Tournament of Kings Dinner and Show at Excalibur Hotel and Casino

Medieval chaos in Vegas starts with a toast. Tournament of Kings at Excalibur Hotel and Casino turns you into part of the action, with live knights-style fighting and a storyline that keeps the crowd cheering. I especially like that the show is built around audience participation, and that you get a full 2-course dinner (no utensils) right at the arena.

The main trade-off is the setting: you sit close to horses in a dirt arena, with smoke, fog, strobe lights, and pyrotechnics during the show. If you’re sensitive to dust, horses, or respiratory irritants, go in knowing it can be a challenge.

Key Things You’ll Notice Right Away

• You cheer for your own king as the story assigns each audience section a role
• Real horses and real weapons energy make the action feel physical, not staged
• The food is part of the show rhythm, served while you’re watching and reacting
• Hand-eating dinner means plan for mess control and not bringing your best etiquette
• Special effects are real: pyrotechnics, smoke/fog, strobe lights, and loud moments
• Lines can be long at entry, but once doors open for your time block, things move

Tournament of Kings at Excalibur: What Makes This Show Tick

Tournament of Kings is one of those Vegas experiences that works because it doesn’t try to be subtle. You’re sitting in King Arthur’s arena, watching knights and kings clash, and you’re not just watching—you’re coached into cheering for your side like it matters. The show’s structure uses a simple idea to keep everyone engaged: your arena section is treated like a country, and each country has a king.

I like that the production explains the rules fast. You’ll see Merlin kick things off and then the night builds from there—wizard drama, knight tests, and the bigger showdown against the evil wizard Mordred. It’s loud, dramatic, and very tuned to a mixed crowd: kids who want action, and adults who want a fun, slightly silly night out that still feels like a real production.

Price and Value: Why $79.60 Actually Makes Sense Here

At about $79.60 per person, this isn’t a cheap “just a ticket” kind of show. The value comes from what you get for that price: admission to the Tournament of Kings show plus a 2-course dinner, with taxes and fees included.

That dinner part matters. You’re not paying extra at a restaurant first, then paying again for entertainment later. Instead, the food lands during the show experience, and dessert is included with Apple Square. If you’re trying to build an evening that doesn’t balloon in cost, this is one of the clearer deals on the Strip for an all-in evening.

One note: your drink options aren’t bundled the same way the meal is. Alcohol is available and your server can take drink orders, but the data here doesn’t say drinks are included—so you should treat bar spending as optional and separate.

Getting There in Excalibur: Find the Arena Without Stress

This one is easier than it sounds, even if Excalibur feels like a maze when you’re in a hurry. When you arrive, enter the hotel and walk toward the center box office. Then take the stairs down. At the bottom of the stairs, make a left and the arena is on your right.

The best practical move is timing your arrival for the show entrance window. Several people have noted that lines can get long if you arrive early, but once they start letting people in for your time block, the flow improves fast. So don’t panic if you see a queue right away—just make sure you’re in place with enough buffer that you don’t feel rushed.

Also keep an eye on what you bring. Bags are subject to search, and backpacks and luggage-like items are strictly prohibited in the showroom.

The Show Experience: Merlin to Mordred in About 90 Minutes

The show runs about 1 hour 30 minutes, and it moves at a pace that keeps most people from zoning out. It starts with Merlin, who sets up the idea that each arena section equals a country. Then King Arthur gathers the rulers of Europe—yes, that includes you—and kicks off a banquet-meets-competition vibe.

Expect battles with wizards, knights, and kings, plus a storyline beat that turns from celebration into trouble. Mordred shows up and flips the mood, and then the kings have to unite to defeat him. The narrative isn’t complicated, but it’s structured to keep you paying attention because you’ll be asked to respond.

If you like shows where you’re not silently waiting for highlights, this one works. The “interactive” piece isn’t just a gimmick; it’s tied to the way they assign roles to different audience sections, so cheering feels organized instead of random.

How Audience Participation Works (and Why You Might Lose Your Voice)

Here’s the part that gets the biggest praise: the cheering. You’ll be encouraged to cheer for your king, and the cast really leans into audience energy. That’s why people mention it’s loud, and why you may leave with a sore throat if you get swept up.

This interaction also makes the show easier to enjoy if you’re traveling with kids. Little ones can follow along without needing subtitles, apps, or constant explanations. Even if the plot isn’t your thing, the rhythm of call-and-response keeps the attention where it belongs.

If you’re a group, this is also a fun way to create your own mini-competition. You’ll see the arena divided and treated like separate countries, so you can play along. Just remember: you’re in an enclosed area, and the effects and shouting can be intense.

Horses, Effects, and the One Safety Consideration That Matters

Tournament of Kings isn’t a quiet dinner show. It’s set in an enclosed arena with horses, pyrotechnics, strobe lights, and smoke and fog effects. Seats are in close proximity to the horses, and you’re in a dirt arena.

