What to expect - our first Renaissance Festival

[switch]

Greetings everyone!

My name is Ryan and I'd like to introduce myself.  I'd also like to say, this will be our first Renaissance Festival and my wife and I plan on dressing up.  We are going to be in town for a few days and want to know if there are any cool pubs to hit around the area (not too far away) or at the fairgrounds themselves.

Just a few quick questions:

1.  Is a Merlin costume acceptable?  I have read that we should avoid certain fantasy style costumes.  What about a medieval executioner?
2.  Is there enough activities for a full Saturday?  Should we attend on Friday night as well? The dates are Sept 19th weekend.
3.  We are staying at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott, how is the area and quality of the hotel?  Are there places to eat around it? 
4.  I'd like to hear what some of your local favorite places to eat as well.

Sorry for all the questions, but we are newbies at this, but hope to meet some friendly people and enjoy some brews!

[Noble Dreg]

Oh you are going to be in soooo much trouble!


Kidding!

Welcome, you are certainly going about your first visit in the best possible way!  We look forward to meeting you all!

[Noble Dreg]

Oh, suppose I should try to answer some of your questions...

Costumes run the spectrum from Fantasy to historical.  I think you will find greater accceptance from the staff, festies, and mundanes if you start with something more on the historic side.  Not too many executioners in the village.  Just my opinion, you of course are welcome to do as you please.

More than enough activities for a full Saturday, plenty for a weekend!  Hit the shows, as many as possible.  Then hit the shops.  Try the crepes!

That's all I got for now!

[Leyla]

1.  Is a Merlin costume acceptable?  I have read that we should avoid certain fantasy style costumes.  What about a medieval executioner?
2.  Is there enough activities for a full Saturday?  Should we attend on Friday night as well? The dates are Sept 19th weekend.
3.  We are staying at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott, how is the area and quality of the hotel?  Are there places to eat around it? 
4.  I'd like to hear what some of your local favorite places to eat as well.

1. There's a lot of fantasy at MNRF, fairies, wizards, gypsies, pirates. I wouldn't worry about being historically accurate. If anything I think it might have more to do with the quality of the costume; a costume from a Halloween store (think polyester shimmery cheapness) stands out like a sore thumb, something home made or of higher quality passes more easily. Wear what you feel most comfortable in. If this is your first faire you may just want to go in street clothes. I think there's quite a bit more staff interaction with the people who show up in regular clothes, and less so if you're dressed up. It's worth it to me to go in regular wear to get that perspective on festival.
2. There's more than enough activity for a full Saturday. Shopping alone can take more than a full day if you enjoy browsing the varied artistic wares. Also, there are so many fantastic shows to see. Faire is only on for one Friday of the run, and it's not the weekend that you'll be attending.
3. Are you staying in Minneapolis or Eden Prairie? I don't know that hotel in particular, and we can make better recommendations if we know which town you'll be at. There are many pubs inside the faire as well.
4. See 3

[tcindie]

1.  Is a Merlin costume acceptable?  I have read that we should avoid certain fantasy style costumes.  What about a medieval executioner?
2.  Is there enough activities for a full Saturday?  Should we attend on Friday night as well? The dates are Sept 19th weekend.
3.  We are staying at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott, how is the area and quality of the hotel?  Are there places to eat around it? 
4.  I'd like to hear what some of your local favorite places to eat as well.

The festival is not open on the Friday of that weekend, just Saturday and Sunday.  But nightlife in Minneapolis is pretty decent, so you could catch some live music downtown or in one of the suburbs, or hit any number of bars/restaurants... If you like baseball, the Twins will be in town playing Detroit.

Which TownePlace are you staying at?  I know off hand that there is one downtown minneapolis, one in st. louis park, and one in Eagan..

As for attire, stay away from halloween costume looking stuff. Other than that you'd be fine in pretty much whatever.  I would agree that you may feel more comfortable wearing something more period looking than fantasy looking, and I think Leyla makes a good point to attending in street clothes.  There are so many people that work there either on cast or in a privately owned shop/game area it can be difficult to know whether someone is just dressed up, or actually works there, so going in street clothes might be good for your first time, as everyone will know for certain you're a patron and like Leyla said, there will likely be more interaction.

If you can go both Saturday and Sunday, maybe come in plain clothes on Saturday, then wear garb on Sunday... that would give you the best of both worlds.

At any rate, it's a wonderful, magical place... and you're certain to have a good time.

[Storm]

Greetings everyone!

My name is Ryan and I'd like to introduce myself.  I'd also like to say, this will be our first Renaissance Festival and my wife and I plan on dressing up.  We are going to be in town for a few days and want to know if there are any cool pubs to hit around the area (not too far away) or at the fairgrounds themselves.

Just a few quick questions:

1.  Is a Merlin costume acceptable?  I have read that we should avoid certain fantasy style costumes.  What about a medieval executioner?
2.  Is there enough activities for a full Saturday?  Should we attend on Friday night as well? The dates are Sept 19th weekend.
3.  We are staying at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott, how is the area and quality of the hotel?  Are there places to eat around it?  
4.  I'd like to hear what some of your local favorite places to eat as well.

