On the final night of our week in Orlando we checked out the Arabian Nights Dinner Attraction. Overall it was a GREAT experience.
To start things off there was a pupu buffet once you enter the building.
And a cash bar full of some awesome drinks!
Once you get into the arena there’s a Pre-Show whereby the horses come out and do some quick demos for you.
The Show
The show itself is a horse show full of both horse and human performers doing various stunts wrapped around a loose storyline.
The Storyline
Scheherazade’s your normal girl who discovers on her 18th b-day that she’s actually a Princess. Her faithful guardian, Uncle Abra is actually her father’s magical genie Abra Cadabra who was charged to protect her from the attention of the evil Prince Vaneer.
Scheherazade quickly learns that the tales Abra Cadabra have told her since childhood are all true. She also finds out that she has her own Genie, Hocus Pocus, who Abra Cadabra introduces to her. Finally, she learns that the good Prince she always dreamed of is out there searching for her as well.
The Show Format
As an improviser, the show format very much reminds me of Living Room Harold format. Sheherazade, Abra Cadabra and Hocus Pocus talk briefly to move the storyline along (“remember that time when, etc, etc, etc”) and the horses act out the various scenarios that our three protagonists discuss. The genies’ powers either create or act out the storyline through the horses.
The Acts
There are several acts during the show such as the initial ride out of the horses.
The bareback acrobat act (really cool stuff! dude is TALENTED).
The flaming ring jump act (a standing acrobat riding on the horses back jumps through the flaming hoop and lands back on the horse).
Audience Participation. After the Acrobats finished their routine a lucky audience member had a chance to participate in the show. Our lucky winner was Nora from North Dakota making her first trip to the United States (joke by Hocus Pocus). All was going well for Nora (who did pretty decent though holding on for dear life on the horse) until her pants ripped while riding and the audience arena wide were flashed poor Nora’s panties. Poor Nora was unaware until Hocus Pocus pointed it out to her after Nora dismounted and Hocus quickly tossed her her jacket to cover up. Poor Nora was last seen running from the arena back to North Dakota after Hocus pointed out her wardrobe malfunction. 😦
From there we were treated to the dancing Spanish horse.
The Cowboys and Cowgals
The Native American Rider (who looked as blond hair/blue-eyed as the next person) riding to Enigma’s “Return to Innocence” (because Ami chants are indigenous — though to Taiwan and not North America)
From there our story wraps up as Abra Cadabra prepares to leave Sheherazade in care of Hocus Pocus, his work done, and Sheherazade anxious to start her life with the good Prince Khalid. However, the evil Prince Vaneer appears jealous and vows that no one will have Sheherazade if he can’t have her.
Fortunately with a little Abra Cadabra and Hocus Pocus Prince Khalid arrives, Sheherazade is healed and they live happily ever after (or something like that!).
End scene, roll credits, let the horses out!
The Food
Remarkably the servers here actually come on out and take and deliver your orders very shortly after you get seated (pleasant surprise) as most shows I’ve been to they wait till the show actually starts.
Menu’s here if you wanna take a quick look.
Menu rocks as you get a fresh salad, an entree, dessert and drinks.
Sirloin Entree
Chicken Breast Entree
Strawberry New York Cheese Cake Dessert
Brownie Dessert
Verdict
Overall it was a great show. If you love horses this is definitely a must. Show was entertaining between the story, costumes, acrobat, horse tricks, etc. The food and service was good. Can’t go wrong!
How does this rate against the Pirate Dinner Show we saw earlier in the week? For my taste, the Pirate’s shows more my speed (I’m a guy, I love action) but both shows are great and recommended.
Full set of photos from the evening are here.
Official site of Arabian Nights is here.
The 316 Perspective 