This radically changed how conflicts were waged at that time. Knights began fighting while riding large and powerful horses called warhorses. Our knights at Medieval Times train tirelessly to get their choreographed fights looking as authentic as the epic battles of the middle ages were. Knights were considered elite soldiers in battles, wars and crusades, but when not in such situations, they usually acted as law enforcement officers of the local lord’s court or that of the queen. Most knights were required to be at least 21 years old. The knight was given a sword, a pay raise and, frequently, a plot of land. “That keeps us normal,” she said.Kings or lords would raise a soldier to a knight by lightly striking (dubbing) the knight’s shoulder with the flat of his sword. “They’ve honestly gone above and beyond,” she said.Ĭhristina Carmona, who also plays the queen, called entertainment essential for society, even during the pandemic. Still, she said she is happy to be back and felt safe at work. Those interactions are what she cherished about her job. She misses the hugs from little girls and giving out autographs after the show. The 33-year-old who is one of the several actresses rotating in as the queen. The feistier horses had “a little bit of vinegar in them” as they performed full of energy again, he said.įults, who has worked at the castle since she was 16, reflects on how it feels different. He ate healthier, gave up caffeine and spent more time with his family while he waited to return to the job he’s had for 11 years. Even more so than I remembered it,” said Bobola, who spent his temporary layoff living New Year’s resolutions in the middle of the year. “The first show back, I immediately noticed everyone was still excited. Since the castle reopened July 5 with its new safety procedures, about 120 employees have returned with about dozen more set to return after their self-quarantining is over. The Blue Knight performs for the audience while wearing a mask at Medieval Times in Kissimmee on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. A small number stayed on to feed and exercise the 25 horses that perform in the show. “We kept our team members on payroll as long as we could,” Dorn said, until the company realized “there was no end in sight.”Ĭalling it a tough decision, Dorn said the castle laid off the vast majority of its 180 employees since Medieval Times didn’t receive any emergency federal government loans. Medieval Times paid employees’ paychecks for two weeks after the arena went dark. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the castle’s final performance was March 12, the same day Disney World announced it was closing. When the show ends, the audience is ushered out by each section, so there isn’t a mass exodus. Dorn pointed to the tables spaced six feet apart, social distancing markers on the floor and employees who enforce the rules. The biggest issue with crowd control appears to be in the Great Hall, where visitors congregate before the show to buy drinks or souvenirs. The dinner parties are spread out around on the arena, too. They are allowed to take their masks off while they eat in their seats as shield-wearing servers pass out chicken, garlic bread and tomato soup. Visitors are required to walk in with their masks and go through temperature screening. The knights battle in five to seven shows a week, down from what was once 14 performances a week during a typical busy summertime.Īdmission price is $64.95 per adult and $36.95 for each child although online offers a 25% discount. It’s about one-third of normal volume, although Dorn says he’s confident the business is not in danger of closing even as it faces the attendance hit. Under state guidelines, the Kissimmee show currently can host a maximum of 500 people in the 1,100-seat arena although some shows only bring in 350 or 400 people. The Central Florida castle is only one of three currently open out of the company’s 10 venues. His itinerary also included several International Drive attractions. “I’ve been wanting to go to one of these my whole life,” said Mallett, 36, a fan of swords, as he waited for the show to begin. Raymond Mallett flew into Orlando from Cleveland, Ohio, unconcerned about traveling during a pandemic, he said. They didn’t mind complying with the mask requirements while in town, he said. Others have traveled considerable distances, which leaves the general manager still unsure of who exactly his audience is - locals or tourists - in the early reopening days.īrent Hutto and his extended family of 12 drove from Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana to vacation in Florida and attend Wednesday’s show after a stop at the Universal theme parks. The parking lot is full of Florida license plates as some families celebrate birthdays and high school graduations. Audience members cheer for their knight at Medieval Times in Kissimmee on Wednesday, July 22, 2020.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |