When you think “family outing with babies and toddlers,” a medieval jousting show probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But after taking my 1-year-old son, my 2-year-old niece, and my 3-year-old daughter to Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament in Buena Park, I can honestly say — it was a hit for everyone.
I’d been to Medieval Times before as a teenager and adult, but never with kids. Honestly, I was skeptical.
Would my baby cry the whole time? Would my toddler get bored and want to run around after 10 minutes? Would the loud swords and cheering be too much?
Spoiler: they loved it. My 1- and 2-year-olds were interested from the very beginning, and while my 3-year-old did get a little overwhelmed by the noise at first, once we popped some headphones on her, she relaxed and enjoyed it just as much as the others. The knights, the horses, the cheering crowds — their little eyes were glued to the arena the entire show.
And let me tell you — that’s 90 minutes of sitting still. If you’ve got toddlers, you know that’s basically a miracle.
💡 The Need-to-Know Stuff
- Toddlers loved it — my 1-year-old, 2-year-old niece, and 3-year-old were surprisingly glued to the action for the full 90-minute show.
- Kids under 3 are free if they sit on your lap and share your plate (and trust me, the portions are huge).
- Noise can be intense — bring headphones if your little one is sensitive.
- Show length: 90 minutes + a full 4-course dinner.
- Plan ahead: Gates open 75 minutes before showtime — arrive early to grab better seats, find parking, and explore the castle or snap a photo.
Visiting OC with Kids? Here’s What Helps Most.
Traveling with kids isn’t always easy, but these tools help a ton.
- 🏨 Book your family stay on Booking.com – Find the best prices and filter for what parents actually need: free breakfast, pools, and close to the fun.
- 🚗 Rent a car with DiscoverCars – An easy way to compare prices and filter for family-friendly options like car seats or larger vehicles.
- 👶 Rent Strollers + Car Seats from BabyQuip – Skip packing the bulky gear and just have it conveniently delivered to your hotel. This is so much easier with little ones in tow.
- 🛡️ Travel Medical Insurance from SafetyWing – We use this for every trip, especially when traveling with little ones.
- 🚸 RideSafer Travel Vest – A great car seat alternative for toddlers when you’re on the go.
My Review: What It’s Really Like at Medieval Times With Toddlers and a Baby
The first time we went to Medieval Times Buena Park, we had a 1-year old baby, a 2-year-old, and a 3-year-old in tow — plus cousins (ages 9 and 11) who were visiting and wanted to see the show. I’d been before as a teenager and adult, but this was my first time braving it with little kids.
And honestly? I was shocked at how well it went.
My 1-year-old son and 2-year-old niece were fascinated from the start. The horses, the lights, the cheering — their little eyes were glued to the arena. My 3-year-old, on the other hand, was a little overwhelmed at first. She complained that it was “too loud!” and you could tell she was having some sensory overload. Thankfully, we had kid headphones with us, and once she put those on, she calmed right down and enjoyed the rest of the show.
The knights, jousting, sword fights, and even the falcon flying overhead kept all three kids entertained the entire 90 minutes. If you’ve got toddlers, you know that’s pretty much a miracle. Usually, you’re chasing them around after 10 minutes — not here.
The only mistake we made? Buying extra seats for the toddlers. I thought they’d want their “own” spot, but nope. Both the 2-year old and 3-year old ended up on our laps the entire show, which meant we basically paid $60 for empty chairs.
Lesson learned: if your kids are under 3, just go with the free lap option.
The food was another pleasant surprise. The portions were huge — plenty to share with the kids. The roasted chicken was actually juicy (not the dry, bland chicken I expected at a theme-style dinner). My toddler wouldn’t touch the tomato soup, but the rest of the meal was a hit, and I still had leftovers to take home.
We even went back a second time, just a month later, with friends — and the kids were just as engaged. My 3-year-old actually asked to go again. So no, it wasn’t a fluke. This really is one of the rare sit-down shows that works with babies and toddlers.
What to Know Before Visiting Medieval Times With Kids
Medieval Times Buena Park Tickets
📍 Address: 7662 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620
⏰ Showtimes: Weekdays usually at 7:00 PM | Weekends: multiple shows (commonly 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM, and 7:30 PM)
💲 Cost: Adults $75.95 | Kids (3–10) $46.95 | Kids under 3 are FREE if they sit on your lap and share your meal
🌐 Website: medievaltimes.com/buena-park
Ticket Prices
- Adults (ages 11+): $75.95
- Kids (ages 3–10): $46.95 — must have their own seat
- Kids under 3: Free — if they sit on your lap and share your meal
What’s included:
- Admission to the 90-minute live show
- 4-course dinner (with unlimited soda, water, coffee, or tea)
- Free parking
Toddler tip: Kids under 3 don’t need a ticket if they’re lap-seated. If you do buy them their own seat, you’ll be paying full kids’ price — and they may still end up in your lap the whole time. (Ask me how I know!)
My daughter was technically 3, but no one asked for proof of age — they weren’t strict about it at all.
What to Expect in the Medieval Times Show
The Medieval Times show runs about 90 minutes, but with arrival, dinner, and extras, plan for a total experience of 2–3 hours.
Here’s what you’ll see:
- 🏰 Castle setting with royalty, knights, and dramatic storylines
- 🐎 Live horses galloping, rearing, and performing tricks
- ⚔️ Jousting and sword fights between knights in full armor
- 🦅 Falconry demo — yes, a real bird flies through the arena
- 🎭 Plot twists and betrayals as the audience cheers for their knight’s team color
- 🔊 Loud cheering, clashing swords, and dramatic music throughout
Your section of the audience will be assigned a knight to cheer for — and trust me, toddlers love waving their little flags and yelling for their “team.”
