AP Viewing for the Mardi Gras Parade

[jsmla]

Can the AP holder bring a guest? If no, can anyone recommend a quieter area for viewing the parade? We're willing to sacrifice the perfect view for a little less chaos.

Thanks and sorry for all of the questions this morning!

 

[Squirlz]

No, need an AP to enter. Actually there are no bad views.

 

[RalphinSC]

IMO, the "quietest" spots are along the waterfront or opposite along the buildings in New York between the Starbucks and Transformers. We've also had a really good spot right where the parade comes out by the Horror picture show (you get to see it twice when it comes out and again when it comes back in.) Worst crowds are by the festival area and by the stage, especially on concert nights.

 

[soniam]

Where is the AP area? Where do you enter? What time do people start entering it? This year, I would really like to avoid getting my foot destroyed by a drunk girl smashing it trying to get beads. I am hoping the AP area is a more reasonable.

 

[schumigirl]

Where is the AP area? Where do you enter? What time do people start entering it? This year, I would really like to avoid getting my foot destroyed by a drunk girl smashing it trying to get beads. I am hoping the AP area is a more reasonable.

AP viewing area is at Mels Diner.........

No idea how busy it gets as we haven’t gone yet........

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/events/mardi-gras/index.html

 

[Metro West]

Where is the AP area? Where do you enter? What time do people start entering it? This year, I would really like to avoid getting my foot destroyed by a drunk girl smashing it trying to get beads. I am hoping the AP area is a more reasonable.

The AP viewing area is near the start of the parade so you'll see everything right out of the gate...so to speak. Personally I don't think there is a real advantage to the viewing area...the last time I did it we were corralled into the small space and I felt I couldn't move around at all. I would rather be towards the end of the parade since it seems to be less people there. About the only way you are going to keep your foot safe is to wear heavy duty steel toe boots...everyone loves beads.

 

[RalphinSC]

AP area tends to be just a busy as most of the route. No real heavy benefit to standing there IMO (we tried it)

 

[hhoope01]

We staked out our area about 30 minutes before the parade (Tuesday night). We were very close to where the T2 ride used to be and next to a tree (close to where the Amex club holders area is). And it was a very nice spot, not very crowded at all.

One thing I will mention is last night (Monday) we were riding on a float throwing out the beads and it was a blast. But we did run out of beads to throw before the end of the parade. So if you stake out a place close to the ending route, some floats may not have very many (or any) beads to throw out.

 

[jsmla]

We staked out our area about 30 minutes before the parade (Tuesday night). We were very close to where the T2 ride used to be and next to a tree (close to where the Amex club holders area is). And it was a very nice spot, not very crowded at all.

One thing I will mention is last night (Monday) we were riding on a float throwing out the beads and it was a blast. But we did run out of beads to throw before the end of the parade. So if you stake out a place close to the ending route, some floats may not have very many (or any) beads to throw out.

Thanks, what is the AMEX club? We have a card.

I'm not all that worried about throws. We're from South Louisiana and already have bags and bags of beads in the attic.

 

[xuxa777]

The AP area like others have mentioned is not really a benefit gets more crowded there than other locations in the park.

 

[Momw/aplan]

I’m curious about the AmEx area as well. Am hoping it is a less crowded space.

 

[yulilin3]

I've seen the Mardi Gras parade once (Monday 5th) and got a bench on Hollywood about 45 minutes before, last night I was on a float throwing beads (so much fun BTW and they were in dire need of more volunteers, so it's easy to get in the standby line and get in during weekdays at least) and it was also pretty empty. The ap reserved spot faces the beginning of the parade or the end depending on which side you sit, like others have said try and get the beginning so they don't run out of beads

 

[hhoope01]

I’m curious about the AmEx area as well. Am hoping it is a less crowded space.

Check out: https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/corporate-partners/american-express/index.html