The night before, I downloaded the app. TRF has an app! You can look up where and what food options are available, map out the places you want to go, and even set up a schedule of what you want to see while you are there. I picked our top entertainment choices and set up the schedule. You can even have it alert you when the time for your event has come. I also marked "favorite" shoppes we would want to stop in while we were there. There were some issues finding the places we wanted to be at. Thankfully, they have maps hanging at the bathrooms and plenty of cast members that are willing to give directions.You can also purchase a souvenir guide that will include a map and information on everything they have there. Even after leaving, the app sends traffic alerts for those coming and going. One such alert let you know what other highway to take to avoid long traffic lines. The app also lets you know what events are better geared towards kids.
Prep before you go!
Then came having everything laid out. I was going to be getting up at 5 AM and waking the kids at 5:20. The plan was to leave by 5:45 to get there in time for the opening ceremony. Talk about being down to the wire! My husband had to work the night before, so we had to plan it all out in minute detail. Which brings me to another part in planning that I didn't consider. If you want a hotel for any of these weekends, don't wait until the week of to book. THEY WERE ALL FULL! So we were definitely driving back home after the event. Which was actually for the best. My husband was going to be too tired for too long a day. If we had gotten a hotel, he would've wanted a nap in the early afternoon and come back for a couple more hours before calling it a day. So it worked out. But, if you were really wanting to stay close or make it a longer trip, book in advanced. WAY advanced! I had the diaper bag packed to the brim. I had waters for everyone in the fridge. Since each person is only allowed to bring in 1 unopened water bottle, I had these in the fridge. I got out our amazing cooler, that I have mentioned before in a review, and threw more waters in the freezer. Plan was to have them in the cooler in the van so that when we went out, they would be waiting and thawed enough to start drinking. I also set out breakfast. We are not big on eating that early in the morning. So I grabbed snacks that will be easy to eat when we are ready. Not the healthiest, but for something like this - worth it. I packed each of the older kids a snack bag. They can share, trade, and snack on the variety I gave them to and from the event. And everything in the bag would be fine in the car while we were inside the TRF.
We didn't leave right when we planned to. Despite waking the kids earlier than I thought I would, they were slow in getting dressed.
After checking in and getting our passes, I did a quick interview with Travis Bryant. This guy gets the word out about an amazing experience you can have at the Texas Renaissance Festival only. It was great meeting him and working with him to make our trip possible. I apologize ahead of time, the video was broken into two.
Going through the gate, the guys all got kissed by the pirate wench. Lucky for her, my attention was elsewhere...
Once we parted ways, we checked out our first show - Birds of Prey. This was a wonderfully, engaging show. Educational as well.
They had vultures, hawks, and owls that flew among the guests, did tricks, and showed us what they are really capable of. Our whole family enjoyed the sight.
There were a couple moments when the birds showed who really ruled the roost by not obeying their trainers commands.
After the show, my kids were crying for food. My little vultures... So we went hunting. Oh the smells! I can't tell you how badly I wanted to order lots of things. They had foods from all over the world. We requested 2 orders of potatoes - these were potato slices, fried to a crisp. Delicious! No one should ever be without their famous turkey legs.
My oldest said he didn't want that, so we compromised. We bought 1 turkey leg and 1 steak on a stick.
It didn't seem like enough, so I told them to endure a little more fun and we would eat again. (It was just soooo good!)
We went to see the Pirates of the Pride of Bedlam next. Talk about a rockin' good show! We were all enjoying their rowdy tunes.
Even our baby pirate was happy. We had some random pirates hand out gold doubloons to the kiddos and some shoppe owners were giving away free Frankincense and Myrrh. My son got a piece of a bismuth crystal. For those of you who aren't familiar, it is a fragile metal crystal that is grown.
We saw many fascinating characters. My younger son loved this one:
We finished our day with an interview with the Captain and his First Mate of the Pirates of the Pride of Bedlam.
I'm sorry if you are unable to hear much, as it was at a very noisy time in the area. He is very lively, very friendly and offered some great insight to the Texas Renaissance Festival.
We missed the Joust and the fireworks this time. But I do hope that a future trip may afford these wondrous sights as I'm told they are truly magnificent.
Also, both interviews led me to believe that Arsene is someone you positively MUST see at least once while you are there. I hope you got to enjoy the sights through my experience, but that you are planning your own trip in the future. If you are here in Texas, they have many weekends yet. We suggest you plan to bring shopping coinage. The artisans here do a splendid job with handcrafting just about anything your heart could desire. My sons are now proud owners of a hearty double-sided wooden axe.
Wow! That looked like fun. Liked the interviews.
ReplyDeleteIt was so much fun! Glad you liked it!
DeleteLoving how everyone dresses up, makes it such a fun event. Looks like you had a full on day.
ReplyDeleteThat is something we all thoroughly enjoyed!
DeleteWow this looks incredible! I don't think we have much like that here but it looks so fun to see everyone in costumes, you must feel like you stepped back in history! Also I can only imagine that the fog added to the atmosphere!
ReplyDeleteIt really is like we have stepped back in time. Everyone acts according to the time. We loved it!
DeleteIt looks like a fun and exciting festival. It seems that your kids really enjoy that event. Their costume looks so incredible.
ReplyDeleteThey did! They love dressing up as much as do. They just get tired of the heat quicker than I do haha
DeleteI love the interviews :) This looks like such a fun event. I love the different costumes.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI lived in Texas for 7 years and never made it to the fest. Now I feel I should have visited.
ReplyDelete❥ tanvii.com
Maybe one day you can find one near you??
DeleteLooks like an interesting festival! My kid may enjoy it, trying the foods, and checking out people. I like that kids can go free!
ReplyDeleteI think kids do love it. There is so much going on. Its a great way to get and be crazy for a change.
DeleteSuch a detailed review of the festival. One thing is sure, I would LOVE to visit it! Great article :)
ReplyDeleteThen I hope you get the chance to! It is amazing!
DeleteAwwww, this looks like so much fun. I'd love to go there when I have my own kids too :)
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to go just because you have kids. There are so many more adult-type things you can enjoy as well!
DeleteThis seems like such an amazingly family friendly and fun event. I love when communities offer things like this!
ReplyDeleteSo do I!
DeleteThe vivid description of this festival has helped me to enjoy it in my mind.. I like the interviews and the pirates performance the most. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteThis looks so fun! I've always wanted to go to one of these but every time I've seen one we havent been able to go!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get the chance to go one day!
DeleteI love festivals, we go every year. One is coming up this weekend here!
ReplyDeleteThat's great!
DeleteIt looks like a fun and exciting renaissance festival. It seems that you really enjoy that event. and those costume looks so good.
ReplyDeleteThank you! We loved it :)
DeleteThis looks like Fun! Love this post with all the photos and fun videos. Thank-you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for stopping by! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
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