Airlines and Mardi Gras Question?

[Sue909]

My first question is about the airlines. We (5) are booked on US Air from Phila to Orlando. I would check now and again to check seats and how full the plane is getting. ANyway, I looked a couple days ago and there was ONE seat left. Now, I check and the entire plane is full except for First Class. Just out of curiosity, I decided to try and buy 3 tickets for that flight to see if they would kick me off saying it was full but it allowed me to. I, of course, didn't go all the way through with it but it took me up to the credit card info.
Does anybody work for an airlines? Do they generally overbook by a lot? They have several flights going that morning/day each within a 2 hour span. I already have our seats and will check in online 24 hours before we leave but does anybody know if we get there earlier, will they put us on an earlier flight if they know our flight is booked? How does that work? I'm guessing the last one to check in (sounds like The Amazing Race), will get bumped. Just wondering if they would even offer us an earlier flight? Or should I call the night before? If anyone works for an airline and can give me some tips, that would be great!
As for Mardi Gras, how crowded will US be that day? Should I plan IOA on Saturday? I'm kind of confused about it. Is Mardi Gras in the US park and you just walk around catching beads in between rides? ANd stop to watch the concert and a certain location? You need separate tickets for it, right? If anyone can fill me in I would appreciate it. I know the Express Pass price is the most expensive but I was wondering if it would be more crowded in one park vs the other. Or, should be go early to the park to get a day in and then leave when Mardi Gras starts?
Thanks,
Sue

 

[Metro West]

As for Mardi Gras, how crowded will US be that day? Should I plan IOA on Saturday? I'm kind of confused about it. Is Mardi Gras in the US park and you just walk around catching beads in between rides? ANd stop to watch the concert and a certain location? You need separate tickets for it, right? If anyone can fill me in I would appreciate it. I know the Express Pass price is the most expensive but I was wondering if it would be more crowded in one park vs the other. Or, should be go early to the park to get a day in and then leave when Mardi Gras starts?
Thanks,
Sue

I'll handle the Mardi Gras question and let someone who uses the airlines to answer that question.

Mardi Gras is on Saturdays at the Studios through April 18th. It's a party type atmosphere with lots of cajun style food tents, the parade and the concert. The concert performer will determine how crowded the park will be but usually the concert crowd will start arriving after 4pm. This weekend is Kelly Clarkson and I'm expecting a HUGE crowd for her since the concert is free with your park admission. If you don't want to stay for the concert or parade, you are certainly able to leave but I would stick around especially if you have kids. They would love the parade!

The parade is really cool with lit floats and people throwing beads to the onlookers. I have posted some parade pictures on the following thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2105323

It's really a lot of fun so you should check it out...at least once.

 

[Sue909]

OK, so if we have the 7-day pass, we are in for Mardi Gras at US?
Do you think it would be better to do IOA during the day (less crowded) and then go over to US for Mardi Gras in the evening? It would be MC Hammer, April 4th. LOL
Can I go from Park to Park with the 7-day pass?
Wouldn't you think that US would be packed all day and night on Saturday, the 4th? Especially for people who buy the one day one park ticket. I'm wondering if IOA would be less crowded? Get some rides in there, then head over to US in the evening for Mardi Gras and not care if we get on many rides but just to enjoy the parade.
Sue

 

[Metro West]

OK, so if we have the 7-day pass, we are in for Mardi Gras at US?
Do you think it would be better to do IOA during the day (less crowded) and then go over to US for Mardi Gras in the evening? It would be MC Hammer, April 4th. LOL
Can I go from Park to Park with the 7-day pass?
Wouldn't you think that US would be packed all day and night on Saturday, the 4th? Especially for people who buy the one day one park ticket. I'm wondering if IOA would be less crowded? Get some rides in there, then head over to US in the evening for Mardi Gras and not care if we get on many rides but just to enjoy the parade.
Sue

If you wanted to "park hop" you certainly can with the seven-day tickets so you have lots of flexibility and the Mardi Gras concert/parade is included with your ticket. If you wanted to do IOA during the day and then go over to the Studios around 4pm or so, that would work just fine. If you are going for the parade, make sure you arrive no later than about 6:30pm so you can stake out a good place. You'll find lots of people will come up right around 8pm and try to take your spot from you.