We were invited to visit to faciliate this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About Pirate’s Dinner Adventure’s New Show: “In Search of Neptune’s Treasure”
Crafted by the acclaimed live entertainment writer and director Michael La Fleur—who has collaborated with giants like Celine Dion, Cirque du Soleil, The Walt Disney Company, and Universal Studios—the new show promises a spectacular adventure. “In Search of Neptune’s Treasure” features an all-new script, breathtaking stunts, catchy songs, stunning set pieces, and vibrant costumes, ensuring there’s plenty of excitement and engagement for everyone in the family.

Join the swashbuckling cast as they set sail on another high-seas journey full of action, adventure, and romance. Watch as Princess Anita finds herself aboard Captain Sebastian the Black’s ship, navigating through an adventure-packed plot with a crew of rogue pirates. With new upbeat songs like “Magic Nights” and “Nick of Time,” paired with spectacular special effects and Broadway-quality lighting, audiences will be fully immersed in the world of pirates.

Our Review of “In Search of Neptune’s Treasure”

We were invited to the opening night of the brand-new show, “In Search of Neptune’s Treasure.” It’s been a family favorite in the past so we jumped at the chance (Check out Vampirates or Pirates Take Christmas for holiday shows).

Check out Pirate’s Dinner Adventure for kids who love theater!

My 10-year-old loves the dinner theater. She’s at a great age for the campy humor, simulated fight scenes, and sing-a-long experience. She proudly dones our pirate’s color and cheers him on. She’s wowed by the aerial artistry.

This new show had all of her favorite elements. There were tons of songs that got the crowd swaying. Our performance brought tons of audience members onto the ship, mainly adults, to help with challenges.

I was selected to carry treasure! The interaction is one of our favorite parts.

This was the third visit for my almost 2-year-old, and, unfortunately, the first time she was scared. In full disclosure, she’s getting more cautious about the dark, loud noises, etc. You know your child best, so keep in mind that this does involve pyrotechincs, simulated gunshots, and fight montages.

Is Pirate’s Dinner Adventure scary? No. But it may be best for elementary aged kids and beyond.

Pirates Dinner Adventure Reservations

Pirates Dinner Adventure Location

7600 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park, CA 90620

Parking is available on site. You’ll pay $7 in advance, or $8 at the door.

Pirate Dinner Adventure Pricing

Ticket Prices: $68.95 for adults and $41.95 for children ages 3 to 11.

Children ages 2 and under are free. Parental discretion is advised.

Reserve Your Seats

Pirates Dinner Adventure offers a variety of showtimes throughout the week. To reserve your seats, call 714-690-1497 or get your Pirates Dinner Adventure tickets.

Avast ye mateys! Vampirates have taken over the Pirate’s Dinner Adventure in Buena Park, California. Set sail in the high thrills in the interactive Halloween-themed dinner theater.

We received complimentary admission to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Get ready for some pirate puns because I am so excited to share our night at Pirate’s Dinner Adventure with you!

Vampirates: Undead Men Tell No Tales

The Halloween-themed show was filled with stunts, daring aerial presentations, plus a great story that had us all engaged!

Pre-Show Information

Doors open 90 minutes prior to the show with the recommendation be to arrive 60-90 minutes in advance. The additional time will allow you to pick up tickets, take photos, and shop for pirate-themed treasure.

Upon arrival, the box office will provide color-coded bandanas so you’ll not only look the part but also know where to sit. Part of the fun is getting into the spirit, so I would take advantage of as many pirate catch phrases as you can.

When your party enters, you’ll snap photos with a green screen backdrop. I’ve never met a novelty photo I didn’t like.

The main lobby has face painting, souvenir shopping, and restrooms. For buccaneers 21+, alcoholic beverages are served. There was even a fun mocktail for my scallywag to get into the spirit.

Seating Information

One thing I thought was really neat was the theater itself. The ghostly ship sits in the middle of the auditorium, with seating surrounding it. The recreation of the Spanish galleon is really neat, with each pirate having a rope ladder and crow’s nest platform to swing back and forth across the 250,000 gallon lagoon.

The first row of seats is level with the ship’s base, and additional seats on risers around it. We went to our yellow pirate’s section, and were quickly welcomed by our evening’s server.

Feast Menu

Swashbuckling can work up an appetite. The four-course meal served will assure that no pirate, vampire or not, goes hungry.

The adult menu includes:

• Vegetable soup or salad with ranch (Italian dressing, upon request)
• Your choice of Roasted chicken or pork, served with mashed potatoes and mixed veggies
• Chocolate brownie with powdered sugar & raspberry sauce

Children’s menu:

The children’s menu includes a slider, macaroni & cheese, mashed potatoes, and fruit.

