The Orlando area's Medieval Times dinner theater this week announced a break from tradition: a queen, rather than a king, will rule over the nightly jousting tournament for the first time in the attraction's 34 year history. The move is a result of guest feedback on the dinner show and the roles women played in it, according to a Medieval Times news release. The show includes sword-wielding knights on horseback and performers who have, until now, interacted with a king. Previous versions featured a princess, with the color-designated knights fighting for the her affection, but there was no queen. The new show, which debuts April 19, will also include a new script, storyline, costumes, lighting system and music at the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament castle in Kissimmee. In a statement, general manager Doug Dorn was called the new queen a "sign of the times." “The queen is fully in-charge," he said. "Her authority is sometimes challenged, but she quickly asserts herself as a strong leader." Medieval Times operates nine dinner theater castles across the U.S. and Canada, and said it's rolling out the changes at all of them. They're not the first Orlando area attraction to make changes in the era of Times Up. Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom recently debuted changes to its Pirates of the Caribbean ride, including the removal of the "wench auction" and addition of a new, red-headed pirate.