Sorry for all the questions, but we are newbies at this, but hope to meet some friendly people and enjoy some brews!

Hey Ryan...

I will pretty much echo what everyone has said. MNRF seems to be as much a fantasy thing as much as a renaissance thing, so a Merlin costume will be just fine.

Knowing what TownePlace you are staying at will be helpful too. There are lots of great places to eat in cities and it will be easier to recommend some if we know where you are at. Of course, I an guessing where ever you are you will be close to Lions Tap in EDEN PRAIRE (I don't why I put Eagan the 1st time!). Great Burger pub!

If you have decent garb, I'd wear it both days. Faire is such a different place when you are in garb. It is a totally different experience then just being in street cloths. A much better experience, in my opinion!

In all honesty, if you get to faire early (which I would recommend because MNRF is just that big. You really won't run out things to do and see there in 2 days) and leave late (which I, again, recommend), you won't have a lot of energy to wander too far from your hotel. A full day at faire will drain you, but it is SO worth it!..

[HandsomeJames]

4. Places to eat?

On Grounds there are a few places you can eat that I like the Crepes booth is good.  The soup in bread bowls is also good. 
Outside of Fest.  Between the Fairgrounds and Eden Praire there is the Lions Tap. 

16180 Flying Cloud Dr
Eden Prairie, MN 55347-4051
(952) 934-5299

They have good burgers.

Hope that helps.

Handsome James Bonney
-Bloodwake

[switch]

Wow!  Thanks for the responses!

Yes, we'll be staying in Eden Prairie at the Marriott Hotel, I guess there are 3 that are recommended on the main site that include tickets, so we chose the cheaper one   Is that a good part of town?  We've been to St. Paul many times, but never this part of the world. 

Anywhere around Flying Cloud road would be great for places to eat and pub recommendations. 

Let me personally thank you all, Noble Dreg, Leyla, tcindie, Storm, & HandsomeJames for the responses.  I don't have much time to write, but I will update you with more info tomorrow.

I think I may just go as a knight this year:)  Oh, and to the comment from Leyla about cheap costumes, Yep, I understand.  My wifes mother is a master seamstress, so she is going to make ours.  I know my wife has a pattern picked out from McCalls I think is the place?

Thanks and I'll respond with more info tomorrow! nite.

ps.  Updated pic of us, since most on here have them

[renren]

Welcome!
I have stayed at a Marriot for several years in a row, and really recommend that chain! We stay at Springhill suites in Eden Prairie, I believe.
( I would stay away from the hotel "by the race track"...)

There are also some campgrounds that alot of the crowd from R/F.com stay at...watch the Minnesota section, I'm sure there soon be a "which campground" thread!

See you at faire!! 

[DeadBishop]

Welcome to R/F.com, and glad to hear you'll be joining us at fest this year!

Eden Prairie is a fairly upscale suburb, so you'll find quite the variety of places to eat.  Mainly you'll find the typical chain restaurants, but there are a few more upscale places to eat.  You'll also be next to the Eden Prairie mall, and also the place where I work.  You'll be able to get to fest quite easily via Flying Cloud Drive, and it will take you right by Lion's Tap pub.  Very limited menu, but they're "famous" for their burgers, and have quite a good selection of beers.  

Here's a comprehensive map of places to eat near where you are staying.


Hope this helps!

~DB

[Will Gamwell]

Welcome!

If you like sushi or mongolian grill, try Osakas. 

. . . oh yeah, and the warmed saki is great too.

[Beaudan Tocks]

Mmmmmmmm...     warmmmmm  saki

[Obadiah Jib]

Welcome to MRF!  My advice is wear what ever you want!  Heck we have had Storm Troopers and Giant Pink Bunnies.  Just remember to drink plenty of water and use sun screen.

Also, you will not see everything in one day.  Know this going into the show.  Since it is your first time you might want to just wander and see what interests you.  MRF is a BIIIG Place!

And try the Royal Navy Experience if you get the chance!  I hear rumors that it is the Bomb-diggity!

[groomporter]

To expand on Obadiah's comment it's like 22 acres so plan on a lot of walking and there are some hills and dales and no sidewalks, so plan on decent shows for walking out doors or in the mud which there can be an awful lot of if it rains.

Expect lots of naughty double entendres and bad puns. It's a family show, but families have to "get started" some how -if you now what I mean, nudge, nudge.

[Synnovea]

Welcome!  All good points made so far.  Can't stress good shoes enough...Lotsa walking fer sure!  Faire in street clothes is a completely different experience than in garb so if you want to experience both, do so.  Also, there is a lot to see so maybe plan one day to explore fest and find out what shows and events are happening that weekend so you can plan for attending some the next day. 

There is quite a bit of tasty food at Faire.  Some of my faves are the crepes, the spinach pie (i.e., spinach quiche), popovers, and anything at the Greek booth.  Oh, and don't forget your Breakfast Beer from the Foaming Stein.

Looking forward to meeting you both!