Vegetarian and vegan menu:

When booking our reservation, I secured my vegetarian menu. My main course was swapped for a squash ravioli that was absolutely delightful. It felt perfect for the Halloween festivities. Vegan options are also available.

Non-alcoholic beverages are included in the cost. Servers will also refresh alcoholic drinks with selections from the bar so you don’t miss a second of the action!

Vampirate’s Show

The troop of Vampire pirates are at odds with a vampire hunt aboard Captain Sebastian Black’s ship. Family-friendly romance, swordplay, stunts, and surprises await!

Audience participation is a big part of the fun! The pirates participated in a series of challenges with the audience members cheering them on the whol time! But audience members also get to get involved in the fun! There was even a costume contest conducted as part of the Halloween show on select nights.

At one point, the ship’s deck was removed to reveal a trampoline. This made for additional stunts and rope working.

With each visit, I am delighted by the high-flying themed stunts and swordsmanship. The additional elements like aerial acrobatics and comedy gold make it something truly special.

Another unexpected surprise was the soundtrack! The Halloween show included hits by hauntingly fun artists like Oingo Boingo. They’re one of my favorites this time of year especially.

Is Vampirates Scary?

Their make-up is authentic, but not filled with gore. We were able to grab photos with the Vampirates as we walked in and afterwards.

The fighting scenes are simulated. Although very thrilling, they are not gorey or deadly. Swashbuckling and swordsplay add to the drama of the evening.

Due to pyrotechnics and other thrilling special effects, children who are sensitive to sounds can bring headphones.

Discount Tickets

Make sure to check out the Pirate’s Dinner Adventure page for Special Offers. To reserve your seats, call 714-690-1497 or click here.

Looking for a family-friendly Halloween activity? Add Vampirates at the Pirate Dinner Adventure in Buena Park, California to your Halloween bucket list!

Here Be Dragons Dinner Theatre Review

Thar be fun ahead! I brought my nine-year-old to enjoy the latest production from Pirates Dinner Adventure. We had a stowaway with my infant daughter joining us for the fun. The new show “Here Be Dragons” takes place on the recreation of the 18-century Spanish galleon surrounded by a 250,000-gallon lagoon. The theater is darkly lit with seating surrouding the ship.

Your dining section is color coded to the pirate you’ll be championing for the night. Ahead of the production, our pirate visited our section and selected guests to assist with upcoming challenges.

Once the show began, dinner was served and so was the fun!

We watched as dastardly pirates kidnapped a princess and mermaid, duel each other, and perform some hilarious hijinks! My nine-year-old was captivated throughout, giggling and cheering at the swashbuckling pirates.

The show contains many astonishing displays of special effects, including canon booms, lighting effects, aerial artistry, and water explosions. It may be startling to some visitors, but my infant and 3rd grader loved it all.

Pirate’s Dinner Adventure battles the Leviathan!

Wondering what’s new? The new show includes an animatronic dragon summoned by a stolen necklace. It moves its long neck atop the ship and snaps its harrowing jaw full of sharp teeth. It spews fire, but don’t dismay. The pirates have some help to defeat the villainous beast!

We’ve had the good fortune of being invited to experience other shows at Pirates Dinner Adventure like the holiday show, Pirates Take Christmas, so we knew to anticipate audience participation. It felt like there was even more audience participation in Here Be Dragons, and my daughter was thrilled to be selected.

The show is perfect for elementary aged children who enjoy role play and adventure.

Everything You Need to Know about Pirates Dinner Adventure

How Long is the Show?

The family-friendly show runs 90+ minutes. It is high-energy and young guests will stay engaged by cheering on their pirate, assisting with challenges, and gobbling up their feasts.

What is served at Pirate’s Dinner Adventure?

Your admission includes a 3-course meal. Choose between soup or salad for your first course.

The main entree selection for adults includes your choice from the following list:

• Roasted Chicken
• Pork Loin
• Butternut Squash Ravioli (Vegetarian)
• Black Bean & Corn Patty with Vegetables (Vegan)

The children’s menu at Pirate’s Dinner Adventure features a slider, mac & cheese, and mashed potatoes.

All meals come with unlimited soft drinks during the show.

Your last course is a slice of cake.

Is alcohol served at Pirates Dinner Adventure?

Adults 21+ can visit the Buccaneer Bar for alcoholic beverages including pirate themed cocktails.

How early should we arrive?