One knight will win at the end — but it’s different each time. The winning “house” changes from show to show, so you never know who’s going to come out on top.
Seating
Seats are assigned when you book, and each section cheers for a specific knight (color-coded).
But here’s what to know with little kids:
- Arrive early for better seats. Your group’s section is set when you reserve, but exact seats within that section are first-come, first-served. Doors open about 75 minutes before the show — arrive then if you want to grab the best view.
- Toddlers in laps see better. The tables are tall, and little kids in their own chairs often can’t see over them. Sitting in your lap gives them the best view of the action.
- Lap seating = free admission. This is your best bet for kids under 3.
- Weekdays vs. weekends. Weekdays sometimes have empty seats, and staff may let your toddler slide into an extra one. Weekends are usually packed, so stick to lap seating unless you really need a chair.
- Royalty upgrade? Personally, I don’t think priority or front-row seating is worth it with toddlers. They’ll have just as much fun waving their little flag from the back row. We had regular seating and saw everything just fine.
Food
Yes — lunch or dinner is included, and it’s a full 4-course meal served while the show runs.
The standard menu includes:
- Garlic bread
- Tomato bisque soup
- Roasted chicken (huge portion, juicy and delicious)
- Buttered corn
- Herb-basted potato
- “Dessert of the Castle” (varies)
- Drinks: soda, water, coffee, tea (alcohol available for purchase)
Vegetarian and allergy-friendly meals are available on request.
Note: gratuity is not included in your ticket price.
My husband is usually a big eater, and even he didn’t finish all his food. We took home leftovers.
Before and After the Show
Getting there early makes the night way more fun, especially with kids. Castle doors open 75 minutes before showtime.
Before the show, you can:
- Take a professional photo at the castle entrance (you’ll have the option to buy it later)
- Snap your own photos in the Hall of Arms — the big medieval-style lobby with armor and décor
- Check out the gift shop (crowns, swords, shields, costumes)
- Grab drinks or snacks from the bar
After the show, you can:
- Meet and take photos with the knights
- Browse souvenirs if you didn’t get a chance before
Weekday visits were easy for us — no wait at all. But on weekends, parking was tricky, the line to enter was long, and everything felt more crowded. Arriving 40 minutes early gave us time to park, get our group photo, and let the kids take in the castle atmosphere before the show began.
Discounts
- Kids under 3: Free with lap seating
- Group discounts: Available for groups of 15+ (you even get a free group announcement like a birthday announcement or group shoutout)
- Coupons/Promotions: Medieval Times frequently offers online discounts and email promotions
- Priority Seating or Royalty Upgrade: Personally, I don’t think it’s necessary with toddlers — they’re usually just as happy waving their little flag in the back rows as they would be in the front
Parking
Parking at Medieval Times Buena Park is free and located in a large open lot right next to the castle.
On weekdays, it’s usually easy to find a spot. Weekends can get crowded, so give yourself extra time to park — especially if you have a stroller or little ones to unload.
Tips for Visiting Medieval Times With a Baby and Toddler
From our two visits, this is what I would recommend:
- Bring noise-canceling headphones. The show is loud, and my 3-year-old was much calmer once she had them on. Even just regular headphones helps dim the noise a little.
- Skip separate seats for toddlers under 3. They’ll almost always end up in your lap (it’s hard for them to see otherwise above the seating table), and lap seating is free (bonus).
- Portions are huge. Sharing one adult meal with a toddler is plenty, and you’ll likely still have leftovers.
- Arrive 40 minutes early on weekends. Parking gets crowded, and lines are longer. Extra time lets you explore the castle, grab drinks, and snap photos without rushing.
- Bring a light sweater or jacket. The arena is indoors and air-conditioned. I found it a little chilly. Having a layer helps everyone stay comfortable.
FAQs About Medieval Times With Kids
Is food included at Medieval Times?
Yes — your ticket includes a full 4-course dinner served during the show. Expect garlic bread, tomato bisque soup, roasted chicken, buttered corn, roasted potatoes, dessert, and drinks (soda, water, coffee, or tea). Vegetarian meals are available if you request them.
Is Medieval Times worth it with toddlers or babies?
Surprisingly, yes. I went with a 1-year-old, 2-year-old, and 3-year-old, and all of them stayed entertained for the full 90 minutes. The show is loud and full of action, which keeps kids engaged — just bring headphones if yours are sensitive to noise.
What century is Medieval Times set in?
The show is inspired by an 11th-century Spanish tournament and feast, complete with jousting, sword fights, and falconry.
Is Priority Seating worth it at Medieval Times?
We got regular seating and had a great view — I could see everything just fine, and the kids were more focused on the action than our exact row.
Since the tables are tall, you’ll likely want your toddler in your lap anyway so they can see above the table edge. Unless you’re going with older kids or really want front-row photos, I’d skip the upgrade.
Do they offer refunds?
Tickets are non-refundable, but Medieval Times will usually let you reschedule for another date if something comes up. Call the box office directly if you need to make changes.
They will only refund if they cancel the show.
Are there discounts for Medieval Times tickets?
Yes! Options include:
- Free admission for kids under 3 (lap seating only)
- Reduced rates for groups of 10+ (and bigger discounts for 15+)
- Seasonal promotions and coupons online (always check their website or sign up for emails)
Final Thoughts: Would I Recommend Medieval Times With a Baby or Toddler?
Yes! It’s not marketed as a “kids’ show,” but it’s surprisingly baby- and toddler-friendly. My 1-, 2-, and 3-year-olds sat through the entire 90 minutes both times we went — which, if you’ve got toddlers, you know is basically a miracle.
If you’re in Buena Park, Anaheim, Orange County, or even LA County and want something different from the usual parks and playgrounds, Medieval Times is absolutely worth adding to your family’s list.
