegan options so we chose those. We do not eat or like commercially raise chicken so the vegetarian option was a really tasty vegetable and rice stew. I was also impressed with the soup which was not super salty like most commercial soups are. The staff were really professional and friendly and organized. The show was so great because it’s not the type of entertainment that you have to shut up and be quiet and just watch. You can talk and be rowdy and silly and laugh a lot and also cheer for your specific night that is in the tournament. So we had a blast cheering for our night who won the tournament and our section was really the loudest and liveliest. The whole experience is super fun if you are with the people you love to hang out with your family. They had plenty of cute souvenirs and fun things to buy and photo opportunities with the king and queen. We have some really great pictures from that night of fun and will definitely go back again.
Written July 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are thrilled you enjoyed the tournament. WE look forward to seeing you soon and hope that every time you visit us it is a truly KNIGHT to remember!
Written July 28, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

John B
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Family
The last time I went to Medieval Times was probably 15 or 18 years ago. My wife made the reservations, so I didn't know that she had specified that it was for my birthday. We waited in an area that I remember having a shop. She bought me a letter opener that looked like a sword. I still have that.

It was finally our turn to go in, and we were seated right up front. We were both so excited! I had told her about MT that I had gone to when I lived in Orange Country, so she was as excited as I was. We sat and waited, then finally the people came around to serve dinner. Everyone at our table got served except for my wife and I. We just sat there like lumps on a log and watched the others eat. No one came by and there was no way to call for service. Finally a waitress came by to clean up the table for the next group of patrons and my wife literally yelled at her! After the yelling we were treated like royalty. but there is absolutely no way that I will ever go back there - to the cheap entertainment and the terrible service. Throughout the years, I have told all my family, my friends, and colleagues to avoid Medieval Times at all costs. When we told them what happened to us, they were appalled and said that they would spread the word.

I know it's been a while, but I left MT feedback the next day and (not surprisingly) go NO response so I just gave up on them. You ignore me, I'll ignore you.
Written August 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

M G
Oakland, CA189 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Family
Yes this place is a Tourist Trap, but that's the point. We did the basic package & it was well worth it. There are online discounts available for 20% off so look for those. I don't think any of the additional upgrades would be worth paying for, as you are only a few rows back & don't need the flags or staged photos. The entertainment is good & it's basically like being at a circus with sword fighting. The food is average costco chicken & a potato wedge, but they give you generous portions so it was overall a good value.
Written July 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anne S
Papeete, French Polynesia88 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
Superb show and super friendly staff, also an impressive work from our table-waiter ( they deserve your tips ! ) . The food is generous , and it is great fun for everyone . We took the VIP experience but not sure that is worth the extra cost, because the xtra cake was not very good ( it's sponge cake with some chocolate on it, plus we did not need an xtra desert). Also despite the VIP pass, you'll have to wait to be seated due to COVID protocol. But the photo package is really nice and the knighting ceremony is lots of fun .
Written July 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are thrilled you enjoyed the tournament. WE look forward to seeing you soon and hope that every time you visit us it is a truly KNIGHT to remember!
Written July 14, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Lupie V
Los Angeles, CA9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
The Medieval entertainment and eating with your hands just go hand-in-hand! All staff are friendly and enthusiastic, from the greeters who take your tickets through the servers who oversee you dining experience. Of particular importance to me was the health and safety protocol. Everything is indoor, but the venue does place a comfortable distance between your table and the groups around you. I felt very safe and well attended.
Written September 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HUZZAH! Thank you for your kind review. See you again at your next "Knight" to remember. :)
Written September 9, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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