Plan on arriving approximately 60 minutes ahead of your showtime. This allows for time to pick up any pirate garb or sourvenirs ahead of time. When you enter, your group will be photographed in front of a green screen. Your photos will be shared with you while seated for consideration. Photo packages are available.

The bar is also open during this time.

How much is parking?

On-site parking is available. In advance parking is $7, or $8 at the door.

Are children under 2 free?

Yes, children under 2 are free. They do not receive a meal and sit on your lap. Our waitress did offer a booster seat, but my wiggly baby had more fun sitting on my lap and watching the show.

Medieval Times or Pirates Dinner Adventure?

We’ve been fortunate to visit both dinner theater options and loved them.

Here are a few things to consider:

Pirate’s Dinner Adventure:

• Pirate-themed setting with more intimate feel
• High-energy swordsplay, aerial displays, music, and slapstick comedy
• Animatronic fire-breathing dragon
• Tons of audience participation

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament:

• Larger venue with museum
• Regal theme with horsemanship and falconry
• Pageantry and fanfare with select audience participation

Pirates Dinner Adventure Tickets

It is recommended that you make your reservations in advance for the fun. Ticket are available on the official website. To reserve your seats, call 714-690-1497 or click here.

Pirates Dinner Adventure Discounts

Looking for special pricing? Check out the special deals for Pirates Dinner Adventure.

I’ve also found great deal on Groupon for the show!

We had a blast visiting Here Be Dragons! The energetic dinner theater makes for a fun family outing, perfect for birthdays or celebrations. Secure your seat aboard the ship at Pirates Dinner Adventure.

I recevied complimentary admission to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

We swashbuckled our way into the holiday spirit at Pirates Dinner Adventure! The high-action and spirited show captures the fun of the year-round show and adds in the cheer of Christmas in a thrilling presentation.

About the Pirates Take Christmas Show

Christmas is in danger! It’s up to you and your family to rescue Santa and Mrs. Claus from a crew of rouge pirates and save the holiday season!

Scoundrel pirates have captured Santa and Mrs. Claus, threatening to bring an end to the holiday season and disappointing all the good children around the world. With help from you, your family and a little bit of magic, you can ensure Santa beats the pirates and saves Christmas. Guests will laugh and cheer as the pirates perform awe-inspiring stunts and festive songs. This Yuletide adventure combines audience participation, heart-pounding action and the spirit of the season, along with a hearty, three-course feast.

Upon arrival, you’ll receive your color assignment. That will tell you which pirate you’ll be cheering on in the hijinks and excitement for the evening. Get there up to an hour in advance for appetizers and souvenir shopping.

In addition to the energetic antics of the pirates, the show incorporates a ton of audience participation. The aerial acrobat elf “Holly” adds extra flair to the show, plus rope-swinging pirates who also bounce and flip. It’s a great activity for families with kids 10 and under!

Professional photographers are available to capture your family photo with greenscreen backgrounds. Photo packages are available for purchase separately. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet Santa after the show!

Pirates Take Christmas Reservations

Pirates Dinner Adventure’s hit, holiday-themed dinner show “Pirates Take Christmas” will return to provide guests with thrills and Christmas cheer. The magical special will run through through January 1, 2023.

Your reservation includes a three-course dinner with unlimited soft drinks. I was thrilled to find a vegetarian menu option, in addition to adult dinner selections and a kid’s meal.

To reserve your seats, call 714-690-1497 or click here.

Pirates Take Christmas Coupon

Ticket prices for the Christmas special start at $65.95 for adults and $38.95 for children 11 and under.
Upgrades are available for purchase.

Mention code JollyPirate when calling to make reservations to save 20% on your tickets.

Looking for more holiday fun? Check out these Holiday destinations:

• Knott’s Merry Farm
• Christmas in Solvang

We received complimentary admission to facilitate this review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  Please read my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Living a block or so from where I grew up presents lots of fun.  There’s always someone to chat with while in line at the grocery store.  I never get lost.  But the element I cherish most is that I can share moments from my childhood with my own children.  Medieval Times was the latest  of these experiences.  My husband and I were chatting while driving to the Buena Park castle about our previous visits.  Birthday parties and gatherings with friends–we both shared such fond memories of the family friendly entertainment.

As we drove, our car was a buzz with excitement from the back seat.  Our preschooler seemed enamored with the royalty aspect, while the older girls were interested in the historical fiction.  But one thing this girl mom was celebrating: for the first time, there’s a queen ruling the castle.  Long may she reign!  Queen Maria Isabella has ascended to the throne at the Buena Park, California castle.  As the story tells, she’s inherited the throne upon the death of her father.  The kind and confident matriarch can also be found at the Medieval Times castles in Dallas, Chicago, and New Jersey with additional debuts throughout the country slated for 2018.

