Great Plains Renaissance Festival — Local services in Wichita

This was my first time visiting a Renaissance Festival so I wasn’t sure what to expect. There were a few things that made the experience a little “meh”. Parking was a nightmare. People were basically just parking anywhere and everywhere around the park, and our car was blocked in when we were trying to leave. There was only ONE booth selling drinks, so the line was a mile long. We spent 45+ minutes waiting in line just to get a drink, which took away time spent shopping vendors and watching the entertainers. Had we known ahead of time, we would’ve just brought our own drinks. I will add though that the prices were fair and the food was great. When we first arrived there was a QR code to scan for the event schedule and map. However, the map wasn’t clickable so we had to just wander around until we figured out where all of the shows were. Overall the entertainers made the experience better and our kids had fun so that’s what matters most. But after seeing past reviews similar to the one I’m writing now, it seems as though the event organizers haven’t made any changes to improve the event over the past few years. Directed traffic/parking (aside from right at the entrance), more food/drink vendors, and maybe some directory signs throughout the venue so people can find the shows they want to watch would definitely make the festival...

Cutsey and hokey, but it is fun for the kids. I've been going consistently for almost 20 years, so I have seen things change and stagnate.

Pros: small so you will see people you know. You can buy wine in multiple locations and drink it as you walk around. Some quality vendors.

Cons: Food court and vendors are extremely too small for the number of attendees. Be prepared to wait 30+ min in separate lines for food and beverages....then have no place to sit if you have kids. Water is only sold in one location, need to have multiple locations. Garbage cans overflowing as they are only serviced at the end of the day. People bringing their undertrained animals who interact poorly with people, children, and each other.

Overall, They have tried to bring in vendors, but much of it is not Renfair related. Think people selling pewter mugs and goblets with the Goodwill sticker still on the bottom. Need more costume vendors...and half a dozen vendors selling essential oils. The line for tickets is horrendous. I've waited as long as 45 minutes with a pre-paid ticket. Parking does not have nearly enough handicap availability.

The acts they bring in are quite good, but after a couple of years, you can recite their monologs along with them...no variety...

turned into more of an art show of people selling stuff they make at home that isn't even renaissance related. there's some stuff Ren related but most of the vendors you see at every summer market / festival.

They barely have any demostrations.

Went to the one in fall 2023 and spring 2024. each time i visited no sword fighting, the "jousting" looked like people using pool noodles, they had a swing thing that was just an acrobatic performer in the most basic outfit.

I went 25 yrs without going to ren fair and back then. All the tents were actually covered in moss, mud etc / themed to look like they were sellers from the era, they had swords art alcohol for adults and non alcohol drinks named from the era for kids, they had legit armor and sword fights, they had jousting that actually knocked people off the horses but not injure them.

They had actors dressed up like thieves that would smell really bad and take your turkey leg (when it was like 99% eaten) or as you were throwing it away and run off.

it was legit immersion.

NOW everything is so bland and boring.

Not worth the cost to get in any more.

Go to KC or Muskogee, OK ren fair where they actually still do...