Anybody going for Mardi Gras 2014?

[Jonell]

Thinking of booking but it looks like it will be a busy week. A few rooms left at ASMu, Pop, and CB. All other values and moderates are full I may try to get a value for the week. This will be our 5th Mardi Gras in a row and I hate to miss it.

 

[Urugami]

We'll be at the Caribbean Beach Mar 2-8. We also went last year at MG for the first time, and it was a lot of fun. Crowds weren't bad, but MK was a bit crowded on Tuesday, and on Friday it was jam-packed (beginning of Pres. Day weekend). There was a bit of rain, but it wasn't the afternoon thunderstorm type, more of a light, lingering system type. We spent a lot of time in Innoventions that day
from New Orleans, probably starting Saturday.

I have a question for everyone staying at POR ir POFQ?? It seems like many folks visiting from Louisiana especially at MG stay at these resorts. Just curious why that is? Is it because of the Louisiana/Mardi Gras theming? Personally when I leave South Louisiana on vacation I want to see something different that doesn't look like home

Last year, we changed from Carib Beach to PO Riverside, for a change of scenery, and I guess to spend Mardi Gras at more of a home setting. This year, we're going back to CBR. Riverside is nice, but as you said, it's just like home. We enjoy the more exotic feel of CBR, and we know our way around by now.
Also, DS just loves the beaches; we always make a bunch of sand castles while we're there. We even had to go make a special trip to CBR, at his request, to build a castle last year. He REALLY loves the beaches.
Also, at Riverside, you can lose your bearings and get turned around (well, WE did), since the foliage is denser, and there are many more places where you lose sight of both the parking lot and the water. DW took a half-hour walk one evening, to go somewhere five minutes away . The Port Orleans resorts are very nice, but they didn't give us the Disney feel, they felt like home.
Saw your last post, Jonell, about availability. Wow, I guess the crowd calendar predictions of 6-8 may be true. Looks like Play, Stay, and Dine are working, eh?
Have a great time, everybody!

 

[ArthurKing1220]

Can anyone else offer their experience regarding crowd levels? I'm doing a quick weekend trip Feb. 28 - Mar. 2 (Fri - Sun). I originally thought I had found a great slot as the last weekend before springbreak -- didn't realize Mardi Gras was such a big event at WDW. I'm used to doing Jan/Feb and Oct/Nov trips to avoid crowds -- getting worried now reading through this thread!

 

[jaman12]

FWIW, we went two years ago (2012) for Mardi Gras. Arrived the Thursday before and left on Mardi Gras day. Mardi Gras coincided with Presidents week that year. It got more crowded as our days went on. The only day I found it bad was that Monday which was actual Presidents day. We did Epcot that day. We still managed to do everything we wanted. So I figured if we managed Mardi Gras/President's week then Mardi Gras by itself should be fine. It's listed as the best week of March since it's before most people's spring break. Depending on which website you look at, the crowd level varies. Some have them listed as 4-5 and some have them at 7-8. I know it was predicted as level 9+ back in 2012. Rope drop was important.

 

[James65]

We'll be at the Caribbean Beach Mar 2-8.

from New Orleans, probably starting Saturday.

DS and I will be at Caribbean Beach March 2-7, it looks like a great place. We're planning to leave Metairie on Friday afternoon.

 

[lenkard]

So we are taking our kids out of that week to avoid our own vacation week (President's day week) but did not realize most of Louisiana had that week off! Josh (easywdw.com) takes note of Mardi Gras but still has 4's for that week so hopefully y'all won't have to much of a crowd impact. He is still recommending MK for Tuesday. Are people really drawn to MK because it is Fat Tuesday?

 

[tiff1228]

We are driving from Lake Charles. Leaving around 3 on Friday 2/28 and staying in Pensacola for the night. Hopefully Baton Rouge traffic won't be as bad as last year ......

We are driving from Grand Lake...not leaving till March 2nd. We always dread the traffic around Baton Rouge, been caught many times Hoping for a less crowded time for us all!

 

[James65]

So we are taking our kids out of that week to avoid our own vacation week (President's day week) but did not realize most of Louisiana had that week off! Josh (easywdw.com) takes note of Mardi Gras but still has 4's for that week so hopefully y'all won't have to much of a crowd impact. He is still recommending MK for Tuesday. Are people really drawn to MK because it is Fat Tuesday?

In 2009, we went to MK on Mardi Gras and it was terribly crowded. Last year we avoided MK on Fat Tuesday and will do the same this year.

 

[DaisyNY]

We're there March 1...Then on the DCL Dream from March 2-6...Then back to WDW for three days...Can't wait!!!

 

[shell8558]

We are driving from Grand Lake...not leaving till March 2nd. We always dread the traffic around Baton Rouge, been caught many times Hoping for a less crowded time for us all!

I think if you go through Baton Rouge early in the morning you will be fine. I was told that they have a big parade in Baton Rouge Friday before Mardi Gras and I think that is my problem . But it's still not gonna stop me - we are leaving as soon as we can on that Friday . If the kids don't have any tests , I may check them out after lunch . Are y'all staying onsite at disney ?

 

[Jack44]

I live in Baton Rouge, flying out of NOLA on 2/28. Word of advice, you do not want to try to cross the Mississippi River Bridge from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM on a Friday. The traffic in BR is much better but the bridge is still a massive pain.

 

[frazeemama]

Who is getting super excited about Disney???

Only 11 more days for us!!

Hoping the weather is good!

 

[melliemelo]

11 days for us too! Suitcases are out of the attic... time to start packing.

 

[preludejf]

10 more days! Can't wait.

 

[bookgirl]

12 days here.

If I have room thinking about taking some left over decorations and a slew of my MG beads to stick in my window.

Laissez les bons temps rouler `a WDW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[khertz]

If we end up driving,we'll be motoring from Laplace..."The Andouille Capital of The World"!!!

Never thought I'd see LaPlace mentioned here on the boards!! That's where I grew up and where my parents still live.

We are not heading to WDW for Mardi Gras, but I'm pretty sure 85% of my Facebook friends are! My husband is such a huge Mardi Gras fan that I don't know if I will ever again take a trip to WDW that week. Although once the kids are in school, he might just have to give in!

Hope everyone has a great time! I went on many Mardi Gras trips growing up and it's so fun running into all the Who Dats & Tigers fans around the parks!