With the new character comes a new show.  Features of the new show include:

• 700 new handmade costumes for performers, including horses, made in the dedicated costume shop in Dallas Design District
• 200 new suits of armor, shield, and helmets
• 350 team members and 225 horses rehearsing for months to prepare for the new show
• A live-action film score sychronized to the lights, jousts, and entries
• A $1 million upgraded LED lighting system featuring 256 colors

You can check out some of the fun in this video:

We arrived approximately an hour before show time.  I informed the castle attendants of our need for vegetarian meals, and will share more on that later in the post.  We checked in and received crowns, alerting us that we would be cheering on the Green Knight for the evening.  We took a photo with the nobility.  Thanks to the talented photographers, we actually got a family photo of the five of us.  There’s a lovely outdoor courtyard, but inside the castle is where the action is.  We ordered drinks when walking in.  There are plenty of fun options with and without alcohol, like the King’s Colada.

While strolling through the castle, King’s Colada in hand, we could see the four-legged stars of the show as there are areas to view the horse stables.  My daughters have inherited my love for souvenirs so we also checked out the wares available for purchase.  Child-sized costume pieces like armor and crowns are available, plus numerous collectibles for the home.  Poppy talked her father into a pointed princess hat with detachable tiara.  We mentioned the color of our knight for the evening was green; she got blue anyway.

Insider tip: Flags on a stick bearing your knight’s color are available for only $5.

Queen Maria Isabella and her band of bards made an appearance to perform knighting ceremonies for those celebrating special occasions at the castle.  In addition to making those individuals feel more noble, it was fun for all guests to enjoy.  There’s plenty to see on the walls and a throne for photo ops, so you’ll want to arrive before showtime to be able to enjoy it all.

My eldest daughter and I also toured the Torture Museum.  For an additional $2 a person, you can learn more about the medieval torture devices.  It wouldn’t be a good fit for all guests, like younger children.  The mood is spooky with music playing and dimmed lights inside the chamber.

After shopping and visiting the museum, it was time to take our seats. Sitting in a row, we were excited to get our evening started.  Our waitress took drink orders, and accepted my coupon for a vegetarian meal.  As the show began, our food was served one course at a time.  The traditional menu features garlic bread, dragon blood soup (tomato bisque), roasted chicken, buttered corn, herb-roasted potatoes, and dessert.  My vegetarian meal was awesome!  I received hummus with veggies and pita bread to begin.  Next came three-bean stew with fire-roasted tomato and brown rice, plus dessert.  And a spoon!  Part of the fun of Medieval Times is eating as was done in the medieval times which means with your hands.  However, I did boast my access to a utensil like I had won some sort of futuristic trophy.

The show began with the royal falcon presentation where the royal falconer demonstrates catching the majestic bird in a fashion that pre-dates the Medieval Age.  If you’d like to see the birds up close, check out the mews prior to showtime.  Previously mentioned, the new Medieval Times show features a queen for the first time.  She rode in behind her knights on a gorgeous white horse.  We got to check out the horses as they parade the arena.  But then it was time for the tournament to begin!  As was done in earlier times, the knights battled with various tournament games on horseback.  As our green knight prevailed over these early games, we cheered.  It’s hard to not get swept up in “Huzzah!” with the crowd.  You may notice in our photos from within the arena, a green hue.  The lighting upgrades shined our entire area the color of the Green Knight, the bravest of the brave.  We literally were covered in team pride.

As our knight succeeded in various games, the queen provided flowers to share with audience members.  The special honor of catching a tossed carnation befell two of my daughters.  Totally swoon worthy moment when the knight acknowledges you.

The story continued with head-to-head battles between pairs of knights. showcasing the brawn and boldness of the men in armor.  For those experiencing the fun with younger children, the fighting is well choreographed making it feel very authentic.  However, it is not gruesome or scary.  My 4-year-old daughter was engaged, but not frightened.  She was inspired by the grace of the horses, and practiced her own prancing in the lobby for a few minutes when she needed to stretch her legs during the show.

Queen Maria Isabella is not a damsel in distress.  Without giving away too much of the show, there is a contest to her authority and this queen has it handled.  To see a strong matriarch adds a modern touch to the Medieval Times entertainment.  Even if you’ve visited the castle previously, it’s time to return to enjoy the feasting, jousting, and all-around family fun.

Tickets for Medieval Times can be purchased on their website.  There you’ll find showtimes and great resources to plan your trip.  Have you visited the castle before?  Share your Medieval Times experience in the comments!