That combination is exactly why many people love it: it feels real and physical. But it’s also the reason you should think carefully if you have sensitivities. The show specifically warns that anyone sensitive to horses, dust, or with allergies, asthma, or respiratory conditions should attend at their own risk.

If you’re not sure where you fall, treat it like this: if you typically struggle in dusty or strobe-heavy environments, or if you don’t do well around horses, you’ll want to plan accordingly—maybe even reconsider. For everyone else, it’s part of the theatrical “medieval arena” setup.

The Dinner: What You Actually Eat While the Knights Fight

You’re not just watching—you’re eating during the action, and you’ll do it in the medieval style. The meal is sans utensils, so no forks or spoons. Plan for hand-eating: clean napkins help, and expect things to be a little casual.

Your meal is described as a 2-course setup:

• Slow-roasted chicken
• Lemon pepper roasted red potatoes
• Seasonal vegetables
• Dinner roll

And then dessert: Apple Square.

Some reviews call out that the dinner is enjoyable and fairly well portioned for the price. Others say the food is more basic than expected, with comments about chicken dryness or sides tasting stale. The good news is that even when people judge the food as just okay, they still tend to call the show the reason to go.

So I’d set expectations like this: view the dinner as part of the experience, not a gourmet highlight. If you’re hungry, you’ll likely be satisfied. If you’re a picky eater or someone who hates hand food, you’ll need to decide if you can tolerate the format.

Dietary Requests: Possible, But Time Matters

If you need a special menu, you can request one at least 4 hours before showtime. Options listed include Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Allergy, Kosher, and Kids meals.

Kosher meals require 72 hours of advanced notice. If you’re traveling close to showtime, set a reminder early. The special menu request is also tied to calling the Excalibur Box Office using the phone number on your ticket, so keep your ticket handy.

What the Reviews Emphasize Most

I paid attention to what people kept praising, because that’s where you’ll get the best feel for whether it matches your taste.

The biggest winners:

• Audience participation is real. People mention cheering for your king and getting involved.
• The action feels authentic. Reviews highlight real swords and the energy of sword fighting.
• Horses are a major draw, and people say the horses look well taken care of and trained.
• Special effects land well. Fire and pyrotechnics, plus dramatic lighting, get frequent mentions.
• Performance quality is strong. Actors and dancers are regularly singled out.

The most common “okay/but” notes:

• Food can be basic, and a few people say sides or chicken were dry or older.
• It’s loud and physical in the arena, so it’s not a sit-back-and-read-your-book event.
• One person reported an issue with receiving incorrect tickets, which is worth a quick check before you head into the line.

Drinks and Comfort: Small Practical Details That Change Your Night

Alcohol is available, and your server can take drink orders at your assigned table/seat. That’s great if you want the full Vegas dinner-show vibe. If you don’t plan to drink, you’ll still get served beverages.

You can also use restrooms during the show. Still, I’d plan for pre-show bathroom time since the arena setup can make it feel like a closed world once the action starts.

For comfort, wear clothes you don’t mind getting a bit dusty if you’re sensitive to dirt. And if you’re prone to losing your voice, maybe don’t schedule this as the only big social event of your trip that day.

After the Battle: Why Excalibur’s Location Helps

One of the smart parts of booking at Excalibur is that the show doesn’t live in a dead zone. After the 90 minutes, you can roll straight into the rest of the Excalibur complex—casino, arcade, and shops are all nearby.

That makes the timing flexible. If your group includes people who don’t want to leave right after dinner, you have options. And if you do want to keep going, you’re already inside a built-in entertainment hub.

Who This Show Is Best For (and Who Should Think Twice)

You’ll likely love Tournament of Kings if:

• You’re traveling with kids who want knights, horses, and action
• You want an interactive show where your energy matters
• You like spectacle: pyrotechnics, strobe lights, and big stage moments
• You’re okay with a hand-eaten dinner format

You should think twice if:

• You have asthma or significant allergies to horses/dust
• Strobe lights, smoke/fog, or loud environments are tough for you
• You expect restaurant-level fine dining (the food is part of the experience, not a luxury meal)

Should You Book Tournament of Kings at Excalibur?

Book it if you want a classic Vegas-style “do something different tonight” plan with easy logistics and built-in fun. For the money, the value comes from the full package: show admission + dinner + dessert, plus a production that gets people cheering.

Skip or reconsider if safety triggers are on your list—especially around horses, dust, asthma, or respiratory issues. And be realistic about the food: it’s hearty and part of the medieval act, but it won’t satisfy every diner’s idea of perfect chicken.

If you want a night where kids clap, adults laugh, and everyone ends up yelling at least once, this is a strong bet.